89TH NATIONAL CONVENTION
JULY 20-23, 2025 • KANSAS CITY, MO
“Sweltering” is the only appropriate word to describe the Western Missouri heat and humidity as nearly 4,000 Free Will Baptists gathered in Kansas City, Missouri, July 20-23, for the 89th Free Will Baptist Convention. So hot, in fact, the National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning three days running!
But the steamy weather did not hinder the spirit of the convention.
Attendees enjoyed resounding worship, powerful preaching, intense discussions, new and renewed friendships, unrestrained laughter, serious business, and enthusiastic celebrations. It may have been hot outside, but the sweet worship and fellowship within gave attendees a little foretaste of Heaven.
Convention Accounting Administrator Deanna Hollifield described it well: “It’s been a few years since I’ve been able to attend the convention. I didn’t realize just how much I missed the smiles, the hugs, the music, and the kindness and joy of our people. It was like a breath of fresh air.”
This year, Free Will Baptists sought to “Answer the Call” God has placed upon us, both as individuals and as a denomination. Sunday morning, during a joint service with teens and adults, five high school students from Truth & Peace Student Leadership Conference taught the Sunday School lesson before Aaron Pontious (MO) explored God’s command to build, plant, and seek peace when your world is turned upside down (Jeremiah 29:4-7).
Sunday evening, Josh Bush (KS) challenged listeners to accept
the mission to which God calls them (Jonah 1). Monday, Doug Earls (MO) warned listeners that disobeying God’s call will sink you (Jonah 2). Tuesday, Shiloh Hackett (TN) encouraged the reluctant to say yes to God’s call (Jonah 3). And Wednesday, after 68 new church planters and missionaries were commissioned, Joel Teague (missionary to France) challenged Free Will Baptists everywhere to answer the call to love people the way God loves them.
TWENTY YEARS OF IMPACT
The 154 volunteers participating in the annual IMPACT outreach event (held Saturday preceding the convention), demonstrated the same servant spirit and excitement as their counterparts first did 20 years ago. They came armed with Bibles, tools, and determination. In teams of two and three, they walked the streets of greater Kansas City, taking the gospel of hope to each door along the way.
Why do these volunteers do it? Why endure the July heat year after year when they could visit local attractions instead, or catch up with friends over coffee or lunch? Zane Harmon (KY)
summed it up well: “It’s one thing to attend a National Convention, but it’s another thing to get involved! We want to serve others. We want to make a difference.”
And they did! At Berean FWB Church, 30 participants visited homes, distributing a thousand gift bags. Berean Pastor Carl Short shared his excitement: “I have been praying God would take these thousand bags and handful of volunteers and multiply them — just like He did in so many miracles in the Bible.”
At Church of Faith, 60 volunteers distributed 500 door hangers and worked on landscaping. “It was really hot!” said Ken Akers, IMPACT director. “But we were able to get a lot done, and the new landscaping looks great. I am always appreciative of the people who give their time to this event.”
At Esperanza FWB Church, 64 volunteers assembled 150 school supply backpacks before distributing 500 cards to families in nearby apartment complexes, inviting them to receive the free backpacks during a back-to-school event.
As volunteers celebrated another great year, North American Ministries Chief Training Officer Brad Ransom reflected, “I love IMPACT! It’s much more than a service project. It’s an opportunity to bless the community and represent Free Will Baptists and the Lord in a way that’s impossible any other time of the year.”
GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS
While worship and fellowship may be the heartbeat of the convention, the annual gathering also marks the time when the denomination conducts business. The General Board meeting began at 8:00 a.m., Monday, July 21, with a message from Moderator Tim York (TN) from Acts 15:41, emphasizing the importance of strengthening, encouraging, and confirming churches, admonishing, “If the local churches do not do well, the denomination will not do well.”
The General Board heard reports from nine national agencies and four commissions during a two-hour, 12-minute meeting.
The board approved recommendations from the Executive Committee including: a recommendation to approve the 2025 denominational budget of $35.2 million; a $25 increase in state fees every three years to offset rising expenses (starting in 2028); and a recommended Treatise change regarding the details of called special meetings.
