Better Together

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

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