news about the denomination The following news items apply to (or affect) the Free Will Baptist denomination scattered across the nation and around the world.To read more about Free Will Baptists and the various departments that make up the national organization, visit www.nafwb.org. Read a brief history of Free Will Baptists in the United States.

2019 Leadership Conference "Turns the Page"

Nashville, TN—The 2019 Free Will Baptist Leadership Conference returns to Nashville Airport Marriott December 9-10. Pastors and church leaders from across the country will gather to explore the theme, “Turning the Page,” according to Ryan Lewis, conference organizer. Keynote sessions will feature recently retired Executive Secretary Keith Burden and his successor, Dr. Eddie Moody. The two leaders will assess the denomination’s past successes, present challenges, and future potential.

Tuesday morning training seminars will feature a third keynote speaker. Dr. Gordon Penfold will present The State of the Church in America, How to “Make” Change, and Vision Basics. Penfold has served four churches and two interim pastorates over 37 years of pastoring and recently stepped down as lead pastor of First Baptist Church, a multi-ethnic congregation in Holyoke, Colorado.

In 2006, Dr. Penfold became director of Fresh Start Ministries, focused on bringing health and vitality to plateaued, declining, and conflicted congregations. Recently, Dr. Penfold and Gary McIntosh developed Turnaround Pastor, an organization to equip struggling pastors with tools to transform stagnant churches.

The two-day conference provides more than training. Attendees will enjoy banquet-styled meals, music provided by Welch College, and free time Tuesday afternoon for sightseeing in Nashville. A number of national boards and committees also will meet in conjunction with the conference.

“As our denomination enters a transitional phase,” notes conference director Ryan Lewis, “we need to be encouraged to remain unified as we work to equip strong pastors and churches that will push us forward.”

Visit www.nafwb.org/leadershipconference for more information, registration, and hotel reservation information.

Publishing Pioneer With the Lord

Nashville, TN—Rev. Harrold Harrison, 94, died peacefully July 11, 2019. The Henryetta, Oklahoma, native was born in 1925. He served in the Navy during World War II and never forgot his experiences in the Pacific aboard the battleship U.S.S. Maryland, fighting with the Seventh Fleet through 18 major naval battles.

When the war ended, Harrold married his sweetheart Lauretta (Lari) Harrison, paying a preacher $20 to perform the ceremony following a Wednesday night prayer meeting. The couple was married 71 years until Lari’s death in 2016.

After accepting Christ in 1953, Harrison answered the call to preach, was licensed a few months later, and ordained in 1955. He and Lari immediately moved to Nashville, where Harrold earned a B.A. from Welch College and later bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Belmont University and Middle Tennessee State University.

After pastoring Free Will Baptist churches for several years, Harrold answered the call to denominational service, serving Randall House Publications for 27 years. He stayed on the road constantly, promoting Sunday School, conducting workshops, and helping launch Bible institutes.

Harrison still found time to write curriculum, edit books, direct teacher training, and serve as assistant director for the publishing house, along with authoring four books. During a 2005 interview with ONE Magazine, Harrold pointed to three shelves of double-stacked books and said, “This is my most valuable contribution. When I came on board [at Randall House], we did not have a single book in print by Free Will Baptist authors.”

Two landmark projects mark Harrison’s career: the 1978 Who’s Who Among Free Will Baptists and the launch of the Randall House Bible Commentary series, completed shortly before his death.

After retiring from Randall House in 1990, Harrold worked nine years at Welch College, where he started an external education and distance-learning program.

Friends and family members celebrated Harrold at Cross Timbers FWB Church July 14. Read more about his remarkable life and accomplishments in an upcoming issue of ONE Magazine.

2020 Nominees Requested

Antioch, TN—The 2019-2020 Nominating Committee, which will serve through the national convention in Oklahoma City, is prepared to receive nominees for the 2020 election, according to Ron Helms (MI), committee chairman.

The committee will meet December 10, 2019, at the annual Leadership Conference to consider nominations and compile a report offering a single nomination for each position to be filled. The report will be presented to delegates at the 2020 convention.

The following board and commission positions will be filled in 2020: Welch College (3); IM, Inc (3); Randall House Publications (3); Women Nationally Active for Christ (3); Commission for Theological Integrity (1); Historical Commission (1); Music Commission (1); Media Commission (1); General Board (12); Executive Committee (3); and General Officers (4). The Board of Retirement will additionally elect a board member to replace Jack Daniel (GA), deceased.

The following boards do not elect members in 2020: Home Missions (North American Ministries), Free Will Baptist Foundation.

Nominations, accompanied by a brief resume, must be submitted exclusively to the chairman on or before December 2. Download the nomination form at www.nafwb.org.

Contact Chairman Ron Helms: Nominating Committee, 8977 Manor Ave, Allen Park MI 48101 or
revronsouthgatechurch@gmail.com.