Baptist Resource Network

SBC annual meeting registration opens
2020-02-01 | Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse, 9800 International Drive, Orlando, FL, 32819, United States
Each church should send the maximum number of messengers allowed to the 2020 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando in June, SBC Executive Committee president Ronnie Floyd told Baptist Press Jan. 14.
“I want to encourage every Southern Baptist church to send messengers to our 2020 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla., on June 9-10,” Floyd said in advance of the opening of online registration Feb. 1 at sbcannualmeeting.net.
“I am calling upon our pastors and church leaders from our churches to do all they can to bring their full contingent of messengers to Orlando,” Floyd said. “This will be a historic convention that casts a big vision for our future together.
“I deeply believe the more people we can have attend our annual meeting each year,” he said, “the more we will be able to mobilize our work together across the world as Southern Baptists.”
The meeting, themed “Gospel Above All. Always,” has already drawn a higher hotel registration to date than previous meetings, said William Townes, SBC EC chief financial officer. He tabulated hotel registration to date for SBC 2020 at 2,132, compared to 1,327 at the comparable time last year for SBC 2019.
“We are very pleased that current hotel bookings are far outpacing the prior year,” Townes told BP Monday (Jan. 13). “Based on these strong reservation [numbers], we anticipate we will have between 11,000 and 13,000 church messengers represented with more than 15,000 attendees in total.”
Each church is allowed a minimum of two messengers, with other criteria determining an allowed messenger count as high 12 per church.
Hotel rooms are still available at sbcannualmeeting.net for the meeting at the west concourse of the Orange County Convention Center.
Watch Floyd’s video invitation to SBC 2020:

Racial Reconciliation Sunday
2020-02-09 | United States
“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).

Focus on WMU (Feb. 10-16)
2020-02-10 | Multiple Places, United States
WMU equips all believers to live their lives in unshakable pursuit—to know God more, to show His love unconditionally, and to make disciples who make disciples.
WMU seeks to come alongside the church to accomplish the mission of God. From preschoolers to adults, WMU provides relevant resources to learn about and pray for missions, as well as opportunities to apply their knowledge and passion through giving, serving, and supporting missions.
Focus on WMU week is an intentional time to focus on WMU’s impact in local churches, communities, and throughout the world. In 2020, Focus on WMU is February 10-16.

Downloadable Resources:
Recognizing WMU in your church (pdf)
WMU flyer (pdf)
Bulletin insert (2up, pdf)

Children's Mission Day
2020-02-15 | Multiple Places, United States
Join thousands of kids across the country in hands-on ministry in your community for Children’s Missions Day! WMU invites all children in grades 1–6 to participate on Saturday, February 15, 2020. (Note: Children’s Missions Day can be held any day of the year!)
From feeding hungry people to visiting shut-ins, boys and girls follow God’s command to “put your love into action” (1 John 3:18). Church groups create projects that meet needs in their own communities. WMU created Children’s Missions Day to move children out of their churches and into their communities to do missions. The first Children’s Missions Day was in 2008. Since then, thousands of people have taken part in this special day.
*You may have noticed we’ve recently changed the name of this event from Children’s Ministry Day to Children’s Missions Day. Don’t worry — this is not a typo! We’ve put plenty of thought and prayer into this change. Follow this link to read a little more about the difference between ministry and missions.
If you have comments or questions about Children’s Missions Day, please email WMU President Theresa Krieg at Theresabkrieg@gmail.com or children@wmu.org. We look forward to helping your kids do hands-on ministry!
Downloadable Resources:
Children’s Missions Day 2020 flyer
Children’s Missions Day 2020 press release
Children’s Missions Day 2020 clip art
Children’s Missions Day Customizable Certificate
Order More Resources (Badge, Promotional Kit)

Annual Church Profile (ACP) Deadline
2020-02-15 | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States
ACP data critical to partnership support
The Annual Church Profile (ACP) enables the Baptist Resource Network to gather basic information from our churches.ACP forms can be submitted in multiple ways. Please look in your mail for your Annual Church Profile package. The envelope will contain the Profile page with your SBC ID and password and the statistical profile (2 pages). The easiest way is for each church to submit the information directly online at www.sbcworkspace.com. Log on with your church’s specific SBC ID and password, noted above. If you misplace this information, please contact the BRN at helpdesk@brnunited.org for assistance.Please submit your information by February 15, 2020.Your cooperation in completing the ACP is appreciated. It helps the BRN to see what we need to focus on and how we’re doing. In addition, many BRN partners evaluate their assistance based on this information. As always, we really need to receive this information promptly. Thank you.

