Good morning. I want to begin by expressing my deep gratitude and acknowledging each of you who are here with us today. First, I want to thank Dr. Jeff Iorg, president and CEO of the SBC, not only for being with us today as a keynote speaker, but also for his faithful leadership across our convention. I also want to thank Dr. Tom Dawson, pastor of SOAR Church in Woodbine, N.J., for sharing with us today as our other keynote speaker.

To all the vendors—thank you for being here and for offering resources that strengthen our churches. To our Executive Board, I’m grateful for your ongoing support and faithful service to the BRN. To our guests—thank you for taking time to learn more about who we are. To every pastor and layperson here today, thank you for investing your time, energy, and resources to be part of this moment. You are vital voices in this room, and your presence matters deeply.

Finally, I want to recognize the BRN Team. I may be biased, but I believe we have one of the most gifted and respected teams in the SBC. Many have faced personal challenges recently, yet they continue to serve with unwavering excellence. I’m incredibly proud of each one of them. Thank you, team, for consistently going above and beyond.

As we celebrate the 55th year of our state convention, I want to thank you—our churches—for your faithful generosity. You’re the heroes of our story. Apart from God’s gracious blessing, the Cooperative Program (CP) has been the driving force behind our growth. We’re deeply grateful for the millions invested by our churches and the SBC over the years.

Recognizing CP to be one of the most effective engines for missions and evangelism, we’ve made a strategic decision to forward more funds nationally—not only to impact lostness with the gospel here in PASJ, but also across North America, and around the world.

In 2018, we made a bold decision to increase our Cooperative Program giving, recognizing the extraordinary support we’ve received. At our 2017 fall meeting, I shared this truth: “To whom much is given, much is required.” Back then; we forwarded 26% of CP contributions nationally. Today, we celebrate reaching 35%—a steady 1% increases each year for eight years. For a smaller, non-southern state convention, this generosity speaks volumes about your commitment to the Cooperative Program and the gospel work happening through the BRN—here in PASJ and around the world. These are your gifts—faithfully given, faithfully stewarded, faithfully making a difference.

As we celebrate 100 years of Cooperative Program impact, we invite churches to pray and consider an extra $100 gift—monthly, quarterly, or annually. These gifts will advance global missions and help reach 14 million lost people in Pennsylvania/South Jersey. If 100 churches join us, we could raise $120,000 to fuel mission efforts locally, nationally, and globally. Thank you for your faithful support!

Because of your investment, we’ve seen remarkable progress across the BRN. We don’t take your generosity lightly and remain committed to stewarding every dollar with integrity. While you’ve heard most of this year’s results in the business session video (shown below), I want to highlight a few more significant accomplishments—clear evidence of your investment and God’s favor on our shared mission.

Let me begin with our annual Serve Tour. In 2025, our third tour in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area made a remarkable impact. Forty-eight churches—over 20% of our active congregations—completed 54 projects with 538 volunteers, nearly doubling Erie’s turnout and matching Philadelphia’s. These volunteers gave over 10,000 hours of service, reached 8,500 people, and had 1,500 gospel conversations—resulting in 35 decisions for Christ. Serve Tours are becoming a powerful missional movement, mobilizing laypeople in PASJ like never before in my 22 years with the BRN. Special thanks to Buff McNickle for leading this initiative with excellence and vision. And we’re not done—our fourth Serve Tour heads to the Lehigh Valley on June 26–27, 2026. We highly encourage BRN churches to start planning now to be part of this exciting opportunity to serve and share the gospel.

This year, we embraced the vision God placed on Kenton Hunt’s heart—to establish a 6,000-square-foot Disaster Relief Center to train volunteers, house DR equipment, and launch service efforts across PASJ and the Northeast. Your generosity exceeded expectations, raising $400,000—$50,000 above our goal!

A special thank you to Winfield Baptist Church and Pastor Corey Mitchell for graciously offering their property for this facility. We’re excited to begin construction soon and be ready to respond when disaster strikes. And thank you, Kenton Hunt, for your faithful leadership in this missional effort.

To directly support Serve Tours or the new Disaster Relief Center, you can give directly through the BRN Impact Funds at brnunited.org/impact-funds.

We’re also celebrating the completion of the Pittsburgh-Warren Mission House renovation, led by Randy and Pam Creamer of the Saluda Baptist Association in South Carolina.

Thanks to their leadership and partnership, the house was fully renovated—inside and out, with a new parking lot—for just $8,000, and is now ready to serve churches in Pittsburgh and Western PA. We’re deeply grateful to Randy, Pam, and Saluda Baptist Association for making this possible.

