A Conference for BRN Church Leaders & Members
There has never been a better time to be bold.
A day to be inspired and equipped in the face of a challenging culture, incredible opportunity, and a faithful God.
This year’s conference will feature:
- Keynote presentations from Kyle Canty, North American Mission Board (NAMB) Send City Missionary for Philadelphia; T.J. Freeman, senior pastor of Christ Church in Wellsboro, Pa.; Brian Musser, Baptist Campus Missionary for Drexel University; and Zakk Roberts, NAMB Send City Missionary for Pittsburgh.
- 6 breakout session options that will challenge BRN churches and pastors to make BOLD IMPACT
- Worship by students at Lancaster Bible College
- Networking, vendors, and more!
Keynote Speakers
DR. BARRY WHITWORTH
Baptist Resource Network Executive Director
DR. BARRY WHITWORTH 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.
Dr. Whitworth and his wife Beth have two daughters and six grandchildren.
DR. KYLE CANTY
North American Mission Board Send City Missionary, Philadelphia, and Assistant Pastor, Great Commission Church, Philadelphia
DR. KYLE CANTY, a native of Philadelphia, received a bachelors of science degree in Bible and pastoral ministry and a master of science degree in Christian counseling from Cairn University (formerly Philadelphia Biblical University). He also has a master of divinity degree in urban missional leadership and a doctor of ministry degree with a focus on urban missiology from Missio Seminary (formerly Biblical Seminary). He has over 40 years of ministry experience, including over 20 years as assistant pastor at Great Commission Church in Philadelphia. He currently works for the North American Mission Board as the Send City Missionary for the city of Philadelphia, where he oversees church planting efforts in the region. He and his wife Pamela, to whom he has been married for 26 years, have three kids, Micah, Karis and Shiloh.
T.J. FREEMAN
Senior Pastor, Christ Church, Wellsboro, Pa.
As the senior pastor of Christ Church (formerly Wellsboro Bible Church) since 2012, TJ has a passion for the rural church. Prior to his arrival at Christ Church he served as a church planter, biblical counselor, discipleship pastor, and history teacher. He enjoys the outdoors (but only when it’s hot out), and is passionate about sushi. TJ and his wife Katie have two daughters; Charlotte and Charity, and two sons; Hudson and Grant. TJ serves on the board at the Brainerd Institute for Rural Ministry and can be heard on the Rural Pastors Talk and the Back to Rurality Podcasts.
BRIAN MUSSER
Campus Missionary, Drexel University; BRN Next Gen Consultant
BRIAN MUSSER is the Baptist Campus Missionary at Drexel University, where he has served in this role since 2005, and a Next Gen Consultant for the Baptist Resource Network. He is a commissioned self-funded (support-raising) missionary through the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in partnership with the Baptist Resource Network of Pennsylvania/South Jersey and is appointed to Drexel University through the former Greater Philadelphia Baptist Association. Brian was ordained to the Gospel ministry though the First Baptist Church of North East, Maryland on June 6, 2010. At Drexel, Brian serves as a University-recognized campus chaplain in the office of Spiritual and Religious Life, a part of Student Life. Although not an employee of Drexel, he has earned the respect of the University administration. In the larger Christian community, Brian speaks often on topics that connect churches with young adults, missional engagement, and academic institutions.
ZAKK ROBERTS
North American Mission Board Send City Missionary for Pittsburgh
ZAKK ROBERTS was part of an amazing ministry at Steel City Church, but Pittsburgh had a massive need: 1.2 million people without a Gospel-centered church nearby. Now, as the Send City Missionary for Pittsburgh, Zakk is helping churches and planters navigate the “Steel City” and reach the 2.5 million who call it home! He previously served as the lead co-pastor of vision and strategy at Steel City Church in Pittsburgh, where he continues to be heavily involved as a spiritual leader and teacher. He is married to Leah, and they have two sons, Felix and Archer.
CONFERENCE EMCEE:
Dr. Ryan Day, Pastor, Wrightsdale Baptist Church, Peach Bottom, Pa.
