Baptist Resource Network

REVIVE! Christ and His Church Virtual Conference
2020-09-29 08:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom Online Meeting
God has a purpose for every church. There is much that He wants to do through each church. However, it has been our experience that God gives each church and its leaders “crossroads moments” in their history where they must make decisions based on faith if they are to continue to be used to fulfill the purposes God has in mind for them. It has also been our experience that the current health of any church is a summation of the decisions made over many years.
Featuring Richard Blackaby and Mark Clifton
Blackaby Ministries International (BMI), in partnership with the North American Mission Board, is excited to bring “REVIVE: Christ and His Church” to the Baptist Resource Network of PA/SJ! Dr. Richard Blackaby, author and president of Blackaby Ministries International, and Dr. Mark Clifton of NAMB’s Legacy Church Planting will unpack several significant truths from the “Flickering Lamps” and “Reclaiming the Glory” books as well as from their extensive ministry with pastors and churches.

The virtual conference will begin at 8:30 am and conclude at 12:30 pm.
The cost of $10 includes the two featured books.
Whether your church is experiencing positive spiritual health or finds itself struggling, it is vitally important to be oriented to the Headship of Christ. We encourage you to set aside time to attend the entire gathering in September, determined to park your heart before God, allowing Him to speak to you in fresh and transforming ways. Bring several of your key leaders as well so that together, you can experience God’s heart for you and your church!
Testimonies from precious conference attendees:
The overwhelming response from the pastors was that they felt that every pastor in our association needed to hear what Richard Blackaby and Mark Clifton had to share. The Biblical challenge delivered by Richard Blackaby was powerful! The practical insights from Mark Clifton pertaining to the “nuts and bolts” of church revitalization was extremely insightful. The message of the Revive Conference is one that needs to be delivered to the church in North America!
Revive, there couldn’t be a more perfect name for this one day conference. I came expecting to get some good information on how to revive my congregation, which I received, but I came away with so much more. I came away with my own soul being revived.
The main thing I brought back with me from the conference was hope.
Schedule/Topics:
8:30–9:30 a.m.: Welcome from Barry Whitworth followed by Message by Richard Blackaby:
“Christ’s Presence in the Church” – What difference does it make in the spiritual health of every church when we recognize and celebrate the presence of the Risen Christ in and among us?
9:45–10:45 a.m.: Message by Mark Clifton
“10 Attitude Adjustments Struggling Churches Must Make to be Healthy and Effective” – Mark will address essential areas of focus that pastors/church leaders can address to see the church move from being plateaued or in decline to renewed life and spiritual vitality.
11:00–11:30 a.m.: 30 minutes of Q/A with Richard Blackaby/Mark Clifton
11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: Message by Richard Blackaby
“Taking Your Leadership to the Next Level” – What more does God have in mind for your life as a leader that will both honor Him and bless those you lead? God always wants to take our lives as leaders to the next level – what could that look like for your life as a leader?
Please note: Registration will close at 100 people.

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Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) 2020 Election Guidance
2020-09-30 13:00 - 14:30 | Webinar
SAVE THE DATE
Our partner Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) Church Alliance often hears from our network of church leaders about how they feel burdened by issues at the intersection of faith, politics, and citizenship. In response, they are developing a webinar, which will assist in these crucial matters.
Church leaders will have the opportunity to better understand their legal rights – and potential limitations – when it comes to addressing politics, current issues, legislation, and more.
During this webinar, ADF attorneys will discuss legal boundaries every pastor should know this election season. We will share guidance for speaking about political issues, lobbying, educating voters, using church facilities, and giving money to political causes.
We’ll also have a live Q&A session to provide general guidance on your election related questions.
Download accompanying guide.

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Cooperative Program Emphasis Month (Oct 1-31)
2020-10-01

“Understanding Stress Response Cycles and Compassion Fatigue” Roundtable (South Jersey Region)
2020-10-01 14:00 - 16:00 | Zoom Online Meeting
What is compassion fatigue? It is a condition characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion leading to a diminished ability to empathize or feel compassion for others.
These roundtable discussions will be facilitated by Bethann Miller, CEO of Safe Place Ministry, which provides guidance, counsel and care to those who serve in any definition of ministry.
Bethann, a Board Certified biblical counselor, will facilitate a 2-hour discussion for pastors and leaders to help them identify and unpack some of the unique stressors of the season we have been in. We will look at stress response reactions, compassion fatigue and how to put life back into ourselves in the middle of so much demand!

