Team BRN Meeting
2026-11-04 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States

Orphans and Widows Sunday
2026-11-08, 2027-11-14
Orphan and Widow Sunday reminds us to align our hearts with the call to practice true religion (James 1:27), caring for orphans and widows. Here are three ways a believer can be mindful of them throughout the year.
Be Near to the Brokenhearted
Scripture tells us clearly that God is close to the brokenhearted (Ps. 34:18). So, those of us who choose to imitate Christ know that being Christlike means that we should be close to the brokenhearted as well, and this includes caring for orphans and widows in our communities. The local church has the profound opportunity to be near to the brokenhearted over a long period of time. Whereas it is hard for one individual to carry the weight of being near all the time, there is strength and stability when a group of people dedicate themselves to those who are suffering, whether to widows in our communities or children placed in foster care.
Make Service a Way of Life
When we look at Scripture, it is undeniable that serving those in need is a critical part of the believer’s life. And so, we don’t merely give lip service to orphans and widows this Sunday, we find ways to serve them throughout the year and practice the biblical call to a lifestyle of service.
Cover Them in Prayer
In addition, prayer should always undergird our care for the widow and orphan. Prayer is never an empty sentiment in the believer’s life. Instead, it’s a powerful tool to advance God’s Kingdom in our world, and so we pray big and audacious prayers over the orphaned and widowed. We pray boldly, “Thy Kingdom come,” with all its restoration and redemption, “on this earth as it is in heaven.”
A Prayer for Orphan and Widow Sunday
God, we thank You that You are a Father to the fatherless and near to the brokenhearted. Open our eyes to see the needs of orphans and widows around us, and teach us to love them not only with words, but through faithful action and prayer. Strengthen your Church to draw near with compassion and to reflect the hope of Christ in our communities and around the world, so that orphans and widows may experience your steadfast love through the care of Your people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Download resources for your church.

Woven Women Ethnic Churches Zoom Gathering
2026-11-12 18:30 - 20:30 | Zoom Online Meeting
This event is invitation only.
About this Event:
Gather with other women’s ministry leaders from ethnic churches in the Pennsylvania/South Jersey region for a time of getting to know one another, networking, and growing in your leadership skills.
Who’s Invited:
Women’s ministry leaders from Baptist Resource Network ethnic churches.
Date/Time:
Thursday, November 12 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Location:
This will be an online Zoom gathering.
Questions?
Contact Mary Landis, BRN Women’s consultant, at maryl@brnunited.org.
Register:
If you’d like to attend, please email maryl@brnunited.org.

First Steps Gathering
2026-11-17 09:00 - 15:00 | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States
The Baptist Resource Network is excited to host a welcoming First Steps Gathering for church leaders (pastors and staff) who are new to their churches and for newly affiliated churches. This event will help you discover your first steps as partners with the Baptist Resource Network. Please join us on November 17 at the BRN Hub in Harrisburg for this special gathering!
Register here.

Accelerant Session
2026-11-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Zoom, United States
Collaborative planning with BRN directors

Thanksgiving
2026-11-26 - 2026-11-27
The BRN office will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving. We join our churches in expressing gratitude for our lives, blessings, families, and God’s provision and praying for those around us who have need.

Week of Prayer for International Missions and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
2026-11-29 - 2026-12-06, 2027-11-28 - 2027-12-05
Week of Prayer for International Missions
Southern Baptists observe a Week of Prayer for International Missions each year before the annual Lottie Moon offering emphasis. Will you join your heart with others to pray for missionaries around the world who are faithfully sharing the gospel?
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering®
Every year, Southern Baptist churches collect an offering to send and support missionaries to be steadfastly present among those who have never heard the gospel. 100% of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® enables gospel transformation among the unreached.
In 1873, Lottie Moon was appointed as a missionary to China. She spent nearly 40 years sharing the gospel with love, courage, and unwavering faith.
Her letters home inspired churches to pray and give, leading to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. Today, this offering supports missionaries and helps take the life-transforming message of Jesus to the nations.
Let’s honor her legacy by praying and giving so others can hear the hope of the gospel.
Download resources for your church.
Photo courtesy of IMB.

BRN Directors' Meeting
2026-12-16 09:30 - 11:30 | Zoom, United States

Christmas and New Year Holidays
2026-12-24 - 2027-01-01
The BRN office will be closed in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays. We join our churches in celebrating Jesus’ birth, giving thanks for God’s blessings, seeking peace, joy, and hope, and asking for guidance and spiritual growth in the year ahead. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

George Liele Church Planting, Evangelism and Missions Sunday
2027-02-07
George Liele Church Planting, Evangelism and Missions Sunday is an annual Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) event, planned this year on Sunday, February 1, celebrating African American and Black missionary pioneers, such as:

George Liele, who many acknowledge as the first overseas missionary from the United States in 1782.
Lott Carey organized African American missions in the 1800s.
S.M. Lockridge was a faithful preacher of the gospel in the 20th century.
Sid Smith was one of the first African American Southern Baptist denominational leaders in the modern era.
Fred Luter was elected as the first African American president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