During the Tuesday and Wednesday business sessions, delegates heard reports from national departments and agencies and approved all recommendations. Delegates further approved four resolutions: 1) a resolution urging future nominating committees to consider the contributions of potential nominees and their churches to The Together Way Plan; 2) a resolution urging the ongoing commitment to preaching and teaching the whole counsel of God; 3) a resolution to establish a funding summit at the 2025 Leadership Conference to address giving fatigue and financial shortfalls; and 4) a resolution thanking convention planners and host states (Missouri and Kansas) for their efforts in hosting the National Convention. Read the full text of these resolutions at nafwb.org/convention/.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE. Executive Director Eddie Moody began his report by thanking the denomination for the gestures of comfort and support offered to him and his family during the recent passing of his parents. He then addressed existing and looming challenges for the denomination. Rather than “kicking the can down the road,” he urged delegates, departments, and leaders to embrace the necessary steps now to head off downward trends.
He thanked Tom Jones for his ongoing work with Refresh Counseling, leading a team of nine helping professionals to assist Free Will Baptist pastors and their families, noting, “Healthy pastors lead to healthy churches, which lead to a healthy denomination.” To date, Refresh Counseling has helped pastors from 25 states, across all ages and ministry experience. Nearly 60% of all participants are senior pastors, but pastors’ wives and children also have turned to Refresh for help. Participants indicate that counseling kept them in their ministries, saved their marriages, and — in some cases
— saved their lives. Moody acknowledged the growing expense of the program and asked Free Will Baptists to “adopt” a pastor who needs help by contributing $1,000 to the program. Read the full report at nafwb.org/executivereport/.
Moody then challenged Free Will Baptists to focus on the “infrastructure” that keeps the denomination moving forward: the National Convention; curriculum, colleges, and camps; and more. He reminded listeners these crucial elements require support and challenged them to focus on the 3 for 30 strategy by using the resources provided by the Executive Office, giving faithfully, and focusing on the value of Free Will Baptists, leading rising generations into the future of the denomination.
WELCH COLLEGE. Though Welch College experienced some “rough financial waters,” in 2024, President Matt Pinson celebrated an increase in ministry students, despite the general downturn in enrollment surrounding the pandemic. He pointed to a vastly improved fall 2025 enrollment and an improving financial picture as the promise of good days ahead. He thanked the Lord that — due to significant gifts and the development of property — the college finished the financial year in the black.
Pinson also celebrated a notable increase in academic excellence, as reflected in a rising ranking by the U.S. News & World Report Best College report. The graduate program continues to expand, with new M.A. degrees in Organizational Leadership and Psychology. Doctorates among faculty have risen to 79% and are expected increase to 89% within a year.
As he concluded, Pinson noted that, in light of the difficulty (and even closures) encountered by many private colleges, “We’re so thankful for God’s providential, miraculous blessing in putting us on this new campus at just the right time....This new campus…has put us on a solid foundation for weathering this storm and being on a firm footing for the future.”
Pinson honored outgoing board member Tim Campbell.
WNAC. As the organization turned 90 in 2025, Ruth McDonald recounted the rich history of WNAC, which started as an organization to support missions, churches, orphanages, and education. She asserted, “Today, we are still about these things, supporting those taking the gospel around the world.” However, she also noted the WNAC mission has broadened beyond these endeavors, to help every Free Will Baptist woman find and fulfill her role in the Great Commission. “We are still on task,” she concluded, “doing what the original founders of WNAC envisioned.”
McDonald celebrated the success of the first Shine! simulcast event, with more than 1,100 girls and young women participating. The simulcast led to a discipleship movement among young women that continues to grow, with Bible studies and the Shine! method of Bible study. “Titus 2 talks about older women teaching younger women about the things of God. Today, we see young women who came up through the Shine! program working with girls younger than them.”
She shared the success of various other ministries, including the first international Shine! conference in Mexico, fellowship retreats, the return of printed copies of Treasure Bible study guide, the As You Go podcast, and the Growing Together online affinity group. WNAC also continues to award student scholarships. This year’s Miley scholarship was awarded to Kory Escolar (Ecuador) who attends Welch College. The Wisehart scholarships were awarded to Emily McBride (Randall University); Jody Ray (Southeastern FWB College); and Malena Campis (Welch College). The Pursell Scholarship was awarded to Nicolas Serrano and Leandro Galarza (Argentina).
