Albemarle Minutes

Minutes of the 

Eightieth Annual Session

Of The 

The Albemarle Conference

Of

Original Free Will Baptists

October 9, 2024

Officers for the Years 2024-2025

Moderator: The Reverend Royce Reynolds

Assistant Moderator: The Reverend Al Markuson

Clerk: The Reverend John Mark Windley

Assistant Clerk: Sister Lynn Paul

Treasurer: Brother Lloyd Jones, Jr.,

 Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is composed of the general officers of the Conference, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Chair of the Board of Ordination, and the Chair of the Board of Missions 

Board of Trustees:

Mrs. Carolyn Reynolds (2025)                                                     Rev. Jim Skipper (2026)

                                                    Mr. James Cahoon  (2027)  

Board of Ordination:

The Reverend Jim Skipper (2025)                               The Reverend Al Markuson (2026)

The Reverend Royce Reynolds (2027)                   The Reverend David Furlough (2028)

The Reverend David Pooser (2029)

Board of Missions:

Mrs. Sarah Parker (2025)                                                            Mr. Richard Paul (2026)

Mrs. Lucy Jones (2027)                                                        Mr. Andrew Pelletier  (2028)

Mrs. Carolyn Reynolds (2029)

Ordained Ministers

Johnathon Best 1200 NE Miami Gardens Dr. Apt 904 W Absent

North Miami Beach, Fl. 33179

David Furlough P. O. Box 533, Columbia, N C. 27925

Jonathon Honeycutt             5993 N C 32, Plymouth, N. C. 27962

Raymond Lagcher 19225 US Hwy 264 East, Pinetown, N. C. 27865     Excused

Al Markuson   21 White Oak Lane, Plymouth, N.C. 27962

Tony Parrish   1218 Peyton Circle, Greenville, N. C. 27858

David Pooser   5580 Sidney Road, Belhaven, N. C. 27810             Excused

Royce L. Reynolds   P. O. Box 22, Columbia, N. C. 27925

Jim Skipper   2883 Porter Rd, Greenville, N. C. 27834

John Mark Windley   P. O. Box 102, Pinetown, N. C. 27865

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Proceedings

The 80th Annual Session of the Albemarle Conference, Convened on October 9, 2024, at Mt. Tabor Original Free Will Baptist Church, in Creswell, N. C., with the Reverend Royce Reynolds moderating.

The session convened at 9:30 A. M. with the singing of the hymn “Tis So Sweet To 

Trust In Jesus,” led by Brother Lloyd Jones, Jr., with Mrs. r Lucy Jones accompanying as pianist.  The morning devotion was brought by the Reverend Tony Parrish, speaking from II Chronicles 7:14.  The moderator recognized the Reverend Al Markuson, from the host church, for the welcome. Mr. Lloyd Jones, Jr. gave the response and thanked the host church for their hospitality.

The session was called to order by the clerk, Reverend John Mark Windley: “I, Reverend John Mark Windley, clerk of the Albemarle Conference of Original Free Will Baptists, do declare the 80th Annual Session of the Albemarle Conference is now officially in session; for prayer and praise to God, for the preaching of His Word, and for the transaction of any business of said conference. May God, to our good and His Glory, bless our coming together. The Reverend Royce Reynolds is now presiding.

The moderator called for the roll call of churches. There were Nine (9) churches with Eleven (11) delegates present. Churches present included:  Free Union, Gum Neck, Hickory Chapel, Malachi Chapel, Mt. Tabor, Mt. Zion, Soundside, Trinity, and Union Chapel. Three (3) Churches: First, Plymouth, Shiloh and Sidney represented by letter 

The moderator called for the roll call of ministers: There were Seven (7) ministers present and One (1) minister absent, and Two (2) ministers excused. Visiting ministers were recognized.

The moderator, The Reverend Royce Reynolds, brought the moderator’s address from Matthew 6:33 – “Seek God now and His righteousness”, Deuteronomy 6:5 – Love the Lord totally”; Matthew 28:18-20 – “Be engaged in carrying out the great Commission.”  

Brother Lloyd Jones, Jr. led the session in singing an offertory hymn, ”What A Friend We Have In Jesus.”  The Reverend Royce Reynolds led in the offertory prayer. Brother Lloyd Jones, Jr. and Brother Jess Ambrose served as ushers.

The moderator appointed the following temporary committees: The Reverend Tony Parrish to the Memorial Committee, Brother James Cahoon and Sister Kathy Cahoon to the Resolutions Committee.

