Shows
Better TogetherUsing Cards and Notes as a Ministry of Encouragement - Randy Johnson
“Even today, just taking the time to write something down means a lot.”
Pastor Randy Johnson of Valley Forge FWB Church tells how a simple note of encouragement from 7th grade impacted his life and led him to begin using a seemingly outdated method of communication that continues to make a lasting impression. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Notes #Cards #Encouragement
2026-02-0924 minBetter TogetherDoctrines We Need to Know and How We Teach Them - Dr. Robert Picirilli“The truth is, you can’t avoid [doctrine], because it’s a matter of what we believe. And that, of course, is simply a matter of trying to express what the Bible teaches for us, what God has said.”
Dr. Robert Picirilli, Free Will Baptist author and theologian, discusses the importance of doctrine and how it must continue to be valued and taught by Christians.
The doctrinal resources mentioned in the podcast (from NAFWB and D6 Family):
Free Will Baptist Treatise: https://nafwb.org/treatise/.
Free Will Baptist Catechism: https://nafwb.org/catechis...
2026-02-0217 minBetter TogetherHow CTS Can Be a Blessing to Your Family and Church - Derek Altom“The real heartbeat behind [CTS] is we want to see our local churches strengthened and grow and people use their gifts and talents in the local church.”
Derek Altom of D6 Family and Vertical Three Ministries talks about the value of Church Training Service (CTS), how groups can get involved, and the impact it can have on individuals and churches. Find more about CTS and the Vertical Three Conference at https://verticalthree.com. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Focus #V3Con2026 #Discipleship #Talents
2026-01-2614 minBetter TogetherLiving a Life That Matters - William Slater“What I realized was that those who really were the ones who contributed the most to the ministry were those who were involved in more things, not fewer things.”
From his role in the TN House of Representatives to Dean of online & adult studies at Welch College, William Slater leads a busy, full life. He shares ways we can all live engaging and involved lives that can impact our families and the community around us.
Find more about the programs Mr. Slater discussed available from Welch College:
Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T...
2026-01-1925 minBetter TogetherHow Weekly Prayer Changed Our Church - Luke JohnsonPastor Luke Johnson and church member Jacob Blackwelder of Highland Drive Free Will Baptist Church share the impact a weekly prayer team praying during services has had on the team and the church as a whole. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Prayer #Pray #Praying
2026-01-1221 minBetter TogetherHow to Get Everyone in Your Church Inviting Someone - Dr. Sam RainerPresented at the 2025 Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
2026-01-0737 minBetter TogetherWhy Churches Are Targets (Keeping Your Congregation Safe) - Dr. Sam RainerPresented at the 2025 Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
2026-01-0736 minBetter TogetherProven Approaches From Churches Reaching Young Families - Dr. Sam RainerPresented at the 2025 Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
2026-01-0741 minBetter TogetherThe Trends That Can Make or Break Your Next 10 Years - Dr. Sam RainerPresented at the 2025 Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
2026-01-0739 minBetter TogetherThe Surprising Return of the Neighborhood Church - Dr. Sam RainerPresented at the 2025 Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
2026-01-0740 minBetter TogetherSmall Groups Make Big Steps - Kevin BarnettPresented at the 2025 Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
2026-01-0758 minBetter TogetherRevitalization: Lessons From a Water Bottle and the Bible - Travis AlexanderPresented at the 2025 Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
2026-01-0745 minBetter TogetherMinistering to People Who Didn’t Plant Their Own Olive Trees - Jon ForrestPresented at the 2025 Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
2026-01-0737 minBetter TogetherFrom Hello to Home: Dynamic First Impressions Ministry - Dr. Shiloh HackettPresented at the 2025 Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
2026-01-0746 minBetter TogetherWhat We Really Need to Know About the Last Days - Dr. Robert Picirilli“The early church gave a great deal of attention to the second coming—they were looking for Jesus to come back. If they were looking for Jesus to come back [2,000 years ago], how much more should we be looking for Him to return?”
Dr. Robert Picirilli discusses the motivation that led him to write his latest book, “Mere Eschatology: A Biblical Study of the Second Coming and the End of the Age.” The book is available from D6 Family: https://bit.ly/3KExHrv/ #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Eschatology #EndTimes #SecondComing
2026-01-0518 minBetter TogetherFollowing God – Nelson Henderson
Retired pastor Nelson Henderson reflects on his call to ministry as a young man from Northwest Arkansas, which eventually led to a fruitful pastorate at First Free Will Baptist Church of Pocahontas, Arkansas for 36 ½ years. He discusses the steps he took that led to his longevity in the ministry.
