Western

Minutes of the

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY NINTH SESSION

Of the

ORIGINAL FREE WILL BAPTISTS

Convening at

LITTLE ROCK OFWB CHURCH

LUCAMA, NC

October 16, 2025

The One Hundred and Thirty Ninth Session of the Western Conference was called to order by the Clerk.  Rev. Kelly Smart welcomed everyone followed by a congregational Hymn of Praise, “Oh, How I Love Jesus”.

Our opening Scripture and Prayer was delivered by Rev. Richie Hogg.

Rev. Greg Stancil recognized all of our visitors followed by his address to the conference.

The Clerk called the roll for the churches and the pastors.

The minutes of the 2025 meeting were read and accepted as read.

Treasurer’s Report:  

Rev. Sherman Dilley gave the treasurer’s report.  

The beginning balance on 10/17/24:  $11,197.30

Total Deposits thru 08/18/25:                   4,950.00

Total Funds Available:                                $16,147.30

Conference: $12,852.30

Board of Ordination:  $3,295.00

Total Disbursements for Conf.:              $ 4,367.78

Ending Conference Balance:               $ 8,484.52

Total Ordination Disbursements:           $    449.00

Ending Balance for Ordination:               $2,846.00

Board of Ordinaiton Report:

Rev. Barry Stallings gave the Board of Ordination Report:  Dylan Price has been licensed by Floods’ Chapel OFWB; Jeff King as been approved to pastor in the Western Conference and Rev. Don Fleming has transferred to the Central Conference.   The following pastors have surrendered their credentials:  Rev. Norman Gordon, Rev. Stanley Kirby, Rev. David Barbour, Rev. Eric Narron, Rev. James Kevin Aycock, Rev. Rudy Owens, Rev. Willard Kelley, Rev. Fred Crank and Bro. Dylan Price surrendered his license to Flood’s Chapel.

There was no Old Business to discuss.

NEW BUSINESS:  

Business Session was called to order.  

Rev. Buddy Rogerson made a motion that the (Motion to rescind a previous order barring women from being ordained that was voted on and passed during our Conference Meeting on October 19, 2024) was an improper motion.  This motion received a second.  After much discussion, a vote was held and 11 votes were counted in favor of this motion and 34 votes were counted against this motion.  The Nay votes were in the majority and the motion filed to carry.

The next order of business was a request from the Convention that each conference take a vote on moving the Convention from Wednesday to preferably Saturday, but Tuesday or Thursday could also be suggested.  It was decided after some discussion that the Western Conference asked that the Executive Committee make this decision.  The Executive Committee met and decided that the Western Conference was against Saturday, 1st choice on Tuesday and 2nd choice on Thursday.

Rev. Buddy Rogerson asked to be heard and surrendered his credentials due to the former motion allowing women to be ordained was against scripture and he excused himself from the meeting.

Rev. Kelly Smart made a motion that the conference start requiring dues:  $50.00 for each church and $25.00 for all active pastors.  After much discussion, an amendment to the original motion was made to exempt retired ministers from the dues.  The amendment was agreed upon and the motion received a second with the amendment included.  Motion carried.

A motion was also made to cease taking up an offering during each conference.  After a brief discussion, there was no second to the motion and the motion failed.

As a matter of information, Rev. De Eakes offered that if anyone was interested in reading papers written by learned scholars on New Testament scripture, to see him.

A motion was made to take a break; there was a second and the motion carried.

We took a 15 minute break.

Reports from our Denominational Ministries:

A report was heard from each of our denominational ministries and our own Rev. Brian Davis has been appointed to serve on the Convention Board.

Following the denominational ministry reports, we sang the offertory hymn “Blessed Be the Name” and while the ushers took up the offering, Matt Ferguson provided special music with a beautiful rendition of “There’s Just Something About That Name”.

Matthew Daughtry-Grubbs brought the message “Trust in the Lord”. 

Following a brief break we reconvened to finish the Conference Business.

The Board of Ordination reported that Rev. Duane Casey will fill the unexpired term of Rev. Stanley Kirby.  Also Rev. Todd Sutton term has expired, be he has agreed to succeed himself.

The Nominating Committee made the following recommendations for officers:

Executive Committee Members 

Rev. Greg Stancil – Moderator (filling Dr. Eric Narrons position due to his resignation. (2026)

Rev. Lewis Forsythe – Vice Moderator (filling Greg Stancils unexpired term) (2026)

Mrs. Kathryne Parnell -Clerk (2026)

Treasurer – Rev. Sherman Dilley (has agreed to continue as Treasurer (2027)

Member at Large – Rev. Terry Ellis (2027)

Board of Ordination

Rev. Todd Sutton (2025)

Rev. Barry Stallings (2026)

Rev. Stanley Kirby (2027)

Rev. De Wayne Eakes (2028)

Rev. Ray Wells (2029)

Rev. Howard Scott (2030)

Rev. Kelly Smart (2031)

Board of Trustees:

Rev. John Davis 

    Rev. Walt Tyndall

A Motion was made to accept the nominating committee’s recommendations.  Motion seconded.

Credentials Committee:  Rev. Brian Davis

Resolutions Committee:  Rev. Anderson Barnes and Rev. Dewayne Eakes.

Memorial Committee:  Rev. Brian Wheeler

Nominating Committee:  Rev. Lloyd Hargis, Rev. Brian Davis and Rev. Barry Stallings.

A motion was made and seconded to seat all Committees.  Motion carried.

Credentials Committee Report:  

The Credentials Committee reported that 35 pastors were in attendance; 26 delegates were in attendance and 10 visiting pastors were in attendance.

Resolutions Committee:

The Resolutions Committee thanked Little Rock Church for hosting our Conference this year.

Memorial Committee:  

The Memorial Committee reported that there have been no deaths since our last conference meeting.

New Business:

A motion was made to give $500.00 to the Wall of Honor in honor of Rev. Lloyd Hargis and his wife.  The motion received a second; motion carried.

Pleasant Hill OFWB Church has graciously agreed to host our 140th Conference meeting to be held on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

There being no further business to discuss, we closed with prayer and the 139th Western Conference officially adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Rev. Greg Stancil, Moderator

Mrs. Kathryne Parnell, Conference Clerk