NC Baptist: Recent Episodes
NC Baptist
We assist churches in achieving their divinely appointed mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ.
This summer marks Merrie Johnson’s 25th year serving as N.C. Baptist student ministries strategist and leading the BeDoTell team. In this special episode, she and Todd Unzicker explore the grounds of Fort Caswell, which this year celebrates 75 years as an N.C. Baptist retreat and conference center.
Tune in as Merrie Johnson shows Todd Unzicker places where she’s prayed for every new week of summer camp, connected with students on their questions about faith, and where students have returned to remember where their lives were changed. Merrie reflects on why staying rooted in a relationship with the Lord is essential for anyone in student ministry, and how she’s learned to watch for God at work every single day. She also shares ways you can pray for this summer’s youth weeks. Take a listen to be encouraged and challenged to never miss what God is doing around you.
If the Bible mentions money more than 2,000 times, why do many pastors find it challenging to preach about? If finances affect every person in the pew, with many struggling in some area of their finances, there is a significant need for discipleship around money and generosity in churches.
What makes financial generosity a difficult spiritual discipline for many Christians? In this episode, Todd Unzicker sits down with Art Rainer, founder of Christian Money Solutions, to unpack why generosity should matter to Christians, what the Bible teaches about giving, and the resources available to N.C. Baptist partnering churches. Listen in as they explore the heart behind the “8 Money Milestones” curriculum, and learn more about how your church can benefit from a new partnership between N.C. Baptists and Christian Money Solutions.
How can you live out Acts 1:8 in simple, practical ways? In this episode, Todd Unzicker sits down with Scott Hildreth, professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and author of the new book, A Short Guide to Evangelism and Missions. The two discuss how Christians can be obedient to Jesus’ command to make disciples. Hildreth offers insights on finding confidence to share the gospel, equipping people for evangelism, and making the most of gospel opportunities, like Easter Sunday on April 20. Their conversation also considers how pastors can lead by example when it comes to sharing their faith, and how churches can prepare for Easter and the upcoming Fill the Tank baptism initiative.
This spring will see the overlap of several prayer, evangelism and baptism initiatives – all with the same shared goal of reaching the lost with the good news of Jesus.
As the Week of Prayer for North American Missions kicks off this week, Todd Unzicker sits down with Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board, to talk all about it. The two discuss sending culture, prayer, the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, 3:16 on 3/16 and Fill the Tank.
In this episode, listen and discover how to measure a legacy in church planting, what first step to take to foster a heart for planting and how churches can participate in two upcoming intentional initiatives for evangelism and baptism – 3:16 on 3/16 and Fill the Tank on April 27. Take a moment to celebrate 46 new N.C. Baptist church plants in 2024, and how North Carolina Baptists’ leading generosity has played a part in planting more than 11,000 churches since 2010.
North Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the United States and is predicted to have doubled in population over the last three decades by 2030. Three significant trends in the state’s demographic shifts are: the rise of cultural and religious diversity; the rise of Gen Z’s influence on society; and the rise of post-retirement possibilities.
In this episode of the On Mission Together Podcast, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker sits down with Keelan Cook, director of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary’s Center for Great Commission Studies. They dive into the key causes and sources of population change and how they shape the mission field right here in North Carolina. Listen in and consider what these shifts mean for how your church engages with your community and makes disciples.
Disciple-making isn’t only about individuals growing deeper – it’s about multiplying. With the 2025 Disciple-Making Conference just weeks away, this episode unpacks characteristics and metrics of disciple-making and why multiplication is at the heart of the Great Commission.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists Podcast, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker talks to J.D. Greear, lead pastor of The Summit Church and this year’s keynote speaker. Listen in as they discuss Jesus’ call to make disciples, how to evaluate multiplication in a church’s disciple-making strategy, and cultivating a sending culture. Plus: A sneak peek at the upcoming Feb. 25 conference, where you’ll walk away with a practical plan for multiplication.
In 2024, N.C Baptists have seen God do more than we could have imagined. From record-high summer camp attendance to serving the hurting in Jesus’ name following Hurricane Helene, the Lord has been glorified through our ‘on mission together’ spirit. Listen as Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker answers questions featuring some 2024 highlights.
On this week’s episode of the N.C. Baptist podcast, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker answers end-of-year questions — highlighting a glimpse at what God did in and through North Carolina Baptists in 2024.
After Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina, N.C. Baptists have been working day and night to bring relief and hope to those who are hurting. In this episode, hear more about how churches and Baptists on Mission volunteers are partnering with the community to respond and rebuild.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists Podcast, listen to a panel discussion between Convention Relations Director Seth Brown and Tom Beam, disaster response coordinator for Baptists on Mission, and Baptists on Mission Executive Director Richard Brunson. Together, the three discuss N.C. Baptists’ response to Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina and how N.C. Baptist churches can provide relief in the weeks, months and years to come.
How does church growth connect to the command to go and make disciples? Hear the answer from N.C. Baptist Pastors’ Conference President Andrew Hopper as he shares a preview of this year’s gathering.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists Podcast, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker joins Andrew Hopper, pastor of Mercy Hill Church in Greensboro and director of the N.C. Baptist Pastors’ Conference, to talk about what guests can expect from this year’s conference taking place Nov. 3-4 in Greensboro. They share about the importance of growth as it relates to missions and highlight featured speakers and their insights for North Carolina Pastors.
For 20 years, Dr. Danny Akin has faithfully served as president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In this special episode, Dr. Akin joins EDT Todd Unzicker to share updates about the seminary’s Hurricane Helene response and give a sneak peek of this year’s annual meeting convention sermon.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists Podcast, Dr. Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS), joins Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker to discuss how N.C. Baptists and SEBTS are responding to Hurricane Helene and what we can expect at this year’s annual meeting.
What role does the associate pastor play in our churches? How important is it for the lead pastor to have a supporter? Listen to the second half of this two-part discussion on the N.C. Baptists Podcast.
In this episode, continue hearing from Dennis Conner, Chris Autry, Andrew Barclift and Luke Lunceford as they discuss the importance of the associate pastor in the life of the church. You can find part one of this two-part discussion here.
The role of associate pastor can often be neglected or misunderstood. In this episode, hear directly from a pastor and his associate about the essential role this position plays in the life of the church.
In this episode, Mission Catalyst Dennis Conner and Chris Autry, pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Fayetteville, join two other pastors — Associate Pastor Andrew Barclift and now former Pastor Luke Lunceford (now a mission catalyst with N.C. Baptists) — to discuss the role and value of an associate pastor. Together, the pastors share personal experiences, reflect on the relationship between a lead pastor and an associate, and explore how this essential role serves and supports the flock of God.
God has called everyone in the church to live on mission for Him. But sometimes, this call to live on mission can feel overwhelming. On this week’s episode, hear from NAMB’s Women’s Evangelism Director Catherine Renfro as she shares encouragement and advice as we step in faith to share the gospel with those around us.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists Podcast, Ashley Reffit, women's leadership and discipleship consultant for N.C. Baptists, sits down with Catherine Renfro, national director of women’s evangelism at the North American Mission Board, to discuss living on mission. Together, the two explore reasons we need to be living on mission, why it can feel difficult to share the gospel and practical ways we can be a light to the world around us.
