Cape Fear Conference

 MINUTES OF THE 

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL SESSION

OF THE CAPE FEAR CONFERENCE

OF THE ORIGINAL FREE WILL BAPTISTS

HELD AT BETHEL OFWB CHURCH 

FOUR OAKS, NORTH CAROLINA

NOVEMBER 12, 2024

Moderator:  The Reverend Jeff Daughtry (2026)

Assistant Moderator:  The Reverend Chris Hall (2026)

Clerk:  Eva Ballance (2025)

Assistant Clerk:  Teresa Eason (2025)

Treasurer:  The Reverend William “Corky” Herring (2026)

Member at Large:  The Reverend Dr. Ken Benton (2025)

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Jeff Daughtry, Chris Hall, Eva Ballance, 

Teresa Eason, William “Corky” Herring, Ken Benton

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 Jim Best (2025) Norman Branch (2026) Tod Creech (2027)

  William “Corky” Herring (2028) Brad Barbour (2029)

BOARD OF EDUCATION

 Vicki Medlin (2025) Wayne Puckett (2026) Gracelyn Hobbs (2027)

Johnathan Solomon (2028) Doug Seymour (2029)

ORDAINING BOARD

Joe Ballance (2025) Ricky Warren (2026) Stephen Prescott (2027)

   Aubrey Williamson (2028) Sam Weeks (2029)

ORDAINED MINISTERS

(P – Present, A – Absent, E – Excused)

E Fred Baker

P Joe Ballance

P Ken Benton

P Cecil Blackmon

E Gene Britt

P John Butler

P Rayford Byrd

E             Charlie Carroll

E Scott Casey

A Larry Coats

P              Jacob Cottle

P Tod Creech

A Ken Dabbs

P Jeff Daughtry

E Frank Grubbs

P Chris Hall

A Otis Hamm

P Frank Harrison

E              Kaye Heroux

P              William Herring

P Roger Hill

P Alan Lamm

E David Langley

E Tony McLamb

P Vicki Medlin

P Joe Myrick

P Billy Nowell

P Charles Petit

P              Kevin Phillips

P Dennis Pollock

P Stephen Prescott

P Pete Radford

E Scott Satterfield

P Doug Seymour

E              Marci Rollins-Smart

P Johnathan Solomon

P Wesley Taylor

P Ricky Warren

P Sam Weeks

P Richard Whitman

P Aubrey Williamson

E Brad Williamson

P Carla Williamson

                                                               LICENSED MINISTERS

                    A              Ricky Hopper                   

PROCEEDINGS

The One Hundred and Sixty-Eighth Annual Session of the Cape Fear Conference of Original Free Will Baptists (OFWB), which is the 170th Anniversary of the Cape Fear Conference, convened at Bethel OFWB Church, Four Oaks, North Carolina on November 12, 2024. Moderator Jeff Daughtry welcomed everyone. Moderator Jeff Daughtry presented the program for adoption. Motion was made to accept the program for adoption. Motion carried.

The congregation opened in singing, “He Keeps Me Singing,” Bridgers, led by song leader, Rev. Stephen Prescott. Mr. Jeff Kearney offered scripture and prayer from Ephesians 1:1,7. The conference was welcomed by Rev. Tod Creech, pastor of Bethel OFWB Church of Four Oaks. The response was given by Rev. Jeff Daughtry on behalf of the conference.

Clerk Eva Ballance called the session to order. Clerk Eva Ballance called the Roll of Officers and Standing Boards, Churches, and Ministers. Moderator Jeff Daughtry recognized Wall of Honor recipient Rev. Aubrey Williamson for his many years of Christian service, especially as Moderator of the Cape Fear Conference Executive Committee. 

The rules of registration were then explained by Rev. Jacob Cottle, Chair of the Credentials Committee, as adopted by the One Hundred Fourteenth Session of the Cape Fear Conference.

       Motion was made to approve the moderator’s appointment of the following Temporary Committees. Motion carried.

