April 25, 2024
DULUTH — A two-day conference hosted by the Georgia Baptist Mission Board at Prince Avenue Baptist Church in Bogart Aug. 5-6 will focus on reaching others in the Peach State with the gospel.
"Go Georgia is an equipping event designed to assist churches in effectively engaging their communities with the gospel while providing vibrant ministry to their congregations," said Steve Parr, state missionary and vice president of Staff Coordination and Development for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. "This is a conference where a pastor can bring any or all of his church leaders and they will be better equipped to accomplish the aims of their local church. While the Georgia Baptist Mission Board staff provides a large number of different conferences throughout the state at all seasons of the year, Go Georgia is unique in that special training is provided for all leaders in one place."
An early bird discount rate of $35 for Go Georgia is available to those registering by Aug. 1. After that $40 gains church leaders access to specialized training through more than 100 breakout sessions directed toward ministries such as:
Featured speakers include Kelvin J. Cochran, former fire chief for the city of Atlanta and current chief strategic officer/chief operating officer at Elizabeth Baptist Church in Atlanta; David Anderson, children’s ministry strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention; and Jeff Iorg, president of Gateway Seminary (formerly Golden Gate Seminary) in Ontario, CA. Cliff Duren, music and worship associate minister at The Church at Station Hill, a regional campus of Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, TN, will return to Georgia to lead worship. A graduate of Shorter University, Duren had previously served as staff arranger at First Baptist Woodstock where he was nominated for five Dove Awards.
"While the Georgia Baptist Mission Board staff provides a large number of different conferences throughout the state at all seasons of the year, Go Georgia is unique in that special training is provided for all leaders in one place."
"Georgia’s population is projected to increase from 10.1 million (2015) to 12.2 million by 2020," Parr added. "We are a growing state. While only God knows the heart, it is projected that lostness in Georgia will reach over 8.8 million by the end of the decade. The number was projected to be 9.2 million when the Georgia Baptist Mission Board released its 2020 report at the beginning of this decade. The population growth projections are mildly smaller and that accounts for fewer lost Georgians than originally projected. However, the aim of Georgia Baptists is to reduce lostness as a result of more people coming to faith in Jesus Christ."
Parr acknowledged the uphill climb for churches today as well as the the call, and ability, to step up.
"Lostness is a common giant that all Georgia Baptist churches face and no community or church is exempt from the challenge. Clearly the culture and our communities are changing. Many churches are struggling and a few have actually closed their doors. But, there is hope. God is at work and many churches are effectively touching their communities while effectively meeting the needs of their congregations."
Go Georgia begins Friday, Aug. 5 with registration from 1:30-2:30 pm, followed by training sessions, dinner, and a “Night Owl” fellowship to close the day. Registration and breakfast commences Saturday at 7:30 a.m. before attendees will take advantage of breakout sessions and large-group gatherings through the 4 p.m. dismissal. Lodging options with the “GO GEORGIA” promo code and directions can be found at the Go Georgia site.
GoGeorgia Promo from Georgia Baptist Mission Board on Vimeo.
