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.

Better Together Podcast Offers Training and Resources

Antioch, Tennessee—In a 2019 nationwide survey, the number one request of Free Will Baptist pastors was more training and resources. The Better Together Podcast, produced and distributed by the National Association of Free Will Baptists, was born out of that request, according to Executive Secretary Eddie Moody.

The podcast consists of short, practical, and informative interviews in which people share what they have learned from their ministry. These men and women speak to us from the “trenches” about what has and hasn’t worked for them in ministry.

Access and subscribe to the Better Together podcast, published weekly, through www.nafwb.org as well as our various social media outlets (Facebook and Twitter) and via iTunes.

Introducing 2020 Nominees for Standing Boards and Commissions

Antioch, TN—The 2019-20 Nominating Committee presented the following nominees to be considered for the 2020 convention election, according to Ron Helms (MI), committee chairman. Please note: FWB Foundation and North American Ministries do not elect board members in 2020.

WNAC: 2026 Term

Jessica Edwards (TN), replacing Janie Campbell
Tracy Payne (OK), replacing herself
Katie Postlewaite (SC), replacing Diana Bryant

Jessica Edwards has been a home maker and home educator for her three children since 2008. Prior to this role, she worked for SunTrust Bank five years as a bank teller, financial service representative, and mortgage processor. She graduated from Welch College in 2003, with a B.S. in Biblical Studies and minors in Missions and History. She has been active in WAC activities for more than 15 years, serving as treasurer of Tennessee WAC four years, and as co-president, secretary, and Missions Committee chairman of her local WAC group. Jessica and her husband Bob are active members of Cross Timbers FWB Church in Nashville, Tennessee.

Katie Postlewaite has worked four years as the receptionist and runner for a law firm in Johnsonville, South Carolina. She is an active member of Westside FWB Church, where her husband Joey has pastored more than seven years. She teaches Sunday School and AWANA, sings in the choir, directs VBS, and organizes the church’s annual missions 5K race fundraiser. Katie is president of her church WAC, vice president of the district WAC, and vice president of South Carolina WAC. She also has been active in Vertical Three CTS Expo activities. Katie and Joey are in the process of adopting two little girls.

Welch College: 2026 Term

Jeff Crabtree (ATL-CAN), replacing himself
Shiloh Hackett (TN), replacing himself
Chris Truett (NC), replacing himself

Randall House: 2026 Term

Paul Bryant (MS), replacing himself
Ryan Giles (OK), replacing Randy Scott
Rick Taylor (AL), replacing Steve Lindsay

Ryan Giles has been pastor of Kingsview FWB Church in Oklahoma City since 2010. Prior to accepting his current pastorate, he served as admissions director for Randall University, where he continues as an adjunct professor, teaching courses on Free Will Baptist history and doctrine and practical ministry. After attending Randall University in 1997, Ryan earned a B.A. in Hotel Restaurant Administration from Oklahoma State University in 2001, and a M.A. in Religious Studies from Randall University in 2010. He is a member of the Oklahoma State Missions Board and additionally served on the Mission Board of the First Oklahoma Association from 2012-2017.

Rick Taylor has pastored Sulphur Springs FWB Church in Northport, Alabama, since 2003. Rick earned a B.S. in Business Management from University of Alabama (1998) and a M.A. in Theology and Ministry from Welch College (2019). He has served as chairman of the Christian Education Board for the Alabama State Association and as a member of the Alabama Home Missions Board. Rick and his wife Amanda have three children: Aiden, Alle, and Evan.

IM, Inc: 2026 Term

Janice Banks (TX), replacing herself
Rick Cason (GA), replacing Jeff Manning
Jeff Nichols (TN), replacing himself

Rick Cason has pastored churches in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina during 36 years in gospel ministry. He currently pastors Ebenezer FWB Church in Glennville, Georgia, where he has been since 2007. After attending Welch College briefly, Cason earned bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees in Ministry from Bethany Divinity College and Seminary. Rick has been active in denominational work, including the FWB Board of Retirement; Georgia State Missions Board; assistant moderator of the North Carolina State Association; director of the Georgia State Youth Conference; and numerous other district and regional positions. Rick is a long-time law enforcement chaplain and the chaplain of the local middle school. He and his wife Debbie have one adult son.

Board of Retirement: 2023 Term

Mike Gladson (OH), replacing Jack Daniel, deceased

Mike Gladson has pastored churches in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Ohio over three decades. He began his current pastorate at Canaan FWB Church in Creston, Ohio, in 2014. Ordained in 1981, Gladson holds a B.A. in Pastoral Training from Welch College and an M.A.in Pastoral Ministry from Trinity Theological Seminary. Mike has served in various capacities on the denominational level, including the Board of Retirement. He is also chairman of the Ohio State Mission Board. Mike and his wife Linda have three children: Nathan (Stacey), Ashley, and Amy (Brock), and one granddaughter, Eddy.

Commission for Theological Integrity: 2025

Rodney Holloman (TN), replacing himself

Historical Commission: 2025

Eric Thomsen (TN), replacing himself

Music Commission: 2025

Daniel Webster (TN), replacing Bryan Hughes

Daniel Webster is director of enrollment and adjunct instructor of Music and Bible at Welch College. He has been involved in music ministry for 18 years, serving four Free Will Baptist churches in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Daniel earned a bachelor’s degree in Sacred Music from Gateway Christian College (2005), a Master of Biblical Studies from Virginia Beach Theological Seminary (2013), a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (2016) and Master of Arts in Church Music (2018) from Maranatha Baptist University. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Church Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Webster is moderator of the Northern Quarterly of the Cumberland Association (TN), served as clerk of the North Carolina State Association from 2015-2017, writes curriculum for Randall House, and has numerous articles and papers in print. Daniel and his wife Kimberly have three children.

Media Commission: 2025

Jeremy Smith (NC), replacing himself

Executive Committee: 2023 Term

Stan Bunch (MO), replacing himself
Wayne Hale (MID-ATL), replacing himself
Daniel Edwards (IN), replacing himself

2021 Term

Chris Todd (SC), replacing Glenn Poston

Chris Todd has been executive secretary of the South Carolina State Association of Free Will Baptists since 2014. He and his wife Misty additionally operate the Free Will Baptist Bookstore and Coffee Shop in Turbeville, South Carolina. Chris is a graduate of Andersonville Theological Seminary and Horry-Georgetown Technical College. Prior to accepting his role at the state office, Chris served as pastor of First FWB Church in Greenwood, South Carolina, for almost nine years. During that time, he led the church on multiple disaster relief-oriented mission trips. Chris is also founder and organizer of the South Carolina Disaster Relief Board, which has enlisted over 150 volunteers. The organization has ministered in Hurricanes Matthew, Florence, and Michael and provided relief after South Carolina’s record flooding in 2015. Chris has been a member of the General Board of the National Association since 2014.

General Officers

Moderator: Tim York (TN)
Assistant Moderator: William Smith (GA)
Clerk: Randy Bryant (FL)
Assistant Clerk: Ernie Lewis (IL)