NAFWB Podcast
The Better Together podcast, presented by the National Association of Free Will Baptists, is a fantastic addition to the podcasting world. As a listener, I am thrilled to see my denomination embracing this medium and providing valuable content for pastors, lay leaders, and students alike. The variety of topics covered in each episode is impressive, ranging from theology and church culture to evangelism and more. The fact that each episode is under thirty minutes allows for easy listening and retention of the information presented.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is its high production values. The content and quality are top-notch, making it a pleasure to listen to each episode. It's evident that a lot of time and effort has been put into creating a professional and engaging podcast. As someone who was raised as a Free Will Baptist and has a deep love for the denomination, I appreciate the opportunity to hear from fellow believers in an accessible format.
Additionally, the range of topics covered in this podcast is truly impressive. There is something for everyone, regardless of their background or role within the church. Whether you are a pastor seeking practical ministry tips or a lay leader looking to deepen your understanding of theology, this podcast has you covered. The variety ensures that there is always something new and relevant to listen to.
While it's difficult to find any major flaws in such a well-executed podcast, one minor drawback may be its focus on the leadership of the Free Will Baptist denomination. While this may be beneficial for pastors within that specific denomination, it could potentially limit its appeal to those outside of that particular group. However, I still believe that pastors from any denomination can find value in this podcast as there are many universal themes discussed.
In conclusion, I am thoroughly impressed with The Better Together podcast and highly recommend it to all Free Will Baptists and church leaders from other denominations. The content and quality are exceptional, offering valuable insights into various aspects of church life and ministry. This podcast is a valuable resource that should not be missed, and I look forward to future episodes and continued quality conversations.
Josh Bush previews his message for the Sunday evening service at the 2025 National Convention. Josh will explore the theme, “When God Calls, Will You Accept the Mission?” from Jonah 1. Josh is pastor of Cross Point Free Will Baptist Church in Wichita, Kansas. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #AcceptTheMission
Aaron Pontious previews his message for the Sunday morning service at the 2025 national convention. In a joint service with the Vertical Three Conference teens, Aaron will explore the theme, “Build, Plant, Seek Peace as Your Mission in a World Turned Upside Down” from Jeremiah 29. Aaron is pastor of Rejoice Church Columbia in Columbia, MO, and on staff with the Truth and Peace Student Leadership Conference. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #AcceptTheMission
Ethan McCraney discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of ministering to military personnel and their families, especially those who find themselves as “third culture kids.” Ethan is a missionary with Cadence International and a ministry partner with Free Will Baptist North American Ministries. Find more about his ministry at https://www.fwbnam.com/emccraney/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Military #Chaplaincy
“It's a real culture shock for kids today because they're not used to being away from their electronics or their devices, and they get a place to sit and be still.” Coleman Shepherd of Camp Caleb talks about the unique opportunity church camp has to be intentional with the Gospel with young people that the local church can't always replicate. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Camp #ChurchCamp #YouthMinistry #Gospel
“I saw [camp] as a way of impacting kids and by extension impacting families and churches in a way I couldn't do at home.” Stan Coker, camp manager at Cumberland Camp, talks about the importance of camp and how it is needed today more than ever to get kids away from technology and get them focused on the Lord. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Camp #ChurchCamp
“What is special about church camp is that it gets you out of the mundane routine of daily life…we're able to unplug from the norm and the noise and let God just speak to us.” Dylan Persinger discusses the circumstances that led to his calling to the ministry and how church camp has a great impact on the lives of those who attend. Dylan is youth pastor at Emmanuel FWB Church and involved in Indiana FWB Youth Camp. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #ChurchCamp #YouthCamp #Camp #Ministry
April Jimmeye shares the challenges experienced by those with autism and ways the church can minister to them and their families. April is a board-certified behavior analyst with two children on the autism spectrum herself. April also presented “Making Your Church Autism Friendly” as part of the Growing Together with WNAC series: https://youtu.be/O_Xn0Szaon4?feature=shared&t=4. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Autism #AutismAwareness #AutismAwarenessMonth
Derek Altom, director of events for D6 Family, previews this year's Vertical Three Conference, held in conjunction with the National Association of Free Will Baptists, Inc. The CTS Ministry Expo, activities, and worship for all ages provide opportunities for students to develop their leadership, discover their talents, and dedicate their hearts to faithful service of the Lord—the mission of Vertical Three Ministries. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #StandTall #v3con2025 #AcceptTheMission #D6 #StudentMinistry
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
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
“[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
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
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 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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“BLESS is a free resource that encourage us to pray for our neighbors and gives us opportunities to connect with our neighbors as well.” Anna Fox explains BLESS, a tool that equips churches to get to know your local community by name, so you can pray for, care for, and share the Gospel with them. Find more at https://nafwb.org/bless. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Pray #Prayer #Outreach #Community #Gospel
The Shepherding Initiative was started to further address the problem of the shortage of pastors in Free Will Baptists. It is an opportunity for churches seeking a pastor to have shepherding opportunities through coaching and other resources. Dr. Tim York, moderator of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, Inc., discusses the program and the resources available to churches. Find more about the program at https://nafwb.org/shepherding/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Church #TheShepherdingInitiative
From the 2024 Leadership Conference.
From the 2024 Leadership Conference.
From the 2024 Leadership Conference.
From the 2024 Leadership Conference.
From the 2024 Leadership Conference.
From the 2024 Leadership Conference.