The four regional events are as follows:
Central Region – Thursday, August 6, 2-4 p.m.
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West Region – Tuesday, September 15, 2-4 p.m.
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South Jersey Region – Thursday, October 1, 2-4 p.m.
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Philadelphia Region – Thursday, October 8, 2-4 p.m.
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BRN Directors
2020-10-06 09:30 - 12:30 | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States

"Understanding Stress Response Cycles and Compassion Fatigue” Roundtable (Philadelphia Region)
2020-10-08 14:00 - 16:00 | Zoom Online Meeting

Global Hunger Relief Sunday
2020-10-11
Almost 800 million people around the world live with constant hunger, and 1 in 6 in North America are undernourished. Southern Baptists are fighting the global hunger crisis through Global Hunger Relief.
Through Global Hunger Relief 100% of your donations go toward hunger needs. Nothing is taken out for administrative or promotional costs.
Once a year, churches around the US will host a Global Hunger Sunday. We hope to inform and equip church leaders to emphasize this global crisis and lead their congregations to give to meet these critical needs.
Established in 1978 as the World Hunger Fund, Global Hunger Relief is an initiative of the Southern Baptist Convention dedicated to combating hunger and sharing the Bread of Life.
GHR funds are used in Gospel-centered hunger projects that share God’s love in both word and deed. GHR-funded projects meet crisis hunger needs in famine or natural disasters, but also focus on long-term, sustainable solutions to end chronic hunger, such as:

Job skills training
Livestock and seed distribution
Clean water
Home reconstruction
Medical care
Aftercare for human trafficking victims

Through Global Hunger Relief, Southern Baptists are helping communities and lives be transformed… for today, tomorrow, and forever.

100% of your donation goes directly to meeting hunger needs.
20% of funds meet needs in North America
80% of funds meet needs around the world

GHR is a collaborative partnership between seven Southern Baptist organizations:

Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC)
International Mission Board (IMB)
North American Mission Board (NAMB)
Baptist Global Response (BGR)
Women’s Missionary Union (WMU)
LifeWay Christian Resources
SBC Executive Committee

Contagious Joy FREE Refresh Ministry Wife Retreat
2020-10-14 - 2020-10-17 | Harrisburg Mission House, 98 Holbrook Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States
What is a “Refresh Retreat”?
Our goal: Restore, Refuel, Refresh and then return home to serve with a Renewed passion for the high call of being in Ministry and being a Ministry Wife!
We here at Contagious Joy understand the demands placed on the ministry wife. Because of this, we have created a getaway just for this woman. A woman who might need someone on one time away without the distractions of the “glass house.” A time for her to meet other women just like her. An iron sharpening iron time where she can develop like-minded friendships. We have also developed a schedule that allows her to meet with the Lord. She will be encouraged to reflect, to journal, to pray and seek a refreshing and renewal so that she can return home and resume her work in her family, her church, and her community.

These retreats are three days and three nights. Usually, they begin on a Wednesday at noon and end on Saturday at noon, occasionally we will have to adjust the days to accommodate schedules.
They are FREE to the ministry wives who attend.
No more than ten ministry wives in attendance and the best number is between 4-8 women.
The women must pay their way to get there and to get home.
Once they arrive, there is no need for any money. The Ministry Wife pays for nothing else. Our goal is to bless their socks off! They cannot lift a finger. We serve them in a way that allows them to meet each other, but most of all meet with their ABBA!
Submit a paragraph and tell us why you need a “CJ4H Refresh Retreat” in 2020!
What is a “Refresh Retreat”? Our goal: Restore, Refuel, Replenish & Refresh and then return home to serve with a Renewed passion for the high call of being in Ministry and being a Ministry Wife! We here at Contagious Joy understand the demands that are placed on the Ministry wife. Because of this, we have created a getaway just for this woman. A woman who might need someone on one time away without the distractions of the “glass house.” A time for her to meet other women just like her. An iron sharpening iron time where she can develop like-minded friendships.