WORSHIP LEADERS:
Students from Lancaster Bible College
Bold Impact Breakout Sessions
Affinity Lunch Gatherings
During the lunch break, consider joining others from your particular region or affinity. Women are free to choose any session, but women’s ministry leaders and ministry wives are especially invited to join Woven Women.
CENTRAL REGION
GREATER PHILADELPHIA REGION
SOUTH JERSEY REGION
WEST REGION
ETHNIC CHURCHES
WOVEN WOMEN
Special Pre-Conference Events
Join WES WINEBARGER, lead pastor of Travelers Church in Pittsburgh, Pa., who will lead us in a Scripture-fed, Spirit-led, Worship-based time of prayer.
Wes and his wife Lexi knew of their call to church planting many years ago. In 2019, Pittsburgh caught their eye because it was last on NAMB’s list of Send cities. Pittsburgh had the least amount of active church plants, the greatest failure rate of church plants, and the highest population to church ratio.
Pittsburgh also moved from only 7% of people unsure of their beliefs in 2000 to nearly half unsure by 2020, making it the fastest growth of irreligion anywhere in North America during this time.
These challenges lined up with Wes and Lexi’s calling perfectly. Statistics brought them to Pittsburgh in 2020, but it is a great love for the people that truly established them in Pittsburgh for the long haul.
Since planting Travelers Church with only 3 adult followers of Jesus, a couple dozen people have come to faith in Christ. Several thousand have gained respect for our reputation as a church that is a safe place both for those who have never been taught the truth of the Scriptures or been in a church and also for those who have history with Jesus but have never been discipled and learned how to live on mission.
Join the Pennsylvania Family Institute in a special breakfast featuring Communio, a nonprofit ministry that trains and equips churches to share the Gospel through the renewal of healthy relationships, marriages, and the family.
Communio’s shared goal with a church is Christ-centered. Their objective is to help you bring more souls to Jesus Christ by evangelizing and discipling relationships and marriages. Marriage has been central to God’s plan for humanity from the beginning. Communio serves you to make marriage central to your church.
Communio is not another program. Rather, they equip your church with a proven strategic framework, 21st-century data tools, and a ministry game plan that helps you put members of your church – and those in your surrounding community – onto a growth journey toward healthier and holier relationships. Communio helps you and your leadership team select, promote, and run large, attractional community outreach events that flow people into ongoing engagement, and ultimately into skill-based relationship ministry.
This event is generously sponsored by the Pennsylvania Family Institute.
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
― Proverbs 28:1 ESV
Tuesday Conference Schedule
| 8:30 a.m. | Worship Session 1: Lancaster Bible College Students |
| 8:45 a.m. | Welcome, Housekeeping |
| 9:00 a.m. | Main Session 1: Keynote Speaker Barry Whitworth |
| 9:45 a.m. | Worship Session 2: Lancaster Bible College Students |
| 10:00 a.m. | Main Session 2: Keynote Speakers Kyle Canty, Zakk Roberts |
| 10:45 a.m. | Explanation of Breakouts, Lunch, Networking and Expo |
| 10:45 a.m. | Break |
| 11:00 a.m. | Breakout Sessions |
| 12:00 p.m. | Lunch, Networking, Expo |
| 1:30 p.m. | Worship Session 3: Lancaster Bible College students |
| 1:45 p.m. | Main Session 3: Keynote Speakers T.J. Freeman, Brian Musser |
| 2:30 p.m. | Giveaways |
| 2:45 p.m. | Break |
| 3:00 p.m. | Business Session |
Early Bird and Pre-Registration
Early Bird registration closes at 11:59 pm on Sunday, September 13. You may still pre-register until 11:59 pm on Tuesday, September 29. After that, you may register at the door starting at 8 a.m. on the following Tuesday morning.
Messengers
Each church is granted a number of messengers, predetermined by Cooperative Program giving, Annual Church Profile completion, and church size. Messengers will receive ballots and will vote during the business sessions.
Guests
Visitors are welcome to attend all sessions but cannot vote during the business session.
Preregistration Link:
The Baptist Resource Network extends a hearty thank you to our Accelerate Conference sponsors.