Listen in to a conversation between Todd Unzicker, Executive Director-Treasurer for N.C. Baptists, and former Executive Director Treasurer Milton Hollifield as they share ministry updates and celebrate how God is moving across the state and beyond.
During a recent N.C. Baptist “Staff Day,” former EDT Milton Hollifield addressed staff for the first time since his retirement in 2021. Hollifield encouraged N.C. Baptists to “let Christ be magnified.”
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists Podcast, Chad Austin, managing editor of the Biblical Recorder, caught up with Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker and Milton Hollifield, who now serves with the North American Mission Board (NAMB) to assist with strategic partnerships with state conventions.
Listen in to their conversation as they share life and ministry updates, and celebrate God’s work among N.C. Baptist churches.
In early August, communities across North Carolina were met with open arms by nearly 1,200 N.C. Baptist churches through an “on mission together” initiative known as “ServeNC.” But now that the weeklong emphasis has wrapped up, what’s next for churches?
On this week’s episode of the N.C. Baptist podcast, three N.C. Baptist team members — Antoine Lassiter, Barry Murry and Casey Norkett — share stories of how God moved across the state, how churches met needs and how “ServeNC” can serve as a catalyst for evangelism in your church.
As you plan to foster relationships that were developed this summer, here are some ways you can continue to love your community in Jesus’ name.
- Pray for people you met during “ServeNC” and for the relationships your church can develop with the community.
- Volunteer with Baptists on Mission. Learn more at BaptistsOnMission.org.
- Help mobilize N.C. Baptists for missions by supporting the N.C. Missions Offering at GiveNCMO.com. Give the gift of relief for today, and hope for tomorrow.
What does a supporting church and a sending church look like? SendNC stands ready to help churches plant churches — everywhere for everyone. Listen to how your church can support and send church planters across North Carolina.
In this episode, SendNC Director Mike Pittman and SendNC Church Planting Strategist Paul Ortiz sit down with Pastor Robert Hefner of Pleasant Garden Baptist Church to discuss how N.C. Baptist churches — regardless of size — can be supporting and sending churches. They discuss why your church should support church planters and how you can become a sending church.
God is on the move across our state, and He is using the next generation of Be.Do.Tell staffers to train the next generation of North Carolina students. Learn more about how God is working this summer through our summer youth camps in this week’s podcast episode.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists’ Podcast, Daniel Rose, a student ministry strategist for N.C. Baptists, sits down with three Be.Do.Tell. summer staffers to hear an update about how God is working in this year’s summer youth weeks at Fort Caswell. Listen in as they share how God led them to work at camp, what they are witnessing in the lives of students and more.
Podcast guests include summer staffers Maelyn Ginn, Reagan Houchard and Luke Clevenger.
Recent studies show that 9 out of every 10 churches need some form of revitalization. In the latest episode of the N.C. Baptists’ Podcast, hear from a panel of guest speakers about how they’ve seen revitalization bring life back into churches.
In this episode, hear from a panel of ministry leaders featured at the recent Reconstruct Conference as they discuss the variety of methods for church revitalization, including church fostering, merging and replanting. Hear powerful testimonies of how God is using revitalization efforts to grow and strengthen His church.
List of panel speakers include:
- Ben McRoy, mobilization pastor; Faith Baptist Church, Youngsville
- Dave Kiehn, lead pastor; Park Baptist Church, Concord
- Joey Baynes, lead pastor; Restoration Church at the Rock, Greensboro
- Randy Titus, executive pastor of worship services; Mercy Hill Church, Greensboro
- Jonathan Yarboro, executive pastor of sending; Mercy Hill Church, Greensboro
- Aaron Wallace, lead pastor; Hephzibah Baptist Church, Wendell
- John Wilson, associate pastor; Hephzibah Baptist Church, Wendell
- Mark Gray, N.C. Baptist contractor for the Church Revitalization Team
10 years after its release, Kenny Lamm’s article “9 reasons people aren’t singing in worship” continues to resonate with many today. Tune in to hear more about the reasons behind this article and why so many churches still struggle to encourage their members to participate in worship.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists’ Podcast, Church Health & Revitalization Strategist Terry Long sits down with Kenny Lamm, worship ministries strategist for N.C. Baptists, as the two discuss why churches aren’t singing in worship. Listen in as they explain reasons for stagnated worship and what churches can begin to do to facilitate vibrant worship within their congregations.
Every church desires to be a safe space for children and adults alike. In this episode of the N.C. Baptists Podcast, hear from two members of the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force of the Southern Baptist Convention as they share how their new curriculum will help churches across the country protect the vulnerable and give them the tools they need to prevent and respond to sexual abuse.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, Seth Brown, director of the convention relations group for N.C. Baptists, sits down with two members of the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF): Brad Eubank, pastor of Petal First Baptist Church in Petal, Miss., and Kris Buckman, youth and kids missionary for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware.
Together, the three of them discuss the newly-released ministry toolkit, the five essentials of abuse prevention and response, how churches can protect their flock and more.
Next week, N.C. Baptists will be gathering with partners from across the country to celebrate being on mission together as one team. In this episode, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker highlights how we “play ball” together as we put the mission of the gospel first.
What does it look like for N.C. Baptists to play ball as one team? Here are four ways we partner together.
- N.C. Baptists partner as one team to reach the lost near & far. God has given our churches a goal: to go and make disciples of all nations. We play ball together so that people across North Carolina and beyond can have a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- N.C. Baptists partner as one team to train disciples, churches & the next generation. Disciple-making is a core component of the Christian faith. We play ball together to train believers from all stages of life — from the youngest disciple to the most seasoned disciple-maker.
- N.C. Baptists partner as one team to send church planters through the local church. If N.C. Baptists are a baseball team, then the word “sending” belongs somewhere on our jerseys. Sending is in our DNA as N.C. Baptists. Our churches are on mission together to send senders through the local church.
- N.C. Baptists partner as one team to serve churches, communities, our nation and the world. We play ball together to reach, train, send and serve. Serving is how we show the world we’re on the same team and that we want others around us to join our team as well.
ServeNC is a special opportunity for N.C. Baptists to be the “light of the world” and the “salt of the earth” as we go to meet tangible needs in our communities. In this week’s episode, N.C. Baptist staff members share 4 things that could happen to you when you start to volunteer for ServeNC.
Going out and doing any kind of service project is never easy — there will always be new kinds of challenges that you will face when you go out as a light for the gospel. For many, ServeNC will be an opportunity to try out new things, to meet new members of the community, and to go out of our comfort zone to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
N.C. Baptist staff members recently had a glimpse of what it will be like to ‘ServeNC’ at a service retreat in late April. For this week’s episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, hear directly from our staff members as they share what it was like for them to serve. Here are four takeaways they offered:
- Serving can take you out of your comfort zone.
- Serving helps us realize how much we need each other.
- Serving begets serving.
- Serving begets sending.
What does it take to bring struggling churches back to health? In this episode of the N.C. Baptists Podcast, hear from revitalization ministry leaders about the ways churches can be on mission together to see dying churches transform and flourish.
In this episode, Terry Long, N.C. Baptist church health and revitalization coordinator, sits down with Ben McRoy, mobilization pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Youngsville, and Dave Kiehn, lead pastor of Park Baptist Church in Rock Hill, S.C. Together, the three discuss their stories in church revitalization, how to be on mission to bring churches back to health and more.
