As for You | 2023 National Convention Review | July 16-19, Raleigh, NC

More than 5,000 Free Will Baptists (the highest attendance in a decade) gathered July 16-19 for the 87th National Convention in Raleigh, North Carolina. The meeting previously visited the “City of Oaks” only one other time, in 1965.

The 2024 convention considered the theme “As for You.” Sunday morning, after a Sunday School lesson from Bruce Barnes (VA), Butch Taylor (GA) challenged listeners to continue in the Word (2 Timothy 3:1-13). Sunday evening, Gene Williams (NC) underscored the importance of encouraging one another in the Word (1 Thessalonians 5:1-7). Monday, after a warm welcome to North Carolina from State Promotional Director Reuben Cason, Faron Thebeau (MO) urged listeners to reach with the Word (Acts 8:26-40). Amos Dillard (CA) spoke on Tuesday and explored teaching and training others in the Word (Titus). During the concluding Wednesday evening missions service, Ken Cash (NC, Bulgaria) challenged listeners to give themselves as laborers (Matthew 9:35-38; 10).

These sermons were more than convention messages, as Executive Secretary Eddie Moody emphasized to listeners during his opening remarks. “Often, we attend a conference, revival meeting, or service and walk away feeling good. But it is our hope this year’s convention will help us more effectively reach people with the gospel, train them in the Christian faith, and give ourselves wholly to the Lord. We need to return home better equipped to work together to turn an upside-down world right side up. How? By hearing the Word and doing the work!”

Along with excellent preaching, worship services were characterized by enthusiastic congregational singing, special music, and choir selections; and Scripture related to the convention theme and sermons. Every service was memorable. Shouts echoed above the singing, hands raised toward Heaven, and altars filled as Free Will Baptists responded to the Word of God read, sung, and preached.

One Day Early

Eighty Free Will Baptist volunteers from across the country arrived a day early to join this year’s IMPACT Raleigh outreach event the day before the convention. Teams worked in three locations: Shady Grove FWB Church, Haven FWB Church, and With Love From Jesus Ministries. Impact Coordinator Ken Akers said, “IMPACT Raleigh was a great success! We washed cars, sorted food and clothing, served meals, and went door to door with outreach materials. Most importantly, we made many new contacts for the churches involved.”

Honors and Events

Several individuals were honored in Raleigh for significant contributions to the denomination. The Executive Office honored outgoing Assistant Moderator William Smith (GA), who served the denomination faithfully from 2004-2023. The Historical Commission recognized Robert E. Picirilli (TN) for 50 years of faithful service and leadership as its longtime chairman, and Randall House honored Allen Pointer (TN) for 26 years as the director of Truth & Peace.

The convention also hosted a variety of special events. During the annual Laughter and Latté, ladies gathered to fellowship after the Monday night service. Ruth McDonald, Phyllis York, and the entire WNAC board entertained the group with a skit about Ruth’s first board meeting.

Tuesday night featured Fun With Forrest. For years, the games, comedy, and prizes of Jon Forrest have entertained young convention-goers. This event was filled with those familiar signature activities, and it was a hit! Members of the audience participated in wacky games and won even wackier prizes such as superhero gadgets and condiment squirt guns. The audience roared with laughter as Forrest delivered perfectly timed jokes about Truth & Peace, the Vertical 3 Conference, and, yes, even church restrooms. Attendee Camden Lewis spoke for everyone: “This was the best entertainment we’ve had in years!”

Convention Business

The General Board began its Monday, July 17, meeting with a brief message from Moderator Tim York (TN), who challenged listeners to live a life of the Word and a life in the Word. The board heard reports from eight national agencies and four commissions during a two-hour, 18-minute meeting. Members approved a variety of recommendations from the Executive Committee, including a 2024 denominational budget of $31.6 million and recommendations for future conventions in Grand Rapids, Michigan (2027) and Little Rock, Arkansas (2028).

The board also approved the Executive Committee recommendation to adopt a revised resolution regarding the ordination of men referred to the Executive Committee during the 2022 convention. The resolution was later amended and accepted by delegates. (Read the full resolution in the convention Proceedings.)

