Fall training events on your Christian responsibility in the public square

The Georgia Baptist Mission Board is continuing our new round of Public Affairs Training events this fall. These trainings are designed to equip pastors and church members with the tools and insights they need to effectively engage in today’s cultural and political landscape. We have already had 5 training sessions this year. There are 4 more events planned in October through November.

With the theme "Salt and Light: Your Role in the Public Square," this year’s events will continue to build on the momentum of a highly successful 2025 legislative session for Georgia Baptists. This year’s training events are designed to build on that engagement by educating and inspiring more believers to take an active role in the policy-making process.

Each session will feature presentations from seasoned leaders, including Brad Hughes, chairman of the Georgia Baptist Public Affairs Committee and director of field operations for Gov. Kemp; Kevin Cooke, former state representative; and Josh McKoon, a constitutional attorney and former state senator.

We are happy to have special guest legislator from the area to speak at each event:

• Sen. Larry Walker, Vienna First Baptist Church, Vienna on Oct. 16
• Sen. Blake Tillery, Brewton-Parker University, Mt Vernon on Oct. 27
• Rep. Gary Richardson, Abilene Baptist Church, Martinez on Oct. 28
• Rep. Bruce Williamson, 1025 Church, Monroe on Nov. 6

The training will focus on practical ways churches can have a gospel impact on their communities through civic engagement. Some of the most important ethical and moral issues of our day are being decided at the Capitol. Our churches must be equipped to respond with biblical truth and grace.

The Public Affairs Ministry has held similar events like this each year since 2016, training hundreds of pastors and lay leaders. Our goal is to encourage biblically grounded involvement in political and social issues that affect families, churches, and communities.

Christians are often concerned about what they see happening in government and culture, but many don’t know where to start. These training sessions provide that starting point. We will show our citizens how to engage constructively, prayerfully, and biblically.

One of our major emphases will be on the role of the church as both a moral compass and a servant to those in authority. These events are not about partisanship, but about ministry. We want to serve government leaders, hold them accountable, and be a faithful witness to the life-changing power of the gospel in the public square.

You see, our involvement in public policy is a way to live out the biblical mandate to be salt and light. God has called us to influence the world around us for Christ. That includes the halls of government. When we are silent, we leave a void that others are all too willing to fill.

The free one-day events will include lunch and will run from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Please make plans now to register for an upcoming training event and learn more about the Public Affairs Ministry, visit https://gabaptist.org/patraining2025/.