The moderator opened the floor for the presentation of reports:

      Conference Reports were presented from the following:

• Executive Committee - The Reverend John Mark Windley, Clerk

• Trustees – No Report

• Board of Ordination – The Reverend Royce Reynolds reported on the work of the Board. Note that Johnathan Honeycutt was examined and the board determined that the Reverend Johnathan Honeycutt would continue in his preparations toward ordination in the Original Free Will Baptists

• Board of Missions – No Report

• Albemarle Youth District – No Report

       Denominal Ministry Reports were reported from the following:

• Convention of Original Free Will Baptists – The Reverend Scott Howard and The Reverend Josh Hobgood – Youth Task Force Report

• Convention Executive Committee – Mrs. Kathy Cahoon

• Children’s Home – No Report

• Church Finance – No Report

• Cragmont – The Reverend Josh Hobgood

• Church Planting and Renewal – No Report

• Free Will Baptist Press – The Reverend John Hill

• Foreign Missions – The Reverend John Hill

• University of Mount Olive – The Reverend Howard Scott

• Retirement Homes – Mr. Lloyd Jones, Jr. 

• Minister’s Program – No Report

• Christian Education – Mrs. Gail Heath

• Camp Vandemere – No Report

• Women’s Auxiliary –  No Report

Vacant Officer and Board positions were announced and the moderator asked for nominations from the floor. The following were nominated or volunteered and accepted by acclaimation being duly voted on:

• Moderator – The Reverend Al Markuson (2024-2025)

• Assistant Moderator – The Reverend Royce Reynolds (2024-2025)

• Clerk – The Reverend John Mark Windley (2024-2025)

• Assistant Clerk – Sister Lynn Paul (2024-2025)

• Treasurer – Brother Lloyd Jones (Non Rotating)

• Board of Trustees – Mrs Carolyn Reynolds (2025)

• Board of Trustees – The Reverend Jim Skipper (2026)

• Board of Trustees – Mr. James Cahoon (2027)

• Board of Missions – Mrs. Sarah Paul (2025)

• Board of Missions – Mr. Richard Paul (2026)

• Board of Missions – Mrs. Lucy Jones (2027)

• Board of Missions – Mrs. Carolyn Reynolds (2028)

• Board of Ordination – The Reverend Jim Skipper (2025)

• Board of Ordination – The Reverend Al Markuson (2026)

• Board of Ordination – The Reverend David Furlough (2027)

• Board of Ordination – The Reverend David Poozer (2028)

The moderator asked for the Treasurer’s Report which was given by Mr. Lloyd Jones, Jr. He reported a General Fund balance of $5,368.85, and a Mission’s Fund balance of $11,140.35. Mr. Jones moved that the report be adopted and the motion was approved.

The Moderator then called for old business and there was none except for the ongoing Proceedings with St. Paul Church.

A motion was passed to send $2000.00, from the General Fund, to Cragmont Assembly for the Executive Director of Cragmont to use as he directs, as needed for Cragmont, and  in association with disaster relief.

A motion was made, seconded and passed to close the business session and enter into our worship service.

The morning worship began by singing, “A Shelter In The Time Of Storm,” led by Brother Lloyd Jones, Jr.

The morning message was preached by the Reverend Al Markuson. He read our Mission and Vision Statements from the book, “Welcome To The Royal Family.”  Scriptures from I Corinthians 1:10; 2:1-5; 3:9; Hebrews 10:23; and Ephesians 4:11-13 were used to emphasize “Unity in God’s Church and His work in the world.”

Our worship concluded with the hymn, “Have Thine Own Way Lord,” and prayer.

Treasurer’s Report

General Fund

Brought forward from 2023 $5,086.00

Amount received from the Conference $   175.00

Amount received from Churches $   536.50 

Amount Received in Conference offering $__174.00

Total Received $5,971.50

Amount Paid Out $_ 602.65

Balance in General Fund $5,368.85

Mission Fund

Brought forward from 2023 $11,123.65

Amount received during the year $     0

Bank Interest $_     16.70

Total Received $11,140.35

Respectfully Submitted:

Brother Lloyd Jones, Jr., Treasurer

The Memorial Report was given by The Reverend Tony Parrish and Brother Lloyd Jones, Jr. using I Thessalonians 4:13-18, reporting that Seven (7) Conference members had gone to be with the Lord in the past year, and closed in prayer. 

Resolutions Committee Report to the 2024 Albemarle Conference

Resolution One

Whereas, Mount Tabor OFWB Church has graciously opened its door and welcomed the Albemarle Conference to conduct its 80th assembly, and 

Whereas, Mount Tabor has been a wonderful host and provided an opportunity to enjoy great food and fellowship,

Therefore, let It resolved that the Albemarle Conference assembly give a rising vote of thanks to  Mount Tabor Original Free Will Baptist Church for their hospitality!

The closing song was “Have Thine Own Way Lord.”

The Conference was closed with Prayer.

Respectfully Submitted;

The Reverend Royce Reynolds, Moderator

The Reverend John Mark Windley, Clerk