HARRISBURG (BRN)- At the 2025 Accelerate Conference held at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hersey Hotel, several Baptist Resource Network (BRN) churches received awards for their bold ministry this past year.
Barry Whitworth, BRN executive director, and Larry Anderson, BRN director of church advancement and evangelism, honored Don Henrikson, pastor of Thompsontown Baptist Church, with the LovePASJ Accelerator Award; Ron Larson, pastor of First Baptist Church of Delaware with the Bold Baptisms Accelerator Award; Joe Velarde, pastor of Riverbend Community Church in Bethlehem, Pa., with the Bold Church Accelerator Award (Suburban Category); Pastor Rob at Greencastle Baptist Church in Greencastle, Pa., with the Bold Church Accelerator Award (Rural Category); and in a surprise move, to Dr. Larry Anderson, pastor of Great Commission Church in Philadelphia, with the Bold Church Accelerator Award (Urban Category); as well as Cam Atha, lead pastor of Harvest Community Church in Corry, Pa., with the Bold Church Planting Award.
Thompsontown Baptist Church, led by Pastor Henrikson, “has consistently demonstrated a heart for missions and collaboration—actively participating in numerous national and local Serve Tours through Send Relief and PASJ, and engaging in multiple service projects alongside fellow churches,” Whitworth shared, explaining the heart of the LovePASJ Accelerator Award. “Their commitment to serving others and advancing the Gospel through partnership is a powerful example of what it means to love Pennsylvania and South Jersey well.”
He added, “Let’s celebrate Thompsontown Baptist Church for their bold, missional spirit and faithful leadership in loving PASJ well!”
Whitworth said he was thrilled to present the Bold Baptisms Accelerator Award to First Baptist Church of Delaware in New Castle Del., led by Pastor Larson. “This church has demonstrated extraordinary Gospel impact, baptizing 77 individuals—an incredible 40% per capita based on their weekly worship attendance of 195,” he said, explaining while it wasn’t the highest total number of baptisms in the Baptist Resource Network, it was the largest per capita, “showing how deeply this church is reaching and discipling people.”
He said, “Pastor Ron and his team are boldly advancing the Gospel in New Castle, and we celebrate their faithfulness and fruitfulness today!”
In presenting the three Bold Church Accelerator Awards, Whitworth said 
Riverbend Community Church, under Velarde’s leadership, “is courageously stepping into a new season—boldly relocating to a new ministry space, raising up and sending church planters, and serving as the lead church for next year’s Serve Lehigh Valley tour.”
Riverbend is also leading the way in compassion ministries, he said, including a thriving food pantry and other outreach efforts. Beyond that, they’re boldly serving as a “Voice for the Valley,” building strong relationships with businesses, civic leaders, and other ministries to bring Gospel-centered transformation to their region.
Whitworth cheered, “Let’s honor Riverbend Community Church and Pastor Joe for their inspiring example of bold, missional leadership!”
Next, Whitworth honored Greencastle Baptist Church, which “has demonstrated bold and impactful ministry” by actively assisting multiple congregations in missions and showing a strong commitment to disaster relief efforts. They recently achieved Ready Church status, reflecting their preparedness and compassion in times of crisis.
“Under Pastor Rob’s leadership, the church is taking intentional steps toward greater church health and vitality. And we’re thrilled to share that Pastor Rob now serves on the BRN team as a Church Advancement consultant, helping other churches grow and thrive,” Whitworth said.
“Let’s celebrate Greencastle Baptist Church for their courageous leadership, Kingdom-minded service, and their inspiring example of what it means to pursue the next level of church health and missional impact!”
The final Bold Church Accelerator Award, focused on urban churches, was a surprise to Anderson, who was presenting the awards to recipients. Whitworth shared how Anderson’s church, Great Commission Church, is boldly engaging its urban context through food distribution, reentry programs for former inmates, and by serving as a Send Relief-recognized compassion center.
“Their missional heart also extends to the Mansion Hope initiative in Strawberry Mansion, where they’re bringing light and hope to a historically underserved neighborhood,” Whitworth said. “Pastor Larry has led his church through various stages of church health, modeling next-level leadership and faithfully developing and sending leaders.”
He celebrated, “Great Commission Church is a powerful example of transformation and impact in the heart of the city. Let’s honor Great Commission Church for their unwavering commitment to compassion, leadership development, and community transformation—all rooted in the Gospel.”
Michael Nerger, North American Mission Board church planting catalyst, presented the final award of the day, the Bold Church-Planting award, which went to Atha, lead pastor of Harvest Community Church in Corry—a small rural town of just 6,000 people in the northwest part of Pennsylvania. “In just 18 months since launching with a core team of 35, the church has experienced remarkable growth, now averaging between 140 and 160 in weekly attendance, with a recent Sunday reaching 230,” said Whitworth.
“Even more inspiring, they’ve already celebrated 19 baptisms—half of them under the age of 18!” he added. “Pastor Cam’s leadership and the church’s vibrant ministry are a powerful testimony to what God can do through faithful planting in small-town communities. Let’s celebrate the bold and fruitful work happening at Harvest Community Church!”
Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients! Each one of you play a huge part in accelerating Kingdom movement in Pennsylvania, South Jersey, and beyond!
