October 2, 2026
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Twelve months ago, Georgia Baptists looked back on 2024 as a year marked by emergency response and recovery. Today, looking at 2025, they see a year with a focus on evangelism and the urgent goal of reaching the state’s more than 7 million lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ. That effort will require commitment and planning, along with strengthening churches to serve their communities with compassion, readiness, and resolve.
The emphasis on the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s evangelism initiative shaped nearly every major gathering of the year as believers strive to continue growing the Kingdom. According to the most recent ACP data, Georgia Baptist churches reported 25,651 baptisms in 2024, a 20% increase over the previous year.
More than 600 Georgia Baptists gathered in February at Central Baptist Church in Warner Robins for the first Evangelism Conference of the year. “We have been given a task by the Lord,” said Christian Norman, associate pastor at First Baptist Church of Woodstock. “We are still here so we can reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ.”
Shane Pruitt, national Next Gen director for the North American Mission Board, reminded attendees of the urgency of that calling. “Now is the time,” he declared, urging believers to recognize that there is a limited window in which to address the spiritual need around them.
“God’s plan A of getting the gospel to the world is the church,” Pruitt said. “And there’s no backup plan.”
Evangelism remained front and center at the Georgia Baptist Convention annual meeting in November, where messengers gathered at First Baptist Atlanta. President Steve Browning challenged churches to pursue “everyone, everywhere” with the gospel, reminding pastors that Jesus welcomed sinners and calls His followers to intentionally seek the lost, even if it is only one.
“What overjoys our heavenly Father’s heart is when one sinner turns to Him,” Browning said. “What a day it would be, if 7 million lost people across the state of Georgia turned to Him.”
Executive Director Thomas Hammond shared with attendees how statewide listening sessions with church and lay leaders across the state earlier in the year shaped the evangelism initiative. Hammond reaffirmed the need for a comprehensive, statewide strategy. “I believe with 3,500 churches and an army of over a million people, we can put together a plan that will make a difference,” he said. “But we need a comprehensive strategy to cover our state.”
The emphasis on evangelism was accompanied by evidence of spiritual growth among Georgia Baptist churches. According to the Annual Church Profile, in addition to the more than 25,000 baptisms, churches saw attendance rise by more than 6%. Churches also reported a 5.4% increase in undesignated receipts.
“It’s not just about filling seats—it’s about lives being transformed, families being restored, and communities being impacted for the Kingdom of God,” Hammond said.
Evangelism consultant Brad Marchman described the moment as “the stirrings of a gospel movement.” Catalyst Steve Foster noted that pastors across the state are focusing on prayer, personal evangelism, and intentional outreach. “God is blessing the sowing of gospel seeds across Georgia,” he said.
The Mission Board also continued its efforts to equip churches for successful and fruitful ministry. SPARK 2025 set attendance records, training more than 4,100 leaders from 535 churches at conferences held at six locations. Attendance rose nearly 10%, and the number of churches represented jumped by 39% compared to the previous year.
“The energy was electric at every host site,” said Scott Sullivan, discipleship catalyst for the Mission Board. “2025 was the most incredible year of training through the SPARK conference that we have seen.”
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for Engage 6, a new series of regional evangelism equipping sessions set to begin in early 2026, designed to help churches strengthen prayer, personal evangelism, community engagement, and follow-up.
Georgia Baptists continued to demonstrate Christ’s love through disaster relief. In 2025, Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief completed eight trainings, multiple out-of-state deployments, and ongoing recovery work at home.
Volunteers continued cleanup efforts in Augusta following 2024’s Hurricane Helene, while also responding to tornado damage in Kentucky and Missouri. In one Kentucky deployment, teams logged 430 volunteer days, completed 26 mud-outs, placed 238 Bibles with homeowners, held 73 gospel conversations, and saw five people profess faith in Christ.
“In the midst of disaster, God continues to open doors for ministry,” said GBDR Director Dwain Carter.
To support its continued mission of bringing help, hope, and healing to those afflicted by disaster, the ministry invested in upgraded command centers, electronic assessment tools, expanded shower and laundry units, and new ministry areas focused on rebuilding and logistics.
Another significant milestone came in August with the opening of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s new ministry center in Alpharetta. Hammond emphasized that the facility exists not as a headquarters, but as a tool to serve churches.
“This building is not the Georgia Baptist headquarters,” he said. “Every church is the headquarters. We are here to serve churches.”
As 2025 ends, Georgia Baptists remain committed to sharing the gospel, strengthening churches, responding to needs, and working together for the glory of God.
“This is just the beginning," Hammond said. “There’s so much work to be done, but together, we can accomplish so much more for God’s glory.
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