Better Together

Presented at the 2026 National Convention in Columbus, Ohio.

"Churches don’t need to be more busy; they just need to be more intentional about making disciples.” Dr. Brad Ransom joins the podcast to discuss his book, “Creating Healthy Church Systems.” He explores eight essential systems that help leaders assess their congregation’s health and build a foundation for effective ministry. Brad serves as chief training officer for Free Will Baptist North America...

Pastor Jim O'Donnell shares how his dream of a career in the military was dramatically redirected to a life in ministry and service. His and his wife’s lives were both changed while they were thousands of miles apart when Jim served in the Vietnam War. Jim pastors the Airport Road FWB Church in Twin Falls, Idaho. #NAFWB #BetterTogether

Dr. Joy Beth Curtis discusses her journey into psychology and faith integration in mental health practice. Dr. Curtis is a licensed psychologist and serves on the faculty of Liberty University. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Psychology #Faith #MentalHealth

The Nominating Committee “makes sure every pastor and member across the denomination has the opportunity to have a voice in the denomination.” Barry Long, chairman of the 2027 Nominating Committee and pastor of Heritage FWB Church, talks about the nomination process for electing national board and commission members. Nomination information can be found at https://nafwb.org/nominations/ . #NAFWB #B...

“I know that God wants to use our pain for a purpose, and if it will be a help to somebody walking through tragedy, then praise God for that.” Luke Johnson discusses his book, “From Heartbreak to Hope: Landen's Story,” the story of his son’s rare genetic condition and the family’s journey of faith, heartbreak, and the presence of God. Order a copy of the book: https://bit.ly/3RLyb2A . #NAFWB #Bett...

Glen Johnson served as the pastor of Good News Free Will Baptist Church for over 36 years. He recently retired to start Kingdom Legacy Ministries, with the focus of inspiring people to live today with forever in mind. Find more at https://www.mykingdomlegacy.org. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Ministry #Legacy #ChristianLiving

Dr. Gerald Prichard, teacher, scientist, and author brings together scientific reasoning and careful biblical study to help us understand the teachings of Jesus. Dr. Pritchard is pastor of First Dayton FWB Church. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Bible #Science #Jesus #Christianity

Brian Williams is the speaker for the Monday night service at the 2026 National Convention. He shares about his ministry at NorthPoint Church and previews his message from John 17, "Focus on the Church." #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Focus #Church #Ministry

Jon Forrest is the speaker for the Sunday morning service at the 2026 National Convention. He shares about his youth ministry at Bethel Free Will Baptist Church and previews his message, "Focus on Loving God." Sunday morning service will be a joint worship with adults and Vertical Three teens. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Focus #LovingGod

Pastor Isaiah Hatfield is the speaker for the Sunday night service at the 2026 National Convention. He shares about his ministry at McCorkle Free Will Baptist Church and previews his message from Luke 10, "Focus on Loving Your Neighbor." Isaiah also serves as moderator of the West Virginia State Association of Free Will Baptists. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Focus #TheGoodSamaritan #Luke10

“The big thing is digging deeper wells, making sure you had the depth to carry you in the dry days of ministry." Dr. Jeff Crabtree shares things he learned early on in ministry that helped sustain him through years of pastoring and church planting, and practices he kept with his family that maintained a home of discipleship and growth. Dr. Crabtree served as a pastor, a church planter for North Am...

Dr. Cheryl Jeffers, director of West Virginia Free Will Baptist church camp, discusses the legacy that church camp has throughout history, specifically among Free Will Baptists. She also introduces a research study that will be used to measure the impact Free Will Baptist events have on our young people. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Camp #ChurchCamp #Youth #Children

Ken Akers of North American Ministries and Bill Hayes of Hillview FWB Church preview the opportunities to serve in Impact Columbus. Impact is the service project held Saturday, July 18, before the National Convention. Projects will be held at three churches in the Columbus area. Register by Monday, June 22: https://fwbmastersmen.org/impact/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Service #Outreach

“We want to empower [students] to be a part of planting churches, pastoring churches, serving in the local church, and all of those things.” Josh Bennett and Kylah Walker of Free Will Baptist North American Ministries join the podcast to introduce Frontier Student Missions, a new program to give high school students the opportunity to experience church planting and ministry opportunities across No...

He was “born” into missions. Kenneth Eagleton, director of global partnerships for IM Inc., is the speaker for the Wednesday night service at the 2026 National Convention. He shares the history of his life in missions work and previews his sermon from Matthew 28. The Wednesday night service will highlight FWB missions work around the world as we recognize church planters and international missiona...

“There are so many things to be involved in and to leave equipped and encouraged, but there’s also the factor of our Free Will Baptist family getting together like we do." Convention Manager Ryan Lewis previews the 2026 National Convention, where there will be something for all ages. The Convention is returning to Columbus for the first time since 1983, and Ryan talks about the options, convenienc...

When thousands of Free Will Baptists descend on Columbus in July, evening services offer a special opportunity to worship together with like-minded believers. Kevin Justice, Sam Harris, and Joshua Riggs from the convention worship planning team preview the music for the week and offer opportunities for you to be involved in the choir, orchestra, or praise team. Find the information at https://www....

“It’s very important that we bring deacons along and give them a biblical basis and understanding in how they can operate and function like the New Testament wants us to.” Danny Williams talks about the work he’s doing with churches helping train deacons and understand their vital role in the local church. Danny serves as executive director of Alabama Free Will Baptists. NAFWB will be hosting webi...

With Mother’s Day coming this weekend, Kristi Johnson shares practical, tangible ways churches and congregations can support and help mothers. She also provides ways mothers can continue to disciple their children through everyday activities. Kristi serves as Executive Director of WNAC. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Mother #Mothers #MothersDay #Discipleship

“I see how much people have helped me, so if I can be of any help to someone else, we want to be helpful to them.” Dr. W. Jackson Watts shares how his experiences in ministry have shaped the pastor he is today, and the ways those experiences have equipped him to help churches with their constitution, bylaws, and other documents. Dr. Watts is assistant moderator of the NAFWB, pastor of Grace FWB Ch...

Richland Ave Financial President & CEO John Brummitt joins the podcast to discuss the benefit of a retirement account in their program, available for anyone employed by a Free Will Baptist ministry. They have expanded their ministry to include institutional investing and financial education. Find more about their services at https://richlandavefinancial.com . #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Retirement...

“My emphasis and my heartbeat is on that generational impact that I know endowments really can provide.” New Free Will Baptist Foundation CEO and Director Brent Patrick shares the path that led him to the role, the vision he has for the Foundation’s future, and how he hopes it shapes the denomination and Kingdom for eternity. Find more about the Foundation and the financial services they offer at...

Executive Director Kristi Johnson shares updates about her vision and direction for the future of WNAC. Their mission is to provide opportunities for each woman to fulfill the Great Commission through her God-designed roles at home and abroad. Find more about WNAC and the ways they can equip women of all ages at https://www.wnac.org . #NAFWB #BetterTogether #WomensMinistry

“Instead of saying, ‘I wish we could,’ just say ‘Lord, how can we?’” Veteran church planter and pastor Bob Lewis talks about the ways being a faithful giver produces fruit in a variety of ways. Bob is part of the Rekindle Coaching Program, a team of pastors that provides free coaching for pastors in the ministry. Find more at https://nafwb.org/rekindle/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Giving #Stewardship