Pastor Nelson is part of the Rekindle Coaching Program for pastors who may be seeking a veteran pastor to help coach them in ministry. Find more at https://nafwb.org/rekindle/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Ministry #Pastoring #Pastor
2025-12-2922 minBetter TogetherFrom Middle Tennessee to the Mountain West - Corbin Madden & Seth PriceAfter pastoring in the “buckle” of the Bible Belt, Seth Price and Corbin Madden felt led to plan a church in Bozeman, Montana. They share their burden for the area and their progress as they raise support. Mission Montana is a church planting project through Free Will Baptist North American Ministries.
Find out more about the Maddens and Prices: https://fwbnam.com/madden/ and https://fwbnam.com/price/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #ChurchPlanting #Bozeman #BozemanMT #BozemanMontana
2025-12-2215 minBetter TogetherExciting Things Happening at FWB Family Ministries - Jim McComas“It has been a dream of ours to include addiction recovery in the ministry of Family Ministries, and God has opened those doors now for that to take place.”
Free Will Baptist Family Ministries CEO Jim McComas talks about the new addiction recovery program now available for adult males through Exodus 14 Ministries Inc. Those needing help (or who have a family member who does) can call 423-278-2701 to find out more. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Addiction #Recovery #Rehab
2025-12-1514 minBetter TogetherThe Dangers of the Prosperity Gospel - Dr. Kenneth Eagleton“It is a teaching that is especially attractive to people in areas that are very poor, in places that are hopeless.”
Dr. Kenneth Eagleton discusses common tenants of Prosperity Gospel teaching, which has spread like wildfire to many places around the world. Kenneth refutes the philosophies of those that adhere to it. Kenneth is director of global partnerships for IM, Inc. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #ProsperityGospel
2025-12-0825 minBetter TogetherThe Response to Hurricane Melissa - Len ScottLen Scott of Mission Four18 in Jamaica talks about the devastation Hurricane Melissa brought to the island and the way Free Will Baptists (and others) responded with prayer and support. He also shares ways people can continue to help through the recovery process, including a relief trip January 31-February 6.
Find more about how you can help with Mission Four18 efforts. Website: www.MissionFour18.org. Giving: www.MissionFour18.org/give. Email: lscott@missionfour18.org. Phone/WhatsApp: 931-249-1027. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #HurricaneMelissa #Jamaica
2025-12-0520 minBetter TogetherHow Our Church Engaged Our Community – Mitch Wagner“Our goal was to see some of the biggest takeaways that we could grasp and attach ourselves to as a church.”
Pastor Mitch Wagner describes how Summit Fellowship Church used their Know Your Community report to pinpoint specific needs in the community and found members of the congregation who were equipped to minister to those needs.
Find more about Know Your Community at http://nafwb.org/know/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Church #Community #Outreach #Ministry
2025-12-0116 minBetter TogetherDealing With Grief – Tom Jones“Absolutely, I think Christians grieve, and I think it’s a misnomer to say they don’t.”
Tom Jones discusses grief, the various ways it can appear in our lives, and the ways we can process it. Tom is a Licensed Professional Counselor for Keystone Christian Counseling and works with the NAFWB as part of the Refresh Counseling Program.
Read his blog, “Grief: One of the Most Dreaded Human Experiences,” from D6 Family: https://bit.ly/3X6Kdm7. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Grief #Emotion #MentalHealth
2025-11-2419 minBetter TogetherIntentional Discipleship - Chad Kivette“To me, intentional discipleship is spending life with the people that you’ve led to the Lord that you are trying to mentor.”
Chad Kivette describes how every Christian should be engaged in intentional discipleship. Chad pastor of New Life Church Amory, MS, a partner of Free Will Baptist North American Ministries.
Read Chad’s article, “From the Highways to the Hedges” in the October-November issue of ONE Magazine: https://www.onemag.org/hedges.htm. For Armon Jorden’s story on his encounter with Chad, check out this episode of the Better Together Podcast: https://bit.ly/3Xt2KZS...
