Better Together

Getting Ready for Kansas City – Ryan Lewis

Ryan Lewis, convention manager for the National Association of Free Will Baptists, joins the podcast to help attendees prepare for the upcoming National Convention and Vertical Three Conference to be held in Kansas City July 20-23.

Pre-Registration for the convention is open, and hotel reservations open May 12.

Find all the convention information at https://nafwb.org/convention/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #AcceptTheMission #V3Con2025

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