President's Day (offices closed)
2020-02-17 | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States

'Return to Me: A Spiritual Process for Church Revitalization' with Claude King
2020-02-19 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States
Pastors, church leaders, revitalization coaches, prayer leaders — You will not want to miss this opportunity to hear from Claude King as he shares Return to Me: A Spiritual Process for Church Revitalization.
“A revived church is the only hope for a dying world.” — Andrew Murray
Claude King writes: “Plateaued, declining, and lukewarm churches need a spiritual revitalization, not just a cosmetic fix. Examine a new tool and biblical process to guide your church to hear and respond to what the Spirit is saying to the church. Help your church Love God, Love Others, Surrender All, Be Transformed, Join God’s Mission, and Glorify God as they return to Him. He’s given an invitation and made a promise: “‘Return to Me, and I will return to you,’ says the Lord of Armies.” (Malachi 3:7).
Claude King will be sharing Wednesday, February 19, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at the BRN Hub.
Registration is free, and includes lunch and a copy of King’s newest book Return to Me: God’s Invitation and Promise to His Church (one per church).

Register Now

If overnight accommodations in the Volunteer House are needed (available on a First Come, First Served basis), please contact the Helpdesk at helpdesk@brnunited.org.
About Claude King
Claude King, discipleship and church health specialist for LifeWay Christian Resources. Photo by Shannon Baker
Claude King currently serves as discipleship and church health specialist at LifeWay Christian Resources. He and his wife Reta are natives and current residents of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. After attending school in New Orleans, Claude began work as an editor at the Baptist Sunday School Board (now LifeWay) in Nashville, Tennessee. After a writer cancellation, he coauthored his first book (“WiseCounsel: Skills for Lay Counseling” with John Drakeford) out of sheer necessity to meet a deadline. He met and began working with Henry Blackaby in 1986. That relationship led to their developing “Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God” which was first released in 1990. The popularity of that book led to opportunities to write others, first with Blackaby and then with a number of other authors. His special contribution to many of those resources has been his style of interactive writing that engages a learner in understanding and applying truths from a message to his or her life. In his current job at LifeWay, he speaks, leads workshops and seminars, and consults with pastors and church leaders to help them and their churches obey Jesus Christ’s final command to make disciples of all nations.
Related article: PrayerLink asks God for workers for the Harvest

Team BRN Meeting
2020-02-25 09:30 - 15:30 | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States

Transitioning from Conflict to Renewal Workshop
2020-02-29 09:00 - 12:00
Is your church experiencing conflict?
The Transitioning from Conflict to Renewal workshop will give you the biblical tools and resources needed to address church conflict that will lead to experiencing peace and spiritual renewal in your congregation.
Featuring Pastor Joe E. Nock, D.Min., the workshop will be held at Second Antioch Baptist Church at 912 N. 41st Street in Philadelphia. To register, call Second Antioch Baptist Church at (215) 387-6774.

Annie Armstrong Week of Prayer and Offering for North American Missions (March 1-8)
2020-03-01 - 2020-03-08
The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering (AAEO) is the primary way we support mission efforts in North America. One hundred percent of gifts given to AAEO are used to support Southern Baptist missionaries serving across the United States and Canada.
Download resources, view missionary videos or read missionary stories here.
If your church needs additional prayer guides or envelopes, please contact us at the Helpdesk at helpdesk@brnunited.org.

BRN Executive Board Orientation
2020-03-05 18:00 - 21:00 | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States

BRN Executive Board Meeting
2020-03-06 09:00 - 16:00 | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States

Transitional Pastor Training and Development
2020-03-06 18:30 - 2020-03-07 13:00 | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States
Church leaders with pastoral experience are invited to a Transitional Pastor Training on March 6- 7, 2020, at the HUB in Harrisburg.
Former BRN Associate Executive Director Stan Smith will lead this free training, which is designed to help participants lead churches, through preaching and teaching, during times of transition when they are without a pastor.
Schedule:
March 6, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
March 7, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., includes lunch

Register Now

Multiplying Church Center Gathering
2020-03-10 10:00 - 2020-03-11 13:00 | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States
This is a gathering of key BRN pastors to discuss strategy for multiplying churches. This event is by invitation only.