2025-11-1726 minBetter TogetherHow One Day Changed My Life - Armon Jorden“It’s just so unexpected where I’m at right now; that day significantly changed my life.”
Armon Jorden talks about a chance encounter twenty years ago that had an eternal impact on his life.
Armon and his wife, Yvette, are planting Ho’omana Church in Hilo, Hawaii, with Free Will Baptist North American Ministries (https://fwbnam.com/jorden/). Read Armon’s article, “Ordinary Days,” from the October-November issue of ONE Magazine: https://www.onemag.org/ordinary_days.htm. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #ChurchPlanting #LifeChange #Testimony
2025-11-1025 minBetter TogetherHow Mission Trips Can Be Life-Changing – Teamwork Missions“What we like to offer young adults is those experiences on ways to serve, places to serve, and ‘how can I use my talents for the Lord?’, and this kind of activates that.”
Caleb and Johnny Saunders of Teamwork Missions discuss the opportunities their organization offers for churches, youth groups, and individuals to take life-changing mission trips to open their eyes to where God may be calling them. Teamwork Missions is a partner of FWB North American Ministries. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Missions #Outreach #Calling #Ministry
2025-11-0318 minBetter TogetherResources Every Church Can Use - Dr. Tim York“Many of our churches’ greatest battle is they are inwardly focused. You’ve got to focus to the community; you’ve got to focus outwardly.”
Dr. Tim York shares about the resources offered by the National Association of Free Will Baptists for churches, equipping them to reach and minister to their communities. Find the resources at https://nafwb.org/resources/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Church #Ministry #Outreach
*We apologize for the technical difficulties with the audio quality.
2025-10-2721 minBetter TogetherRefresh Counseling and Supporting Pastors' Families - Robyn Ezzell“If we remove the veil that we think is covering pastoral families, we can understand that they need us just as much as we need them.”
Robyn Ezzell of Two Paths Crossing discusses some of the burdens carried by pastors’ wives and the ways congregations can help minister to and care for their pastor’s family.
Robyn is part of the Refresh Counseling Program of the NAFWB. Find out how you can support this invaluable program at https://nafwb.org/refreshcounseling/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Pastors #PastorAppreciation #PastorAppreciationMonth #PastorsWives
2025-10-2019 minBetter TogetherThe Value of a Pastor and How You Can Support Him - Dr. Tim York“It’s a different time in pastoring, and a lot of guys are struggling with staying in the ministry, staying in the pastorate, they feel like failures, so it’s really important for the church to show love back to them.”
Dr. Tim York talks about the critical need for churches to value their pastor and bless him and show him support, both during Pastor Appreciation Month and throughout the year.
Dr. York is moderator of the NAFWB and pastors two churches: The Grove Church and Rejoice Church. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Pastors #PastorAppreciation #PastorAppreciationMonth
2025-10-1318 minBetter TogetherMending Fences – Dr. Gordon Penfold
Dr. Gordon Penfold joins the podcast to discuss his latest book, “Mending Fences,” a biblically grounded and theologically compelling guide for reconciling broken relationships.
Dr. Penfold is one of the founders of the Advanced Pastoral Network. “Mending Fences” is available from Amazon: http://bit.ly/3IUmz8P. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Reconciliation #MendingFences #BrokenRelationships #Book
2025-10-1031 minBetter TogetherWhat can you do after a church leader falls into sin? A Model in Restoration“When [someone falls], from the Scriptural standpoint, we should be running towards those people, but the tendency is for us to run away from them.”
Three men join the podcast to recount the story of one pastor’s fall and the grace and restoration process that followed. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Restoration #Sin
2025-10-0639 minBetter TogetherLessons from Mr. Trout and the Value of Teachers - Eric Thomsen“He understood the position that he held and deliberately made choices to disciple and influence students in a way that would be beneficial for them for life.”
Eric Thomsen reflects on the influence his high school teacher, Mr. Trout, had on his life, and the opportunity teachers have to make a lasting impact.
