Episodes
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
How to reconstruct a dying church
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
What does it take to bring struggling churches back to health? In this episode of the N.C. Baptists Podcast, hear from revitalization ministry leaders about the ways churches can be on mission together to see dying churches transform and flourish.
In this episode, Terry Long, N.C. Baptist church health and revitalization coordinator, sits down with Ben McRoy, mobilization pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Youngsville, and Dave Kiehn, lead pastor of Park Baptist Church in Rock Hill, S.C. Together, the three discuss their stories in church revitalization, how to be on mission to bring churches back to health and more.
Tuesday Apr 02, 2024
A sneak peek at the ‘24 SendNC Gathering
Tuesday Apr 02, 2024
Tuesday Apr 02, 2024
Every church planter needs to be encouraged, inspired and equipped to do the work of ministry. In this special preview of the 2024 SendNC gathering, hear from one of the keynote speakers as he shares his vision for church planters and church planting churches across North Carolina and beyond.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, SendNC Director Mike Pittman and Church Planting Strategist Antoine Lassiter sit down with Noah Oldham, executive director of the North American Mission Board’s Send Network, as they discuss the state of church planting, what to expect at the upcoming SendNC gathering and more.
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
40 years later, N.C. disaster relief still sharing hope
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
From the 1984 tornadoes in Red Springs, the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and the devastating Hurricane Florence in 2018, N.C. Baptists have provided relief and hope. Listen to this week’s episode as Chad Austin and Richard Brunson look back on what God has done the last 40 years of the disaster response ministry.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptist podcast, Chad Austin, managing editor of the Biblical Recorder sat down with Richard Brunson, executive director of Baptists on Mission to celebrate the ministry of disaster response. March 28 marks the 40th anniversary of the N.C. Baptist disaster response ministry.
Listen in as they share how through God’s faithfulness and the generosity of churches, volunteers and partners, N.C. Baptists have offered relief and hope in Jesus’ name.
Friday Mar 22, 2024
When God calls women to lead
Friday Mar 22, 2024
Friday Mar 22, 2024
What does it look like when God calls women to lead in ministry? In this panel discussion, hear from N.C. Baptist women as they share their experiences and advice to those pursuing a calling from God to lead, serve and love within their churches and communities.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, listen in with Ashley Reffit as five N.C. Baptist women leaders — Missie Branch, Donna Navey, Janetta Oni, Amy Whitfield and Meredith Snoddy — sit down to discuss the role of women within the life of the church. Listen now as they share advice to women who aspire to ministry, share recommendations to those who feel voiceless, and more.
Friday Mar 15, 2024
Mark Richt talks faith, football and living sent
Friday Mar 15, 2024
Friday Mar 15, 2024
There are two things Hall of Fame coach Mark Richt knows well — college football and the gospel of Jesus. Listen to this week’s episode below as Richt shares his heart for discipleship through sports and the importance of living on mission.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker sits down with Mark Richt, retired Hall of Fame football coach for the University of Georgia and the University of Miami, to discuss college football, Richt’s testimony and what it means to live on mission.
Richt was also influential in Unzicker coming to know Christ when Unzicker was a college football reporter covering Richt’s Georgia teams. Richt now works as a college football analyst and serves as a national spokesperson for Send Relief, the compassion ministry arm of the North American Mission Board.
Richt will be a keynote speaker at the upcoming N.C. Missions Conference sponsored by Baptists on Mission, being held April 5-6 in Charlotte. The conference theme is “Living Sent.”
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Is your church’s next ministry leader in your church?
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Many churches search across the state and beyond for their next ministry leader. But what happens when a church finds that their next ministry leader is a young disciple in the pew?
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, Student Ministries Strategist Daniel Rose sits down with Andrew Patrick, associate pastor of Olivet Baptist Church in Catawba, N.C., and Matt Rummage, senior pastor of Olivet. Listen in as Patrick and Rummage share their story about how Patrick went from student to pastor in the church after several years of discipleship with Rummage.
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
5 reasons you don’t want to miss DMC ‘24
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
This year’s Disciple-Making Conference, coming up Feb. 27 at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, will be a key opportunity for you to learn how to grow as a missional disciple of Jesus Christ.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists Podcast, SendNC Church Planting Strategist Antoine Lassiter sits down with Brian Upshaw, director of the Ministry Strategies Group for N.C. Baptists, to discuss 5 reasons you don’t want to miss this year’s Disciple-Making Conference in Charlotte.
