Our Story

In 1965, after a split from Bryant Baptist Church, what began as “house to house” worship quickly became a movement of faith and fellowship. Each Sunday, the growing group gathered in homes until God led them to plant a seed of permanence at 2243 Patrick Street in Montgomery, a building owned by William and Alberta Jones. On November 29, 1965, Reverend J.D. Covington preached the first sermon at this new location. When it came time to name the church, Mr. Gus Rowell, the treasurer, made a statement concerning, “The membership” and their “freewill to tithe.” And just like that, “Freewill” became more than a name, it became a spiritual identity. In 1966, the vision grew clearer with a groundbreaking ceremony on the corner of Roosevelt and Hill Streets. After much prayer and discernment, the church called its first pastor, the late Reverend R.V. Harrison; a true shepherd ready to feed God’s sheep. On March 5, 1967, Reverend Harrison led the congregation in a triumphant march from Patrick Street to their new home at 2201 Roosevelt Street. Under his faithful leadership, Freewill flourished for nearly 20 years. Due to illness, Reverend Harrison stepped down in February 1985, and the church welcomed its second pastor, Reverend Manning Perkins.

Reverend Perkins served until November 1990, and shortly after, Pastor Edward J. Nettles, Sr. was sent to Freewill. He officially became the third pastor on February 22, 1992, and was installed on March 29, 1992. Pastor Nettles’ ministry was marked by a bold and biblical commitment to spiritual growth and congregational unity. Under his leadership, Freewill experienced significant expansion. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in 1993, 1997, and again in 2009, all at 1724 Hill Street, as the church continued to grow in number and in faith. Pastor Nettles’ teaching was rooted deeply in Scripture, drawing from the books of the bible and focusing on the theme of Love, all with the aim of pulling the people of God closer together. On Sunday, December 11, 2011, Freewill moved into its current sanctuary, another milestone that stood as a testament to the church's enduring mission. After 30 years of faithful service to God and His people, Pastor Nettles announced his retirement, shifting from the role of Senior Pastor, into the position of Pastor Emeritus. On July 1, 2020, with grace and gratitude, Freewill received Pastor Quentin Q. Byrd as its fourth Senior Pastor.

 Pastor Byrd began his tenure during an unprecedented time, a global pandemic. In-person worship was suspended due to health and safety concerns, and for the first 10 months, services were held exclusively online. Yet even in uncertainty, faith anchored the Freewill family. These online gatherings became a lifeline and the expansion of Freewill Online, extending ministry beyond Montgomery and into households across the world. COVID-19 invaded bodies, closed doors, and challenged communities, but Freewill never abandoned its call to be “A Church on the Move for Christ.” With resilience, Pastor Byrd and the congregation modeled what it truly means to trust God in difficult seasons. This moment wasn’t just survival; it was sowing for a new season. The vision remains clear: to be a church where we Engage, Equip, and Empower God’s people. Freewill is shifting to meet the moment, embracing innovation, deepening spiritual formation, and standing as a multigenerational beacon of hope. Our history gives us strength, but our future fuels our faith. This is Freewill Forward.