news at welch college   Welch College in Gallatin, Tennessee, has been the official college of the Free Will Baptist Denomination since 1942. To find out more information about the school, visit www.Welch.edu.

Welch Hosts FORUM23/Bible Conference

Gallatin, TN—Approximately 250 students, faculty, staff members, and guests attended Forum23 from March 5-7, 2023, on the Welch College campus in Gallatin, Tennessee. Plenary and breakout sessions challenged and encouraged attendees. Ajith Fernando, teaching director of Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka, was the keynote speaker. Other speakers included:

• Nancy Guthrie, Bible teacher, conference speaker, and author
  

• John J. DeBerry, Jr., senior advisor to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee
  

• Brian Croft, founder and executive director, Practical Shepherding, Inc.
  

• Jonathan Locklear, associate pastor, Woodhaven FWB Church (MI)
  

• J. Matthew Pinson, president, Welch College
  

Throughout the conference, attendees were urged to recognize and honor the call of God on their lives. In so doing, they will:

• Avoid the wisdom of men, which empties the power of the Cross; instead relying solely on the power of God, which saves the souls of men.
  

• Embrace the glorious eternal destiny for which human beings were made, and which Christ secured for all on the Cross.
  

• Reject temptations toward comparison, competition, and celebrity.
  

• Guard oneself and God’s people against wolves within and without.
  

• Stand firm for God, the Bible, and righteousness in society.
  

• Maintain humility and deliver the pure Word and gospel.
  

• Make discipleship a priority to perpetuate deep, abiding faith.
  

Forum24 will meet on campus at Welch College March 3-5, 2024. Learn more: welch.edu.

Welch College Receives High Athletic Awards From the NCCAA

Gallatin, TN—The National Christian College Athletic Association distributed the men and women’s basketball awards at the National Basketball Championship Tournament in Joplin, Missouri, March 8-9. Welch College Athletic Director and men’s basketball coach Greg Fawbush was named National Coach of the Year for the NCCAA II men’s division. The award was his second significant award this season, previously named Mideast Region Coach of the year February 23, in Lansing, Michigan. Coach Fawbush led the Flames to a 19-win season and a top ten ranking on two separate occasions this season.

Abby Bragg received the Dr. Marti MacCullough Award for the NCCAA II women’s division. The award, representing the NCCAA’s Game Plan for Life initiative, is the highest award given each year. Although it includes athletic accolades, it is based primarily on Christian character and leadership. Abby is the all-time leading scorer for the Lady Flames and was First Team All-American last season. Maci Bowman and Olivia Delk were also named to the Second Team All-American.

These awards finished off a historic year for the Welch College athletic program. Mitchell Moody received the Elvin and Joyce King Award in cross country in November 2022, the highest award given in cross country by the NCCAA. The cross country team also had three runners qualify for the national meet: Mitchell Moody, Nathan Shute, and Hannah Barnes. Moody also won the first Welch College Invitational race held in September 2022.

The Lady Flames volleyball team made history by winning the regional tournament and qualifying for the national tournament. Ashleigh Sage was named Regional Player of the Year and First Team All-American. Meg Gates and Michaela Pinkerman were named Second Team All-Region. Kenadee Osbourne made the all-regional honorable mention team.

The Lady Flames basketball team was ranked in the top ten in every ranking this year. They also received several awards:

• Olivia Delk, First Team All-Region, Regional Newcomer of the Year, and Second Team All-American
  

• Macey Bowman, First Team All-Region and Second Team All-American
  

• Abby Bragg, Second Team All-Region and Game Plan for Life award winner
  

• Faithe Johnstone, regional Freshman of the Year
  

The Flames basketball team won 19 games for the first time since returning to full-time NCCAA play. They were ranked in the top ten twice throughout and produced two five-game winning streaks throughout the season.JC Chapman was named First Team All-Region, EJ Byrd made Third Team All-Region, and DJ Estes made the regional honorable mention team.

“This was a historic year for the athletic program at Welch College,” Fawbush said. “We had two athletes receive the highest awards in their respective sports from the NCCAA. We also had three All-Americans and a regional championship. The historic year is attributed to the hard work of our coaches: Katie Bryan, Emma Guthrie, Matt Bracey, Jon Wilson, Malik Mims, Claire Ryan, and Joy Brown. Our players embraced our culture this year, and God honored their hard work.”

For more information regarding Welch College athletics, contact Greg Fawbush (fawbush@welch.edu) or visit welchathletics.com.