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
The good news and bad news of church planting
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
Anyone considering church planting needs to recognize the joys and challenges that come with this Great Commission task. Listen in as SendNC church planters discuss what it takes to plant a church and reach the lost.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists podcasts, Church Planting Strategist Antoine Lassiter sits down with church planters Ramone Bellagamba, Femi Oke and Andrew Browder as they discuss their calling to church planting, the challenges they have faced as they plant and what makes this calling from God worth it in the end.
Monday Jan 22, 2024
Faithfulness in finances — what does it look like?
Monday Jan 22, 2024
Monday Jan 22, 2024
How should we steward the financial resources God has provided for us? In this podcast episode, learn more from President Harry Nelson about ways that we can be faithful with our financial resources and redemptively invest for the sake of God’s kingdom.
This episode of the N.C. Baptists’ Podcast features Seth Brown, director of the Convention Relations Group for N.C. Baptists, as he sits down with Harry Nelson, newly-elected president of Provision Financial Resources (formerly known as the North Carolina Baptist Foundation). Tune in as the two discuss financial stewardship, redemptive investing and practical ways N.C. Baptists can partner with Provision to live on mission together.
Wednesday Jan 03, 2024
On mission with the local church to make abortion unthinkable
Wednesday Jan 03, 2024
Wednesday Jan 03, 2024
N.C. Baptists are on mission together to advocate for the vulnerable and make abortion unthinkable. One of the key ways churches show care for all stages of life is through supporting Pregnancy Resource Centers across North Carolina.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists’ Podcast, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker sits down with Allison Herrington, director of partnerships for The Pregnancy Network in Winston-Salem and Greensboro, to discuss the significance of pregnancy resource ministries, the necessity of the local church and ways that N.C. Baptists can support Pregnancy Resource Centers to help end abortion and protect the vulnerable.
Monday Dec 18, 2023
2023 highlights — Here is how God moved.
Monday Dec 18, 2023
Monday Dec 18, 2023
What a year! From witnessing nearly 1,600 profess their faith on Fill the Tank Sunday to the highest attendance at annual meeting in nine years, we’ve seen God use N.C. Baptists throughout 2023 as a movement of churches on mission together.
In this episode, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker gives a quick overview of some highlights of 2023 and how churches plan to serve their local communities through ServeNC in 2024.
Monday Dec 04, 2023
Whitfield shares Lottie’s story through new book
Monday Dec 04, 2023
Monday Dec 04, 2023
Every year, Baptists across the nation celebrate the timeless legacy of Lottie Moon by giving to the annual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. But how many of us actually know Lottie’s story?
In this episode, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker sits down with Amy Whitfield, executive director of communications at The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, to discuss her new children’s book Lottie Moon: The Girl Who Reached the World. Aimed at elementary school students, the book tells Lottie’s story in a way that reminds us all why we are on mission together.
Listen in as the two discuss the background of the book, the importance of Lottie Moon and more.
Monday Nov 20, 2023
Newly elected officers talk ServeNC
Monday Nov 20, 2023
Monday Nov 20, 2023
In August 2024, churches across North Carolina will join together to reach local community needs through ServeNC. In this episode of the N.C. Baptists’ Podcast, hear from newly elected N.C. Baptist officers as they share their excitement, vision and plans for this time of serving on mission together.
In this episode, Baptists on Mission EDT Richard Brunson sits down with the newly elected officers of the Baptist State Convention: Pastor Jason Miller of Dutch Cove Baptist Church of Canton, Pastor Quintell Hill of Multiply Community Church of Monroe, and Pastor Allan Murray of Centerville Baptist Church of Kelly. Listen in as they discuss the necessity of local community service, the ways they plan to get involved in ServeNC, and much more.
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
NC missionaries sent to reach the nations
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
N.C. Baptists are on mission together to reach the nations. In this episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, hear from two N.C. Baptist missionaries who are accepting that call and taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Join us as we hear from Brandon and Danielle Pirtle, two of many N.C. Baptist missionaries who were celebrated at this year’s annual meeting, as they share with us their background, their calling into missions, and their next steps as they move to Japan. Hosting this week’s episode is N.C. Baptist Great Commission Catalyst Casey Norkett, who discusses with the Pirtle's the primacy of the Great Commission task.
