July 15, 2025
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — 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."
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.”
Equally important was ensuring that the strategy works for churches of all sizes, types, and ministry contexts. Multiple leaders emphasized that the plan “has to be something any size church can participate in,” with special attention given to smaller congregations. Rural and bi-vocational churches were often cited as needing tailored support.
Church leaders acknowledged the many challenges facing evangelism today, ranging from apathy and fear to time constraints and cultural shifts. The report highlights two key solutions. First is the central role of prayer—personal and corporate—as the foundation for all gospel work. One pastor shared, “I prayed more for doors to open for the gospel.” Another echoed, “We sought the Lord, His guidance and power with a deep hunger.” Second is equipping pastors more effectively to lead evangelism through strategic planning, training, time management, and leadership development.
Encouragingly, the listening sessions also identified what is actually working in evangelism today. Pastors who reported success in evangelism described a range of factors fueling their effectiveness. Personal evangelism by pastors—modeling and leading the way—had a ripple effect across their congregations. “I shared more and led people to Christ myself,” one said. Another added, “I was better at leading and modeling personal evangelism.”
Many leaders pointed to the value of providing their congregations with practical, easy-to-use tools that make evangelism more accessible. They highlighted the benefit of local training opportunities and emphasized the need for ready-made resources that encourage and equip church members to share their faith confidently.
Scheduling intentional outreach was also crucial. “We established an intentional time for sending out people to share,” one leader said. Another reported, “Every event and gathering had a strong gospel emphasis.”
Other effective strategies included vision casting, intentionality in outreach efforts, strategic planning, and consistent community engagement. Associational leaders noted that outward-focused churches with strong ties to their local communities saw more opportunities for gospel conversations.
Georgia Baptist Mission Board staff added two notable observations. First, effective churches give a clear “call to response”—a gospel invitation that challenges people to act. Second, they create a welcoming church environment that fosters openness to the message.
Pastors and AMSs alike agreed on the top three ways the Mission Board can help: provide high-quality training and equipping, distribute practical resources and tools, and facilitate the sharing of best practices across the state.
The listening sessions are part of a broader Evangelism Initiative that aims to help Georgia Baptists respond to the spiritual needs of the more than seven million people across the state who have not heard or responded to the gospel. As W. Thomas Hammond, Jr., executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, noted, “The urgency of reaching the lost is ever-present, and now is the time for us to unite as Georgia Baptists in a focused effort to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with every man, woman, and child in our state.”
Hammond emphasized that the strategy ahead will rely on the full involvement of Georgia churches. “The success of this initiative hinges on the active participation of every church. No church, no matter its size, is too small to make a difference,” he said. “Together, we will see every church’s mission field impacted for eternity.”
Participation in the sessions was wide and encouraging. “Participation by pastors, church leaders, association leaders, and Mission Board staff was greatly appreciated,” Parr concluded. “The discussion prompted leaders to evaluate their own leadership, to have an increased burden for the lost in Georgia, and to consider how they can advance the gospel now. The results will prayerfully be weighed into the strategic equation as we tackle how to help pastors and churches get the gospel to every Georgia resident in the coming years.”