Delegates approved all other recommendations from the General Board without change, including updated nominating guidelines previously tabled.

During Tuesday and Wednesday business sessions, delegates heard and approved reports from the following departments and commissions:

Executive Office. Executive Secretary Eddie Moody emphasized the progress of the Executive Office in assisting and equipping pastors and churches to meet the denomination’s
3 for 30 reach, train, and give goals. This progress stems from a variety of new resources and initiatives: matching available pastors and potential churches through the assistance of Moderator Tim York (TN); Refresh resources, including free pastoral counseling via Zoom; Know Your Community reports offered in cooperation with Church Answers; Rekindle revitalization and coaching; Growing Together; and a wide variety of printed and online materials.

Moody introduced The Hope Initiative, a new church revitalization effort offered in conjunction with Church Answers using prayer and Scripture as its foundation. The Hope Initiative seeks to change the culture of a church three to five participants at a time over a 12-month period.

Moody additionally urged churches to participate in Operation Restoration, where congregations and associations come together to help struggling churches within their association or region. Interested churches should visit nafwb.org/restoration. He urged churches to reach out to college and university students in local colleges, and encourage their own students to attend a Free Will Baptist college. If not, help students connect with a Free Will Baptist church in the city where they study.

In closing, Moody honored outgoing Assistant Moderator William Smith (GA) for 19 years of service (2004-2023) and Executive Committee member Chris Todd for serving on behalf of the South Carolina State Association.

D6 Family Ministry (Randall House). CEO Ron Hunter Jr. mourned the recent passing of Dr. Alton Loveless, former director, noting, “We lost a giant this week, and he will be missed. ...We need more leaders like Alton Loveless.” (Read Hunter’s full tribute to Loveless in the October-
November issue of ONE Magazine.)

Hunter celebrated progress made in the development of an Arminian Study Bible before introducing a list of new book titles available from Randall House. He shared highlights of the now-available EveryDay Foundations curriculum that provides small group and Sunday School Bible studies in two-month “blocks” rather than quarterlies. The curriculum is designed for all ages, with a particular emphasis on family interaction through shared biblical themes.

Hunter updated listeners on the D6 Conference. Internationally, the conference has expanded its reach into 19 countries (at the expense of only $15,000 to the department). In the U.S., a new D6 Conference will begin in the Northwest region starting in 2024.

Hunter acknowledged the lingering impact of the pandemic on curriculum sales, with a $568,000 loss in 2020, $595,000 in 2021, and $390,000 in 2022—a cumulative loss of more than $1.5 million. Sales continue to remain 9% lower than pre-pandemic levels. To help off-set these financial challenges, Hunter asked churches to consider:

• Adopting locked-in pricing with EveryDay Foundations curriculum.
  

• Providing devotional guides to all students.
  

• Putting Randall House in the church budget.
  

Following Hunter’s report, delegates approved the department’s previously requested name change from Randall House to D6 Family Ministry. Later, during a brief report on Vertical 3, Hunter honored Allen Pointer (TN) for 26 successful years as director of Truth & Peace and announced Ryan Akers (MO) will follow Pointer in this role.

IM, Inc. Director Clint Morgan acknowledged the end of an era marked by the recent passing of pioneer Free Will Baptist missionaries Carlisle Hanna and Tom Willey, Jr. However, he celebrated the rise of a new generation of missionaries inspired by the faithfulness of these men and other pioneers: generation to generation.

Morgan celebrated 87 ETEAM participants in 2023, along with participants in CMP (College Ministry Program), and OA (Overseas Apprentice). These programs give students an opportunity to broaden their view and understanding of the world through time on the mission field. The trips are not “an experience,” Morgan noted, but “part of a process. Eventually, we want to see all these young people serving on one of our fields.”

IM now enjoys multi-generational missionary families, with children serving with IM. These second-generation missionaries understand the needs and challenges of their fields, because they grew up there. Morgan also expressed gratitude for the growing number of “national” missionaries now serving with IM.