Resolutions Committee: Chair Aubrey Williamson, Leonard Matthews, and Kevin Phillips

Obituary Committee: Chair John Butler and Nell Butler

Credentials Committee: Chair Jacob Cottle, Gary Faircloth and Wesley Taylor

Nominating Committee: Chair Ken Benton, Vicki Medlin and Stephen Prescott

Parliamentarian: Ricky Warren

Assistant Moderator Chris Hall recognized visitors and visiting ministers to the conference meeting.

A motion was made to adopt the minutes of the Cape Fear Conference Executive Committee as presented (MSP).

Moderator Jeff Daughtry presented a report on the Covenant church property. A motion was presented by the Executive Committee to the Conference to give the Trustees and Executive Committee authority to sell the property, and include in the motion to accept the offer to purchase the property, accept the offer from the Church to transfer their 50% ownership to the Conference, restrict the income received from the sale to begin a new work within the bounds of the Cape Fear Conference, and deliver a check to the members of Covenant Church for reimbursement on November 12, 2024 (MSP).

        Vicki Medlin, serving as the Convention Representative for the conference, gave the Convention Report and recognized Rev. Dr. Ricky Warren, who provided information about the themes of the Convention for the next four years, followed by the introduction of the denominational ministry representatives. Lori Medlin, Youth Leader from Micro OFWB Church presented the Student Ministry Connections Task Force. Representatives from the denominational ministries were given an opportunity to speak on the behalf of each ministry. The following ministries were represented: OFWB Children’s Home – Gary Lee, Christian Education Ministry – Gail Heath, Free Will Baptist Press – Marilyn Benton, Rev. Mark Hobbs provided a report from the Ministerial Association of OFWB, Minister’s Program – Rev. Doug Seymour, and Church Finance – Rev. Jeff Daughtry.

The Morning Worship Service began with singing, “Blessed Assurance,” Crosby. An offering was received and the offertory prayer was given by Rev. Dr. Sam Weeks. Special music was provided by women from Bethel OFWB Church. At last year’s conference meeting, Rev. Roger Hill challenged churches to share Moments of God with the conference in 2024. Several churches shared testimonies of God’s presence in many different situations. Rev. Tod Creech, pastor of Bethel OFWB Church, brought the morning message from Luke 10:25, the parable about the Good Samaritan. He stated that the Parable of the Good Samaritan was the first paramedic story recorded in history. He read scripture from Romans 10:5. He noted that no one is successful in keeping the law in humanity. The lawyer, noted in Romans, is spiritually bankrupt, just like people we know today. Unlike the lawyer, it is a Christian’s responsibility to look at all people as needing Jesus Christ, not at their issues. The four characters in the story of the Good Samaritan are the man down the road left for dead, the priest and the Levite, who ignore the man, and the Samaritan, who although bi-racial, provided help and comfort to the dying man. It is the job of the Christian to minister to the needy, not drive by ignoring the situation. He stated that there are arrogant churches with attendees that don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ. There are a lot of people suffering in our world and the needs of others should be met when the opportunity presents itself. Just as the Samaritan’s heart was broken because he had compassion for the man, he questioned, “Where has our compassion for people gone?” He stated, “A heart of compassion is a heart full of action.” The Good Samaritan broke through the racial barriers, putting the priest and Levite to shame. He presented a question, “When do we change our agenda to minister to the needs of others?" Sometimes plans have to be broken and money has to be spent to do the work God has called us to do, which leads us to a way of joy. An invitational hymn, “What a Friend,” Scriven, was led by Stephen Prescott. Rev. Tod Creech, pastor of Bethel OFWB Church prayed the closing prayer for the morning session and the blessing on the meal. The conference recessed for lunch.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Moderator Jeff Daughtry called the session to order. The afternoon session began with the congregation singing, “Count Your Blessings,” Oatman, led by song leader Rev. Stephen Prescott. Scripture from Psalm 150 and prayer were offered by Rev. Chris Bagley.

The following reports of Standing Boards were received by the conference (see attached reports of the Standing Boards). Rev. Doug Seymour gave the Blended Fellowship Missions Report. Rev. Jeff Daughtry gave the Conference Missions Report. Ms. Jane Parker gave the Woman’s Auxiliary Report. Rev. Stephen Prescott gave the Board of Ordination Report. Rev. Ken Benton gave the report of the Cape Fear Conference Minister’s Association. Moderator Jeff Daughtry asked for a motion to receive the Standing Board reports as information. Motion carried.

