History of Free Will Baptist Society-
Uncle Carlisle Hanna, founder of the Free Will Baptist Society, accepted Christ in March 1947 while studying at a business college in Columbia, South Carolina, USA. When India was celebrating its first independent day on August 15, 1948, Uncle Carlisle yielded his life to God's will and the Lord laid on him an unending burden for India and its millions of souls. Free Will Baptist International Mission appointed Uncle and Aunt Marie in March 1951, and they departed from the United States for India in October 1952. Despite encountering difficulties in adapting to various cultures, languages, food, and climates, their commitment to God and empathy for India motivated them to persist in their mission of transformation through Holistic Development Projects. Their faith faced a significant challenge when a profound tragedy struck: their first infant daughter, Sheela, passed away in Prayagraj (Allahabad) during their time at the language school. Despite this heart-wrenching loss, they dedicated many years of faithful service at Sonapur Hat, West Bengal, India. Uncle Carlisle faced another tough moment when his dear wife, Auntie Marie Hanna, went to be with our Lord on April 23, 1998, while they were in India. Her body was buried in the Sonapur Mission Compound. However, Uncle Carlisle continued to serve as the overall in charge and mentor of the Free Will Baptist Society till he received his final call to be with our Lord on February 18, 2023, and his body was also buried in the Mission Compound near his beloved wife.
Right at the beginning of their ministry, they moved by the prevalent illiteracy, and Socioeconomic problems, especially the plight of women and little children, and they knew that without proper education a bleak future awaited them. This moved them into action and with two little boys they started a Free Baptist Boys Home. This Home was started in a non-descript thatched house and later on it would be named in loving memory of our first Missionaries, the Rev. Paul and Nell Woolsey. Over the years, this place would become a real Home for hundreds of boys, where they would be nurtured physically, intellectually and socially.
Apart from promoting education, Uncle Carlisle was involved in many socio-economic projects to help the poor and marginalized communities of five districts of North Bengal and two districts of Bihar. During their ministry, they have developed many leaders and also helped to form an executive committee, which is currently leading the ministry of the Free Will Baptist Society. Their elder son, Dr. Donald Hanna, currently serves as a Mentor for the Free Will Baptist Ministry, and their younger son, Dr. Mark, and daughter, Mrs. Brenda, both support him in every possible way.