news about the denomination The following news items apply to (or affect) the Free Will Baptist denomination scattered across the nation and around the world.To read more about Free Will Baptists and the various departments that make up the national organization, visit www.nafwb.org. Read a brief history of Free Will Baptists in the United States.

Fresh Start at Hilltop

Ardmore, OK—Three Free Will Baptist agencies have come together in a joint project initiative to replant Hilltop Church in Ardmore, Oklahoma. The First Oklahoma Association Mission Board and the Oklahoma State Office recently asked North American Ministries (NAM) to partner with them to replant the church.

The Oklahoma agencies appointed Bob Thomas to supply leadership to the church. He will continue to be active throughout the revitalization. “The greatest purpose for this endeavor is to engage God-ordained principles to bring individuals and families to Jesus and grow believers into holy, mature, productive followers of Christ. Revitalizing Hilltop is a Great Commission project,” Thomas told us.

The strategy is to find a God-called team to minister in Ardmore. We are actively praying and searching for the next leader and team. Team members must be able to lead in their strengths and “cross serve” in various ministry expressions. This is an “all-hands-on-deck” effort.
With a population of 50,000-plus, Ardmore is an employment and educational center in south central Oklahoma. Ardmore is home to Southern Oklahoma University and Southern Oklahoma Technology Center. On August 5, The Daily Oklahoman published the news that the Chickasaw Nation is leading a $124 million project to turn Ardmore Airport into a major shipping hub that “will bring thousands of jobs to southern Oklahoma.” Many believe Ardmore is the next Oklahoma “boomtown.”

The Hilltop congregation is dedicated to the stated purpose and strategy for replanting the church. They transferred control of the church and the property to Oklahoma Free Will Baptist leadership. Thomas commented about the congregation: “These people are consistently good and kind and willing to do their part.”

Hilltop owns ten acres of land atop the highest hill west of downtown Ardmore, and is easily seen from I-35, the major north/south interstate linking Oklahoma City and the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. Hilltop has two spacious buildings, including a fan shaped sanctuary that seats 400, surrounded by offices and classrooms. The campus also includes a 50 by 100-foot multi-purpose building.

God has put everything in place for the Hilltop Church to move forward. We need a God-called team to lead the effort. If you are interested in learning more, please contact North American Ministries at 615-760-6137.

Commission for Theological Integrity Hosts Symposium at Welch College

The Commission for Theological Integrity hosted its annual Theological Symposium on the campus of Welch College on October 4–5, 2021. After last year’s digital symposium because of COVID-19, the members of the commission gladly hosted an in-person meeting this year.

Attendees came from as far west as Oklahoma, as far south as Florida, and as far north as New York, and even Canada, in addition to the hundreds who attended digitally. Christian brothers and sisters gladly extended the hand (and hug) of fellowship.

Because papers did not revolve around a particular theme this year, presentations ran the gamut:

Daniel Webster, “Clement’s Use of Music in Exhortation to the Greeks as a Model for Cultural Engagement”

W. Jackson Watts, “Should Pastors Be Obeyed? Pastoral-Theological Reflections on Hebrews 13:17”

Matthew Steven Bracey, “Imagination: God, Man, and Ethics”

Ben Campbell, “Reformed Arminianism and Real Assurance: An Analysis of John 6:37 and Assurance of Salvation”

Anna Forlines, “Has God Cast Away Israel? The Abrahamic Covenant and the Church” (a paper by Leroy Forlines)

Jason Myers, “The Marriage Covenant and Reformed Arminian Soteriology: Theological Parallels Considered”

Josh Hunter, “Ecclesial Individuality and the History of the Free Will Baptist Church Covenant”

Jeff Blair, “Jesus and the Jewish Wisdom Tradition”

Christopher Talbot, “Co-opted, Coordinated, or Contra Mundum? A Critical Reappraisal of Francis Schaeffer’s Public Theology”

Lively discussion followed a number of these presentations, demonstrating brothers and sisters can disagree about the particulars of theology in a charitable and constructive manner. This format offers a good model to follow. If you missed any of these presentations, you may watch them on the commission’s website (fwbtheology.com) or Facebook page.

In addition to the presentation of papers, the commission introduced its newest member Cory Thompson, pastor of First FWB Church in Poteau, Oklahoma. He will also serve as the program chairman of the symposium going forward; previously, Jackson Watts occupied that position for eight years.

Finally, the commission has announced next year’s theme (The Legacy of Robert Picirilli), dates (October 3-4, 2022), and location (Welch College).

Interested parties may purchase issues of Integrity and symposium digests from the website, as well as submit paper proposals for next year’s program to fwbtheology@gmail.com.

Becky Beverly Honored for Service

Nashville, TN—Randall House recognized Becky Beverly for 42 years of faithful service and ministry during an appreciation dinner October 21, according to CEO, Ron Hunter.

Becky’s first day on the job was August 5, 1978. She served under three CEOs: Dr. Roger Reeds, Dr. Alton Loveless, and Dr. Ron Hunter Jr. Becky contributed significantly to each era, and it would be hard to imagine Randall House’s care for mission and customer service without her influence.

The Randall House bookstore outlasted many others in the Amazon era because of Becky’s leadership. She understood how to reinvent herself and adapt during the growth of the organization. She took the same skills and personality into the sales team, ran the distribution and warehouse, and ultimately defined the balance of product and end user.

Hunter noted, “Serving 42 years in the way Becky served is quite an accomplishment. She will be sorely missed.”