To pass a clear vision of missions to the next generation, Morgan indicated the denomination must:

• Proclaim sound biblical doctrine, absolute truths, and foundational life principles without compromise.
  

• Wholeheartedly preserve the authenticity and rich heritage of the denomination.
  

• Willingly involve all generations in ministry opportunities of serving and leading.
  

• Faithfully labor with the Body of Christ to fulfill the Great Commission.
  

After introducing new staff members Catie Pointer and Sydney McClure, Morgan expressed excitement over many new strategic partnerships making it possible for IM to extend its reach into 34 countries. He celebrated progress toward strategic goals and objectives for 2025 aligned with the objectives of the 3 for 30 plan. These resulted in the following milestones in 2022:

• Reaching with 112 missionaries; 1,788 professions of faith; 1,308 baptisms; and 48,936 Free Will Baptists worshiping each Sunday outside North America (equaling 30% of all Free Will Baptists).
  

• Training through 14 organized training programs with 380 pursuing degrees, along with 1,765 national believers participating in informal training programs.
  

• Giving totaled $8.8 million, with 500 new donors and a $50,000 increase in the WMO.
  Morgan emphasized the $1 million WMO goal in 2023 and reminded listeners of the August 27 offering date. “Although,” Morgan concluded, “Any offering day is a good day!”
  

Welch College. President Matt Pinson identified 2022 as one of the most financially challenging years in the history of Welch College as the school continues to recover from the significant impact of the pandemic. He thanked his staff for “doubling down” through these difficult days continuing to provide a high quality, distinctively Free Will Baptist educational experience.

Pinson pointed to significant improvements in academic excellence and expanded graduate programs. Climbing rankings among colleges and universities underscore these efforts. He celebrated a 24% increase in ministry enrollment over the last four years. And, after a significant increase in enrollment in fall 2022, the college anticipates an even larger jump in students in fall 2023.

To meet the continuing financial challenges, the college made deep budget cuts. Pinson encouraged Free Will Baptists to send students and support the college financially to help the situation. “The long-term picture looks very good and very promising,” he told listeners. “It’s just the short-term cash picture that is daunting.” He made it clear the financial challenges are related in part to the growing number of ministerial scholarships provided to ministry students.

He thanked the denomination in closing, noting, “Thank you for giving sacrificially to keep this vital ministry strong for the future. Thank you for sending us students...and thank you for your continued prayers for this Christian community of faith and learning.”

WNAC. In her first report to the National Association, Director Ruth McDonald emphasized her department’s focus on helping Free Will Baptist women find and fulfill their role in the Great Commission. She explained a change in structure, as WNAC moved from a membership model to an inclusive organization for every Free Will Baptist woman. “We are trying to reach all women from 12 to 112!” McDonald noted, “And if you have someone older than 112, she is welcome, too!”

Ruth encouraged listeners to subscribe and listen to the new WNAC podcast, As You Go, which launched during the convention, and features pioneer missionary Lorene Miley in the first episode. Shine! Conferences continue to provide training for girls and young women, offsetting negative messages from our culture with sound, biblical teaching about worth and womanhood. Two 2024 Shine! events will be held, one in Oklahoma and one in Michigan.

McDonald thanked God for financial provision throughout the pandemic and the growth of The Giving Tree, a monthly plan of support. The resulting monthly giving offset the loss of membership dues. Women continue to be generous, giving $433,000 to ministries through WNAC in 2022 (nearly twice the department’s budget).

The new director concluded by thanking national departments for coming alongside and supporting WNAC, noting, “I am convinced WNAC’s best days are ahead.”

Board of Retirement. Director John Brummitt celebrated one of the board’s best years of growth in 2022, despite the volatility of financial markets. The department had its second highest enrollments at 133, and the highest one-year financial increase, with nearly $17 million in new funds. Brummitt indicated a renewed focus on new participants by reaching out to individuals, church schools, and daycares. The board also has begun consulting with churches to help them create a financial strategy.