Every church planter needs to be encouraged, inspired and equipped to do the work of ministry. In this special preview of the 2024 SendNC gathering, hear from one of the keynote speakers as he shares his vision for church planters and church planting churches across North Carolina and beyond.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, SendNC Director Mike Pittman and Church Planting Strategist Antoine Lassiter sit down with Noah Oldham, executive director of the North American Mission Board’s Send Network, as they discuss the state of church planting, what to expect at the upcoming SendNC gathering and more.
From the 1984 tornadoes in Red Springs, the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and the devastating Hurricane Florence in 2018, N.C. Baptists have provided relief and hope. Listen to this week’s episode as Chad Austin and Richard Brunson look back on what God has done the last 40 years of the disaster response ministry.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptist podcast, Chad Austin, managing editor of the Biblical Recorder sat down with Richard Brunson, executive director of Baptists on Mission to celebrate the ministry of disaster response. March 28 marks the 40th anniversary of the N.C. Baptist disaster response ministry.
Listen in as they share how through God’s faithfulness and the generosity of churches, volunteers and partners, N.C. Baptists have offered relief and hope in Jesus’ name.
What does it look like when God calls women to lead in ministry? In this panel discussion, hear from N.C. Baptist women as they share their experiences and advice to those pursuing a calling from God to lead, serve and love within their churches and communities.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, listen in with Ashley Reffit as five N.C. Baptist women leaders — Missie Branch, Donna Navey, Janetta Oni, Amy Whitfield and Meredith Snoddy — sit down to discuss the role of women within the life of the church. Listen now as they share advice to women who aspire to ministry, share recommendations to those who feel voiceless, and more.
There are two things Hall of Fame coach Mark Richt knows well — college football and the gospel of Jesus. Listen to this week’s episode below as Richt shares his heart for discipleship through sports and the importance of living on mission.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker sits down with Mark Richt, retired Hall of Fame football coach for the University of Georgia and the University of Miami, to discuss college football, Richt’s testimony and what it means to live on mission.
Richt was also influential in Unzicker coming to know Christ when Unzicker was a college football reporter covering Richt’s Georgia teams. Richt now works as a college football analyst and serves as a national spokesperson for Send Relief, the compassion ministry arm of the North American Mission Board.
Richt will be a keynote speaker at the upcoming N.C. Missions Conference sponsored by Baptists on Mission, being held April 5-6 in Charlotte. The conference theme is “Living Sent.”
Many churches search across the state and beyond for their next ministry leader. But what happens when a church finds that their next ministry leader is a young disciple in the pew?
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, Student Ministries Strategist Daniel Rose sits down with Andrew Patrick, associate pastor of Olivet Baptist Church in Catawba, N.C., and Matt Rummage, senior pastor of Olivet. Listen in as Patrick and Rummage share their story about how Patrick went from student to pastor in the church after several years of discipleship with Rummage.
This year’s Disciple-Making Conference, coming up Feb. 27 at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, will be a key opportunity for you to learn how to grow as a missional disciple of Jesus Christ.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists Podcast, SendNC Church Planting Strategist Antoine Lassiter sits down with Brian Upshaw, director of the Ministry Strategies Group for N.C. Baptists, to discuss 5 reasons you don’t want to miss this year’s Disciple-Making Conference in Charlotte.
Anyone considering church planting needs to recognize the joys and challenges that come with this Great Commission task. Listen in as SendNC church planters discuss what it takes to plant a church and reach the lost.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists podcasts, Church Planting Strategist Antoine Lassiter sits down with church planters Ramone Bellagamba, Femi Oke and Andrew Browder as they discuss their calling to church planting, the challenges they have faced as they plant and what makes this calling from God worth it in the end.
How should we steward the financial resources God has provided for us? In this podcast episode, learn more from President Harry Nelson about ways that we can be faithful with our financial resources and redemptively invest for the sake of God’s kingdom.
This episode of the N.C. Baptists’ Podcast features Seth Brown, director of the Convention Relations Group for N.C. Baptists, as he sits down with Harry Nelson, newly-elected president of Provision Financial Resources (formerly known as the North Carolina Baptist Foundation). Tune in as the two discuss financial stewardship, redemptive investing and practical ways N.C. Baptists can partner with Provision to live on mission together.
N.C. Baptists are on mission together to advocate for the vulnerable and make abortion unthinkable. One of the key ways churches show care for all stages of life is through supporting Pregnancy Resource Centers across North Carolina.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists’ Podcast, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker sits down with Allison Herrington, director of partnerships for The Pregnancy Network in Winston-Salem and Greensboro, to discuss the significance of pregnancy resource ministries, the necessity of the local church and ways that N.C. Baptists can support Pregnancy Resource Centers to help end abortion and protect the vulnerable.
What a year! From witnessing nearly 1,600 profess their faith on Fill the Tank Sunday to the highest attendance at annual meeting in nine years, we’ve seen God use N.C. Baptists throughout 2023 as a movement of churches on mission together.
In this episode, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker gives a quick overview of some highlights of 2023 and how churches plan to serve their local communities through ServeNC in 2024.
Every year, Baptists across the nation celebrate the timeless legacy of Lottie Moon by giving to the annual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. But how many of us actually know Lottie’s story?
In this episode, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker sits down with Amy Whitfield, executive director of communications at The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, to discuss her new children’s book Lottie Moon: The Girl Who Reached the World. Aimed at elementary school students, the book tells Lottie’s story in a way that reminds us all why we are on mission together.
Listen in as the two discuss the background of the book, the importance of Lottie Moon and more.
In August 2024, churches across North Carolina will join together to reach local community needs through ServeNC. In this episode of the N.C. Baptists’ Podcast, hear from newly elected N.C. Baptist officers as they share their excitement, vision and plans for this time of serving on mission together.
In this episode, Baptists on Mission EDT Richard Brunson sits down with the newly elected officers of the Baptist State Convention: Pastor Jason Miller of Dutch Cove Baptist Church of Canton, Pastor Quintell Hill of Multiply Community Church of Monroe, and Pastor Allan Murray of Centerville Baptist Church of Kelly. Listen in as they discuss the necessity of local community service, the ways they plan to get involved in ServeNC, and much more.
N.C. Baptists are on mission together to reach the nations. In this episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, hear from two N.C. Baptist missionaries who are accepting that call and taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Join us as we hear from Brandon and Danielle Pirtle, two of many N.C. Baptist missionaries who were celebrated at this year’s annual meeting, as they share with us their background, their calling into missions, and their next steps as they move to Japan. Hosting this week’s episode is N.C. Baptist Great Commission Catalyst Casey Norkett, who discusses with the Pirtle's the primacy of the Great Commission task.
The church suffers when its pastor feels burnt out, exhausted or spiritually empty. Providing a sabbatical is a key way to ensure that pastors flourish for the long run of ministry.
In this episode, Pastoral Ministry Strategist Sandy Marks sits down with Chris Turner, senior pastor of Neill’s Creek Baptist Church in Angier, and Gary Mayes, former executive director of Church Next Ministries and Consulting, to discuss the benefits of pastoral sabbaticals, their own experiences in church sabbaticals and how to maximize the sabbatical to ensure long-term health for the pastor and the church.
It can be easy to forget the special role the pastor’s family plays in the life of the church. On this week’s episode, join N.C. Baptists as we look at the unique blessings and challenges of life and ministry for the pastor’s family.