        The following reports of the Temporary Committees were received (see attached reports of the Temporary Committees). The Resolutions Committee presented two resolutions. Motion was made to accept these resolutions. Motion carried. Motion was made to receive the Credentials Report as information. Motion carried. The Nominating Committee made its recommendations to the conference. The floor was opened to receive nominees. Motion was made to adopt the report. Motion carried. The Obituary Committee reported that one minister had passed since our last meeting.

The conference then moved into its business session. The Treasurer’s Report was given by Treasurer William “Corky” Herring and it was received by motion (see attached report). One item of new business was to support Cragmont for all of their expenses due to the impact from the hurricane. A motion was made to send a monetary gift of $1,000.00 from the Cape Fear Conference to Cragmont when the money is available. Motion carried. Moderator Jeff Daughtry recognized Yelverton Grove OFWB Church, who recently celebrated their 125th Anniversary. 

The 169th Annual Session of the Cape Fear Conference of Original Free Will Baptists (OFWB), which is the 171st Anniversary of the Cape Fear Conference, will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at St. Mary’s Grove OFWB Church in Benson.

Motion carried to adjourn the 168th Session of the Cape Fear Conference and the conference was dismissed with prayer by Rev. Jeff Daughtry.

Respectfully submitted,

Rev. Jeff Daughtry, Moderator

Eva Ballance, Clerk

CAPE FEAR CONFERENCE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

168th Annual Session of the Cape Fear Conference

The Executive Committee of the Cape Fear Conference met at Yelverton Grove OFWB Church on February 6, 2024.  Members present were Jeff Daughtry, Chris Hall, Eva Ballance, and Teresa Eason. Moderator Jeff Daughtry opened with scripture from Philippians 3:12-14 and prayed the opening prayer.

A motion was made to approve the minutes of the 167th Annual Session of the Cape Fear Conference of the Original Free Will Baptists (MSP).

Moderator Jeff Daughtry provided a report of Covenant Church. Their church is apparently out of order. The Executive Committee will send a certified letter, requesting a meeting with Covenant.

A discussion was held about St. Paul’s OFWB Church and it was noted that St. Paul’s has begun a pastoral search. 

Planning of the Cape Fear Conference Fellowship Meeting brought forth a suggestion to inquire if Blended Fellowship can host the meeting. Moderator Jeff Daughtry will contact Rev. Doug Seymour and report back to the group. 

The Moderator will request an annual report from Blended Fellowship. 

Motion was made to adjourn (MSP). Jeff Daughtry prayed the closing prayer.

The Cape Fear Conference Executive Committee met at Yelverton Grove OFWB Church on September 17, 2024. Members present were Jeff Daughtry, Chris Hall, Eva Ballance and Ken Benton by phone. Moderator Jeff Daughtry opened with scripture from Matthew 16:16 and prayed the opening prayer. 

The minutes from February 6, 2024 were approved as presented. 

Planning of the One Hundred and Sixty-Eighth Session of the Cape Fear Conference Annual Meeting occurred.

The Wall of Honor recipient was discussed.

The Executive Committee discussed a recommendation from the Ordaining Board, and it was decided that the Executive Committee will work with them on the matter in the future.

The Executive Committee will present to the Cape Fear Conference the following resolution regarding Covenant Church. The conference gives the Executive Committee and the Cape Fear Conference Trustees, working together, the authority to sell the property of Covenant (MSP).

Motion was made to adjourn (MSP). Chris Hall prayed the closing prayer. 

Respectfully submitted,

Eva Ballance, Clerk of the Cape Fear Conference

Blended Fellowship Mission/Ministry Report

168th Cape Fear Conference of Original Free Will Baptists

All of us at Blended Fellowship are forever grateful for your faithful support through financial and physical donations, shopping at our thrift store, ministry collaborations, volunteering and most of all, prayer.