"The 2020 Election and the Church: Five Things to Know" webinar
2020-03-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Webinar
You are cordially invited to join Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) on Thursday, March 12, for a webcast featuring important information around the intersection of faith, politics, and citizenship in this election year.
We’ll be featuring information under these five main categories:

Sermons and Speech – candidates, legislation, and issues
General Education of Voters – registration, identification, and voter guides
Use of Church Facilities – polling places, candidate meetings, and literature distribution
Lobbying – direct and grassroots
Financial Support – political organizations, candidates, referendums, and initiatives

Ryan Tucker
Guest Speaker:
Ryan Tucker, Senior Counsel
Director of the Center for Christian Ministries
Date/Time:
Thursday, March 12, 2020, 1:00 pm EST
Duration:
1 hour

Register Now

COVID-19 Call to Prayer
2020-03-15
NASHVILLE (BP) — Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear and the SBC Great Commission Council (GCC) are calling all Southern Baptists throughout more than 47,500 churches “to commit to a dedicated time of prayer this Sunday, March 15, 2020.”
In response to the World Health Organization declaring the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak to be a global pandemic, Greear and the GCC, which is composed of the heads of the convention’s national entities, issued the following:
Day of Prayer for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Global Pandemic
Sunday, March 15, 2020
In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, we are asking all Southern Baptists and our 47,500+ churches of the Southern Baptist Convention to commit to a dedicated time of prayer this Sunday, March 15, 2020, to seek the Lord in unity about these matters:
1. Ask God, in His mercy, to stop this pandemic and save lives — not only in our communities but around the world, particularly in places that are unequipped medically to deal with the virus. (Isaiah 59:1-2)
2. Pray for President Donald Trump and other government leaders — international, federal, state, and local — to have the wisdom to direct us in the best courses of action for prevention and care. (Romans 13:1–4)
3. Scripture says: Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts. Pray that the Lord will give us wisdom in this moment of fear as the foundations of what we know are shaken, that others would realize how fragile life is and how real eternity is, and they would see their need to turn to God. (Psalm 90:12)
4. Ask God to protect our missionaries and their families around the globe, using this global crisis to advance His Good News to the whole world. (Mark 16:15)
Danny Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Jason K. Allen, president, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Paul Chitwood, president, International Mission Board
Jamie K. Dew, president, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Kevin Ezell, president, North American Mission Board
Ronnie W. Floyd, president and CEO, SBC Executive Committee
J.D. Greear, SBC president
Adam W. Greenway, president The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
O.S. Hawkins, president and CEO, GuideStone Financial Resources
Jeff Iorg, president, Gateway Seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention
Ben Mandrell, president and CEO, LifeWay Christian Resources
R. Albert Mohler, president, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Russell D. Moore, president, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
Sandra Wisdom-Martin, executive director and treasurer, Woman’s Missionary Union
Downloadable/Shareable Graphic
To download, right-click on graphic and select “Save As”

Church Planting Emphasis Sunday
2020-03-15
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.

Civic Engagement - A Western PA Pastor & Church Leaders Event
2020-03-17 09:00 - 13:00 | Harvest Church – Kittanning, 143 Reed Road, Kittanning, PA, 16201, United States
Unfortunately, due to the growing concern over the spread of the Coronavirus, and for the safety of our speakers and the attendees, we are canceling our Civic Engagement Seminar scheduled in Kittanning, Pa. We are sorry for any inconvenience this postponement has caused. We are trusting the Lord and his sovereign plans. We hope to reschedule the event in later months. — Pennsylvania Family Institute Staff
The Pennsylvania Family Institute and the Baptist Resource Network is hosting a Civic Engagement Seminar on March 17 from 9am-1pm at Harvest Community Church in Kittanning.
Please join us for this special event as we discuss how pastors and churches can graciously and biblically engage civic responsibilities and our culture. Being prepared and understanding basic legal principles and religious liberties before difficult situations present themselves can help you avoid troubled waters and give you the ability to stand strong in your biblical call to Truth and Grace and to help your church members do the same.
Topics will include:

How do you respond to moral and biblical issues that become politicized in our culture?
What should our response be to some of the threats facing my church and congregation?
What can we do to protect the ability to proclaim and live out the gospel?
What is some current active legislation that impact the church and Christians?
How do you prepare to respond within one’s legally protected rights and freedoms?
How can we engage and care for our elected leaders with the gospel of Christ?
How can we navigate the upcoming 2020 election season biblically?