Register Now

You will need to write a brief paragraph on the reason that you need a “Refresh Retreat” and then submit your form. Once you have been approved there is a $50 registration fee that gets returned to you once you attend the retreat.

Pastor's Wives Compassion Fatigue Seminar
2020-10-22 18:00 - 21:00 | Zoom Online Meeting
What is compassion fatigue? It is a condition characterized by emotional and physical exhaustion leading to a diminished ability to empathize or feel compassion for others.
These roundtable discussions will be facilitated by Bethann Miller, CEO of Safe Place Ministry, which provides guidance, counsel and care to those who serve in any definition of ministry.
Bethann, a Board Certified biblical counselor, will facilitate a 2-hour discussion for pastors and leaders to help them identify and unpack some of the unique stressors of the season we have been in. We will look at stress response reactions, compassion fatigue and how to put life back into ourselves in the middle of so much demand!

Sign up here!
Thursday, October 22, 6-9 p.m.
Register Now

OneDay·OneFocus virtual training event for women in ministry, Oct. 29
2020-10-29 17:00 - 21:00 | Online event
OneDay·OneFocus is an exciting new virtual training event for women in ministry made possible by the unique circumstances of 2020! As colleagues from several state conventions discussed the challenge presented by having to cancel in-person trainings this fall, the idea for OneDay·OneFocus was born.
Based on Ephesians 4:1-16, the goal of OneDay·OneFocus is to help women’s ministry leaders, women in ministry, missionary sisters and church planting wives understand while we all have differing roles in Kingdom work, our aim is the same: make disciples. Susie Hawkins is the keynote speaker and Emily Rhyder from Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh will lead worship.
Women’s ministry consultants from many state conventions will lead the breakout sessions. Breakout sessions will focus in the areas of disciple-making, spiritual disciplines, leadership, ministry in a COVID-19 context and the needs of women. In addition, participants will have opportunity to hear from IMB missionaries and NAMB church planter wives about their work and opportunities for partnership. Representatives from the women’s programs of the six Southern Baptist seminaries will also participate to share with leaders what they offer women’s ministry leaders. The event will conclude with a time of corporate prayer for our nation and churches.
OneDay·OneFocus will begin at 5:00 p.m. EST on October 29. To learn more, please visit onedayonefocus.com. Registration is only $10 and will provide access to all of the content through the end of the year.

Register Now
Featuring
Keynote Speaker
Author and Speaker
Susie Hawkins
and 20 women’s leaders from across the Southern Baptist Convention

Breakout Session Leaders

Day of Prayer
Women are invited to pray together, using this specially prepared Prayer Guide. (Click to enlarge and/or print.)

Orphans and Widows Sunday
2020-11-01
On Orphan and Widows Sunday, Christians stand for children who’ve lost the protection and care of family. We are a people called to defend the fatherless…to protect the vulnerable…to visit orphans in their distress.
Each event is locally-led. Sermons and small groups, concerts and prayer gatherings, shared meals and youth activities—each stirring believers with God call to care for the orphan, and what ordinary people can do in response.
Each November, these thousands of local events resounding across America and around the globe, all sharing a single goal: that God’s great love for the orphan and widow will find echo in our lives as well. Orphan and Widow Sunday is your opportunity to rouse church, community and friends to remember and reflect God’s deeply love for every orphan and widow…and for each of us as well!
To promote in your church, download these free bulletin inserts.