George Liele is widely acknowledged as the first overseas missionary from the United States. He was a formerly enslaved man from Georgia who used his freedom to take the good news to the nations. In 1782, George and his wife, Hannah, and their four children left Savannah and landed in Kingston, Jamaica. The missionary couple worked hard and faced many trials. By 1814, there were around 8,000 Baptists in Jamaica. This number included enslaved, freedmen and some whites. As a result of Liele’s ministry, there were over 20,000 believers in 1832. We want to be sure the legacy of George Liele is remembered and shared. That’s why the IMB developed downloadable resources that you can share with your church, small groups and friends. You’ll find videos, a Black Church Missions brochure, information about George Liele’s life and ministry and a missionary prayer guide. We hope these resources will be helpful as you plan, promote and recognize this special emphasis Sunday at your church.
You can find these resources and learn more about George Liele by visiting imb.org/george-liele. Perhaps you will want to share this incredible video with your church about the first church George Liele planted in Jamaica.

Mark your calendar and plan to recognize Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, as George Liele Church Planting, Evangelism and Missions Sunday.
If you have questions, please contact Quintell Hill, Black/Multi-Ethnic Network Strategist, International Mission Board, at info@imb.org.

Racial Reconciliation Sunday
2027-02-28
“For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace. He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by which he put the hostility to death” (Ephesians 2:14-16 CSB).

We are committed to upholding the human dignity of every individual and advancing the cause of racial reconciliation. The gospel, at its core, is a message of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-21), in which we are called to love one another (1 John 4:20-21) since “Christ is all and in all” (Col. 3:11).
The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) has created resources for Racial Reconciliation Sunday that are available to all SBC churches. These free, downloadable resources include: a bulletin insert, prayer guide, and graphics. Access these resources here.

Church Planting Emphasis Day
2027-03-14
Church planting isn’t just a ministry for individual church planters—it’s a ministry for the whole Church. Send Network is a partnership of people just like you—churches and church planters—planting churches everywhere for everyone. The Baptist Resource Network is dedicated to helping church planters and partnering churches make a difference through starting new churches in new places and among people groups throughout the region.

Easter
2027-03-28

Baptism Sunday
2027-04-04
Today is the day Southern Baptists are setting aside as Baptism Sunday this year!
Churches are encouraged to call their people to respond to the gospel, celebrate professions of faith in response to evangelism and encourage new believers to take their next step in their walk with Jesus.
Here are some helpful tips and resources for churches as they begin planning for the event, as well as some commonly asked questions about baptism.
Churches are also encouraged to use the hashtag #FillTheTank on social media to share video/photographs from their services, so the Southern Baptist family can celebrate with them!
Let’s anticipate great things from God on Baptism Sunday!
For more information, email evangelism@namb.net.

SBC Seminary Sunday
2027-05-02
Tsbc seminarieshe estimated 46,000 autonomous churches that cooperate with the Southern Baptist Convention pool their resources to support the work of the six theological seminaries. The Convention operates these seminaries to train its ministers and Christian workers. The six are:

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky (established 1859);
The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas (1908);
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana (1917);
Gateway Seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention in Ontario, California (1944);
The Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina (1951); and
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri (1957).

National Collegiate Summit
2027-05-06 16:00 - 2027-05-08 12:30 | Collierville First Baptist, 830 New Byhalia Road, Collierville, TN, 38017, United States
About the event:
Get ready for one of the premier equipping events for collegiate ministry leaders across North America! Whether you’re a church-based or campus-based collegiate minister or missionary, this is your space to be inspired, equipped, and connected.
Location:
Collierville First Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee
Date:
May 2027
What to expect:

Breakouts led by top collegiate leaders
Spirit-filled worship & fellowship
Powerful equipping moments
Practical tools & fresh resources
A community that gets your calling
New date. Same mission. Same power-packed experience.

Brought to you by the Baptist Collegiate Network
Click here to get on the “First to Know” email list

Children's Ministry Sunday
2027-05-16
Churches throughout the Southern Baptist Convention will celebrate children’s ministry (ages birth-preteen) on Children’s Ministry Sundays. This is a great day to thank God for the ministry to kids, their families and their volunteers your church provides. Use this day to remind kids of their importance in the church and how they can tell others about Jesus. Recognize and honor kids ministry volunteers who invest in the lives of children and their families. A variety of resources have been created for leaders to use in their church. Select and use the resources that best meet the needs of your church.

Disaster Relief Sunday
2027-05-30
Whenever there is a disaster, the Baptist Resource Network’s Disaster Relief volunteers are often quickly on the scene—and they remain long after news cameras leave town. These volunteers teams do more than just clean up; they bring the healing of Christ to those whose lives have been shattered. Your support of Disaster Relief impacts countless individuals who are being the hands and feet of Jesus to hurting people.
Download Bulletin Insert

Download video

Mission:Dignity Sunday
2027-06-27
Since 1918, GuideStone Financial Resources has been on a “Mission” to provide “Dignity” to retired Southern Baptist ministers, workers and their widows. These are men and women who have faithfully served God’s people and now find themselves struggling to meet even basic needs. Many served small, rural churches that paid only modest salaries and couldn’t afford to contribute to their pastors’ retirement. Often, these loyal soldiers of the cross had to work extra jobs just to make ends meet.
Mission:Dignity currently helps almost 1,800 people with extra money needed for housing, food and vital medications. It has also ensured a well-deserved dignity, independence and, often, the ability to continue serving.
Find more information and resources here.