Speakers will include:

Kurt Weaver, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Pennsylvania Family Institute
Jeremy Samek, Esq., Senior Counsel, Independence Law Center
Dr. Barry Whitworth, Executive Director, Baptist Resource Network
Pastor Fred Neal, Executive Pastor, Harvest Community Church

This free event includes lunch. Registration is required.
Register online at pafamily.org/engagement.
Questions? Contact Dan Bartkowiak at dbart@pafamily.org or (717) 545-0600.

Church Revitalization Cohort, Central Region
2020-03-19 09:30 - 10:30 | Zoom Online Meeting
The Church Revitalization Cohort will equip pastors and church leaders to engage in best practices and learn together how pursue revitalization in the local church.
Cohorts will meet in the Central region twice a month, the third Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., beginning in March.
Let us know you are coming!
Register Now

POSTPONED: 2020 VBS Preview Event - South Jersey
2020-03-21 08:45 - 13:15 | Delaware Valley Baptist Church, 493 Beverly Rancocas Rd, Willingboro, NJ, 08046, United States
Please note: In light of recent events regarding COVID-19, this event has been postponed. We will update new details as they become available. Thank you!
Grab your hard hat and tool belt!
As kids explore a world of concrete and cranes, rivets and rebar, bulldozers and backhoes, they will learn to build their faith on Jesus as they uncover the truth that He who began a good work will be faithful to carry it on to completion.
Revealing Jesus through every aspect of VBS
LifeWay’s gospel-centered and expert-vetted VBS prepares your leaders with trustworthy Bible-teaching. Your kids will have a blast while every activity, Bible lesson, and song points them to Jesus.
Concrete & Cranes offers an excellent evangelistic opportunity for your church and community and is flexible enough to meet your needs. Concrete & Cranes can be used in a variety of formats.
Register Now
Daily Content:
Day 1: Foundation of Love—Matthew 9:9-13
Day 2: Foundation of Forgiveness—Acts 26:1-29
Day 3: Foundation of Worth—Matthew 26:36-46
Day 4: Foundation of Promise—Matthew 28:1-10,16-20
Day 5: Foundation for Life—Matthew 7:24-29
Rotation Sites:
High Steel Worship Rally
Blueprint Bible Study
Jackhammer Music
Excavator Missions
Bulldozer Crafts
Wrecking Ball Rec
Food Truck Snacks
Explore:
Biblical Content
Rotations
Day-At-A-Glance

Register Now

Zoom Prayer with BRN Pastors, March 23
2020-03-23 09:00 | Zoom Online Meeting
Baptist Resource Network pastors are invited to join in Zoom calls with the BRN team to pray and to discuss issues arising from the COVID-19 crisis. Available opportunities are listed below.
Prayer Time with Pastors:
Monday, March 23, 9am:
Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/123848756
Phone: 1-312-626-6799 PW 123848756
One Tap Mobile: 13126266799,,123848756#
Prayer, Encouragement and Q&A with Pastors:
Tuesday, March 24, 11am:
Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/693483834
Phone: 1-312-626-6799 PW 693483834
One Tap Mobile: 13126266799,,693483834#
Prayer, Encouragement and Q&A with Pastors:
Thursday, March 26, 7pm:
Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/878402315
Phone: 1-312-626-6799 PW 878402315
One Tap Mobile: 13126266799,,878402315#

Zoom Prayer, Encouragement and Q&A with BRN Pastors, March 24
2020-03-24 11:00 | Zoom Online Meeting
Baptist Resource Network pastors are invited to join in Zoom calls with the BRN team to pray and to discuss issues arising from the COVID-19 crisis. Available opportunities are listed below.
Prayer, Encouragement and Q&A with Pastors:
Tuesday, March 24, 11am:
Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/693483834
Phone: 1-312-626-6799 PW 693483834
One Tap Mobile: 13126266799,,693483834#
Prayer, Encouragement and Q&A with Pastors:
Thursday, March 26, 7pm:
Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/878402315
Phone: 1-312-626-6799 PW 878402315
One Tap Mobile: 13126266799,,878