Eric is managing editor of ONE Magazine. Read more in “Upstream With Mr. Trout:” https://www.onemag.org/first_glimpse123.htm. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Teachers #Students #Impact
2025-09-2914 minBetter TogetherUsing Your Know Your Community Results - Christine LewisNorthwest Community Church in Chicago has 66,127 people that live within 5 minutes of their church. Christine Lewis joins the podcast to discuss how the church has used its results of the Know Your Community report to meet physical needs of their neighbors while having the opportunity to share the Gospel with them.
Find out more about the KYC report at https://nafwb.org/know/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Outreach #Neighbor #Neighborhood #Church
2025-09-2224 min2025-09-1834 min2025-09-1841 min2025-09-1843 minBetter TogetherWho Wants the Children in Your Church to Know How to Share the Gospel? - Jeff Nichols
2025-09-1823 min2025-09-1835 min2025-09-1838 min2025-09-1839 min2025-09-1839 min2025-09-1841 min2025-09-1832 min2025-09-1839 min2025-09-1844 min2025-09-1845 min2025-09-1850 min2025-09-1852 min2025-09-1845 min2025-09-1841 minBetter TogetherUnlock Effective Church Communication: Mastering Free Email and Texting With Planning Center and Gloo - Joshua Riggs
2025-09-1839 min2025-09-1845 min2025-09-1840 min2025-09-181h 59Better TogetherDiscipleship in Action: Growing and Empowering Faith Through D6 Curriculum - David Womack
2025-09-1843 minBetter TogetherWhen We Move Into the Community: Every Church in Every Sphere of Influence So Everyone Thrives - Daryl Crouch
2025-09-1850 min2025-09-1847 min2025-09-1849 min2025-09-1843 min2025-09-1850 min2025-09-1849 minBetter TogetherThe Sharing Trees: Facilitating Purposeful Conversations to Impart Biblical Truth Into the Heart of a Child - Tyler Penn
2025-09-1831 minBetter TogetherHelp for Helpers: Testimonials of the Benefits of the Refresh Counseling Program - Tom Jones
2025-09-1841 minBetter TogetherInternational Student Ministries: Reach a Student, Reach the World - Mercers, Penn, Portells
2025-09-1850 min2025-09-1847 min2025-09-1846 min2025-09-1839 min2025-09-1838 min2025-09-1852 min2025-09-1846 min2025-09-1854 min2025-09-1845 min2025-09-1848 minBetter TogetherThe Hope Alive Network: A Gospel Vision for Tokyo - Culwells, Kettemans, Kojima, McDonald, Sakamotos
2025-09-1831 minBetter TogetherMastering Effective Teaching With D6 Curriculum: Best Practices for Preparation, Leadership, and Impact - David Womack
2025-09-1841 min2025-09-1838 min2025-09-1847 min2025-09-1846 min2025-09-1841 min2025-09-1839 min2025-09-1852 min2025-09-1840 min2025-09-1839 min2025-09-1852 min2025-09-1851 minBetter TogetherA River Runs Through You: How the Holy Spirit Empowers Our Ministry - Robert J. Morgan
2025-09-1832 min2025-09-1851 minBetter TogetherKnow Your Church – Dr. Chuck Lawless“Too many pastors say, ‘I know what my church thinks,’ but they’ve never really asked the question.”
Dr. Chuck Lawless of Church Answers and Southeastern Seminary discusses the Know Your Church Report, a 160-item questionnaire completed by a sampling of a church’s membership that includes a detailed health report for the church.
The Know Your Church report is available to NAFWB churches for $130 (60% off the regular price!). Find out more at https://churchanswers.com/partner-page-national-association-of-free-will-baptists/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Church #ChurchAssessment
2025-09-1520 minBetter TogetherMoving Attenders to Members – Sam RainerSam Rainer discusses best practices of ways for a church to assimilate regular attendees of church into becoming church members by using “The Complete Membership Class Toolkit.” He also discusses the “Good News Neighbors Toolkit,” a simple plan for every size church to reach its community with the Gospel.
Sam is President of Church Answers. Through a partnership with Church Answers, member churches of the NAFWB are able to get these toolkits for 50% off the regular price: https://churchanswers.com/partner-page-national-association-of-free-will-baptists/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Church #Outreach #Gospel #Neighbors
2025-09-0814 minBetter TogetherIt’s Been a Wonderful Life – Doug SpillmanDoug Spillman reflects on a well-lived life as a soldier, Deputy U.S. Marshal, state trooper, and Free Will Baptist deacon. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Christian #Testimony #Servant
2025-09-0117 minBetter TogetherInvite Your One – Matt McCraw“It’s a great, easy thing for people to do to get their feet wet with reaching out.”