In this episode, N.C. Baptist Women’s Discipleship consultant Ashley Reffit joins three pastors’ wives — Kimberly Merida from Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, Tabatha Frost from Providence Church in Raleigh, and Veronica Greear from the Summit Church in Durham — as they discuss the life of a pastor’s family. Listen in as the four discuss family life, the challenges of ministry and helpful resources for supporting this family in the church.
A church’s health is directly tied to its pastor’s health. If pastors want to see their churches flourish, they need to set themselves up for long-term success and care for their own health.
In this episode, Church Health and Revitalization Strategist Terry Long sits down with Sandy Marks, N.C. Baptist church revitalization and pastoral ministry strategist, and Keelan Cook, director of the Center for Great Commission Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Listen as the three have a conversation about pastoral health and how pastors can take care of themselves to create a lasting ministry.
What’s more important: sending capacity or seating capacity? What if too many of our churches have emphasized one to the neglect of the other?
In this episode, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker sits down with Andrew Hopper, pastor of Mercy Hill Church in Greensboro, to discuss the importance of strategic church growth and how it can fuel our members to go to the nations.
With Sept. 15 marking the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to take time to celebrate the Hispanic church, learn more about Hispanic culture and take time to hear from key Hispanic voices as we serve on mission together.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists’ Podcast, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker joins Amaury Santos, statewide Hispanic catalyst for N.C. Baptists, to discuss the distinctives of Hispanic culture and what N.C. Baptists can learn from their Hispanic brothers and sisters.
It’s not every day you encounter a two-century-old church with a goal to plant 20 churches in 20 years. And yet, for Hephzibah Baptist Church in Wendell, this sort of sending culture has become the heartbeat of the church.
In this episode, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker sits down with Aaron Wallace, lead pastor of Hephzibah Baptist Church, to discuss the church’s cultural transformation, the joys and challenges of church planting and revitalization, and how God can use churches of all kinds to bring people the hope of the gospel.
What is your worship ministry culture like? Is your church struggling with gaining and retaining volunteers in your worship ministry? How is the health of your staff?
In this episode, N.C. Baptists’ worship ministries strategist Kenny Lamm and David Manner, executive director of Church Forward, discuss practical ways to invest in volunteers in your worship ministry. In this second half of a two-part series, David Manner shares suggestions in creating a healthy culture in your worship ministry.
How is your church’s worship doing? Worship health gives an insight to the overall well-being of your church, and intergenerational worship plays an important role.
N.C. Baptists’ worship ministries strategist Kenny Lamm discusses the connection between worship health and church health with David Manner, executive director of Church Forward. In this first half of a two-part series, David Manner shares six suggestions to help create intergenerational worship in your worship service.
N.C. Baptists college students are committing to “Go2” — to live on mission together for the sake of the gospel. One of the pathways college graduates and young professionals can take when they accept the Go2Years initiative is to join a church residency.
Ashanti Glass is a church resident at Provision Church in Monroe. She graduated from Wingate University, and she is being trained in ministry and pouring into other college students.
In this episode, N.C. Baptists’ college ministry strategist Alex Hugo asks Ashanti to give a behind the scenes look at a church residency.
The transition from high school ministries to college and young adult ministries can be jarring for students. As student pastors and leaders, it’s important to ask the question of how can your ministry lay the foundation for students to grow into mature, healthy college and young adult disciples.
Austin Gentry is the Young Adults Pastor at Second Baptist Church of Houston, Texas. He’s originally from North Carolina, a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is the author of “10 Things Every Christian Should Know For College”.
Listen to a breakout session recording from the 2023 Disciple-Making Conference where Austin shares strategies to prepare your students — and their parents — well.
On this week’s episode, Seth Brown, N.C. Baptist director of convention relations, discusses cultural and legal challenges and opportunities facing churches with Daniel Rose, N.C. Baptists’ student ministries strategist, and Harrison Smith with Alliance Defending Freedom.
Your guest’s first visit helps set up their second visit. Therefore, it’s essential and biblical that we connect hospitality and discipleship within our church services.
On this week’s episode, N.C. Baptists’ Bradley Norris speaks with Danny Franks, pastor of guest services at The Summit Church, and Ashley Reffit, women’s discipleship consultant with N.C. Baptists. Listen as they discuss the importance of church hospitality and how churches should pay attention to details.
For more episodes, visit ncbaptist.org/podcast. You can also find us on Apple Podcasts.
On this week’s episode, Send Network’s Brian Frye and Mike McDaniel share the recently announced Church Mobilization Pathway with SendNC’s Mike Pittman. They discuss what it looks like for all churches to become involved in church planting and sending.
Listen to how this new five-step tool will assist churches in visualizing how they can become involved.
Many North Carolina Baptists are heading down to New Orleans next week for the 2023 SBC annual meeting. Whether you’re attending this year’s meeting or if you’re not, N.C. Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker, shares ten things that every N.C. Baptists should know about SBC23 in under ten minutes.
Test scores, favorite teams, social life and location often determine a student’s plans after graduation — but is there a better way to discern if, when and where you should go to college?
On this week’s podcast, listen to a breakout session recording from the 2022 N.C. Baptist Annual Meeting, led by Scott Pace with The College at Southeastern and David Horton with Fruitland Baptist Bible College.
Learn how families should think about college education, how to choose the right school for them, and how their faith can be strengthened and leveraged while they’re in college.
What are you doing this summer? College students across North Carolina are being mobilized to reach their neighbors and the nations with the gospel.
On this week’s episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, Brandon Powell, student mobilization coordinator with Baptists on Mission, catches up with two college students that have accepted the call to serve on mission during their summer break. Listen to how God has led Jordan Gibbs, a student at The College at Southeastern, and Sheridan Rice, a student at UNC Pembroke, to this decision.
As a pastor, it’s easy to lose your joy and effectiveness in ministry. Pastoral wellness is vital when it comes to a church's health.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists’ Podcast, Sandy Marks — church revitalization and pastoral ministry strategist for N.C. Baptists — offers necessities to maintaining or recapturing joy and effectiveness as we live out our calling. Here is a sneak peak: This lifelong journey begins with becoming a spiritually and emotionally healthy disciple.
Engaging communities with the gospel is one of the most pressing issues facing the church today.
On this week’s episode of the N.C. Baptists’ podcast, listen to a breakout session recording from last year’s annual meeting as two North Carolina Baptist pastors share how their churches are engaging their communities for the sake of the gospel. Pastor Aaron Smith of Kenansville Baptist Church, Pastor Todd Brady of The River Community Church in Fayetteville and Great Commission Catalyst Barry Murry share helpful methods, tools and resources to meet the needs of hurting people while effectively sharing the love and message of Christ.
Church planting is often a demanding journey for those getting started. With all the unexpected trials one faces while planting, it can be vital for church planters to learn from those who have gone before and hear what worked — and what didn’t work — for them.
This week on the N.C. Baptists’ Podcast, join church planters Mike Pittman, Antoine Lassiter and Barry Murry as they each share three things they would have done differently had they started the church planting process over again.
For more episodes, visit ncbaptist.org/podcast. You can also find us on Apple Podcasts.
When David Herman, pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Creedmoor, signed up with hundreds of other churches for “Fill the Tank” Sunday in Sept. 2021, he had no idea he would end up baptizing 12 individuals — including his own father-in-law.