While Free Will Baptist women gave $482,605 to ministry endeavors in 2024, McDonald observed these are designated, project-oriented funds, and encouraged Free Will Baptists to give regularly to the WNAC office through The Giving Tree, to underwrite the expenses of the ministry. Following her report, McDonald honored outgoing board member Jonda Patton.
2025
REGISTRATION
National Convention – 3,564
Vertical Three – 2,823
Total (Unique) Attendees – 3,892*
*Note: Many attendees register for both conventions.
SPEAKERS
Sunday School, July 20
Truth & Peace
Sunday Morning, July 20
Aaron Pontious (MO)
Sunday Evening, July 20
Josh Bush (KS)
Monday Evening, July 21
Doug Earls (MO)
Tuesday Evening, July 22
Shiloh Hackett (TN)
Wednesday Evening, July 23
Joel Teague (France)
2025 VERTICAL THREE CONFERENCE
Registration – 2,823
Truth & Peace – 128 student
participants
Competitive Entries: 843
Buck-A-Week Offering: $2,920*
* Initial count may be adjusted.
Reporters: Eric Thomsen, Claire Ryan
Photographers: Rodney Yerby, Sydney McClure, Dylan Brazil, Eric Thomsen
Download Photos: nafwb.yerbyphoto.com
ELECTED IN 2025
General Officers
Moderator – Tim York (TN)
Assistant Clerk– Ernie Lewis (IL)
Executive Committee
David Taylor (AR)
Danny Williams (AL)
Josh Colson (IL)
FWB Foundation
Brent Patrick (VA)
Matt Mouser (GA)
Corey Minter (TN)
North American Ministries
Josh Bush (KS)
Faron Thebeau (MO)
Bob Brown (FL)
Richland Ave Financial
Don Myers (MI)
Lance Boyer (MO)
John Howell (FL)
Welch College
Fred Yerby (AL)
Mike Hollis (TN)
COMMISSIONS
Historical – Eric Thomsen (TN)
Media – Isaiah Grimes (VA)
Music – Bryan Hughes (NC)
Theological – Jeremy Craft (FL), Rodney Holloman (TN)
The following boards did not elect members in 2025: IM, Inc., WNAC.
Nominating Committee - 2025-26
Clint Adams (GA), chairman
Barry Long (KY)
Gary Hill (VA)
Brenda Bunch (MO)
Ivan Ryan (IL)
Terry Pierce (MS)
Josh Hampton (MT)
2026 BUDGETS
D6 Family Ministry - $5,357,650
Executive Office - $1,139,110
Foundation - $2,628,612
IM, Inc. - $11,200,000 NAM (includes Master’s Men) - $5,200,000
Richland Ave - $916,550
Welch College - $8,380,674
WNAC - $333,000
Historical Commission - $6,035
Media Commission - $12,150
Music Commission - $8,350
Theological Commission - $5,650
Total – $35,187,781
D6 FAMILY MINISTRY. As CEO Ron Hunter Jr. opened his report, he described discipleship as “the bridge that connects Christ’s will to our lives, from church to home.” He recalled last year’s difficult report, when he shared the longterm financial impact the loss of churches had on D6 Family Ministry. This downturn has continued to affect the department. The resulting financial picture for 2024 was bleak, with a $587,115 loss. The loss resulted in difficult financial decisions — “no win hard calls,” as Hunter described them. An amended budget was adjusted by $800,000 through increased cost of curriculum, increased fees for and changes in Vertical Three activities, and reduced and frozen salaries for employees.