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Why a sabbatical?
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Monday Oct 23, 2023
The church suffers when its pastor feels burnt out, exhausted or spiritually empty. Providing a sabbatical is a key way to ensure that pastors flourish for the long run of ministry.
In this episode, Pastoral Ministry Strategist Sandy Marks sits down with Chris Turner, senior pastor of Neill’s Creek Baptist Church in Angier, and Gary Mayes, former executive director of Church Next Ministries and Consulting, to discuss the benefits of pastoral sabbaticals, their own experiences in church sabbaticals and how to maximize the sabbatical to ensure long-term health for the pastor and the church.
Monday Oct 16, 2023
What the church needs to know about the pastor’s family
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Monday Oct 16, 2023
It can be easy to forget the special role the pastor’s family plays in the life of the church. On this week’s episode, join N.C. Baptists as we look at the unique blessings and challenges of life and ministry for the pastor’s family.
In this episode, N.C. Baptist Women’s Discipleship consultant Ashley Reffit joins three pastors’ wives — Kimberly Merida from Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, Tabatha Frost from Providence Church in Raleigh, and Veronica Greear from the Summit Church in Durham — as they discuss the life of a pastor’s family. Listen in as the four discuss family life, the challenges of ministry and helpful resources for supporting this family in the church.
Monday Oct 09, 2023
A candid conversation about pastoral health
Monday Oct 09, 2023
Monday Oct 09, 2023
A church’s health is directly tied to its pastor’s health. If pastors want to see their churches flourish, they need to set themselves up for long-term success and care for their own health.
In this episode, Church Health and Revitalization Strategist Terry Long sits down with Sandy Marks, N.C. Baptist church revitalization and pastoral ministry strategist, and Keelan Cook, director of the Center for Great Commission Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Listen as the three have a conversation about pastoral health and how pastors can take care of themselves to create a lasting ministry.
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Why growing churches are going churches
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
What’s more important: sending capacity or seating capacity? What if too many of our churches have emphasized one to the neglect of the other?
In this episode, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker sits down with Andrew Hopper, pastor of Mercy Hill Church in Greensboro, to discuss the importance of strategic church growth and how it can fuel our members to go to the nations.
Monday Sep 11, 2023
What we can learn from the Hispanic church
Monday Sep 11, 2023
Monday Sep 11, 2023
With Sept. 15 marking the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to take time to celebrate the Hispanic church, learn more about Hispanic culture and take time to hear from key Hispanic voices as we serve on mission together.
In this episode of the N.C. Baptists’ Podcast, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker joins Amaury Santos, statewide Hispanic catalyst for N.C. Baptists, to discuss the distinctives of Hispanic culture and what N.C. Baptists can learn from their Hispanic brothers and sisters.
Monday Aug 28, 2023
How a 200-year-old church created a sending culture
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Monday Aug 28, 2023
It’s not every day you encounter a two-century-old church with a goal to plant 20 churches in 20 years. And yet, for Hephzibah Baptist Church in Wendell, this sort of sending culture has become the heartbeat of the church.
In this episode, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker sits down with Aaron Wallace, lead pastor of Hephzibah Baptist Church, to discuss the church’s cultural transformation, the joys and challenges of church planting and revitalization, and how God can use churches of all kinds to bring people the hope of the gospel.
Tuesday Aug 15, 2023
Healthy worship. Healthy church. (Part 2)
Tuesday Aug 15, 2023
Tuesday Aug 15, 2023
What is your worship ministry culture like? Is your church struggling with gaining and retaining volunteers in your worship ministry? How is the health of your staff?
In this episode, N.C. Baptists’ worship ministries strategist Kenny Lamm and David Manner, executive director of Church Forward, discuss practical ways to invest in volunteers in your worship ministry. In this second half of a two-part series, David Manner shares suggestions in creating a healthy culture in your worship ministry.
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Healthy worship. Healthy church. (Part 1)
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
How is your church’s worship doing? Worship health gives an insight to the overall well-being of your church, and intergenerational worship plays an important role.