In cooperation with the 3 for 30 plan, Brummitt introduced the following goals: 1) increase the average account balance of participants; 2) increase the percentage of participating denominational employees; and 3) expand financial opportunities for Free Will Baptist churches. To help meet these goals, the board will pay for Know Your Community research for any church that currently provides or begins to provide retirement benefits for employees.

Following his report, Brummitt initiated a name and charter change (to be finalized in 2024), opening the door to participants in partner ministries, churches with no denominational affiliation, and schools and ministry organizations beyond the denomination. Brummitt also honored three outgoing board members for their work: Danny Baer (NC), chairman; James Beasley (SC); and Mike Gladson (OH).

FWB Foundation. Director David Brown highlighted the purpose of Free Will Baptist Foundation: to serve other Free Will Baptist ministries. This is accomplished through estate gifts, endowments, planned gifts, and individual revocable trusts. In addition, the Foundation manages a charitable investment pool that will benefit ministries in the future.

Because the Foundation gave away $1.1 million in ministry gifts last year, the department reported an expected loss of $800,000. Yet, the Foundation still increased total assets by $1.3 million in 2022 and finished the year at almost $115 million (despite the almost 20% decline in the markets).
Brown announced the reopening of the money management program on a limited basis, following

a lengthy registration process in various states. “While not every state is open initially,” Brown reported, “most are now open, and we are paying 3.45% at our base rate and up to 3.7% on larger amounts.” These rates will jump again in January 2024 when the Foundation expects the top rate to hit 4%. “Money management is vitally important,” Brown explained, “because while we offer a very good rate to our investors, the Foundation also earns a service fee that supports our overall ministry and funds our estate planning ministry.”
Following his presentation, David Brown honored outgoing board members Chairman Bobby Edwards (TN) and Hubert Stafford (GA).

North American Ministries. CEO David Crowe emphasized church planting as the primary goal of North American Ministries, with 85 church plants (31 English, 54 Spanish) currently underway. He expressed excitement over Pastor’s Boot Camps, which have trained 244 pastors to date.

Crowe noted Master’s Men expansion of disaster response efforts, with new state teams and new equipment added in 2022. Denominational chaplain’s ministry continues to flourish, with 15 military chaplains (a record number) and many civilian chaplains. Crowe also announced the relocation of the Hispanic Bible Institute from Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to Parkers Chapel FWB Church in Greenville, North Carolina.

He explained the Church Extension Loan Fund (CELF) has worked diligently to bring the financial program into compliance with a wide range of state regulations. To date, this has involved a financial investment of nearly $300,000 in legal and financial fees, leading to a reported deficit in 2022.

In closing, Crowe expressed deep gratitude to the denomination, which gave $3.9 million to the department and its various ministries in 2022.

Commissions

Historical Commission. Eric Thomsen updated the work of the commission during 2022: archiving books and documents for the Historical Collection, scanning and posting associational minutes to FWBHistory.com along with important periodicals such The Free Will Baptist Bible College Bulletin and The Missionary Helper. He pointed to upcoming projects: scanning and posting WNAC periodicals CoLaborer and Together With God, along with the Oklahoma Bible College Newsletter. He thanked Free Will Baptists for supporting the work of the commission before honoring Commission Chairman Robert E. Picirilli (TN) for 50 consecutive years of service on the commission.

Music Commission. Chairman Doug Little expressed the commission’s desire to provide help for Free Will Baptist churches, especially the average church with volunteer or part-time music leaders. The commission is seeking to identify concrete ways to provide help. He encouraged churches and individuals to contact the commission regarding resources they need.

Media Commission. Josh Owens expressed thanks for a Foundation grant making it possible to optimize the live streams at the National Convention and Leadership Conference. These improvements include an ASL feed and a Spanish translation app. Owens noted the commission is available to serve churches through logo design, Web design, branding, and sound and lighting consultation. The nominal fees charged for these services help offset costs of travel to and from the National Convention.