This builds on the previous Harrisburg Mission and Guest Houses renovation, led by N.C. Baptist on Mission Partnership Coordinators, Dewey and Kathie Aiken, whose faithful service has blessed countless BRN churches and laid the foundation for greater ministry impact. Thank you, Dewey and Kathie, for your unwavering leadership and passion for BRN churches.

In a spirit of Kingdom partnership and gospel advancement across PASJ, our BRN Executive Board has extended a new opportunity for doctrinally-aligned evangelical churches to become Associate Members of our network. While BRN membership has traditionally been limited to BRN/SBC-affiliated churches, we recognize that many evangelical congregations in PASJ—though not yet ready to formally join the SBC—share our mission and values. This new pathway allows us to build meaningful relationships and collaborate in ministry with churches eager to reach the lost, while honoring our own heritage and future.

Associate membership offers access to a select range of valuable BRN resources, while full access is reserved for churches with full membership in both the BRN and SBC. Any resources provided to associate member churches would be funded solely through contributions from associate members; no Cooperative Program funds from full member churches will be used. Our hope is that, through shared mission and partnership, these churches will one day desire to pursue full membership. This approach reflects our Kingdom-minded commitment to Gospel collaboration while remaining faithful to BRN and Southern Baptist doctrinal convictions and distinctives.

Our last major achievement this year was the executive board’s affirmation to launch a new non-profit (501c3) under the BRN umbrella. As Serve Tours and Disaster Relief expand across PASJ, we see a growing need for additional funding. This new non-profit will help us access resources often restricted to religious organizations and will mirror the mission of NAMB’s Send Relief—tailored to serve within the BRN. We’re excited about the doors this will open, strengthening our ability to respond to disasters, crisis situations, and community needs across PASJ and the Northeast.

As we step into this new season together, I want to share the heartbeat of our focus and theme—one I believe God is using to shape our churches, our network, and our future. Our 2025 theme has been “Next Level,” and I’m thrilled to report that 90% of our churches have already taken at least one step—many have taken multiple steps—toward our 2026 goal of seeing 150 churches taking steps to reach towards their next level. That means we’ve already met our target goal ahead of schedule! This 90% milestone reflects just how far we’ve come in mobilizing churches to take intentional steps forward.

We’re praying that each year, 10% of our churches will be stirred to move to the next level in ministry and mission. This goal isn’t just about milestones—it’s about accelerating Kingdom movement. We’re calling upon every church and leader to rise in responsiveness, spiritual depth, and Kingdom impact. Dr. Anderson and I will share more in one of today’s breakout: Forward with Courage: The Next Level.

Our theme for 2026 is Bold Move, anchored in the powerful words of Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

This isn’t just a slogan—it’s a call to action. Joshua’s boldness didn’t come from personal charisma or military expertise; it was rooted in God’s promise and a clear sense of mission. When God told Joshua, “I will be with you wherever you go,” it wasn’t a pep talk—it was a divine commissioning. Joshua could move forward with confidence, not because the path was easy, but because God’s presence was guaranteed. His courage wasn’t self-generated—it was a response to God’s assurance. That same call is extended to us today: to take bold steps of faith, trusting that wherever we go, God goes with us.

Later in Joshua 24:15, we see boldness take the form of conviction and clarity. Joshua stands before the people and declares, “Choose this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” He doesn’t dilute the message or seek consensus—he calls for a decision. This is bold leadership: not just offering comfort but confronting with truth. Joshua’s courage wasn’t about control or personal appeal—it was about unwavering obedience to God’s call. His life reminds us that bold moves are not about making noise—they’re about making choices that reflect deep faith, even when they’re hard. In a culture that often values compromise, Joshua’s example challenges us to stand firm and lead with conviction.

Scripture and history are filled with examples of boldness—but why aren’t we witnessing that same bold movement among God’s people today? The Spirit has been stirring in me a deep conviction: BOLD SPIRITUAL MOVEMENTS ARE ALWAYS BIRTHED IN PRAYER.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “Whenever God determines to do a great work, He first sets His people to pray.” E.M. Bounds echoed this truth, reminding us that no spiritual work is accomplished without deep, prevailing prayer.

We know this:

  • Prayer is the launching pad for bold spiritual movement.
  • Bold moves are not impulsive — they are prayerfully discerned and divinely directed.
  • When prayer leads, boldness follows. Acts 4:31 says; “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

One of the greatest spiritual awakenings in American history—the Prayer Revival of 1857–1859—was sparked not by preaching, but by prayer. It began quietly with a noon prayer meeting led by Jeremiah Lanphier in New York City and spread nationwide. Without fanfare or famous names, over one million people came to Christ. If that happened today, it would mean 9 to 10 million salvations. It’s a powerful reminder: when God’s people return to prayer, extraordinary things happen.

