Georgia Baptist pastors and leaders gathered in more than 30 locations this year to ask one urgent question: How can we reach every resident of our state with the gospel?
In recent months, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board hosted statewide listening sessions that drew 750 pastors and church leaders representing 363 congregations. An additional 53 Associational Missionary Strategists joined regional gatherings. The findings reveal both strong support for evangelism and a desire for better training, stronger partnerships and more consistent emphasis from church leadership.
Participants affirmed the Board’s decision to place evangelism at the heart of its priorities. “The majority of participants expressed strong support for the GBMB’s emphasis on evangelism,” said Steve Parr, who was named as evangelism strategy director for the GBMB in January. “They view evangelism as a biblical mandate and a critical component of church ministry.”
Seeking long-term change
However, participants were quick to clarify that evangelism efforts must go beyond another short-term program. Many voiced concern that a fleeting campaign would fail to create long-term change. As one leader commented, “It must be a lifestyle and not just a program.” One AMS noted, “We do not need another product, we need timeless principles.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Henry Durand and originally published by the Christian Index.