This year's theme has been "Prepare for More in 2024". We felt a strong leading to devote our time this year to preparing ourselves and our facility. My messages have been focused on spiritual growth. Our staff and volunteers have worked on cleaning, organizing and improving processes. We are making improvements to our building, as well. Besides the current campaign to raise funds for new exterior paint, we have been blessed with funding to add a sheltered and paved area that will make donation drop offs easier and safer for those donating, as well as for our workers. We've also upgraded the thrift store and its associated work areas with more lighting and shelving. Even though the idea for this year's theme was to prepare for more next year, we are already seeing more this year. Within the last several months, three new families have become a regular part of our Sunday morning congregation. Hopefully, this growth will be reflected as an increase in membership on our 2025 report to the conference.

This year, we added a unique learning opportunity for those who come early on Sunday mornings. We call it ASL Chat. It's a time for hearing people to learn American Sign Language, with Deaf people present to assist and answer questions. This opportunity has been well received and is largely responsible for two of those three families I mentioned becoming regular members of our congregation. My daughter, Kayla, leads ASL Chat and we are blessed to have her do that. She is highly skilled in ASL and is continuing to further her knowledge through formal education. Her goal is to receive a bachelor's degree in Deaf Studies from Gallaudet University, the premier university in the country for Deaf students. She then wants to receive her certification from the American Sign Language Teachers Association.

Recently, Kayla started a monthly meeting for Deaf young adults. The purpose is to provide an opportunity for fellowship for them. Often, these individuals graduate from high school, begin public work and are very isolated because of the language barrier. We're excited about them meeting at Blended because it gives us a chance to develop relationships with them that we hope will lead to opportunities to share Christ. She's averaging 15 attendees per meeting, including some who had never been to Blended before. Praise the Lord!

Our annual Bridges summer camp was, once again, a huge success. The benefits of the program are being shared by word of mouth. As a result, the number of families wanting to attend is increasing. In fact, this year, for the first time, we had to turn families away. We are actively pursuing ways to accommodate more families next year. Some participants were local and others came from Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Albemarle and even Lynchburg, Virginia. Another family from South Carolina had registered but had to cancel due to a medical emergency. Three families had to secure lodging for several days to be with us. All had positive things to say about Bridges in a confidential survey. 

One mom said she is part of a group in her area established for families with deaf children. She was actually sent by that group to check us out and see if our program might be beneficial to the group. She said her report back to them would be all positive. 

One little boy, age 7 or 8, could hear and his hearing parents had adopted a young girl who was deaf. At first, the boy presented a real challenge to us as he showed no interest in sign language and barely participated in the activities. Then Max made his first appearance. Max is the Blended Fellowship mascot, a six-foot tall fox, who can hear but does not speak. He only signs. The little boy was captivated by Max. He kept talking to Max and Max would only answer in ASL. The boy started asking us what Max said. We would teach him those signs. Before long, he was asking us how to sign this and that, anything he wanted to say to Max. Then, we noticed that the boy had completely stopped voicing. He was communicating with us and Max using only sign language. We were so excited because this means he has opened the door to communication with his deaf sister, a door that will hopefully be open for the rest of their lives.

We are also grateful for the way the Lord puts the right people together at Bridges. Planning starts early each year and that includes inviting professional interpreters, teachers and other volunteers, both Deaf and hearing, to commit to serving in our Bridges program. We had already invited one specific interpreter to be part of our team. This lady has an adult daughter with Down syndrome. The family they were scheduled to work had a young Down syndrome deaf child. This was the family from South Carolina that had to cancel at the last minute. We notified one of the families on the waiting list that we had an opening and they gladly accepted. Little did we know that this family consisted of a mom and her grown Down syndrome daughter. The daughter is already hard of hearing and is losing the hearing she has. The two families (moms and daughters) really connected and were able to enhance their communication using sign.

I was privileged to work with a group of hearing siblings, those who were older kids or teenagers. I was really impressed with their knowledge, maturity and openness. We discussed challenges they face due to having a deaf sibling. They also expressed a strong desire to learn sign language and help their siblings with their unique struggles. They were all very grounded in their walk with Christ. Hopefully, I was able to help them in some way, but they were a blessing to me. It was encouraging to encounter future adults of such character.

Other aspects of Bridges included opportunities for mutual support among parents, sharing common challenges and learning about available resources. We also shared daily spiritual lessons.

