For Immediate Release
GALLATIN, TN—Dr. Edward E. Moody, Jr., Executive Director of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, and Chris Truett, Pastor of Bethel Free Will Baptist Church in Kinston, North Carolina, will be addressing the Welch College graduating class of 2026 on May 7–8, according to Welch President Matt Pinson. Truett will bring the Baccalaureate sermon Thursday evening, May 7, at 7:00 p.m. Moody will address the graduates during the Commencement ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 8.
Moody has served as Executive Director of the National Association of Free Will Baptists since 2019. He earned his B.A. in Pastoral Ministry from Welch College, his M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University, and his Ph.D. in Counselor Education from North Carolina State University. Dr. Moody and his wife Lynne have two adult children, Mackenzie and Mitchell, both graduates of Welch.
Chris Truett has served as Lead Pastor of Bethel Church since 2013, previously serving as Worship Pastor and Executive Pastor since 1997. He holds a B.S. in Church Music from Welch College and an M.A. in Worship Studies from Liberty University. Truett is an active member of the Free Will Baptist denomination and is a Welch College trustee. He and his wife Kim have three sons, Hunter, Jonathan, a graduate of Welch, and Easton, who is a member of the Welch Class of 2026.
“Commencement activities are moments of profound importance in the Welch campus community, especially for our graduates and their families,” Pinson said. “It highlights our mission to educate leaders to serve Christ, His Church, and His world through biblical thought and life. We invite friends, family, and alumni to join us in this special time of celebration.”
To learn more about Welch College, visit welch.edu.