10/09/2025
Antioch, TN — During the WNAC Board’s fall meeting, Thursday, October 2, the WNAC Board accepted a notice of retirement from Executive Director Ruth McDonald, effective November 21, 2025. McDonald indicated her unexpected and early retirement is due to ongoing health challenges and requests prayer for her and her family.
After serving as a missionary to Japan for almost four decades, McDonald became the seventh executive director of WNAC in 2022. Under her leadership, WNAC has taken great strides in the digital arena, starting the As You Go Podcast and emphasizing web and social media resources. The department also saw the Shine! Conference grow, with nearly 1,200 young women involved in the most recent nationwide simulcast.
As her time in the office draws to a close, Ruth remains optimistic about the future of Free Will Baptist women’s ministry: “As the light of the gospel dims in the culture around us, our light shines ever brighter. Never has our mission been more vital than in these days. So many good things are happening, and I am looking forward to all God has in store for WNAC.”
Board Chair Tracy Payne reflected on Ruth’s leadership: “Ruth McDonald has been the bridge WNAC needed, and we are thankful for the leadership she has provided the women of our denomination.”
Considering McDonald’s retirement, The WNAC Board has developed a profile for the next executive director and is currently receiving resumes at wnac.org/director-next/.