BRN 'Kingdom Vision' Virtual Mini-Conference
2020-11-05 12:30 - 16:30 | Webinar
Due to COVID-19 concerns, the BRN Executive Board has determined that it is necessary to cancel the BRN Annual Business Session and Annual Gathering for 2020, originally slated for November 5-6. After careful consideration and consultation with legal counsel, it has been determined that it is not possible to hold the planned annual meeting and comply with the current orders issued by the Governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Instead, the BRN will host a virtual mini-conference on Thursday, November 5, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., with keynote speakers Jeff Christopherson and Barry Whitworth, and nine breakout sessions on topics related to the theme, “Kingdom Vision.”
Jeff Christopherson
About Our Keynote Speaker:
Jeff Christopherson is about fostering Kingdom movements of reproducing churches that transform neighborhoods and the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He is the co-founder and missiologist for Send Institute, executive director of Church Planting Canada, Multiplying Church Catalyst for CNBC, weekly columnist at Christianity Today’s Missio Mondays, co-vocational pastor for The Sanctuary in Ontario, Canada, and the author of Kingdom First: Starting Churches that Shape Movements, Kingdom Matrix: Designing a Church for the Kingdom of God, and the recently released, Venal Dogmata, A Parable of the Future Church.
He and his wife, Laura, live in Oakville, Ontario. They have two children, Kelley and James. ￼
Schedule:
Jeff will lead the following three keynotes:

A Kingdom Vision and its Theological Basis
A Kingdom Vision in a Pre-Christian World
A Kingdom Vision for a Post-Pandemic World

The mini-conference’s breakout topics will include discipleship, online church, justice and so much more.
Click button below to register on the Conference website.
Register Now
Please note: The conference is best viewed on the Chrome browser.

Disaster Relief Appreciation Day
2020-11-08
Whenever there is a disaster, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) volunteers are often quickly on the scene—and they remained long after news cameras left town. As the third-largest disaster response team in the nation, this network of state-based volunteers teams does more than just clean up; they bring the healing of Christ to those whose lives have been shattered.
Pray for those affected and those who will serve them. Give to support state SBDR teams who are being the hands and feet of Jesus to hurting people.

BRN Executive Board Meeting
2020-11-13 10:30 - 13:00

Thanksgiving (offices closed)
2020-11-26 - 2020-11-27 | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States

Week of Prayer and Offering for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (Nov. 29-Dec. 6)
2020-11-29 - 2020-12-06
Since 1845, the IMB has partnered with churches to send missionaries to live and work among those around the world with little to no access to the gospel.
One hundred percent of your generous gifts provide missionaries the services they need to live to among the unreached people they serve.

2020 PA/SJ WMU Annual Meeting
2020-12-05 09:00 - 11:00 | Zoom Online Meeting
“But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved” (Heb. 10:39 NIV).
Objective: We will be relentless in living authentic faith in Christ, seeking God in prayer, giving sacrificially, and witnessing to others.
Join us for a morning of prayer & celebration as we meet together to consider what it means to be “Relentless” for God. Share in the stories of those who are serving God. Participate in the WMU annual business session. Enjoy the opportunity to meet others from around our states. You may even win a gift!

SPEAKER: Sandy Wisdom-Martin, Executive Director of National WMU, Birmingham, AL

MUSIC: RK PRAISE, Russell and Kristi Johnson, Conway, S.C.

MESSAGES FROM:
Jeanine Horne: IMB Missionary to Russia and Ukraine
Michele Pilla: Wholesome Riches, New Jersey
Autumn Miller & Kayla Smith: New Life Ministry at Penn State

Schedule:
9:05-9:15 a.m.

Greetings, Scripture and Opening Prayer: Theresa Krieg
Scripture: Kathy Sheldon
Prayer (to hear God’s voice): Aubrey King

9:15-9:25 a.m.

Music: RK Praise

9:25-9:45 a.m.

Theme Interpretation: Sandy Wisdom-Martin

9:45-9:55 a.m.

Prayer (to do God’s work): Fanny Grote

9:55-10:00 a.m.

Theme Interpretation: IMB, Jeanine Horne

10:00-10:25 a.m.

Annual Meeting Reading of the Minutes: Emma Tentarelli
Theme Interpretation: NAMB President’s Report, Theresa Krieg
Theme Interpretation: State, Michelle Pilla
WMU Business Session
Theme Interpretation: Collegiate Ministry, Autumn Miller and Kayla Smith
Prayer (to teach and lead in missions): Alva Manao
Theme Interpretation: Disaster Relief, Kenton Hunt

10:30-10:40 a.m.

Prayer Calendar: Jada Baker
Prayer for Missionaries: Mary Landis

10:40-10:50 a.m.

