In this special Thanksgiving edition of This Week in the BRN Family, we asked BRN pastors and ministry leaders to share why they are thankful for the Baptist Resource Network and how partnering with the BRN has been a blessing to their ministry. These ministries and outreach opportunities are possible because of your gracious generosity – Thank you!
THANKFUL FOR: A Network of Relationships
Jason Hunter | BRN Executive Board President and Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Clarion in Clarion, PA
In honor of the Thanksgiving season, BRN Executive Board President Jason Hunter shares a word of gratitude for the Baptist Resource Network and its network of pastors and churches. Read More
THANKFUL FOR: Expanded Outreach
Dr. Tom Dawson | Senior Pastor, The SOAR Church in Woodbine, NJ
“The SOAR Church was able to expand its outreach efforts this year because of the support of the BRN. We were able to expand our outreach efforts into the surrounding counties. We served more families, engaged more youth with our youth outreach program, supplied essentials to communities such as food, hygiene items, school supplies, and emergency assistance.
The BRN’s support helped us to create opportunities to present the Gospel message to those who need the Kingdom message. During this time of year, we are thankful for the BRN’s support and effort.”
THANKFUL FOR: Serve Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Impact
Tim Morris | Discipleship Pastor, Restored Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA
“The Serve PA/SJ helped our local church increase the Gospel influence in our city immensely through the Serve Wilkes-Barre/Scranton event in 2025. Working together with the BRN and its partners, we saw more than 20 people give their lives to Christ, had dozens of gospel conversations, increased partnership and visibility for the church in our community, and we are still reaping the results of this good work.
As we continue to build upon that catalytic event, I am excited to see how God continues to use that as we move into the coming months. Thank you churches of the BRN for investing and laboring in the harvest alongside of us, the blessing was truly ours. I am so glad to be a part of this network.”
THANKFUL FOR: Working Alongside Kingdom Warriors
Dr. Kyle Canty | NAMB Send City Missionary – Philadelphia
“I want to share my gratitude for partnership between the Send Network and the Baptist Resource Network. There have been a number of partnering opportunities to help with the work of multiplication in the Philadelphia/South Jersey region. Whether it is through the work of Send Relief or the Accelerate and/or Advance Conference or the Send Network One Day Conference, there is nothing like working alongside Kingdom warriors. My relationship with Dr. Larry Anderson has proved to be a catalyst for getting Kingdom work accomplished whether it is helping to support local pastors or helping to recruit church planters and develop leaders.
I am very grateful for the Kingdom work on the ground in and around the Greater Philadelphia region. My prayer is that the Lord would continue to do great things through Send Philly and the Baptist Resource Network in the coming months and years!”
THANKFUL FOR: Unwavering Partnership
Roger Manao | Senior Pastor, Philadelphia Bible Church International, Philadelphia
“Alva and I together, with the Philadelphia Bible Church International, are grateful for the BRN’s unwavering partnership and commitment to our ministry. We look forward to reaching new heights together and rejoicing in the milestones of Philadelphia Bible Church International even as we look forward to celebrating our 25th year in 2026. We appreciate the faithful leadership of Dr. Barry Whitworth and the resources the BRN provides as well as the unceasing prayers of the BRN staff. Happy Thanksgiving!”
THANKFUL FOR: Participation in Reaching the Campus
BRN Next Collegiate Missionaries | Serving across Pennsylvania/South Jersey
“We could not do this without you! Your regular prayers are felt every day as we serve as your missionaries on our campuses. We are so encouraged by your notes, cards, emails, texts, and phone calls. It is an indescribable blessing when you can come to our colleges and universities to be present with us and participate in reaching our students. None of this happens without your generous financial donations to each support-raising missionary, to special projects like the Amplify Collegiate Retreat and Spring Break Mission Projects, and to the BRN as a whole. Thank you for your support. We pray that God blesses you greatly as you have blessed us!”
THANKFUL FOR: Provision through Evangelism Grants
Dr. Maurice Mimms | Senior Pastor, Browns Mills Baptist Church in Browns Mills, NJ
“Browns Mills Baptist Church (BMBC) was blessed to receive a BRN Evangelism Grant to provide diapers to the Military Community of Joint Base-McGuire/Dix/Lakehurst (JB-MDL). BMBC purchased over 2000 diapers and baby wipes and received another 1000 through donations to support our military families during the government shutdown and SNAP program suspensions. Additionally, through the BRN’s partnership with Baptists on Mission, Browns Mills Baptist Church was blessed to receive 300 backpacks to distribute to their community. BMBC included local non-profit organizations and partner churches with this ministry outreach. What a blessing it is to help our ministry partners, and local community!”
THANKFUL FOR: Generous Disaster Relief Support
Kenton Hunt | BRN Director of Disaster Relief
“Ephesians 3:20 leads me to believe that God enjoys blowing my mind. He does this routinely through you. Yes! So much so that saying ‘thank you’ feels inadequate. Individuals from our churches and churches themselves support the Disaster Relief ministry through special gifts, the Cooperative Program, and the LovePASJ Offering. Your personal missionary support for me and Kelli inspires and humbles us. Finally, the Lord is realizing the vision for the Disaster Relief and Response Center through your generosity. Wow! Thank you! I will press on with a grateful heart.”
THANKFUL FOR: Support that Helps Widen the Reach
Drew Guensch | Senior Pastor, Bedrock Church Fishtown in Philadelphia
“Serve Philly Weekend began a few years ago when the Serve Tour came through Philadelphia, and it has since grown into an annual summer outreach for our church (Bedrock Church Fishtown.) Thanks to the BRN Evangelism Grant, we’re able to host a full Serve Weekend each year, partnering with local churches to serve Kensington and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Through this ministry, we’ve seen many people come to know Jesus, enter rehab, and get connected to the local church. We simply could not have made this happen without the support that we received from the evangelism grant. The BRN’s support has truly helped us widen our reach and love our city well!”
THANKFUL FOR: Love of Pastors and Planters
Cam Atha | Senior Pastor, Harvest Community Church in Corry, PA
“The BRN is fantastic; I can’t tell enough people of the blessing they have been to Harvest Community Church, from ministry grants to mentoring and equipping through the workshops they provide – the BRN’s love of pastors is truly felt. Everyone at the BRN is so helpful, and if they can’t help you directly, they point you in the right direction.”
THANKFUL FOR: Validation of Vision
Zakk Roberts | NAMB Send City Missionary – Pittsburgh
“Amidst a busy inbox, one email always makes me smile: the notification of a BRN Evangelism Grant for one of our planters. It’s a powerful validation of their vision! While we pray and brainstorm strategies, the BRN and our cooperating churches step in to resource those ideas, putting tangible outreach into action. This partnership is what fuels Gospel engagement in our plants. Thank you!”