"Upside Down: Meet the Need First" Send Relief Webinar
2020-03-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Webinar
Join Taylor Field and Andrew Mann for a Special Send Relief Webinar
Needs Everywhere—How Does My Church Respond?
If you’ve ever struggled with discovering your community’s ministry needs, we have a great opportunity for you to learn from and ask questions of two pastors with decades of experience in community outreach.
Sign up for a special Send Relief webinar with Pastors Taylor Field and Andrew Mann of New York City’s Graffiti Church from 1-2 p.m. EST on March 24. They will present a step-by-step process to help you discover the most pressing ministry needs in your church’s community, no matter the context!
It’s free, but the information will be priceless as you and your church seek to meet needs and change lives in your community.

Register Now
Have questions? Contact Buff McNickle.

BRN Directors Meeting/Denominee Meeting
2020-03-25 09:30 - 15:30 | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States
This will be a combined Directors’ Meeting and Dominee meeting (to go over homework as given by Will Mancini).

Zoom Prayer, Encouragement and Q&A with BRN Pastors, March 26
2020-03-26 19:00 | Zoom Online Meeting
Baptist Resource Network pastors are invited to join in Zoom calls with the BRN team to pray and to discuss issues arising from the COVID-19 crisis. Available opportunities are listed below.
Prayer, Encouragement and Q&A with Pastors:
Thursday, March 26, 7pm:
Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/878402315
Phone: 1-312-626-6799 PW 878402315
One Tap Mobile: 13126266799,,878402315

Church Revitalization Cohort, West Region
2020-03-28 09:30 - 22:30 | Zoom Online Meeting
The Church Revitalization Cohort will equip pastors and church leaders to engage in best practices and learn together how pursue revitalization in the local church.
Cohorts will meet in the West region each month on the last Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., beginning in March.
Let us know you are coming!
Register Now
Please note: the cohort is closed to new participants after the first few sessions.

CANCELLED: ReFRESH Conference
2020-03-30 15:00 - 2020-03-31 15:30 | DoubleTree Resort By Hilton Lancaster, 2400 Willow Street Pike, Lancaster, PA, 17602, United States
Please note: ReFRESH® Northeast scheduled for March 30 – 31, 2020 has been cancelled based upon Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to “avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.” Although we were looking forward to the fellowship and time together, our desire is honor your time and responsibilities to your local communities, have respect for those in authority and help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
As a result, a FULL refund will be processed and returned to your credit card. We would also like you to prayerfully consider and save the date for the 2021 ReFRESH® Northeast Conference in Lancaster. The conference has been rescheduled for the following date(s) March 15-16, 2021. As we open registration for this event later in the year, we ask that you continue to look for registration information and encourage other pastors to attend.
What is ReFRESH®?
ReFRESH® is a time for you to come apart from the distractions and chaos of life and seek the face of God. It’s not about church growth or the latest worship fads. ReFRESH® Northeast is designed to ReFOCUS, ReENERGIZE, and ReFRESH pastors, key church leaders, and those who have a thirst for a fresh move of God in the Northeastern region of the United States.
One of the unique aspects of ReFRESH® Northeast is its intimacy. We seek to provide open access and conversation with the conference speakers, as well as close fellowship with other attendees. Each speaker encourages pastors to persevere and fight for their churches to become all God has intended them to be.
Whether you are looking to refocus your priorities or reenergize your ministry and personal walk with the Lord, we look forward to experiencing times of refreshing in the presence of the Lord with you. There are plenty of conferences and events out there, but this one is different. This one is uplifting, transformational, and ReFRESHing.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE (Tentative)
Monday, March 30, 2020
Registration Begins | 1:00 pm
Hotel Check-In | Any time after 3:00pm
Afternoon Session | 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Evening Session | 6:30 PM – 9:00 pm
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Morning Session | 8:30 am – 11:30 am
Afternoon Session | 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Conference ends at 3:30 pm
CONFERENCE FEES
Registration | $100
Includes the Conference Fee | Room for One Night, March 30th | Dinner for Monday, March 30th | Lunch for Tuesday, March 31st | Spouses may attend the conference for free.
HOW TO REGISTER
Registration | Register Here
MORE INFORMATION
For more information, contact Debbie Toole at 229-883-1910 x1200 or DebbieT@SherwoodBaptist.net.
HEAR FROM PRIOR PARTICIPANTS