By making ASL the only way to communicate, families were compelled to improve their signing skills. That means better communication within the family. Also, deaf children were able to see professional Deaf adults at work. We hope this experience will inspire them to accomplish more in their lives. We had 34 family members registered this year. Together with the workers we had a total participation of 67 people.

Of course, all the regular day to day ministry of Blended continues. This ministry includes all the normal functions of a church family plus assisting with a wide variety of needs, receiving, processing and distributing donations, operation of and improvements to the thrift store, ASL learning opportunities, community involvement and producing Christian media in ASL.

The thrift store is open the first Saturday of each month from 8:30am to 2:00pm. This year, the store will also be open a few additional days for holiday shopping. I have flyers that list the store's holiday schedule if you would like one. We would love for you to come check it out and support the work of Blended through your purchases. Proceeds are used to stock our pantry and meet the needs of Deaf individuals and blended families of Deaf and hearing.

Again, thank you for your faithful support over these many years. With your help, we will continue to fulfill God's calling to make a difference in the lives of Deaf people, as well as those who can hear. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Doug Seymour, Pastor/Director

Blended Fellowship Mission/Ministry

Report of the Board of Ordination

168th Annual Session of the Cape Fear Conference

The Board of Ordination met four times since the last annual meeting of the Cape Fear Conference, on January 8, April 8, August 12, and October 21. The Board took the following action over the previous year:

Ordained Ministers who are transferring membership to another Conference:

1. Reverend Duane Casey – Western Conference 

Licensed Ministers permitted to work on a 90-day recurrent pulpit supply capacity:

1. Ricky Hopper – Haymount OFWB Church 

Licensed Ministers who are working through the process of Credential Exchange:

1. Jeff Kearney – St. Paul OFWB Church (On a 90-day recurrent pulpit supply capacity)

Added to the list of Licensed Ministers:

1. Morris Bass – West Clinton OFWB Church 

Individuals who have surrendered their Ordination Credentials:

1. Scott Casey

2. Jesse Fulcher

The 2025 Meetings of the Board of Ordination are scheduled as follows:

1. Monday, January 13

2. Monday, April 14

3. Monday, July 14

4. Monday, October 13

Meetings are typically held at Yelverton Grove OFWB Church, Smithfield, beginning at 9:00 AM. Anyone who desires to meet with the Ordaining Board is asked to contact the Board Chairperson, the Reverend Aubrey Williamson, to schedule.

General Reminders:

1. As stated in The Articles of Faith and Principles of Church Government for Original Free Will Baptists, “The church shall call its own pastor, from among the DULY ORDAINED ORIGINAL FREE WILL BAPTISTS MINISTERS who are APPROVED BY THE CONFERENCE of which the church is a member” [Emphasis Added]. OFWB Ministers who are members of other OFWB Conferences cannot be called to pastor any Cape Fear Conference church until said minister has been approved by the Conference. Ministers who are NOT ordained in the OFWB Church cannot be called to pastor any Cape Fear Conference church until they have completed the Credential Exchange process.

2. ALL Cape Fear Conference Ministers are required to attend the Annual Session of the Conference. Requests to be excused from the Annual Session are to be submitted IN WRITING to the Conference Clerk, either by email or letter, prior to the session if the absence is foreseen or immediately afterwards if the absence is unexpected. Failure to do so for two consecutive absences will result in contact from the Ordaining Board and possible loss of ordination credentials. 

3. As stated in The Articles of Faith and Principles of Church Government for Original Free Will Baptists, “The ordinances of the Gospel are administered ONLY BY ORDAINED MINISTERS” [Emphasis Added]. Licensed Ministers are NOT permitted to administer any of the ordinances of the Gospel. Cape Fear Conferences churches who are currently without an OFWB Ministers are asked to contact the Ordaining Board, who will arrange for an OFWB Minister to serve as officiant over the administration of the ordinances.

Respectfully submitted,

The Reverend Aubrey Williamson, Chairperson

The Reverend Stephen Prescott, Secretary

The Report of the Minister’s Association

168th Cape Fear Conference of Original Free Will Baptists

Reverend Dr. Ken Benton, President of the Free Will Baptist Minister’s Association reported on the activities of the association. The association meets every quarter and there are approximately fifteen ministers who attend. A program is given by a visiting speaker, which is of interest to the group. A meal is served by the Reverend Dr. Sam Weeks and his wife Connie.

