Accelerate Conference Early Bird registration ends Sept. 14, says Whitworth

Barry Whitworth, executive director of the Baptist Resource Network, shares details about the upcoming Oct. 7 Accelerate Conference, including the early bird registration deadline on Sept. 14.

September 4, 2025
Barry Whitworth

Hello, BRN Family! It’s good to be with you today.

I pray you have had a great summer and are now enjoying the transition into a new season. For years, church growth experts have noted an increase in church attendance in October, when people return from summer travels and activities and “fall” into their regular routines. Now is the perfect time to prepare for greater engagement with your church and community members.

Now is the time to be bold! Joshua 1:9 says, Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Toward that aim, I wanted to remind you about another special event happening in October that is designed to help you boldly reach your communities. On October 7, the Baptist Resource Network will host the 2025 Accelerate Conference with the theme, “Bold Move,” here in Harrisburg.

Dr. Jeff Iorg, CEO/president of the SBC Executive Committee; Tom Dawson, senior pastor of SOAR Church, Woodbine, N.J., and I will serve as the keynote speakers. In addition, there will be breakout session options that will challenge BRN churches and pastors to take bold moves for God’s Kingdom.

Haney Love, North American Mission Board “musicianaries,” will lead us into worship. The Haneys formerly served with the IMB in Stockholm, Sweden, for 11 years and now serve out of the greater Philadelphia region.

And don’t forget, we will kick off the day with our annual business session beginning at 8:30 a.m. – Yes, you heard that right! We are starting a half hour earlier so we can wrap up our day at 4 p.m., and you can be on your way!

Can I share the exciting news? Already, our registration is up 20% more than last year’s conference, showing there is a growing excitement about this event. I can hardly wait! And get this! Already nearly 50 people have registered to attend a pre-conference dessert fellowship on October 6 with Dr. Iorg. Drawing from his book, “Is God Calling Me?,” Dr. Iorg will seek to help church leaders recognize next level leaders in their congregations and equip them into greater and bolder areas of Christian leadership.

There is so much to look forward to! I look forward to seeing YOU at Accelerate on October 7 back at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel in Harrisburg. Early bird registration ends on September 14, so please don’t delay! To learn more, please visit us at acceleratepasj.com. Thanks for listening in today, and may God bless you!

Barry Whitworth

Barry 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 the Multiplying Churches Team Leader for the BRN.