Webinar: FAITH IN A TIME OF CRISIS: Addressing the CARES ACT and other ministry questions amidst COVID-19
2020-04-02 15:00 - 16:00 | Webinar
Where are you turning for information and inspiration during this time? Alliance Defending Freedom is bringing together some of our allies and partners to provide you with an informative, encouraging, and inspiring discussion.
During this panel discussion, we will ask our guests how they are responding to COVID-19. You will walk away with:

Answers to frequently asked ministry, legal, and cultural questions
Stories of encouragement and inspiration in this time of crisis and uncertainty
Tips and guidelines to consider for serving others in this environment

Thursday, April 2, 2020
3:00 pm Eastern Standard Time
Register Now
Moderator

Kristen Waggoner,
SVP of U.S. Legal Division & Communications, General Counsel
Alliance Defending Freedom

Guest Panelists

Samuel (Sam) Rodriguez,
President, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
Senior Pastor, New Season Christian Worship Center

Dr. Ronnie W. Floyd,
President and Chief Executive Officer
Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention

Michael Batts,
Managing Partner
Batts Morrison Wales & Lee, P.A.

Ryan Tucker,
Director of Center for Christian Ministries, Sr. Counsel
Alliance Defending Freedom
Register Now

Good Friday (offices closed)
2020-04-10 | BRN HUB, 4620 Fritchey Street, Harrisburg, PA, 17109, United States

SBC Exec Comm to host online prayer gathering on Good Friday
2020-04-10 13:00 | Facebook Live, United States
What: A time of focused prayer amid the global COVID-19 pandemic
When: 12 p.m. CDT, April 10
Where: sbc.net/pray and the SBC Executive Committee Facebook page
NASHVILLE (BP) — As Southern Baptists navigate the crisis resulting from the COVID-19 global pandemic, Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, has called for a special time of prayer.
The SBC Good Friday Online Prayer Gathering will take place at 12 p.m. CDT April 10. While plans are still being finalized, led by Floyd and other leaders from across the SBC, the event will be livestreamed at sbc.net/pray and on the SBC Executive Committee’s Facebook page.
The format will include times of Scripture reading and focused prayer to address specific needs related to the pandemic, according to Floyd, who is inviting and encouraging all Southern Baptists to participate.
“We have never been here before,” Floyd said. “Our prayers need to match these challenges. Gather friends and families everywhere and let’s talk to God about where we are. We need God to intervene miraculously. Together we must pray and be on mission with God.”
Floyd said the timing is critical. As the pandemic has prompted great uncertainty and anxiety throughout the United States and the entire world, Easter weekend provides an extraordinary opportunity to share the Gospel.
“We believe the work of our Southern Baptist churches across America, as well as what we do together across the entire world, provides a great footprint of God’s work throughout the regions and states in America and across the globe,” Floyd said. “Instead of coming together to hear someone preach or sing, we are coming together to pray in this major crisis as we face Easter weekend with hope.”
The full list of participants joining the Floyds for the event include:
— Julio Arriola, executive director of Hispanic relations and mobilization for the SBC Executive Committee
— Marshal Ausbery, SBC first vice president and senior pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Fairfax Station, Va.
— Jacob Boss, overseas worker in Europe
— Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board
— Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board
— Donna Gaines, pastor’s wife and founder and president of ARISE2Read in Memphis, Tenn.
— Steve Gaines, senior pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., and former SBC president
— J.D. Greear, SBC president and lead pastor of The Summit Church in Durham, N.C.
— Jeremiah Lepasana, lead pastor of Bible Church International in Randolph, N.J.
— Marci Parrott, pastor’s wife and CEO of Ruby & Root in Huntersville, N.C.
— Ronnie Parrott, lead pastor of Christ Community Church in Huntersville, N.C.
— Heiden Ratner, senior pastor of WALK Church in Las Vegas.
“We have never been here before,” Floyd said. “Our prayers need to match these challenges. Gather friends and families everywhere and let’s talk to God about where we are. We need God to intervene miraculously. Together we must pray and be on mission with God.”