Hunter thanked supporters who have “stepped into the financial gap” through regular giving, and indicated support is growing toward the percentage needed for a sound financial picture. In closing, Hunter suggested the following action steps to help D6 Family Ministry:
1. Add to your curriculum order.
2. Provide devotional magazines.
3. Buy books for others, too.
4. Become a D6 HomePoint church.
5. Bring a group to a D6 Conference.
6. Put D6 in your church budget.
7. Put D6 in your personal budget.
IM, INC. General Director Clint Morgan noted only a decade remains until the 100-year anniversary of the National Association. He reminded listeners one of the primary actions taken by the new denomination in 1935 was the establishment of a foreign missions department. In the nine decades following, Free Will Baptists have sent 500 missionaries around the globe with the gospel.
Drawing on Psalm 145:4 and Psalm 113:3, Morgan celebrated the “mighty acts” God did through IM last year: 5,175 conversions,
2,976 baptisms, 312 active preaching points and mission works, 52,096 Free Will Baptist believers meeting beyond the borders of the U.S. each week, a $792,358 WMO, $10 million in donations, and all missionary accounts in the black. “We’ve asked much of you in the past year,” he told listeners. “Today, we sincerely want to thank you for what you’ve done.”
Morgan pointed out one area of financial concern: the General Fund. After underscoring the importance and impact of the General Fund, Morgan challenged listeners to partner with IM through a special gift or monthly giving.
He announced three ten-year Horizon Goals: commissioning 100 new missionaries; hitting three financial targets: $1 million annual WMO, $3 million GROW Endowment, and $10 million Cornerstone Endowment; and doubling the number of international Free Will Baptists by sharing the gospel with one million unbelievers, planting a thousand new churches, and gathering 120,000 people each week
Morgan honored veteran missionaries Jeff and Susan Turnbough, who will retire in September. He mourned the passing of eight pioneer missionaries who have gone to their eternal reward since the previous convention but celebrated eight new missionaries who will fill their shoes: Cody and Lauren Herren, Silas Houser, Robert Newton, Reece Rooke, Lauren Williams, and Shane and Megan. He thanked Director of Financial Operations Rob Conley for 30 years at IM and acknowledged new career missionary appointees Osam and Emily Sakamoto and Bradley and Madison Mercer.
FREE WILL BAPTIST FOUNDATION.
Scott Coghill, chairman, updated the ongoing transition in leadership at the Foundation. He thanked the Foundation staff for their diligent work during this transition. He announced an interim leadership committee comprised of Scott Coghill, Brent Patrick, and John Brummitt, who will guide the department through the search for a new director. The board is in the first round of
interviews with candidates for the position. In the meantime, the agency is bringing the Foundation structure in line with new state-by-state requirements.
Coghill clarified the mission of the Foundation as a financial ministry existing to generate gifts and contributions, make investments, and use the proceeds to support and further the advancement of all Free Will Baptist ministries through endowments, gift annuities, demand notes, and estate plans. “When you invest financially with the Foundation today,” he noted, “you impact Free Will Baptists tomorrow....This denomination needs the Foundation!”
Coghill noted the Foundation is suspending the distribution of 2025 grants until the hiring of a new director, at which time the grants will be reassessed. Despite all the challenges and changes of the past year,” Coghill concluded, “the Free Will Baptist Foundation is not just surviving. We are growing, rebuilding, and recommitting ourselves to coming alongside our churches, colleges, missionaries, and ministries like never before.”
NORTH AMERICAN MINISTRIES.
Director David Crowe thanked Free Will Baptists for their generosity to North American Ministries (NAM), with $4.2 million in gifts during 2024. As a result, the department finished $194,000 in the black. This is remarkable, since NAM has 58 church planters serving in 35 church plants across North America. However, church planting is only one facet of the department’s ministry. The department is involved in disaster relief, chaplaincy, the Church Extension Loan Fund, and cross-cultural ministry.
Though the overall picture of the department is positive, Crowe offered an explanation regarding the loss in the Church Extension Loan Fund (CELF) in 2024, largely from the devaluation of a single church loan. He noted that much of the loss will be recouped once the church property has been sold. “Our priority at CELF always has and continues to be protecting our investors,” Crowe concluded.
RICHLAND AVE FINANCIAL. Director John Brummitt updated listeners on the progress of the department’s name transition after receiving approval from delegates in 2024. To date, all facets of the ministry have been rebranded, including the website: richlandavefinancial.com/.