Commission for Theological Integrity. Chairman Matt Pinson encouraged listeners to attend the 2023 Theological Symposium, October 2-3, on the campus of Randall University in Moore, Oklahoma. (Learn more at FWBTheology.com.)

Pinson summarized, On Divorce and Remarriage of Ordinands, a report developed at the request of delegates during the 2022 convention. The document explains the biblical phrase “‘husband of one wife’ rules out divorced and remarried persons as proper subjects of ordination” as the “near unanimous view of Free Will Baptists at the time of the 1976 resolution.”

Based on more recent surveys and scholarship, the commission concluded “this interpretive view and theological application still reflect the thinking and practice of the vast majority of Free Will Baptists.” However, the commission also clearly stated the limits of the 1976 resolution, noting the “non-binding nature of the resolution on state local associations and conferences.”

The report therefore advises: “the 1976 resolution reflects a prudent path that clearly recognizes the majority view on this question while at the same time acknowledging the existence of alternative views at the local level.”

Delegates approved the report.

Convention at a Glance

Registration

National Convention – 4,826
Vertical Three – 3,039
Total (Unique) Attendees – 5,159*
*Note: Many attendees register for both conventions.

Speakers

Sunday School, July 16 - Bruce Barnes (VA)

Sunday Morning, July 16 - Butch Taylor (GA)

Sunday Evening, July 16 - Gene Williams (NC)

Monday Evening, July 17 - Faron Thebeau (MO)

Tuesday Evening, July 18 - Amos Dillard (CA)

Wednesday Evening, July 19 - Ken Cash (NC, Bulgaria)

Elected in 2023

Board of Retirement - 2029
Travis Moots (NC)
William Smith (GA)
Joshua Chapman (MO)

Free Will Baptist Foundation - 2029
Jonathon Locklear (MI)
Melissa Haralson (AR)
Bob Thompson (OK)

2025 Matt Mouser (GA)

North American Ministries - 2029
Brian Williams (NY)
Josh Baer (NC)
David Sexton (VA)

Theological Commission - 2028
Matt Pinson (TN)

Historical Commission - 2028
David Crowe (TN)

Music Commission - 2028
Daniel Webster (TN)

2026 Sam Harris (NC)

Media Commission - 2028
Stephen Lopes (TN)

Executive Committee - 2026
Stan Bunch (MO)
Wayne Hale (Mid-Atlantic)
Daniel Edwards (IN)

2024 Dick Terry (OK)

General Officers of the Executive Committee - 2026
Randy Bryant (FL) – Clerk
Jackson Watts (MO)– Assistant Moderator

*The following boards did not elect members in 2023: IM, Inc., Randall House, Welch College, and WNAC.

Nominating Committee 2023-2024

Terry Hinds (IN), Chairman
Jimmy Lawson (MI)
Mark Harrison (CA)
Melanie Franks (AL)
Ken Simpson (MO)
Mark Walker (GA)
John Collier (TX)

2023 Resolution Committee
Dick Terry (OK), Chairman
Stephen Hood (AZ)
Brent Patrick (VA)
Curtis Smith (IL)
Will Beauchamp (FL)

Note: The above committees appointed by the moderator.

2024 Budgets

Executive Office - $972,354
Foundation - $2,334,012
IM, Inc. - $9,100,000
NAM (includes Master’s Men) - $5,000,000
Randall House - $5,330,850
Retirement - $855,850
Welch College – $7,755,234
WNAC - $260,000
Theological Commission - $6,800
Historical Commission - $5,680
Media Commission - $7,925
Music Commission - $8,350

Total – $31,637,055

2023 Vertical Three Conference
Registration – 3,039
Truth & Peace – 144 participants
Competitive Entries: 792
Competitors: 1,449

Buck-A-Week Offering: $5,244*
* Initial count may be adjusted

Convention coverage contributors: Eric Thomsen, Tori Matlock, Jaron Austin
Vertical Three: Derek Altom
Photographers: Rodney Yerby, Sydney McClure, Michael E. Rogers, Tori Matlock
Download Photos: nafwb.yerbyphoto.com