Matt McCraw describes “Invite Your One,” an outreach strategy his church uses to encourage members and regular attenders to invite one person to attend church on a special emphasis Sunday.
Matt is senior consultant with Church Answers and pastor of First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Church #Outreach
2025-08-2516 minBetter TogetherFollowing God to Unusual Places - Mike CorleyHow do you end up on the mission field, and of all places, Russia? “Well…it certainly wasn’t my design.”
Mike Corley describes his journey from Army basic training to various points in his ministry career (some he can’t talk about), leading him to places and positions he never would have imagined. Mike is pastor of First FWB Baptist Church of Jonesboro, Arkansas. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Missions #GodsCall #GodsWill
2025-08-1830 minBetter TogetherNAFWB Partnership With Church Answers – Dr. Thom Rainer“The whole purpose of it is what are the key resources that we can provide to help churches without breaking the bank and being the type of servant that we need to be.”
Thom Rainer, founder of Church Answers, discusses the partnership that was formed between the NAFWB and Church Answers. Through the partnership, Church Answers provides many of their church health resources with exclusive discounts for Free Will Baptist churches. Find the partnership page at bit.ly/4mqLvCR. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #ChurchAnswers #Church #Ministry #ChurchHealth
2025-08-1116 minBetter TogetherThe Value and Opportunity of Chaplaincy - Sam Smith“As a chaplain, it really broadens your scope of being able to minister to people who have no faith (or a different faith) background and you want to try to reach them where they’re at.”
Sam Smith, pastor of Foundation FWB Church, talks about the events that led him into local chaplaincy and how it has expanded his opportunities of ministry.
Sam’s article, “Local Chaplaincy,” is available in the June-July issue of ONE Magazine: https://www.onemag.org/local_chaplaincy.htm. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Chaplain #Chaplaincy
2025-08-0416 minBetter TogetherInternational Fellowship of Free Will Baptist Churches – Kenneth Eagleton“It brings Free Will Baptists together from across the globe and serves as a way for us to understand the greater Free Will Baptist family.”
Kenneth Eagleton, director of global partnerships for IM, Inc., describes the International Fellowship of Free Will Baptist Churches. The fellowship will hold its triennial meeting in Ivory Coast in August. Join their Facebook group (search “IFOFWBC”) to follow these Free Will Baptist ministries around the world. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #International #Church
2025-07-2810 minBetter TogetherFulfilling Our Mission – Joel TeagueJoel Teague previews his message for the Wednesday evening service at the 2025 National Convention. Joel will explore the theme, “Fulfill Your Mission: Love People Like God Loves Them” from Jonah 4. Joel shares his story of growing up as a missionary kid and later answering the call himself.
Joel and Lydie Teague are planting a church with IM, Inc. in France. Find more about their ministry at https://iminc.org/missionary/joel-and-lydie-teague/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #AcceptTheMission #Jonah #Missions
2025-07-1422 minBetter TogetherAnswering Your Call - Shiloh HackettShiloh Hackett previews his message for the Tuesday evening service at the 2025 National Convention. Shiloh will explore the theme, “God’s Mission for the Reluctant: Will You Say Yes?” from Jonah 3.
Shiloh is pastor of Bethlehem FWB Church in Ashland City, TN. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #AcceptTheMission #Jonah
2025-07-0714 minBetter TogetherIt’s Not Too Late to Accept Your Mission – Doug EarlsDoug Earls previews his message for the Monday evening service at the 2025 National Convention. Doug will explore the theme, “When Disobeying Your Mission Sinks You” from Jonah 2. He shares his personal experience of leaving ministry for a time.
Doug served as long-time pastor of Calvary Chapel FWB Church and now serves in the retiree ministry.. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #AcceptTheMission #Jonah
2025-06-3013 minBetter TogetherJonah’s Relevance Today – Josh BushJosh 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
2025-06-2318 minBetter TogetherBuild, Plant, Seek - Aaron PontiousAaron 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
2025-06-1609 minBetter TogetherMinistering to Military Families – Ethan McCraneyEthan 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
2025-06-0924 min