“They have this great curiosity to experience what it's like to celebrate [holidays] in America. And with that great curiosity, it creates such an easy invite opportunity for an international student.” Bradley Mercer explains the opportunities that the holidays give to reach out and minister to international students in our communities. Bradley and Madison Mercer work with IM, Inc., to reach international students at the University of Missouri. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Holidays #Christmas #InternationalStudents #College
“[It's] this concept of trees to represent an emotion, a thought, a question, that you could then actually have interaction with your child.” Tyler Penn joins the podcast to discuss his new book, “The Sharing Trees,” a discipleship tool to spark much-needed dialogue between parents (or teachers) and children about their thoughts, feelings, and emotions as they navigate life's experiences. The book is illustrated by Liz Lindsey and is available for purchase from D6 Family: https://bit.ly/4g7dUez. Tyler and Kellie Penn serve with IM, Inc. ministering to international students at the University of Illinois. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Discipleship #Parenting #Book
Robert Posner shares his story of repentance and restoration and discusses a difficult subject for Christians and the Church. Robert's experience led him to start 24:16 Ministries. Find more at https://www.2416ministries.org. #NAFWB #BetterTogether
“We don't have anything to gain in this. We are here in Jesus' name and we want you to see Him through us.” Friday, September 27, catastrophic rain and flooding from Hurricane Helene hammered East Tennessee and the Southeastern US. Pastor Noah Taylor and Evergreen FWB Church immediately sprang into action, meeting the needs of those whose lives had been devastated with help from people all over the country. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #HurricaneHelene #Helene
“If you'll just follow Jesus, you'll find yourself in places you never anticipated you would be, but you'll find a grace there that you never anticipated you could experience.” Chaplain (LTC) Tracy Kerr reflects on his nearly 25 years of service as a chaplain in the US Army. Chaplain Kerr served under the endorsement of Free Will Baptist North American Ministries. The Mission North America Offering Sunday, November 24, provides vital funding and other essential ministry needs to our chaplains. Give at https://www.fwbnam.com/mna/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Chaplaincy #Army #Military
In honor of Veterans Day, retired chaplain Terry Austin joins the podcast to share his experiences in the military, the opportunities he was afforded as a chaplain, and the ways we can support the veterans in our churches and communities. Terry serves as Chaplain Support Officer for Free Will Baptist North American Ministries. Plan to give to the Mission North America Offering Sunday, November 24 to support the continued ministry of our FWB chaplains. More information at https://www.fwbnam.com/mna/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #VeteransDay #Veterans #Military #Chaplains
One of the top reasons a person stops attending church is because they move. Anna Fox of the NAFWB explains how the church directory can help pastors and congregants not only find a church but also promote their church to the community. Find the directory at http://directory.nafwb.org. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Church #Community
Start investing early and leave it alone. John Brummitt, President and CEO of the Board of Retirement, discusses some of the trends (and mistakes) of the past few generations and their retirement investing and shares tips on how to correctly prepare for retirement. Find more from the Board of Reitrement at https://boardofretirement.com. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Retirement #Investing
One event; 26 locations! Shine FWB is a conference for girls ages 12-18 addressing the tough topics of life and combatting the lies culture feeds them. The conference will take place at The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee, but will be simulcast to 26 other locations throughout the US. Executive Director Ruth McDonald shares about the conference and the ministries of WNAC. Registration for the event (all locations) is open at https://bit.ly/3YtpkD0. Register by January 3 to receive a free t-shirt. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Girls #Teenagers #Shine #WNAC
When Nathan Patton began to use The Free Will Baptist Catechism for his family devotions, he realized it would be great to have it as a digital resource. He developed https://www.fwbcatechism.com, a way to walk through the Catechism online. The Free Will Baptist Catechism was written by Dr. Paul Harrison. Find Catechism resources at https://nafwb.org/catechism/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Bible #Theology #Doctrine #Catechism
“It's not just a problem of filling the pulpit and getting somebody who could come in and pastor; it's actually a survival issue.” Dr. Paul Harrison discusses the critical shortage of pastors and the challenge churches face when searching for a pastor. He also describes the model Paul laid out in the New Testament of raising up leaders within the church to pastor when he left. The Executive Office offers help and resources to churches who are without a pastor through the Pastor Placement Program and The Shepherding Initiative. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Church #Pastor #PastoralSearch #PastorShortage
“A lot of it is pastors feel so alone; they feel so isolated.” As Pastor Appreciation kicks off, Tom Jones shares the struggles pastors face and the ways that we can come alongside them and encourage them. That may even include helping them get counseling through the Refresh Counseling Program to walk them through their challenges. The program has provided over 1,200 counseling sessions to pastors and their families since 2022. Email questions@nafwb.org to find out more. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Pastors #PastorAppreciationMonth
“Even the verses I know today just from heart are the ones that I learned in CTS when I was just 8,9,10 years old.“ Derek Altom and Danny Conn of D6 Family and Vertical Three discuss the benefits of churches engaging their young people in CTS, and how it can be used in church and at home to further develop them as disciples and leaders. Find more about using CTS in your church at http://verticalthree.com/ministries/cts/. CTS stands for Church Training Service and is a program that has existed among Free Will Baptists for more than 50 years. It is organized as a way for churches to help students develop a deeper knowledge of Scripture while also identifying and honing talents for use in the local church. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Discipleship #Training #Church
Presented at the 2024 National Convention.
Presented at the 2024 National Convention.
Presented at the 2024 National Convention.
Presented at the 2024 National Convention.
Presented at the 2024 National Convention.
Presented at the 2024 National Convention.
Presented at the 2024 National Convention.
Presented at the 2024 National Convention.
Presented at the 2024 National Convention.
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