Brummitt celebrated 137 new enrollments last year, pushing the yearly average of new enrollments to 129 since 2016. The department received contributions of $4.5 million in 2024, with an average of $3.8 million since 2016. To continue this growth, the department has begun targeting large employer groups like schools, daycares, and large churches. Following the report, Brummitt honored outgoing board member Randy Wilson.
COMMISSIONS
Josh Owens noted the Media Commission’s focus on providing livestreaming for the National Convention and providing A/V support for the annual Leadership Conference. Due to the rising costs of Internet and travel, the commission relies heavily on support from other departments, depending on gifts and grants to continue their work.
Chairman Doug Little noted the Music Commission continues to assist with National Convention music in addition to their regular work: maintaining fwbworship.com, providing training for churches, educational social media posts, consulting, and coaching. This year, the commission sponsored five seminars at the convention on a variety of topics. Little noted that suggestions and requests to the commission are always welcomed and encouraged listeners to engage through the website.
Secretary-Treasurer Eric Thomsen celebrated that, after many years of effort, the Historical Commission has nearly completed scanning the large collection of historical Free Will Baptist minutes books. He announced the release of At the Feet of Jesus, a year-long devotional book written by the late Dr. Mary Ruth Wisehart, former chair of the commission and long-time executive secretary of WNAC. He encouraged students of denominational history to access these resources at fwbhistory.com/.
Kevin Hester, chairman of the Commission for Theological Integrity, thanked outgoing board members Matt Pinson and W. Jackson Watts for their service. He underscored the ongoing work of the commission, including the annual Symposium, FWBTheology.com, Journal for Theological Integrity, and the new digital newsletter De Doctrina. Hester announced the 2025 Symposium will meet October 6-7, on the campus of Randall University in Moore, Oklahoma.
A D6 FAMILY MINISTRY EVENT
JULY
20 - 23, 2025
• KANSAS CITY
Once a year, Free Will Baptists gather for the annual National Convention and the Vertical Three Conference. The event takes careful planning: the choice of hotel and arrival time; money saved for travel, food, and lodging; vacation days set aside to spend a week in a place that — at least this year — had record-breaking temps from a sweltering heat wave rivaling the core of a volcano!
For leadership, these conferences take months of meeting, planning, and preparation. Countless individuals play roles big and small, helping lay the groundwork, recruit volunteers, and reveal the final masterpiece. Every conference has highs and lows, challenges and solutions, moments of relief and nights of restless fatigue — all so thousands of Free Will Baptists can descend on some pre-arranged city each July.
Which begs the question: Why?
Why do students participate in the CTS Ministry Expo? Why take the time, money, and effort to attend or plan these conferences? Why?
I suggest three simple reasons:
1. Jesus. We hail from different lives, families, backgrounds, cultures, and decades (maybe even centuries). We have different interests, talents, likes, dislikes, and convictions. But the single defining commonality is our relationship with Jesus Christ. Nobody inspires fellowship like Jesus.
Further, the purpose behind the CTS Ministry Expo and Vertical Three Conference — all the services, seminars, business, and events related to the National Convention — is to bring honor and glory to Jesus.
Finally, our relationship with Jesus requires two-way, active communication. This brings us together, elicits the worship He deserves, and wraps us in the comforting embrace of a life lived with and for Him.
Why meet? We do it because of Jesus. We do it for Jesus. We do it with Jesus.
2. Fellowship. For the believer, fellowship is more than social interaction. It’s a bond rooted in faith, unity, love, and mutual support. It’s a bond the Church shares unlike any other, one founded in Christ who transcends the bounds of time, shakes the foundation of the world, heals the broken, saves the lost, and one day will right all wrongs for good.
There’s nothing quite like this family reunion of thousands, a glimpse of the day when multitudes of Christ-followers throughout all time will be reunited. Each year, as we reunite with old friends, we are encouraged in our deepest hearts, revitalized with the gospel truth, and reminded why we meet.