Lately, I’ve been asking the Lord:

  • Why isn’t His Church moving forward?
  • Why are we stagnant, apathetic, and even divided?
  • Why isn’t His message being heard with power?

The answer keeps coming back—we’re not praying. Prayer is the spark. It’s the foundation of bold spiritual movement. When prayer leads, boldness follows.

Recently, tragic acts of violence have shaken our nation and stirred deep emotion—grief, anger, and reflection. These moments reveal more than brokenness; they expose a cultural crisis. Hatred has replaced dialogue, and disagreement most often erupts into turmoil. Wisdom warns us: “Be careful, or you may become what you hate.”

Tragically, we have. We hate violence, yet we’ve become violent. We hate division; yet let every disagreement drive us apart. We claim to value justice, yet at times we rationalize what is unjust to protect our own views. These are sobering times, and the Church must not remain silent. Now more than ever, we must rise—with clarity, courage, and compassion—because only the Gospel can heal what hatred has broken. We need to pray like we’ve never prayed before.

Even amid tragedies and deep confusion gripping our world, something unexpected is beginning to unfold. While the Church has spoken, its voice has not dominated this moment. Instead, the sobering void of truth and trust, the destructive power of divide and hate, and the weight of global unrest has stirred a spiritual hunger we cannot ignore. In this broken and yearning culture, the Holy Spirit is moving—awakening hearts and elevating the gospel in ways many of us haven’t seen in our lifetime.

The Church absolutely has a role in this moment. Every church carries the message of Christ and the responsibility to share it. But we must ask: Where is God moving with unmistakable power right now? The Church is still speaking and serving—but it is the Holy Spirit who is moving in ways far beyond any human effort.

In a culture starved for truth, fractured by distrust, and poisoned by lies and hate, the Holy Spirit is awakening hearts—especially among Gen Z and older Gen Alpha— the Holy Spirit is stirring a relentless search for what is truly real and eternally lasting. This moment of national and global unrest has awakened a spiritual hunger we cannot ignore stirring a relentless pursuit of what is real and unshakable. Sometimes God moves in ways we didn’t plan for—and it shakes us out of just going through our normal actions and routines. And unless the Church steps in with prayerful presence and prophetic clarity, the momentum of this stirring may fade. We must not miss this moment.

But why does the Church so often seem unready or slow to recognize or respond to the movement of God—especially in the very places we’ve been called to shine His light?

Scripture and history are clear: Where prayer is absent, power is absent. No prayer, no movement. No awakening. We’re not crying out enough for God to “rend the heavens and come down” (Isaiah 64:1)—and the consequences are sobering. Even in churches that schedule prayer gatherings, attendance is often sparse. The Church must awaken to the urgency of prayer, or we risk missing the very move of God we long to see.

Far too many congregations today have no intentional time set aside for corporate prayer. And in most worship services, research shows that less than five minutes is devoted to prayer—despite Jesus declaring in Matthew 21:13 that His house would be called a house of prayer.

Yes, preaching and proclamation are essential—God uses His Word to convict, guide, and transform lives. But if prayer is not given its rightful place in our gatherings, we risk missing the very presence and power of the One we preach about. When prayer is minimized, even unintentionally, we limit our capacity to experience a fresh move of God. Jesus didn’t say His house would be known for just preaching and singing; He said it would be called a sacred place for prayer. When prayer is minimized, even unintentionally, we limit our capacity to experience a fresh move of God.

In reading Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala, pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle Church, one compelling truth resonates deeply: we will never reach the next level of spiritual impact—reproducing disciples, raising leaders, transforming communities—without faithfully seeking God in prayer.

When Brooklyn Tabernacle was on the brink of collapse, God laid a profound conviction on Pastor Jim’s heart. He told his congregation: “What I’m about to say isn’t fancy or profound or even spectacular. But from this day on, the prayer meeting will be the barometer of our church. What happens at the prayer meeting will be the gauge by which we judge success or failure—because that will be the measure God uses to bless us.”

This is not a critique—it’s a call. A call to return to the altar, to seek God not just with words, but also with desperation. If we long for revival in our churches and awakening in our communities—especially among the next generation—it will never come through routine or the comfort of familiarity. It will come through intentional surrender and spiritual attentiveness to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church in this moment.

This is a call to return—not to polished efforts, but to prayer. Not to performance, but to presence. If we want to see God move in our churches, our cities, and our generation, we must first return to the altar. In Malachi 3:7, the Lord says: “’Return to me, and I will return to you,’” says the Lord Almighty.”

