Free Will Baptists - Free Will Baptist Bodies

Free Will Baptist Bodies

Other major Free Will Baptist groups include:

• Original Free Will Baptist Convention - a North Carolina based body of Free Will Baptists that was organized in 1913 and initially joined the National Association of Free Will Baptists, but split from the National Association in 1961 due to some inner differences. The Convention comprised the majority of North Carolina-based Free Will Baptist churches, though a minority would split from the North Carolina state convention and maintain affiliation with the National Association. The Convention also maintains mission activity in eight countries – Philippines, Mexico, Bulgaria, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Liberia, and Guinea.
• United American Free Will Baptist Church - the largest body of African-American Free Will Baptist churches, organized in 1901 and headquartered in Kinston, North Carolina.
• United American Free Will Baptist Conference - a body of African-American Free Will Baptist churches that withdrew from the United American Free Will Baptist Church in 1968; headquartered in Lakeland, Florida.
• Unaffiliated Free Will Baptist local associations - a number of local Free Will Baptist associations remain independent of the National Association, Original FWB Convention, and the two United American bodies. Researchers have identified 10 such associations, though there may be more. The unaffiliated associations of Free Will Baptists include over 300 churches with an estimated 22,000 members. They have no organization beyond the "local" level.
  • Eastern Stone (TN)
  • French Broad (NC)
  • Jack's Creek (NC,TN) Has member churches in these states according to the 2008 Minutes of the Jack's Creek Free Will Baptist Association
  • John-Thomas (NC,KY,WVA,VA)
  • Mt. Mitchell (NC)
  • Original Grand River (OK)
  • River Valley Association (AR)
  • Stone Association of Central Indiana (IN)
  • Toe River (NC,TN, & SC)
  • Western (NC)
  • Western Stone (TN)