July 20-23 | Kansas City, Missouri | A D6 Family Ministry Event
Once a year, Free Will Baptists gather for the annual National Convention and the Vertical Three Conference. The event takes careful planning: the choice of hotel and arrival time; money saved for travel, food, and lodging; vacation days set aside to spend a week in a place that — at least this year — had record-breaking temps from a sweltering heat wave rivaling the core of a volcano!
For leadership, these conferences take months of meeting, planning, and preparation. Countless individuals play roles big and small, helping lay the groundwork, recruit volunteers, and reveal the final masterpiece. Every conference has highs and lows, challenges and solutions, moments of relief and nights of restless fatigue — all so thousands of Free Will Baptists can descend on some pre-arranged city each July.
Which begs the question: Why?
Why do students participate in the CTS Ministry Expo? Why take the time, money, and effort to attend or plan these conferences? Why?
I suggest three simple reasons:
1. Jesus. We hail from different lives, families, backgrounds, cultures, and decades (maybe even centuries). We have different interests, talents, likes, dislikes, and convictions. But the single defining commonality is our relationship with Jesus Christ. Nobody inspires fellowship like Jesus.
Further, the purpose behind the CTS Ministry Expo and Vertical Three Conference — all the services, seminars, business, and events related to the National Convention — is to bring honor and glory to Jesus.
Finally, our relationship with Jesus requires two-way, active communication. This brings us together, elicits the worship He deserves, and wraps us in the comforting embrace of a life lived with and for Him.
Why meet? We do it because of Jesus. We do it for Jesus. We do it with Jesus.
2. Fellowship. For the believer, fellowship is more than social interaction. It’s a bond rooted in faith, unity, love, and mutual support. It’s a bond the Church shares unlike any other, one founded in Christ who transcends the bounds of time, shakes the foundation of the world, heals the broken, saves the lost, and one day will right all wrongs for good.
There’s nothing quite like this family reunion of thousands, a glimpse of the day when multitudes of Christ-followers throughout all time will be reunited. Each year, as we reunite with old friends, we are encouraged in our deepest hearts, revitalized with the gospel truth, and reminded why we meet.
3. Generational Discipleship. Our common love for Christ and the decision to serve Him is not the end. Every Christian has a God-ordained responsibility to be a disciple who makes disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). We pass our faith to the next generation, so we never forget what the Lord has done. It should be our joy to serve because Christ has changed our lives (Acts 4:20; 1 Peter 3:15). May we be like the heavenly creatures in Revelation 4:8 crying in humbled awe, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”
This is why we meet.
Services. The 2025 V3 theme, “Stand Tall,” comes from Daniel 3, which records the story of three young men who chose to be faithful to God, no matter the cost. Students were asked, “Are you a V3 student?” Each service focused on a different aspect of the Vertical Three mission: discovering talents, developing leadership, and dedicating hearts to faithful service to God.
Sunday morning’s joint service with adults featured Sunday School led by five Truth & Peace students: Levi Greer, Jackson Green, Nate Luthy, Bryan McCanch, and Daniel Shaffer. Aaron Pontious preached from Jeremiah 29 and discussed living on purpose whenever and wherever God places us.
Sunday evening, Bradley Mercer spoke from 1 Corinthians 12 on discovering the spiritual gifts we must use for God’s glory. On Monday evening, Dale Hudson preached from Philippians, challenging listeners to give ambition, attitude, and actions to the Lord and His work. Teen services concluded Tuesday evening with a message from Josh Hampton who challenged the audience to dedicate our hearts to the Lord.
After the service, Mark Brown, an illusionist from Nashville, Tennessee, wowed the crowd with his remarkable talents. And, of course, every V3 Conference features exceptional emcees Jon Forrest and Neil Gilliland who provide laughter while also showing love each year.
V3-123 was led by Johnny Miller and his team who taught elementary students how to “put on” the armor of God. Steve Greenwood, Jonathon Reed, and V3-456 students enjoyed small groups where they answered “big-life” questions. Katie Greenwood and her team led V3-Preschool, and each night featured crafts, snacks, devotion time, games, and singing.
CTS Ministry Expo. Every year, hundreds of students spend countless hours preparing for the CTS Ministry Expo. But the competition itself is not the end goal. The goal is that countless hours spent worshiping the Lord, speaking His truths, and studying His Word will ground students with a foundation of faith to stand against the challenges of life. The true prize is never a medal or trophy but the promise of Christ and His Kingdom, brought down through Scripture and His faithful followers. Students of all ages competed in music, drama, Bible, and arts, with 843 entries and 1,607 competitors.
Truth & Peace. This year’s Truth & Peace Student Leadership Conference was comprised of 128 students and 16 staff members. The superhero theme focused on training students for a life of service to Christ and His Kingdom. Students learned how to grow in their faith through personal Bible study practice, and were trained to teach God’s Word to others.
Students arrived at Randall University in Moore, Oklahoma, July 9, and immediately began leadership training, team building, and service projects.
“Truth & Peace has given me a community of likeminded people who are always there to encourage me and hold me accountable. I would not be the person I am today without the students and staff who have shaped me.” — Natalie Lawson, 401
“Truth & Peace means temporarily leaving my home to grow with and learn from fellow Christ-followers my age.” — Trinity Hempen, 201
“I learned to do everything to the glory of God; when I do, God will take control and work out my future for His perfect plans.” — Tommy Trimble, 301
Youth Evangelistic Team (YET). YET was comprised of ten students and two leaders, Bryan and Kinsley Houser. Students arrived in Moore, Oklahoma, July 8, to prepare for YET 2025. These students led worship throughout the Truth & Peace Conference and during V3-Teen in Kansas City.
“YET has been life changing for me. Last year, God showed me how He works in different churches in different states. This year, He showed me how He can work among students. His presence is enough for me; it’s all the peace that I need.” — Luke Donoho
“Although YET was a little different this year, it was beneficial because there was a lot I learned and many friends that I met. God was glorified throughout the changes that were made.” — Andrew Riggs
Buck-a-Week. The annual missions offering was received on Tuesday evening during the V3-Teen Service. This year, the recipients were Billy & Sunni Champion (Japan) and Armon & Yvette Jorden (Hawaii). Through the generous donations of attendees, the offering totaled $2,920 (and counting).