Religious Liberty Sunday
2027-07-04
As the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 declares, “A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal.” We’ve provided a free video and bulletin insert for use in your church on this Sunday.
Baptists’ unwavering commitment to religious liberty has been a defining feature of their history and identity. From the early theological convictions of John Smyth and Thomas Helwys to the modern advocacy of the ERLC, Baptists have consistently championed the principle that faith must be free from state coercion. As the world becomes increasingly pluralistic, the Baptist tradition of advocating for religious liberty remains crucial. By continuing this legacy, Baptists and others committed to religious freedom can ensure that this fundamental right is preserved and protected for future generations.
Download church resources.

SBC Serve Sunday
2027-08-08
SBC Serve Sunday is a specific day for Southern Baptist churches and members to focus on community service, often tied to Send Relief initiatives, encouraging tangible acts of compassion like disaster relief (SBDR), feeding programs, or local outreach to share the Gospel through meeting needs, with dates varying but typically around August. It’s a call to action to live out faith by serving others, highlighting ministries that help in crises and local needs, and providing resources for churches to get involved.
Through Send Relief, churches can find the tools they need to jumpstart an impactful, long-lasting ministry. Learn more about how your church can reach its community through compassion ministry at SendRelief.org.

Global Hunger Sunday
2027-08-22
Global Hunger Sunday is a yearly reminder of Southern Baptists’ commitment to supporting the Global Hunger Relief (GHR) fund. This initiative reaches across borders, addressing hunger relief on a global scale. Through your prayers and generous contributions, Send Relief—a collaboration of the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board—becomes more than just a provider of food. One meal at a time, we become a family of believers addressing not just physical but spiritual hunger (John 6:35).
Gifts on Global Hunger Sunday provide food, aid, and the hope of Christ to communities in need. Use the resources below to prepare your church for Global Hunger Sunday!
Download resources for your church here.

Children's Mission Day
2027-09-18
WMU launched Children’s Missions Day in 2008 to move children in grades 1–6 out of their churches and into their communities to do missions. The goal is for children’s groups to create projects that meet needs in their own communities.
Children’s Missions Day (CMD) has been going strong ever since, with people in communities across the United States hearing about and experiencing the love of Jesus because children’s groups are going beyond simply learning about missions to actively participating in missions.
Download resources for your church.

Caring Well Sunday
2027-09-26
To make our churches safe from abuse, we must be proactive. Developing policies and procedures ahead of time, training and educating staff and volunteers, as well as partnering with abuse experts will set your church up well to be a safe place for your community. Here are five essential action steps you can implement to care well for survivors of abuse.
1. Train:
Statistics tell us 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys (though many believe this is much higher) are sexually abused before they turn 18. Only a small percentage of these victims ever reveal their abuse. Church leaders must help our churches understand that the mission to prevent sexual abuse and our response to it is a clear and compelling gospel issue.
2. Screen:
In order to make your church safe from abuse, it is critical to implement a thorough screening process for anyone who will have access to children, youth, and vulnerable adults. A careful process ensures that individuals are suitable and compatible with your church’s policies and procedures.
3. Protect:
One of the ways you can protect children, youth, and vulnerable adults is by having solid policies and procedures in place at your church. These protect those you are serving while also protecting those that serve them. Once developed, being intentional about following policies and procedures is imperative for the protection of everyone involved.
4. Report:
Every state has laws identifying those required to report child abuse. Even if you believe you are not legally required to report child abuse in your state, you are still encouraged to report suspected or known abuse. As followers of Jesus, we are charged with protecting the vulnerable, and reporting known or suspected abuse is part of that mandate.
5. Care:
Abuse violates the dignity of our God-given image and disrupts our voice, sense of identity, and sense of trust and safety in relationships. Our response in supporting survivors of sexual abuse has the opportunity to accurately reflect the mission and character of Jesus Christ.
To make your church safe from abuse, church leaders must become informed about the impact of abuse and how to find the necessary supportive resources to come alongside survivors, for the sake of the gospel.
Download resources for your church.

Cooperative Program Sunday
2027-10-03
The Cooperative Program is Southern Baptists’ unified plan of giving through which cooperating Southern Baptist churches give a percentage of their undesignated receipts in support of their respective state convention and the Southern Baptist Convention missions and ministries.
View / Download BRN Cooperative Program materials here.
More resources are located at sbc.net/cp.

Day of Prayer for Persecuted Church
2027-11-07
The Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is an opportunity for individuals and churches across the Southern Baptist Convention to unite in prayer for our brothers and sisters around the world who are persecuted for their faith. When we pray for persecuted believers, God uses their witness to inspire gospel transformation among the lost.
Will you join us in praying?
Download resources for your church.
