Our Story
Born from a Moment. Built for a Mission.
The It's Free Initiative exists to train and equip the body of Christ to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ — the greatest free gift ever given.
How It Started
A Single Exclamation That Changed Everything
"It's free!"
— Ronald Obie, March 2022
In March 2022, the Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Association gathered on a Zoom call to dream about a new evangelistic campaign. Moderator Dr. Jerry O. Wilson and Vice Moderator Alton Vann, along with the Assistants to the Moderator, were exploring ideas for equipping believers to share the Gospel in fresh, engaging ways.
During the call, Moderator Wilson introduced an evangelistic campaign called "Say Yes," sponsored by Campus Crusade. Ideas began to flow. Alton shared his screen to present campaign concepts and outreach strategies — including a giveaway yard sale built around a simple, powerful message: everything is free, just like salvation.
In that moment, Ronald Obie, one of the Assistants to the Moderator, exclaimed with conviction: "It's free!" Those two words became the spark that ignited a movement.
What began as a conversation has since spread throughout the Carolinas and reached the continent of Africa. God is now refining this initiative to serve as a catalyst for training the body of Christ in sharing the Gospel — one conversation, one community, one nation at a time.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
Our Mission
Equipping Believers to Share the Greatest Gift
The It's Free Initiative is a dedicated platform for empowering believers to share the transformative message of the Gospel in fresh and engaging ways. Our mission is to train and equip individuals to confidently ask the question: "Have you ever heard that salvation is a free gift from God?"
Train
One-day training sessions designed to prepare believers for effective, confident Gospel outreach in their communities.
Equip
Practical tools, resources, and merchandise — including yard signs and shirts — to help spread the message everywhere you go.
Send
A growing network of It's Free Ambassadors taking the pledge to share the Gospel for life, from the Carolinas to Africa.
Leadership
Guided by Faithful Servants
Dr. Jerry O. Wilson
Moderator, Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Association
Dr. Wilson's vision for a bold, accessible evangelistic campaign laid the foundation for what would become the It's Free Initiative.
Alton Vann
Vice Moderator & Initiative Director
Alton's passion for creative outreach and Gospel-centered strategy has driven the It's Free Initiative from its first Zoom call to communities across the Carolinas and beyond.
Ronald Obie
Assistant to the Moderator
Ronald's spontaneous exclamation — "It's free!" — in that March 2022 meeting gave the entire initiative its name and its heart.
Ready to Join the Movement?
Explore our training sessions, take the Ambassador pledge, and help us spread the message that salvation is the greatest free gift the world has ever known.