STATE COLLEGE, Pa., (BRN) – Intentionally scheduled for March 16 (3.16), the Baptist Resource Network (BRN) of Pennsylvania/South Jersey welcomed 183 guests and 50 churches for its fifth annual Advance Evangelism Conference at Calvary Church in State College, Pennsylvania.
Advance is a one-day conference centered on equipping the whole church – from students to seniors – in sharing the hope proclaimed in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” (ESV).
This year, despite an impending spring storm, guests arrived bright and early for a full day of sharpening their evangelism skills and connecting with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Main speakers William “Duce” Branch and Dr. Dave Earley challenged attendees in their methods of sharing the Good News of Jesus, while breakout sessions equipped guests for the various gospel arenas present in their lives.
Engaging in God’s work, God’s way
Advance kicked off with a warm welcome from conference hosts Dr. Larry Anderson, BRN director of church advancement and evangelism, and Dr. Barry Whitworth, BRN executive director, followed by an opening prayer offered by Pastor Sean Moon, Calvary Church Lewistown, and worship led by members of Calvary Church State College and Unity Church of Jesus Christ.
Keynote speaker William “Duce” Branch, who serves as the executive director of Equip, a theological training arm of Blueprint Church in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as an adjunct professor at Judson College at Southeastern in Wake Forest, North Carolina, invited guests into the first of two main sessions.
After starting with the thesis, “God’s work, God’s way, has God’s supply,” Branch turned to Genesis 16 and spent the bulk of his time walking through the story of Abram, Sarai and Hagar. A familiar story that displays what happens when humans boast in their own ways and refuse to yield to the will of God.
“We’ve got wills that often get in His way…you can expect conflict when we try to do God’s will man’s way,” said Branch.
Clarifying that “God doesn’t initiate the call to see how it turns out,” Branch reminded Advance guests that God is all-knowing and the author of all outcomes, so we need only to be faithful in telling the message He has given.
Branch concluded his message by offering four application points:
- Trust God’s heart to help you receive whatever comes from His hand
- Trust God’s turnings and His timing
- Trust God for eternal salvation and earthly sustenance
- Trust God’s way for your ministry methods and ministry outcomes
Equipping the saints
Following the first main session, guests attended breakout sessions. Geared towards encouraging people to share the gospel anywhere and everywhere, breakout sessions covered a range of topics, including digital evangelism, missions, reaching the next generation and evangelism 101.
Reflecting on the breakout sessions he attended, Jeremiah Previlus, a youth student from First Haitian Metanoia Baptist Church in Philadelphia, shared that the conference really opened his eyes to the importance of evangelism.
“It really encourages me to improve and pray to God to have a better heart for His gospel and for His Word, so I can present Him to others and the lost,” said Previlus.
Another student from First Haitian Metanoia Brian Nerett echoed Previlus’ words, saying, “If you know how good God is, [then] you should share that with everybody else…no one can come unless the Father drives them, but all you have been asked is to share.”
Nerett also expressed that it was especially impactful for him and his fellow students to hear from Dr. Larry Anderson during the Evangelism 101 breakout, recalling Anderson’s encouragement of “the only way you fail at evangelism is to refuse to share the gospel.”
This year’s conference offered six different breakout sessions. Replays of these breakouts can be found at advancepasj.com.
Effective evangelism
Dr. Dave Earley, best-selling author, seminary professor and founder of Dave Earley Ministries, concluded the day by urging guests to implement the evangelism model of Prayer, Care, Share into their daily lives.
Before diving into the application of Prayer, Care, Share, Earley explained five foundational principles of evangelism:
- Effective evangelism is a process leading to an event
- Effective evangelism is the result of winning three relational battles
- Effective evangelism only asks for the level of commitment the other person is ready to give
- Effective evangelism is something we do not do alone
- You can’t mess this up
Receiving a chuckle from the audience, Earley doubled down on his last principle by reminding the audience that for those who are lost and in need of the gospel their current fate is already destruction; it can’t get any worse.
“You can’t mess this up,” he said with a smile.
Earley wrapped up his time by defining three crucial practices for effective evangelism: Pray for your friend, care for your friend and share the gospel with your friend. He then shared a testimony of how the practice of these three actions led to the salvation of a dear friend.
Dr. Barry Whitworth wrapped up the conference by offering a word of thanks to the North American Mission Board (NAMB) for sponsoring Advance, Calvary Church for hosting and all those who attended for joining them on 3.16. After recognizing the BRN Team for their efforts, he closed in prayer.
Serve Lehigh Valley will be the BRN’s next regional gathering, June 26-27, following which will be the BRN’s annual Accelerate Conference on Oct. 6.
Main session and breakout replays from the 2026 Advance Conference can be found here. A full photo gallery from this year’s Advance Conference can be viewed here.