On this episode of the N.C. Baptists’ Podcast, Herman sat down with Todd Unzicker, executive director-treasurer for N.C. Baptists, to share his testimony of God’s work through “Fill the Tank” and explore the reasons Pleasant Grove signed up again for the upcoming “Fill the Tank” Sunday.
This year, “Fill the Tank” Sunday will take place on April 16, the weekend after Easter. Churches can learn more and sign up at fillthetanknc.org.
On this episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, a group of women who are living out the gospel in their everyday lives discuss God’s calling to live on mission together and what that looks like to practically live out the gospel.
Ashley Reffit, N.C. Baptists’ consultant for Women’s Discipleship, sits down with Missie Branch with Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Shirnetta Harrell with The No Woman No Girl Initiative.
For more episodes, visit ncbaptist.org/podcast. You can also find us on Apple Podcasts.
Discipling the next generation of disciple-makers is crucial to the Great Commission. In this episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, listen to a breakout session recording of Shaq Hardy as he shares how you can create a discipleship system in your student ministry. Shaq serves high school students at Biltmore Church in Asheville, North Carolina and is a guest speaker at one of Be.Do.Tell.’s Summer Youth Weeks at Fort Caswell this Summer.
At the 2022 Disciple-Making Conference, Hardy shared how student ministry pastors and leaders can look for opportunities within their churches that the student ministry can join in on, how to establish a mission statement for the student ministry, how ministry leaders can assess where their students are and the importance of gaining investment from parents, leaders and students.
On this episode of the N.C. Baptist podcast, Robby Gallaty and Brian Upshaw offer listeners a preview of the Disciple-Making Conference as they discuss Gallaty’s journey in disciple-making, his vision for churches, certain myths that churches hold when trying to create a culture of discipleship, and much more.
Learn more and register for the Feb. 20, 2023 Disciple-Making Conference at disciplemakingconference.org.
On this episode of the N.C. Baptists Podcast, Quintell Hill, president of N.C. Baptists, sits down with Todd Unzicker, executive director-treasurer for N.C. Baptists, to discuss Hill’s personal testimony, his vision for N.C. Baptists and obstacles that prevent us from keeping “the main thing, the main thing.”
Here is how your church can start a foster care and adoption ministry! Listen to a panel discussion featuring Baptist Children's Homes' Mark Smith with pastors John Cashwell, Kyler Smith, Casey Norkett, and Andrew Hopper on how the Every Child initiative has impacted their respective church's missions strategies.
Learn more at every-child.org.
How can your church stand for life in 2023? N.C. Baptists' Seth Brown discusses life initiatives in North Carolina and beyond with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission's Brent Leatherwood. Because of your generosity, N.C. Baptists are standing for life.
What’s the difference between making disciples and making leaders?
N.C. Baptists’ Brian Upshaw sits down with Senior Pastor Matt Capps of Fairview Baptist Church in Apex, North Carolina, to discuss one of the greatest needs of pastors — developing leaders. Register for the 2023 Disciple-Making Conference to learn more at disciplemakingconference.org.
How can churches lose students for the right reasons? N.C. Baptists' Alex Hugo sits down with missionary Alicia Jones and Baptists on Missions's Teresa Jones — a mother and daughter duo serving on mission together — to discuss student mobilization. Learn more and connect with our collegiate ministry at ncbaptist.org/college.
Studies show that the majority of churches are either plateaued or declining. Revitalization isn't always the answer.
Listen to N.C. Baptists' Terry Long as he sits down with the North American Mission Board's Jimbo Stewart and Pilot Mountain Baptist Association's associational mission strategist Walker Armstrong to discuss church revitalization.
Learn more and take the online assessment at ncbaptist.org/revitalize.
How can SendNC help your church plant churches that bring change and restore hope to unreached neighborhoods?
Listen to SendNC's Mike Pittman as he sits down with Send Network's Matt Carter and George Ross, and Pastor Andrew Hopper to discuss the exciting partnership between N.C. Baptists and the North American Mission Board.
Learn more at SendNC.org.
The “RevitalizeNC” podcast is hosted by Terry Long, strategist for church revitalization with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. Each episode includes an interview with a leading expert in the field of church revitalization to offer help, hope and encouragement to pastors and ministry leaders. This fifth episode, which was recorded April 25, 2022, features Mark Hallock, Lead Pastor of Calvary Baptist in Englewood, Colorado, and Matt Smith, Pastor at Lebanon Baptist in Greensboro, NC. on the topic of activating your church on mission.
This episode features Dr. Chuck Lawless, Professor of Evangelism and Missions, Dean of Doctoral Studies, and Vice President for Spiritual Formation and Ministry Centers at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Lawless is also the Richard and Gina Headrick Chair of World Missions. This episode discusses what a healthy church looks like.
This episode features Dave Kiehn, author and pastor at Park Baptist Church in Rock Hill, S.C., discussing the role of pastoral authority.
The “RevitalizeNC” podcast is hosted by Terry Long, senior consultant for church revitalization with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. Each episode includes an interview with a leading expert in the field of church revitalization to offer help, hope and encouragement to pastors and ministry leaders.
This third episode that came out today (Sept 20, 2021) features Sam Rainer, President of Church Answers, the co-founder and co-owner of Rainer Publishing, and the president of Revitalize Network, discussing the role of church fostering in church revitalization.
