Whitworth shares highlights of the 2022 Advance Conference

Presenters at the Baptist Resource Network's inaugural Advance Evangelism Conference on March 21 at Calvary Church State College pointed to the hope of the Gospel--especially in the midst of a difficult season in our world.

March 23, 2022
Barry Whitworth

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

On March 21, 2022, the Baptist Resource Network of Pennsylvania/South Jersey hosted its inaugural ADVANCE evangelism conference at Calvary Church in State College. What an amazing day! We thank the Lord for how He moved among us.

Also, we want to express our deepest thanks to Calvary for hosting us and for providing incredible expertise and assistance.

We also are very thankful for our two keynote speakers, Ed Stetzer of Wheaton College and Daniel Yang of the Send Institute, who both presented timely messages on cultural and societal issues and how they relate to evangelism. Though our world may seem difficult, they said there is hope, and pointed to the small window of opportunity to reach people in a world that is becoming increasingly intolerant against biblical worldviews. They each affirmed engaging people in conversations through social media and otherwise, ultimately seeking to point them to Jesus.

Once again, we were absolutely blessed to be led in worship by Seven, a group of multi-talented musicians from Messiah University. And speaking of blessing, we were thrilled to have 184 of our church leaders, representing 66 churches from across the region, in attendance. The atmosphere in the crowd was electric!

Our three breakout speakers, Larry Anderson, David Ludwig and Chris Betner, challenged participants to remain dedicated to sharing the Gospel, believing God will do what He says He will do. Individuals were taught how to share the Gospel in practical and relevant ways (one on one or from the pulpit) and were urged to be open to how the Holy Spirit leads them. I’m so thankful for how the Holy Spirit led the BRN Team to put this conference together.

Links of the replays of Advance’s main sessions will soon be available to all our registrants. Others who are interested may contact the Help Desk.

My biggest prayer is that this conference will ignite a passion in our churches to share the Gospel all over Pennsylvania/South Jersey. May Jesus’ name be famous and may our churches experience revival! 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.