We know why things grow dry and lifeless; it’s because we lack the presence and power of God to ignite and sustain His work in our lives and ministries. THE FIRE DOESN’T FALL WHERE THE ALTAR IS EMPTY.

History confirms this to be true. People like John Wesley, Martin Luther, David Cho, Mother Teresa, and Charles Spurgeon, and many other godly saints all prioritized extended time in prayer—often hours daily—because they knew that power flows from communion with God.

Here’s the challenge: five or ten minutes a day—or a few minutes during a worship service—won’t usher in a movement of God. It’s not enough. God moves when His people cry out. He’s shown us that numerous times in Scripture. He responds to people earnestly seeking Him. Moses did. David did. Daniel did. Even Jesus did. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.”

I’m personally committing to a deeper life of prayer in the days ahead. I want the power in my life and leadership to flow from time spent with the One who alone can supply it. I also recognize this truth: the work we do in PASJ—and the work you carry out in your church—will lack lasting impact unless we earnestly call on the Lord and plead for Him to move through us.

So, I’m asking you—pastor, church member, and church leader—to make your NEXT BOLD MOVE a commitment to deeper, more consistent prayer. Shake up your rhythms. Disrupt your routines. Let prayer become the heartbeat of your ministry. I want you to know that I—and the entire BRN team—are committing to pray more intentionally on your behalf. We’re asking God to work through you or to lead you to a place where His power can be fully displayed. In turn, I’m inviting you to pray for our work within the BRN by using the Prayer Guide included in your packet today.

Here is what history tells us; there is no Bold Move without prayer.

  • No movement of God.
  • No next step. No next level.
  • No reproduction. No multiplication.
  • No raising up. No sending out.
  • No impact in our communities.
  • No transformation of the broken and worn.
  • No hope for the hopeless and unloved—unless God’s people are praying for a movement of the Holy Spirit.

So, I ask you today:

  • Are you weary of the same old results?
  • Are you tired of watching God’s people drift backward instead of pressing forward?
  •  Are you worn out from preaching, leading, and laboring with little fruit?

If your answer is yes, then it’s time.

  • It’s time to return to the altar.
  • It’s time to fall to our knees and get on our faces.
  • It’s time to cry out for revival—not just in our churches, but also in our own hearts.

Let’s beg the Holy Spirit to breathe a fresh wind into us, to ignite the fire of God through us, to awaken what has grown dormant around us, and to restore what has been lost among us.

Let’s do what rarely happens—but must happen:

  • Let’s pray. Boldly. Fervently. Together.
  • Let’s unite—churches large and small, urban and rural, black, brown, and white, pastors and lay leaders, young and old.
  • Let’s unite in a bold commitment to pursue the presence of God more passionately than ever before.

And then—let’s come back next year, not merely with reports of good things, but with powerful testimonies of how God has moved in great ways to bring transformation and lasting impact.

  • Let’s celebrate the movement, and the impact of God across PASJ.
  • Let’s share stories of lives changed, communities impacted, and churches revived—BECAUSE WE DARED TO GO BOLD, BY GOING LOW… IN PRAYER.

This is our moment. Not tomorrow. Not next year. Now!

  • Let’s not miss it.
  • Let’s not sleep through it.
  • Let’s not explain it away or wait for someone else to lead it.

Let’s move. Let’s move boldly.

  • Let’s move with bold prayer.
  • Let’s move with bold faith.
  • Let’s move with bold obedience.
  • Let’s move with bold unity.
  • Let’s be the Church that doesn’t just talk about revival—but cries out for it, prepares for it, and walks in it.
  • Let’s refuse to coast spiritually—and instead believe God for a fresh move among us.
  • Let’s not settle for keeping things afloat—let’s believe for a wave of spiritual awakening.

We weren’t made for maintenance—we were made for movement!

Let this be our Bold Move today:

  • To seek the face of God like never before.
  • To shake the gates of hell with our prayers.
  • To see the fire of God fall on our churches, our communities, and our region.

This is the kind of prayer that moves heaven and disrupts darkness. It’s not polite. It’s not predictable. It’s desperate, forceful, and full of fire. If we want to see God move in power, we must stop tiptoeing into His presence and start contending for it.

And next year—with God’s grace—let’s gather again, not to report what we planned, but to celebrate what God did through bold prayers.

  • Let’s move.
  • Let’s move through prayer—because lasting impact begins on our knees.
  • Let’s move boldly.
  • Let’s move together.
  • Let’s move now!

Respectfully submitted,

Dr. Barry E. Whitworth
Executive Director, BRN of PASJ