What role does pastoral health play in church revitalization? Hear Tate Cockrell, associate professor of counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. revitalizenc.org
Terry Long and Hannah Nelson from RevitalizeNC discuss the role of spiritual warfare in church growth and revitalization with Chuck Lawless, vice president of Spiritual Formation at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
This episode discusses stories of where God is at work and learn best practices for making disciples in and around the Charlotte area. Speaker: Caleb Sprinkle
This episode highlights the key role that prayer, revival and spiritual awakening play in a church’s ability to join Christ in accomplishing the Great Commission and the Great Commandment in their community and the world. Speakers: Mark Harris, Chris Schofield
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) joins with Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) to discuss the most pressing issues of religious liberty and religious freedom churches are facing today. In this episode, they also look forward to issues, challenges and opportunities on the horizon. Speakers: Dan Darling, Tonya Shellnut, Josh Wester
Learn strategies to multiply your dreams, initiate permission-giving, develop an apprenticeship system that works, activate your leaders’ gifts and develop a simple scoreboard that measures kingdom-building progress. Speakers: Corey Alley, Quintell Hill, Donnie Paschall, Billy Roy
This episode provides evidence-based information on how to work with youth who have experienced family crisis, sexual abuse and trauma, as well as offer tips on how the public can be more aware and responsive to the needs of children, and how our youth can be taught to avoid abusive relationships. Speakers: Regina Keener, Sandy Perry
This episode shares the vision for the Awakening Renewal Weekend, the Equipping Renewal Weekend, and the Commissioning Renewal Weekend, all of which are designed to equip church members to see God's vision and purpose for His people as they serve God's Kingdom and reach their communities as missionaries. Speakers: Bob & Phyllis Foy
Using principles from Scripture and practical wisdom from the field, this episode aims to teach you how to think and act like missionaries in your community. Develop a missional plan to actively care for, share the gospel with and make disciples of those who live around you. Speakers: Jason Ledford, Joe Maye
This episode centers around a conversation about how church leaders can care for our youngest members by identifying, preventing and responding to sexual assault, and provides tools and reflections that provide spiritual and emotional care to the most vulnerable. Speakers: Nathan Blake, Alison Keene
This episode explores how to build bridges, break down barriers, and where our responsibility and God’s will come together to transform and impact our churches and communities for God’s kingdom and His glory. Speakers: William Neira, Ligia Neira
God is bringing unreached peoples from around the world to be our neighbors, which provides amazing opportunities for the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. This episode will teach you how to use the “3 Circles” evangelism tool and adapt it to share with people from other world religions. Speakers: James Cooper, Jonathan Derbyshire, John Messiah
Developing an intentional rhythm for preaching, discipling, shepherding and leading for the workdays can make a tremendous impact toward revitalizing your church. This episode explores the weekly rhythms of a pastor as they relate to church revitalization. Speakers: Sandy Marks, Russ Reaves
Mission and camp settings are expected to be safe environments for our children, but they can be a place of vulnerability if safety precautions are not in place. This episode will share more about how you can be proactive in protecting your church’s most valuable asset — your children. Speakers: Tom Beam, Dollie Noa
Hear stories of where God is working and know the best practices for making disciples in and around the Greater Charlotte area. Speaker: Caleb Sprinkle
Do families in your congregation see their homes or neighborhoods as a mission field? Are parents equipped to engage their homes and communities with the gospel? In this podcast, hear about how the N.C. Baptist Faith at Home Ministry has developed a new resource called “Acts 2:39 Missional Families,” a seven-week small group study written intentionally for parents. Speakers: Eric Simmons, Jamie Burkett and Mark Smith
Hear stories of where God is at work and learn best strategies for making disciples in and around Boone. Speaker: Seth Norris
Hear stories of where God is at work and learn the best practices for making disciples in and around this the Triangle area. Speaker: Josh Reed
Using James 4 as the biblical backdrop, this session will explore the key roles that revival and spiritual awakening play in making disciples who make disciples. Speaker: Chris Schofield
What if you could successfully equip and empower everyone in your ministry for a lifestyle of disciple-making? What if everyone embraced disciple-making as a way of life instead of a program of the church? D-Life is a simple, biblical, missional and reproducible process for equipping every believer for a lifestyle of disciple-making. With the Bible as your only textbook, it is a process that will work in any size congregation. Speaker: Barry Owen
Want your church to have a greater kingdom impact? Have you been given eyes to see the unreached? Can any size church become a sending church? Come discover five steps to reach the unreached through new initiatives. All participants will receive a free resource. Speakers: Mark Gray and Corey Alley
The local church is charged to make disciples — women and men who say “yes” to the gospel, grow in the gospel, and go with the gospel. However, if the gospel is the greatest message ever known, why does the church often operate as if it's just another scrolling message on a Twitter feed? From environments and systems to sending out the church, details matter for the sake of gospel and the effectiveness of “God’s Plan A,” the local church. Speaker: Josh Hill
En esta sesión vamos a examinar las concentraciones de personas viviendo en los “Hoyos de Perdición” (pockets of lostness) en Carolina del Norte. Al entender la demografía buscaremos puntos de contacto para iglesias hispanas. Veremos cómo está obrando nuestro Señor, y las oportunidades que tenemos como iglesias si estamos dispuestos a llevar el evangelio adónde Él nos manda. Con ese desafío, queremos preguntarnos qué pasos podemos tomar para impactar esa perdición con la estrategia de hacer discípulos. Oradores: John Davenport and Amaury Santos
In this session, you will hear how modern technologies such as podcasts and YouTube can be used to multiply efforts to make disciples of all nations. Speakers: Sammy Joo and Simom Touprong
In this episode, we invite you to learn what the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina is doing on the immigration front to assist churches in loving their neighbors in different cultural contexts. Speakers: John Faison, Larry Phillips, Amaury Santos
Understanding one’s neighborhood allows us to proclaim the gospel in contextualized and relevant ways. This episode shares how you can join “God’s Great Work” in your community. Speakers: Chuck Campbell, Mike Boarts
This episode will equip you to begin the conversation about church revitalization. This process will focus on discovering whether your church is in a state of incline, recline or decline and what steps are most immediate for your congregation moving forward. Speaker: Sandy Marks
This panel discussion featuring several leaders from across North Carolina will demonstrate how some churches have integrated college ministries throughout their churches so that they are more effectively joining “God’s Great Work.” Speakers: Darrick Smith, Chase Jenkins, Danella Kish, Mark Navey, Savannah Wood
What does organic disciple-making look like within a group? This episode focuses on how to love people where they are in life. Speaker: Andy Hughes
How could we leverage short-term missions to partner well with our missionaries overseas, while at the same time discipling our members to live their lives for God’s global mission here? This episode examines how your church can make the most of mission trips. Speaker: Matt Willis
Have you ever wanted to know the Lord and hear His voice? This episode will provide tools to use in the inductive study of Scripture so you will be able to study the Bible. Speaker: Ashley Allen
This episode discusses the importance of recapturing biblical accountability and its necessity in growing a culture of discipleship, as well as look at practical ways of implementing accountability. Speaker: Tony Blanchard
Most church members struggle with how to articulate God’s unique calling for them and how to plan their everyday lives around that calling. This episode aims to equip you with a basic tool kit for life design. Speaker: Brian Upshaw
This episode will cover the basics of how Generation Z differs from millennials and help your church be prepared to engage them with the gospel. Speaker: Tom Knight
This episode is designed to help listeners understand how to seek the will of the Lord, why obedience is important, how to obey the Lord and why this provides greater satisfaction than doing our own thing. Speaker: Missie Branch
This episode aims to equip ministry leaders to be more effective in connecting and collaborating with people of diverse cultures in their efforts to evangelize and make disciples who will multiply. Speaker: Ken Tan
This episode will teach how to not only reach single adults of all ages and backgrounds but also get them involved in the overall growth of your church. You too can reach every “single” person for Christ. Speaker: Kris Swiatocho
This episode features a report on what God is doing through N.C. Baptist churches that are impacting lostness and how your church can do the same. Speaker: Cris Alley
Do families in your congregation see their homes or neighborhoods as a mission field? Are parents in your church equipped to engage their homes and communities with the gospel? This episode will focus on learning more about how equipping your parents can lead to revitalization in your church. Speakers: Mark Smith, Jamie Burkett, Stephanie Jackson, Eric Simmons