Music: RK Praise

10:55-11:05 a.m.

Giveaways and Closing Remarks: Theresa Krieg
Prayer of Commitment: Kathy Sheldon

REGISTER:
To request additional information or to register, send an email to pa.sjwmu@gmail.com.

BRN Directors Meeting
2020-12-16 09:30 - 12:30 | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States

Christmas (offices closed)
2020-12-24 - 2020-12-31 | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States

New Year's Day (offices closed)
2021-01-01 | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States

SEND Philly Virtual Open House
2021-01-09 10:00 - 11:00
Send Philly will hold a Virtual Info Session on Saturday, January 9 at 10:00 a.m. for those who are interested in hearing about church planting in this region. Sign up on the form below—it’s an hour, no cost and will include local planters and pastors who will share about church planting in Philadelphia.
Register for Virtual Open House

Kingdom Prayer
2021-01-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Zoom Online Meeting
“Kingdom Prayer” is a regular prayer meeting for any pastors/missionaries within the BRN on Tuesday mornings, 9 a.m. via Zoom. Each week, participants will pray for the spiritual well-being of the church, pastors, and other Great Commission laborers for the harvest.
Pastor Jack Peters of First Baptist Church of New Holland will lead these sessions.
Request Zoom Link

BRN Directors Meeting
2021-01-13 09:30 - 12:00 | Zoom Online Meeting

Denominee Meeting
2021-01-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom Online Meeting
The Baptist Resource Network continues its three-year initiative with Denominee, who guides leaders of denominations, networks, and multi church families through a process to bring increased value to the churches they serve by developing a whole new method of operating.

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday
2021-01-17
On January 13, 1984, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation designating January 22 as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day. (January 22, 1973, was the day the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion-on-demand in all 50 states.) Churches around the United States use the day, the third Sunday in January, to celebrate God’s gift of life, commemorate the many lives lost to abortion, and commit themselves to protecting human life at every stage.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
2021-01-18 | Multiple Places, United States
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, the North American Mission Board invites you on January 18 to help your church discover needs in your community and respond in strategic, gospel-centered ways.
You have the opportunity to help your neighbors heal from the spiritual, physical and emotional hardships of 2020. NAMB and we has free downloadable bulletin inserts, graphics and how-to guides to help your congregation get started!
Also, please let us know about your project by sending your stories and photos to stories@sendrelief.org. We’re excited to hear about how your church will be sharing the love of Christ in your community on January 18!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (offices closed)
2021-01-18 | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States

Denominee Meeting
2021-01-20 09:00 - 16:00 | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States

VBS 2021 Virtual Preview
2021-01-22 10:00 - 13:30 | Online event
In January, LifeWay is offering digital VBS Previews for churches to get their first look at the upcoming theme, train and equip their teams, and be encouraged and inspired to make next summer the best VBS ever.
VBS 2021 Digital Previews feature:

Multiple attendance dates and times
Over 20 breakout sessions
Giveaways during the live event
And more!

Price: $49 for the whole team!
This is the first time LifeWay will host all-digital VBS Previews. Each live event will include more than 20 breakout sessions and will offer training for both English VBS and Spanish EBV resources.
Choose your best Preview Date:

Friday, January 22 — 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 23 — 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Friday, January 29 — 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 30 — 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

LifeWay will offer two VBS curriculum choices for 2021: “Concrete & Cranes” for churches that didn’t get to host VBS in 2020 or that want to revisit the curriculum, and “Destination Dig,” a new theme centered around biblical archeology. The latter allows kids to take the role of junior archaeologists as they embark on an adventure to study pieces of the past to learn the truth about who Jesus is and why He came. Along the way, they’ll discover the truth of Jeremiah 29:13, that God reveals Himself to people when they seek and search for Him with all their hearts.
Registration:
Register Now

Related story: Virtual preview events allow ministries to gear up for VBS 2021

Accelerant Session
2021-01-27 09:30 - 12:00 | Zoom Online Meeting
BRN Team Accelerant Sessions are times set aside for the BRN team members to work collaboratively on projects benefiting the entire organization.
