Better Together

Covocational Pastoring – Kendall Ross

Kendall Ross discusses the path God has led him down, from a mechanical engineering degree to a covocational pastoring role at Ozark Free Will Baptist Church and Associate Vice Chancellor at University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. He tells how his role and the church’s leadership has adapted in a unique circumstance. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #CovocationalPastoring #pastor #Pastoring #Ministry

Church Revitalization Success Stories – Shiloh Hackett

“[On an airplane] they tell you to make sure you put your oxygen mask on first before you try to help somebody else. So, I felt like if we could get the internal things fixed, then God was going to bless us with other people to come in because we’d be ready for them.”

Shiloh Hackett has led two churches through a revitalization process: South Highland FWB Church and his current church, Bethlehem FWB Church. He talks about some of the steps of the process and the pitfalls and blessings that church revitalization can bring. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Church #ChurchRevitalization #Ministry #Outreach

Lessons From the Lives of Pop and Mom Willey - Steve & Judy Lytle

Steve and Judy Lytle, retired missionaries of Free Will Baptist International Missions, share the story of Pop and Mom Willey, trailblazing missionaries who were faithful servants to the end.

Steve and Judy wrote about the lives of the Willeys in a chapter of “Arminian Baptists: A Biographical History of Free Will Baptists,” available from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DwEHCV. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Missions #Missionaries

The Value of Cooperative Giving – Stan Bunch

In 2024, Missouri Free Will Baptists surpassed $1 MILLION in cooperative giving for the year, the first state to reach that mark.

 

MOFWB Executive Director Stan Bunch discusses how they promote and encourage giving in the state, the ministries and opportunities it makes possible, and how cooperative giving benefits the denomination and works around the world.

 

Find more about cooperative giving and The Together Way plan at https://nafwb.org/togetherway/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #CooperativeGiving #Giving

 

 

God's Calling and Shaping - CH (LTC) Kevin Trimble

“God places you right where you need to be to be able to be the influence that you should be where you’ve been planted.”

CH (LTC) Kevin Trimble tells of his calling and journey to becoming a chaplain in the U.S. Army, including all of the ways that God has led and provided for him throughout each step. Kevin is a chaplain with Free Will Baptist North American Ministries and now serves as Director for the School for Professional Development at the U.S. Army Institute for Religious Leadership. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Chaplain #Calling #Ministry #Chaplaincy

 

Why Christians Should Go Into STEM - Dr. Stephen Beck

“I think it’s important when you’re looking at what God’s calling you to do…there are doors that open, there are opportunities that you have [with a STEM background] that you wouldn’t have otherwise.”

Dr. Stephen Beck of Welch College explains the need for Christians in the STEM specialties and the unique opportunities they have to answer their calling to fulfill The Great Commission. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #STEM

The Important Role of Teachers – Dr. Greg Ketteman

“It’s not an easy job… your faith is going to be tested…but at the end of the day, it’s worth the effort because on the other end we have opportunities to share our faith.”

Dr. Greg Ketteman of Welch College shares the value of having Christian teachers in the public school system and the benefits of higher education.

Welch College School of Education and Master of Arts in Teaching offers both regionally and nationally accredited degrees for those seeking a career in education. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Education #Teaching #ChristianEducation

The Important Role of Presbytery Boards - Stan Bunch

“In the beginning of associations, one of the things Benjamin Randall and others wanted was some type of a common tribunal to help settle doctrinal questions and to help in the process of ordination and examination.”

Stan Bunch, executive director of MOFWB, talks about the history of presbytery boards in the NAFWB and their role in examining and ordaining ministers in the local association. He also discusses resources MOFWB has put in place to assist associations in the process. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #PresybyteryBoards #Ordination #Pastor

Why Good Curriculum Matters - David Womack

“A good bible-based curriculum will help a student develop a biblical worldview and enhance their biblical literacy.”

David Womack of D6 Family Ministry discusses the benefits of using curriculum in small group or Sunday School settings and the positive impact it has on both the student and the teacher. Check out the D6 Family curriculum, “D6 EveryDay Foundations,” and what they have to offer for all ages: https://d6family.com/d6curriculum/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Curriculum #SmallGroup #SundaySchool #BibleStudy

How You Can Keep Your Church Safe - Dr. Sam Rainer

“When church leaders think about threats to safety of the congregation, they think external. But I think the greater threat that is often unseen are internal threats.”

Dr. Sam Rainer shares principles from his book, “Keep My Church Safe,” addressing threats to church congregations and what they can do to protect themselves from those dangers. “Make My Church Safe” is available from Amazon.

Dr. Rainer is president of Church Answers and lead pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church. He will also be the keynote speaker for the 2025 FWB Leadership Conference: https://nafwb.org/leader. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Church #ChurchSafety #ChurchSecurity