Who will take the gospel to our leaders on the frontlines? It takes a man or woman of courage to step into the mindset of America’s fighting forces to urge them to seek inner peace through Christ. Speaker: Thomas Watson
This episode focuses on the importance of assimilation to connect people to where real church happens. Speaker: James Zik
This episode is designed to help churches that are seeking to preserve their histories in written and digital formats. Speaker: Nathan Saunders
This episodes discusses ways our churches can provide a safe place for teenagers to grow as followers of Jesus Christ, addressing facility safety, recruiting volunteers, incident reporting, who should serve as chaperones and more. Speaker: Merrie Johnson
This episode will focus on sharing Christ with Muslim neighbors and friends who live in America and will also include a brief overview of Muslim beliefs, rituals and traditions. Speaker: Kambiz Saghaey
This episode features policies and procedures that protect the children of your church and outlines steps for writing effective policies and enforcing essential procedures that set protection as a priority. Speaker: Cheryl Markland
This episode will share the story of intentional reproducing church planting in North Carolina using real-time stories and family trees from across the state. May God convict others to become a sending church! Speaker: Mike Pittman
This episode will discuss some of the best practices in disciple-making throughout North Carolina. Speaker: Josh Reed
Do you want to start a college ministry through your church but have no idea how or where to begin? This session shared the basics of starting a college ministry, providing the tools needed to mobilize your members to reach college students and help you identify resources you already have to meet the needs of college students. Speaker: Yana Conner
This episode features a brief overview of the “Bless Every Home” tool, and how it is helping one church focus on the work of evangelism and discipleship in its community. This episode can help you learn how to get the tool and begin implementing it from a pastor’s perspective. Speakers: Jeff Blackburn
Widespread reports of sexual abuse and misconduct in almost every setting have prompted business, political and church leaders to admit we have a desperate problem. While churches are taking steps to respond and create safer environments, some don’t address the issue. This episode includes an honest conversation about what you can do to safeguard your ministry from sexual misconduct. Speaker: Eddie Thompson
Staff from First Baptist Church, Duluth share experiences of leading a church from “traditional” monoethnic programs to a ministry that reaches “every nation, tribe, language and people.” They shared what worked, what did not, and what is still in the process to “love, reach and disciple all people for Jesus.” Speakers: Keith Murdock, Todd Jones, Abioye Tela
This episode will help you discover, understand and engage the diverse people groups in your community. We will explore research tools to examine the demographics in your area, discuss points of connection for engagement with internationals, and provide an overview of gospel-centered resources and processes for disciple-making. There will also be suggestions for next steps to move forward. Speakers: Russ Reaves, John Davenport
In this episode, we will discuss how to adapt to the challenges of multicultural children and their families while developing an inclusive, spiritual environment for children to grow in their faith. Speakers: Jan Langston, SoYoung Lee
This episode includes a brief overview of Hindu belief, rituals and tradition. We must create a sense of urgency among believers to reach Hindus for Jesus and to give practical training for sharing Christ with Hindu neighbors and friends who live in America. Speaker: Charlotte Kumar
Yesterday’s mission field becomes today’s missions force! This episode highlights how one ethnic minority church reaches other ethnic minority groups. First Korean Baptist Church has been faithfully serving and reaching refugees at Cedar Point Community. You will hear practical examples of how they reach other ethnic minorities for the Kingdom. Speaker: YongCheol Jung
This episode focuses on what the Baptist State Convention is doing on the immigration front to assist our churches in loving their neighbors in their various cultural contexts. Speakers: Amaury Santos, Larry Phillips, John Faison
First Baptist Church, Duluth, a long-time traditional Baptist church, now experiences heaven on Earth by pursuing oneness in worship with its multi-ethnic congregation of 47 nationalities. Live interpretations in Korean, Spanish and Mandarin help ease the differences and difficulties in worshipping with one mind and one voice (Romans 15:6). Dynamic ESL, on the other hand, assists American society and the church in adapting to a multi-ethnic community. Speaker: Seung-hee (Cindy) Rhe
Have you ever wanted to have a gospel conversation with someone but had no idea where to begin? “How to Begin Gospel Conversations” leans on best practices for how to have these conversations across various contexts. This episode surveys tools, tips and resources for turning conversations toward the gospel, by drawing from Scripture and stories to help produce solutions. Speaker: Andrew Ivester
In today’s ministry landscape, partnership is the name of the game. Whether renting space to a new church plant or purposefully partnering with an ethnic or language church, congregations of any size and shape can more effectively advance the cause of Christ by opening their facilities to multiple congregations. This episode will explore the positives (and negatives) of these partnerships while making the case for how we can begin to view our facilities as an extension of our God-given mission. Speaker: Tyler Ward
Asians are the largest and most unreached people group on the planet. By God’s grace, God has brought them to North Carolina. In this episode, you will get to know the culture of Asians (especially East Asians) and how to engage them with the gospel of Christ. Speaker: Sammy Joo
Learn how to connect, create and collaborate with other cultures on a deeper level in order to love and lead them to the Lord. Gain practical skills and biblical approaches to developing deeper relationships. Speaker: Ken Tan
First Baptist Church Duluth has developed strategic church planting partnerships with the nations that represent the largest unreached people groups in their local community. In this episode, they share how they partner with evangelical organizations in China, Mexico, Nigeria and India. Speakers: Joe Page, Daniel Kumar
Multi-ethnic worship is about much more than Sunday morning services and songs in different languages. This episode discusses the characteristics of healthy, diverse worshipping communities that are united around Jesus Christ. Speakers: Mark Barneycastle, Jaewoo Kim, Joy Kim
Every culture tries to make sense of the mess we’re in, asking at least two questions: what’s gone wrong and what’s the solution? The unique way a culture answers these questions profoundly shapes how it views the world. This episode explores how the Bible answers these questions and how a biblical worldview enhances cross-cultural fellowship and opens doors to cross-cultural witness. Speaker: Cris Alley
It is easy for churches, especially smaller churches, to remain stagnant as the community changes around them. This episode talks about strategies for smaller churches to create a renewed vision for community engagement. Using these strategies will help you see that being small can be an advantage to engaging the community. Speaker: Danny Estave
Sometimes we are so familiar with something that we don’t even see it anymore. At other times, a need seems so great that we become paralyzed by the feeling of insufficiency. As followers of Jesus, we should never let people fall through the cracks, especially when it comes to people struggling with poverty. This episode offers a fresh look at poverty in North Carolina and how the gospel compels us to care for the often overlooked and frequently forgotten. Speaker: Dan Collison
This episode focuses on how to formulate cross-cultural discussion groups in your church. These groups will provide the impetus for shared ministry and interaction that lowers the fear of awkward interactions. Speaker: Mark Hearn
A growing number of churches have been captured by the vision of every tribe, tongue and nation being represented in their churches. In an effort to promote this kingdom in our churches, the rudimentary elements of what it means to do church and ministry must be reconsidered in light of John’s vision in Revelation 7:9-10. Discipleship is one of those fundamental Christian tasks that we need to reimagine to consider the cultural dynamics that come into play. Speaker: Walter Strickland II
The LGBT lifestyle is a segment of our population that isn’t going away. It represents people who are in great need of a Savior just like all of us. This breakout session will explore the LGBT culture as Meleah Allard shares her own story of her lifestyle as a lesbian, how the gospel brought her freedom and how God has called her back into this culture to minister the love of Jesus Christ. Participants will discover the unique characteristics of those who are part of the LGBT lifestyle, how the gospel can transform anyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and how Christians can minister both truth and love through the power of the gospel. Speakers: Meleah Allard & Steve Harris
Sadly, when churches say “single adult,” the immediate thought is “not married,” and a host of characteristics and reasons for a single status are given. Yet, single adult women are much more diverse than their marital status, and they aren’t all the same. However, many don’t feel welcome in a church or even that there is a place for them within the body of Christ. This panel discussion will focus on how to reach the growing demographic of “single women” without viewing them as anomalies. Panelists will include a recent college graduate, a working professional who has never been married, a pastor’s wife who works with single adults and a widow. Speakers: Ashley Allen, Molly Lydick, Mary Wallace Wilson, Tabatha Frost
One of the integral parts in ministry is leadership. In this session, we will discuss biblical leadership and how leadership can be developed and used in the context of Korean churches.
