WHAT IS YOUR NEXT STEP?
By now, you have likely heard there are an estimated 14 million people within PA/SJ who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Moreover, vital statistics indicate that every 4.2 minutes, one person in PA/SJ dies and enters an eternity without Jesus. These statistics break our hearts. They also compel us to do whatever it takes to reach this region with the life-saving gospel. That is the very heart of the Accelerate Conference, which is designed to equip you and fuel passion and innovation that encourages Kingdom movement… a prayerful movement of God with the ultimate goal of revival! We invite you as we unveil “GROW,” Phase 3 of #LovePASJ initiative, which will focus on growing new Christians through intentional discipleship and leadership development.
Baptist Resource Network Annual Business Session and Gathering
Tuesday, October 3, 2023, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (plus, dinner)
at Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel, 4650 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Prefer another hotel? Here is a list.
Book your rooms by midnight on September 11 to secure the special rate!
This year’s conference will feature:
- Keynote Speaker Jeff Christopherson, Author, Missiologist, Leader, Catalyst, and Executive Director, Canadian National Baptist Convention
- Jermaine Dolly, Worship Leader and Christian Recording Artist
- Kickoff of GROW, Phase 3 of #LovePASJ
- Breakouts, Networking, and More!
Keynote Speakers
Jeff Christopherson
JEFF CHRISTOPHERSON is about fostering Kingdom movements of reproducing churches that transform neighborhoods and the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jeff is the Executive Director of two organizations; the Canadian National Baptist Convention, and Church Planting Canada. He and his wife, Laura, live in Cambridge, Ontario. They have two children, and four grandchildren. @Christopherson3
Barry Whitworth
BARRY WHITWORTH has been in ministry for over 30 years, serving as a mission pastor, associate pastor, church planter, pastor, interim pastor, transitional pastor and planter, church planting strategist, lead church planting catalyst, church planting director, and now executive director. Before his calling as Executive Director of the Baptist Resource Network in February 2017, he was a church planting missionary and served as the Multiplying Churches Team Leader for the BRN. Barry, who has planted churches and served on church staffs in Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland, says his passion is the local church — to assist and encourage the churches in “reaching the lost [and] discipling the saved.” He seeks to help Pennsylvania/South Jersey Baptists “decrease lostness,” “push back darkness” and “have an impact in our generation for such a time as this.” He and his wife Beth have two daughters and six grandchildren.
Worship
Worship led by Jermaine Dolly
JERMAINE DOLLY, worship leader at Ezekiel Baptist Church, is an emerging Black gospel artist and part-time comedian. He sings tenor and falsetto, and plays piano and drums. After graduating from West Chester University, he began his career as opening act for Tye Tribbett, recorded with him on his “Greater Than” (2013), and was included in Tribett’s anthology “Wow Gospel 2018.” His first big hit, which brought him national attention upon its release as a single in 2015, was “You,” called “a refreshing anthem to Jesus” by Blessing Harper of Jubileecast.com. It and another single, “Come and Knock on My Door,” were featured on Dolly’s only album as of 2022, “Dolly Express” (2017), which reached number one on Billboard’s list of Top Gospel Albums. As of 2022 Dolly has had three subsequent singles at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay charts: “Pull Us Through” (2020), “It’s Gonna Be Alright” (2020), and “I’ll Go” (2021, written 2011).
Conference Schedule
9:00-10:00 a.m. Business Session
10:00-10:15 a.m. Break/Prayer Time
10:15-10:30 a.m. Worship Session 1
10:30-10:45 a.m. Welcome
10:45-11:15 a.m. Main Session 1: Barry Whitworth
11:15-11:25 a.m. Explanation of Network, Expo Time, Cooperative Missions
11:25-12:30 p.m. Networking, Expo, Lunch
12:30-12:40 p.m. Worship Session 2
12:40-1:10 p.m. Main Session 2: Keynote 1: Jeff Christopherson
1:10-1:15 p.m. Explanation of Breakouts
1:15-1:30 p.m. Break & Walk to Breakouts
1:30-3:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions
3:00-3:15 p.m. Break
3:15-3:30 p.m. Giveaways
3:30-4:00 p.m. Main Session 3: Keynote 2: Jeff Christopherson
4:00-4:05 p.m. Worship
4:05-4:15 p,m. Closing Words: Barry Whitworth
4:15-4:20 p.m. Closing Worship
4:20-5:30 p.m. Transition to Dinner
5:30 p.m. Dinner
Pre-Register
You may pre-register through Wednesday, September 27. After that, you may register at the door starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
Messengers
Each church is granted a number of messengers, predetermined by Cooperative Program giving, Annual Church Profile completion, and church size. Messengers will receive ballots and will vote during the business sessions. Learn more.
Guests
Visitors are welcome to attend all sessions but cannot vote during the business session.