N.C. Baptists’ worship ministries strategist Kenny Lamm discusses the connection between worship health and church health with David Manner, executive director of Church Forward. In this first half of a two-part series, David Manner shares six suggestions to help create intergenerational worship in your worship service.
Monday Jul 24, 2023
Behind the scenes of a church residency
Monday Jul 24, 2023
Monday Jul 24, 2023
N.C. Baptists college students are committing to “Go2” — to live on mission together for the sake of the gospel. One of the pathways college graduates and young professionals can take when they commit to the Go2Years initiative is to join a church residency.
Ashanti Glass is a church resident at Provision Church in Monroe. She graduated from Wingate University, and she is being trained in ministry and pouring into other college students.
In this episode, N.C. Baptists’ college ministry strategist Alex Hugo asks Ashanti to give a behind the scenes look at a church residency.
Monday Jul 17, 2023
Launching high school students into college and young adulthood
Monday Jul 17, 2023
Monday Jul 17, 2023
The transition from high school ministries to college and young adult ministries can be jarring for students. As student pastors and leaders, it’s important to ask the question of how can your ministry lay the foundation for students to grow into mature, healthy college and young adult disciples.
Austin Gentry is the Young Adults Pastor at Second Baptist Church of Houston, Texas. He’s originally from North Carolina, a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is the author of “10 Things Every Christian Should Know For College”.
Listen to a breakout session recording from the 2023 Disciple-Making Conference where Austin shares strategies to prepare your students — and their parents — well.
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Protecting religious liberties in your church and student ministry
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
On this week’s episode, Seth Brown, N.C. Baptist director of convention relations, discusses cultural and legal challenges and opportunities facing churches with Daniel Rose, N.C. Baptists’ student ministries strategist, and Harrison Smith with Alliance Defending Freedom.
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Discipleship begins at the door
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Your guest’s first visit helps set up their second visit. Therefore, it’s essential and biblical that we connect hospitality and discipleship within our church services.
On this week’s episode, N.C. Baptists’ Bradley Norris speaks with Danny Franks, pastor of guest services at The Summit Church, and Ashley Reffit, women’s discipleship consultant with N.C. Baptists. Listen as they discuss the importance of church hospitality and how churches should pay attention to details.
For more episodes, visit ncbaptist.org/podcast. You can also find us on Apple Podcasts.
Monday Jun 12, 2023
How to move your church from where you are to what’s next
Monday Jun 12, 2023
Monday Jun 12, 2023
On this week’s episode, Send Network’s Brian Frye and Mike McDaniel share the recently announced Church Mobilization Pathway with SendNC’s Mike Pittman. They discuss what it looks like for all churches to become involved in church planting and sending.
Listen to how this new five-step tool will assist churches in visualizing how they can become involved.
Monday Jun 05, 2023
10 things under 10 minutes — What every N.C. Baptist should know about SBC23
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Many North Carolina Baptists are heading down to New Orleans next week for the 2023 SBC annual meeting. Whether you’re attending this year’s meeting or if you’re not, N.C. Baptists’ Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker, shares ten things that every N.C. Baptists should know about SBC23 in under ten minutes.
Monday May 22, 2023
Pace and Horton answer the college question: How do I choose a college?
Monday May 22, 2023
Monday May 22, 2023
Test scores, favorite teams, social life and location often determine a student’s plans after graduation — but is there a better way to discern if, when and where you should go to college?
On this week’s podcast, listen to a breakout session recording from the 2022 N.C. Baptist Annual Meeting, led by Scott Pace with The College at Southeastern and David Horton with Fruitland Baptist Bible College.
Learn how families should think about college education, how to choose the right school for them, and how their faith can be strengthened and leveraged while they’re in college.
Monday May 08, 2023
I’m giving up my summer for missions
Monday May 08, 2023
Monday May 08, 2023
What are you doing this summer? College students across North Carolina are being mobilized to reach their neighbors and the nations with the gospel.
On this week’s episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, Brandon Powell, student mobilization coordinator with Baptists on Mission, catches up with two college students that have accepted the call to serve on mission during their summer break. Listen to how God has led Jordan Gibbs, a student at The College at Southeastern, and Sheridan Rice, a student at UNC Pembroke, to this decision.