목회에 있어서 가장 중요한 부분 중의 하나가 리더쉽이다. 이 세션에서는 성경적 리더쉽과 한인 교회 상황에서 어떻게 리더쉽을 계발하고 활용할 것인지에 관한 구체적인 내용을 다루고자 한다.
Speaker: Sammy Joo
This breakout session will introduce a practical training opportunity to assist churches in identifying unreached and unengaged population clusters in our communities. Learn more about the people in our local communities who are and are not being engaged with the gospel. Discover where new works may be needed to ensure that all people in our state are being reached. Hear from a church planting consultant and an associational missionary about the effectiveness of an Operation Reach event. Speakers: Mark Gray, Ralph Garay, Eric Cook
North Carolina has 250 identified pockets of lostness. Think of a pocket of lostness as a gospel desert — a small geographic area with a large percentage of lost people. This session will show where pockets of lostness are located, explore why they exist and introduce the steps your church can take to eradicate lostness in North Carolina’s gospel deserts. Speaker: Cris Alley
A Biblical Basis for Church Revitalization - Simple church survival is not a proper motivation for revitalization. Speaker: Sandy Marks
Sometimes reaching our neighbors with the gospel is hard because life can be messy. How can we reach a woman with the gospel when her life seems to be falling apart and we have grown weary? This breakout session will focus on biblical and practical ideas for reaching our neighbors and finding encouragement from God’s Word for staying the course. Speaker: Meredith Snoddy
Is your Sunday School or small group stuck in a rinse and repeat mode? In this breakout session, we will look at both theoretical and practical steps to turn Sunday School and small groups from an inward focus to an outwardly focused missional mindset. Come learn how to bring unchurched neighbors into biblical community. Speakers: Rick Hughes & Jeff Holder
While everyone lives or works in a neighborhood, not everyone lives with their neighborhood. If Christians are going to minister in our neighborhoods, we must understand the impact of various worldviews on our neighborhoods and learn to love our neighbors with the truth as we minister to their needs. Understanding worldviews is an important aspect of successful discipleship. Speaker: Scott Thompson
Evangelistic preaching is a priority of our pulpit ministry, but personal witnessing often escapes us. The embers of your pulpit ministry will stay lit to the degree that you, as a pastor and church leader, continue on the hot trail of personal witnessing. Join us as we discuss practical ways to complement personal witnessing and pulpit evangelism. Speaker: Daniel Dickard
Hear the stories of several churches who are strategically and faithfully engaging their neighbors in multifamily housing communities, loving them well, sharing the gospel relationally, making disciples and starting gospel communities. Speakers: K.O. Grissett, Joe Maye, Brian Norris
Attendees will learn and discuss what the apostle Paul calls the “elementary principles of the world.” We will seek to understand how this phrase describes basic human motivation, discern its relevance for disciple-making and learn how to apply the gospel to what we discover. Speaker: Josh Reed
The Prayer Conference provides a rich environment for God to speak to His people as they gather to seek Him for revival and spiritual awakening. Saturday evening speaker: Mr. Richard Owen Roberts.
The Prayer Conference provides a rich environment for God to speak to His people as they gather to seek Him for revival and spiritual awakening. Friday night speaker: Mr. Richard Owen Roberts.
North Carolina has a segment of its population that few pastors and churches are equipped to engage with the gospel, and this population is growing at an alarming rate — individuals struggling with drug and alcohol addictions. This breakout session will provide participants with a greater understanding of this growing segment of our population, a system to respond to addicts and their families that reach out to your church for help, as well as other resources to help you assist those struggling with addiction. Speaker: Matthias “Matty” Ponce-de-Leon
During this session, we will discuss how to love our neighbors in the context of discipleship by addressing the biblical texts of Luke 10:25- 37, John 15:7-10 and 1 John 2:1-6. We will answer three questions: Who is my neighbor? What does loving and discipling my neighbor mean? And how do I disciple them? Speaker: Josh Malek
Our culture is rapidly changing, and there is nowhere this is more evident than on the college campus. Hear from the Baptist State Convention’s Collegiate Partnerships Team about the current North Carolina collegiate landscape and how your church can be part of impacting lostness on the college campus. Speaker: Darrick Smith
Many parents have busy schedules which makes discipling their children difficult. What if you and your church could come alongside parents to equip them to be confident disciple-makers? Despite the hectic pace of everyday life, this training makes disciple-making in the home natural and easy. Come learn how you can equip the parents of your congregation to be confident disciple-makers. Speaker: Mark Smith
The assumption of most church programming is “People go to church and when they go to church, we want them to come to ours.” However, evidence indicates that this is no longer true. Learn how to connect with people who are far from God and help them take their first steps to follow Jesus. Speaker: Jay McGuirk
How do believers and churches engage culture with the gospel and how do they navigate conflicts inherent in converging cultures? This session will help you better understand the impact of culture to the mission of God and the implications for evangelism and disciple-making. Speaker: James Weddington
Learn the biblical basis for why you should engage the immigrants among you as well as practical ways that you can make disciples of the foreigners the Lord is bringing to your doorsteps. Speakers: Antonio Santos & Larry Phillips
In a culture that increasingly calls what is evil good and what is good evil, we must learn to engage unbelievers with love. As disciple-makers, we must understand that it is unloving to fail to address sin. Loving others requires confronting their sinfulness. Speaker: Jeff Holder
Gospel-centered, biblical preaching and teaching is a necessary element of a robust disciple-making strategy. Disciple-making requires more than good preaching and teaching, but it must include it. We will examine Scripture, case studies and contemporary research as we explore this topic. Speaker: Russ Reaves
Oftentimes we ask people to connect with Jesus, and we haven’t even connected with them. Experience a highly participatory, active and fun session to learn the first step of connecting with your neighbor to build a loving relationship. Also, learn how you can be trained to teach “The Six Stages of Cultural Mastery” to leaders in your church. Speakers: Ken Tan & Neal Eller
There are a million ways to get into a gospel conversation, but the question is: Do you know what to do once you are in one? In this session, you will gain practical tools both to share and train others in telling your story and God’s story competently, confidently and humbly. You will also spend time practicing in the session. Speaker: Caleb Sprinkle
Millennials have broken the mold on the priority of church attendance. We will explore what makes millennials different from previous generations and what your church can do to understand, equip and empower millennial parents as disciples who make disciples. Speaker: Cheryl Markland
Are you perplexed with the impact of smartphones? Do you find yourself competing with texts and social media? With all the competing voices, how do you guide your child and build foundations for faith? This session will help you answer questions like these about technology, culture, and the family. Speaker: Merrie Johnson
If we have been commissioned to make disciples by teaching them everything that Christ has commended and the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, what kind of implications does this have for our discipleship process? Join us for a conversation on how these two commands work together and how to move towards a discipleship process that shepherds the whole person unto life in Christ. Speaker: Yana Conner
In the face of North Carolina's rapidly growing international population, how should the church respond? Is there a biblical mandate to make disciple among immigrants, refugees, and international students? If the answer is yes, what Great Commission strategies and methodologies might we use to reach our international neighbors with the life-transforming message of the gospel? Speaker: Chuck Register
As church leaders, we are trained to disciple every area of spiritual maturity...except generosity. This session is designed to give you some practical tips on how to disciple generosity versus talk about money. Speaker: Kent Vincent