The International Fellowship of Free Will Baptist Churches (IFOFWBC) unites Free Will Baptist churches from around the world for the purposes of identification, communion, and mutual edification and encouragement to better fulfill the Great Commission of evangelism and the establishment of churches among all peoples, according to its mission statement.
As Free Will Baptist churches were planted in numerous countries and began to form associations, it became clear these national churches needed an arena to allow them to gather. In 1992, representatives from various countries met in Panama to explore the desire and feasibility of creating an International Fellowship. The idea was enthusiastically endorsed. Plans were made to recruit more countries to meet in Brazil in 1995, and the International Fellowship officially organized with 12 member nations.
Delegates meet every three years. August 6-9, 2025, delegates, observers, and visitors met on the university campus in Bondoukou, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), for the tenth General Assembly and commemorated thirty years of the IFOFWBC.
Delegates from ten member countries joined representatives from four countries petitioning for membership, along with visitors from two additional countries. In all, approximately thirty Free Will Baptists representing 15 countries met with approximately the same number of Ivorians, who did a wonderful job with logistics and hosting.
The African temperatures were pleasant, with a cloud cover most days, making it enjoyable to meet on this beautiful new campus. Regional and city authorities granted permission to use the university facilities free of charge and attended the opening and closing ceremonies, showing their gratefulness for choosing their city.
Tours were offered to visitors who wanted to explore the town and a nearby village during free time. The following weekend, participants divided into six groups to visit area Free Will Baptist churches for Sunday morning services. Several had an opportunity to preach. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to worship with our Ivorian brothers and sisters.
The meeting’s theme was From One Generation to Another. Evening speakers included Dr. Tim York (USA), Subhas Das (India), Robert Houessou (Côte d’Ivoire), and Estêvão Achê (Brazil). Mornings began with a devotion brought by various participants.
A good portion of the schedule was devoted to reports from the 16 nations represented. Many attendees said this part of the program was the highlight of the meeting. For the first time, they gained a more detailed view of what Free Will Baptists are doing around the world. “Wow, I didn’t know FWBs did that!” became a frequently offered comment. Many were astonished at the size and scope of Free Will Baptist ministries and service projects.
One visitor to the International Fellowship, from a country where Christians suffer persecution, observed he thought believers in his country were the only ones facing difficulties. He learned, after a presentation from a European country, even churches in the West face challenges — just different challenges. This type of interchange between nations allows us to pray more specifically for one another. It was marvelous to hear how God is blessing each country and share the burdens and challenges faced. After each report, the group took time to pray for God’s work in that country.
On the last evening, we had the wonderful privilege of participating in a communion and feet washing service with brothers and sisters from every corner of the globe who speak a diversity of languages. The thread uniting us? We are one body who share common convictions as Free Will Baptists, drawing us together in sweet fellowship.
On Friday afternoon, the International Fellowship conducted business. The following actions were taken:
Two national associations* who recently affiliated with Free Will Baptists were accepted into membership. They represent over 5,300 believers who gather in approximately 256 places of worship.
A local church in Rosario, Argentina, and another located in metropolitan Manila, Philippines, were received into the International Fellowship as local churches because they are currently the only Free Will Baptist churches in their respective countries. In both nations, these local churches are working to start other churches and possibly receive into fellowship existing, unaffiliated churches that share our theological position.
Brazil was chosen as the location for the next meeting of the International Fellowship, coinciding with the seventieth anniversary of the work there. Panama will host the meeting in 2031.
Delegates to the General Assembly elected new officers for the organization’s executive committee who will serve a three-year term: President Emiliano Alzate (Panama); Vice-President Silas Noufé (Côte d’Ivoire); Secretary Jonathan Chereau (France ); Treasurer Brenton Driscoll (Bulgaria and USA); along with member-at-large Estêvão Achê (Brazil). Four of the five members are from a younger generation and are new to the International Fellowship, exemplifying the theme From One Generation to Another.
The International Fellowship meeting ended Saturday. However, all participants stayed to participate in the National Convention of the Association of Free Will Baptist Churches in Côte d’Ivoire, which began Monday evening in the same city. The foreign guests participated in the opening ceremony and service and the first full day of the convention before returning to their own countries. An estimated 1,200 Free Will Baptists from across Côte d’Ivoire gathered for the convention.
One highlight came Tuesday, August 12, when International Fellowship participants joined 300 local believers in a one-mile march from downtown Bondoukou to the town stadium where the convention was held. They also witnessed a memorial service for Jerry Pinkerton, retired IM missionary to Côte d’Ivoire who completed his earthly journey the previous November. A third unique event included the baptism of 103 new believers from various Free Will Baptist churches. Trif Trifonov (Bulgaria) and Estêvão Achê (Brazil) were invited to baptize some of them. Michelle Chereau, from France, commented, “It is an honor to be part of the National Conference of Free Baptists of Côte d’Ivoire.”
Not all countries with Free Will Baptist churches were able to participate in the meeting. Some wished to be present, but the expense involved in a 12-day international trip proved beyond their means. The International Fellowship provided subsidies for several delegates, but their meager resources were not sufficient to make sure every country could be represented. How wonderful it would be if all countries with Free Will Baptist churches could send at least one representative. At least 27 countries would be represented!
In the past, I have heard it said the resources needed to organize such a meeting every three years could “be better invested in other ministry initiatives.” However, I believe the International Fellowship is vital to the worldwide movement of Free Will Baptists in the generations to come.
Consider several reasons for this.
First, it is the only link between Free Will Baptists from different countries. I have been asked on several occasions by churches in countries where Americans have not sent missionaries, “How do we join Free Will Baptists?” Churches in Argentina or the Philippines do not join the North American National Association. They should join an international Free Will Baptist organization — the IFOFWBC.
Another reason is the desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Most cultures in the world value community over the individualism of the West. They want connection and want to belong to a “church family”— the international Free Will Baptist family.
The International Fellowship also allows us to reaffirm our identity. In some countries, the newer generation of Free Will Baptists came along after American missionaries left. They never sat under their teaching or saw their example. With the passing of generations comes the possibility of identity drift. Some countries never received American missionaries, as is the case with the four new members of the International Fellowship. When we come together, we are reminded of our identity, our doctrine, and our heritage.
When associations from various countries come together every few years, it gives them an opportunity to network, share ideas, learn what others have done and are doing, work together to find solutions, and help each other. It fosters mutuality, cooperation, and a deeper level of international fellowship.
In the months following the International Fellowship meeting in Côte d’Ivoire, Hurricane Melissa hit eastern Cuba, causing extensive destruction and impacting many of our believers; an African pastor’s son needed life-saving heart surgery; and an Asian pastor needed help with the costs of cancer surgery for his wife. In each of these cases, grassroots initiatives from International Fellowship participants led to mutual aid.
The International Fellowship takes the motto, “We are better together,” to a global level.
For Free Will Baptist news from all over the world, visit the IFOFWBC Facebook page at https://facebook.com/groups/ifofwbc/.
About the Writer: Kenneth Eagleton and his wife Rejane served as IM missionaries in Côte d’Ivoire and Brazil from 1984 to 2023. In 2017, Kenneth was named director of global partnerships. Since 2023, Kenneth has worked full-time with IM Global Partners, and the couple is now based
in Tennessee.