Respectfully submitted,

Reverend Dr. Ken Benton, President

Resolutions Committee

168th Cape Fear Conference of Original Free Will Baptists

Resolution #1
WHEREAS, the Cape Fear Conference has approved the sale of the Covenant Church property, with the proceeds going towards the planting of a new Cape Fear Conference church,

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that every Cape Fear Conference church pray for God’s direction in the planting of a new Cape Fear Conference church, and

BE IT RESOLVED that the Cape Fear Conference Executive Committee, Board of Ordination, and Board of Trustees work together with Church Planting & Renewal to begin the process of establishing a new Cape Fear Conference church, with the hope that such church will be planted by the 2029 seating of the Annual Cape Fear Conference.
Resolution adopted

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Conference give Bethel Original Free Will Baptist Church a rising vote of thanks for their willingness to host the 168th annual session of the Cape Fear Conference, further offering this church thanks for their warm welcome, the fellowship, the delicious food and gracious hospitality.

Respectfully submitted,
Reverend Aubrey Williamson, Chairperson, Leonard Matthews, Reverend Kevin Phillips 

Credentials Committee

168th Cape Fear Conference of Original Free Will Baptists

Present at the One Hundred and Sixty-Seventh Annual Session of Cape Fear Conference are as follows:         

Ministers     29   

         Licensed Ministers                             0

Officers       2

Delegates     22

Visitors and Visiting Ministers     24                           

Total     77

Respectfully submitted,

Chairperson Rev. Jacob Cottle, Mr. Gary Faircloth, Rev. Wesley Taylor

Nominating Committee

168th Cape Fear Conference of Original Free Will Baptists

The Nominating Committee submitted the following to serve the conference:

Executive Committee – Moderator (2026): Jeff Daughtry

       Assistant Moderator (2026): Chris Hall

       Treasurer (2026): William “Corky” Herring

Member of the Board of Trustees – (2029): Brad Barbour

Member of the Board of Education - (2029): Doug Seymour

Member of the Ordaining Board – (2029): Sam Weeks

Respectfully submitted,

Chairperson Rev. Dr. Ken Benton, Rev. Vicki Medlin, Rev. Stephen Prescott

Obituary Committee

168th Cape Fear Conference of Original Free Will Baptists

Since the Annual Meeting of the Cape Fear Conference in 2022, one Cape Fear Conference ministers passed, Rev. Wade Nelson Daughtry. He was a longtime minister and known for his Voice of Truth Radio Program. Scripture reading from 2 Timothy 4:6-8 and a closing prayer were offered by Rev. John Butler.

Respectfully submitted,

Chairperson Rev. John Butler, Mrs. Nell Butler 

Cape Fear Conference Treasurer’s Report

168th Cape Fear Conference of Original Free Will Baptists

Balance From November 12, 2024 $9,384.73

Receipts

                  2024 Conference Offering     $490.00

                  2024 Conference Church Dues             $3,900.00

                  2024 Church Dues since Conference    

                  2024 Fellowship Meeting Dues 

                  2024 Designated gift for Blended Fellowship Mission    

                  Miscellaneous                           

Total               $13,774.73                            

Disbursements

                  Conference Expense      

                  North Carolina Foundation for Christian Ministries          $1,200.00

                  OFWBI                                                                                       $548.75

                  CPR                                                                                            $548.75

                  Convention of OFWB (Report Book)                                       

                  Convention of OFWB (Delegates)

                  Convention of OFWB (Wall of Honor)                                 $500.00

                  Christian Education Fund                                           

                  Clerk                                         $300.00

                  Treasurer                                                                                                   $100.00

                  Miscellaneous                                                                           $195.40

Total Disbursements                                                                                                             $3,392.90

Total in Checking account as of November 12, 2024                                                       $10,381.83

                  (Out of this balance, $1,802.40 is in the Education Fund)

Formula for disbursement of Conference Dues and Offerings:

Missions = 25% (half to OFWBI and half to CPR)

Christian Education Fund = 20%

Conference and other expenses = 55%

Respectfully submitted,

Rev. Willam “Corky” Herring, Treasurer