Better Together

How to Live for Something More Important Than Ourselves - Art Rainer

“As we look at Scripture, it becomes obvious that we were designed for more; our money was designed for more.”

Art Rainer shares insight from his book, “Money in Light of Eternity,” encouraging believers to remember that God has entrusted us with financial resources for a purpose. Find more from Art and his “8 Money Milestones” at https://www.christianmoneysolutions.com. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Stewardship #Money #Finances

Supporting the Sanctity of Life – Pam Crank

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation designating the third Sunday in January as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. Pam Crank of the Hope Center (a ministry of Free Will Baptist Family Ministries) discusses ways that individuals and churches can support their pregnancy care ministry as well as how Christians can provide for support of the sanctify of all life.

Find more about the Hope Center at https://www.hopecentergreeneville.com. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #SanctityofLife #ChooseLife

What Does the Data Tell Us About Flourishing? - Dr. Harold Koenig

“Every aspect of human flourishing is enhanced by having a strong religious faith that is then acted out in religious beliefs and behaviors, the way we treat others, and the way we live our lives.”

Dr. Harold Koenig discusses how things we put our faith in, including family, work, or even habits and addictions can drastically affect our health. He also explains how the research shows that every aspect of human flourishing is enhanced by having a strong religious faith in God.

Dr. Koenig is professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and associate professor of medicine at Duke University Medical Center as well as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Psychiatry and Medicine. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Faith #Health

Ditching College Debt - Jared Wall

Jared Wall works as a student financial services advisor at a private university and shares how individuals can apply to have student loans forgiven through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Qualifications include being employed by a 501(c)(3) organization, which would include all churches that are members of the NAFWB.

Find out more about the program and how to apply https://studentaid.gov/pslf/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #College #StudentDebt

The Great Dechurching – Jim Davis & Michael Graham

“We had this hunch that we could be in the largest and fastest religious shift in the history of our country.”

Co-authors Jim Davis and Michael Graham join the podcast to discuss their book, “The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back?”

Jim is teaching pastor of Orlando Grace Church and host of the As in Heaven podcast. Michael is the program director for the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/thekellercenter/).

A book study of “The Great Dechurching” is coming through the NAFWB Growing Together Initiative beginning in January. Find more at https://nafwb.org/grow/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #TheGreatDechurching #Church #Religion

Ministering to Internationals in the Midwest - Bradley Mercer

“There are 3,700 international students on campus, and around 110 different countries represented, so it’s a huge and ripe field.”

Bradley Mercer describes the mission field he works in on the campus of Mizzou, and tells the ways he is cultivating relationships and meeting the needs of the students there. He also offers encouragement to churches with a college campus nearby with ways to minister there.

Bradley is part of IM, Inc.'s growing initiative to reach international students in the US. Find out more about how you can support his ministry at https://iminc.org/im-missionaries/bradley-mercer/.

NAFWB and IM, Inc. have also formed a Reaching College Students Task Force, aimed at equipping churches to minister on college campuses. More resources will be available soon. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #CollegeStudents #Ministry #Missions #CollegeMinistry

Getting the Most From Your Building: Lessons From the Brown Group

“Most churches in America were built institutional and educational, not relational.”

Todd Brown of Brown Church Development Group discusses the changes in the church over the last 40 years and how the Brown Group can help churches plan to intentionally be more relational through consulting, design, finances, and church building/construction.

Find more at https://www.churchdevelopment.net. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Church

The Benefits of Rekindle – Travis Alexander

“The thing that most churches are finding out is that they don’t necessarily feel like they’re unhealthy (and they may not be unhealthy), but what I tell them is we can always do better.”

Travis Alexander, executive director of ARFWB missions, describes the process of Rekindle. Churches walk through an assessment of themselves and identify areas where they can improve. For more about Rekindle, contact us at questions@nafwb.org. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #ChurchRevitalization

Free Will Baptists in Puerto Rico - Jose Correa & Wilberto Moreno

Jose Correa and Wilberto Moreno discuss the ministries of Puerto Rico Free Will Baptists, including Jesús es el Centro IBL and Genesis Academy.

Sunday is the Mission North America Offering, providing vital funding for ministries like this through Free Will Baptist North American Ministries. Find out more about how to give at https://www.fwbnam.com/mna/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #ChurchPlanting #Gospel #Discipleship

Planting a Church in Hickory – Brandon Smith

“We want to equip families with the hope of the Gospel and equip them with the Biblical truths for their everyday life.”

Brandon Smith, lead pastor at Equip Church, talks about the ways their church plant hopes to reach the community of Hickory, North Carolina. Equip Church is a church planting partnership of North Carolina Association of Free Will Baptists and Free Will Baptist North American Ministries.

Sunday is the Mission North America Offering, providing vital funding for Free Will Baptist North American Ministries. Find out more about how to give at https://www.fwbnam.com/mna/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #ChurchPlanting #Gospel #Discipleship