3. Generational Discipleship. Our common love for Christ and the decision to serve Him is not the end. Every Christian has a God-ordained responsibility to be a disciple who makes disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). We pass our faith to the next generation, so we never forget what the Lord has done. It should be our joy to serve because Christ has changed our lives (Acts 4:20; 1 Peter 3:15). May we be like the heavenly creatures in Revelation 4:8 crying in humbled awe, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”
This is why we meet.
SERVICES. The 2025 V3 theme, “Stand Tall,” comes from Daniel 3, which records the story of three young men who chose to be faithful to God, no matter the cost. Students were asked, “Are you a V3 student?” Each service focused on a different aspect of the Vertical Three mission: discovering talents, developing leadership, and dedicating hearts to faithful service to God.
Sunday morning’s joint service with adults featured Sunday School led by five Truth & Peace students: Levi Greer, Jackson Green, Nate Luthy, Bryan McCanch, and Daniel Shaffer. Aaron Pontious preached from Jeremiah 29 and discussed living on purpose whenever and wherever God places us.
Sunday evening, Bradley Mercer spoke from 1 Corinthians 12 on discovering the spiritual gifts we must use for God’s glory.
On Monday evening, Dale Hudson preached from Philippians, challenging listeners to give ambition, attitude, and actions to the Lord and His work. Teen services concluded Tuesday evening with a message from Josh Hampton who challenged the audience to dedicate our hearts to the Lord.
After the service, Mark Brown, an illusionist from Nashville, Tennessee, wowed the crowd with his remarkable talents. And, of course, every V3 Conference features exceptional emcees Jon Forrest and Neil Gilliland who provide laughter while also showing love each year.
V3-123 was led by Johnny Miller and his team who taught elementary students how to “put on” the armor of God. Steve Greenwood, Jonathon Reed, and V3-456 students enjoyed small groups where they answered “big-life” questions. Katie Greenwood and her team led V3-Preschool, and each night featured crafts, snacks, devotion time, games, and singing.
CTS MINISTRY EXPO. Every year, hundreds of students spend countless hours preparing for the CTS Ministry Expo. But the competition itself is not the end goal. The goal is that countless hours spent worshiping the Lord, speaking His truths, and studying His Word will ground students with a foundation of faith to stand against the challenges of life. The true prize is never a medal or trophy but the promise of Christ and His Kingdom, brought down through Scripture and His faithful followers. Students of all ages competed in music, drama, Bible, and arts, with 843 entries and 1,607 competitors.
TRUTH & PEACE. This year’s Truth & Peace Student Leadership Conference was comprised of 128 students and 16 staff members. The superhero theme focused on training students for a life of service to Christ and His Kingdom. Students learned how to grow in their faith through personal Bible study practice, and were trained to teach God’s Word to others.
Students arrived at Randall University in Moore, Oklahoma, July 9, and immediately began leadership training, team building, and service projects.
“Truth & Peace has given me a community of likeminded people who are always there to encourage me and hold me accountable. I would not be the person I am today without the students and staff who have shaped me.” — Natalie Lawson, 401
“Truth & Peace means temporarily leaving my home to grow with and learn from fellow Christ-followers my age.”
— Trinity Hempen, 201
“I learned to do everything to the glory of God; when I do, God will take control and work out my future for His perfect plans.”
— Tommy Trimble, 301
YOUTH EVANGELISTIC TEAM ( YET ) . YET was comprised of ten students and two leaders, Bryan and Kinsley Houser. Students arrived in Moore, Oklahoma, July 8, to prepare for YET 2025. These students led worship throughout the Truth & Peace Conference and during V3-Teen in Kansas City.
“YET has been life changing for me. Last year, God showed me how He works in different churches in different states. This year, He showed me how He can work among students. His presence is enough for me; it’s all the peace that I need.”
— Luke Donoho
“Although YET was a little different this year, it was beneficial because there was a lot I learned and many friends that I met. God was glorified throughout the changes that were made.”
— Andrew Riggs
BUCK- A -WEEK. The annual missions offering was received on Tuesday evening during the V3-Teen Service. This year, the recipients were Billy & Sunni Champion (Japan) and Armon & Yvette Jorden (Hawaii). Through the generous donations of attendees, the offering totaled $2,920 (and counting).
