NC Baptists

President Andrew Hopper shares preview of Pastors’ Conference

How does church growth connect to the command to go and make disciples? Hear the answer from N.C. Baptist Pastors’ Conference President Andrew Hopper as he shares a preview of this year’s gathering.

In this episode of the N.C. Baptists Podcast, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker joins Andrew Hopper, pastor of Mercy Hill Church in Greensboro and director of the N.C. Baptist Pastors’ Conference, to talk about what guests can expect from this year’s conference taking place Nov. 3-4 in Greensboro. They share about the importance of growth as it relates to missions and highlight featured speakers and their insights for North Carolina Pastors.

Dr. Akin shares SEBTS's Helene response, convention sermon focus

For 20 years, Dr. Danny Akin has faithfully served as president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In this special episode, Dr. Akin joins EDT Todd Unzicker to share updates about the seminary’s Hurricane Helene response and give a sneak peek of this year’s annual meeting convention sermon.

In this episode of the N.C. Baptists Podcast, Dr. Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS), joins Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker to discuss how N.C. Baptists and SEBTS are responding to Hurricane Helene and what we can expect at this year’s annual meeting.

The vital role of an associate pastor (part 2)

What role does the associate pastor play in our churches? How important is it for the lead pastor to have a supporter? Listen to the second half of this two-part discussion on the N.C. Baptists Podcast.

In this episode, continue hearing from Dennis Conner, Chris Autry, Andrew Barclift and Luke Lunceford as they discuss the importance of the associate pastor in the life of the church. You can find part one of this two-part discussion here. 

The vital role of an associate pastor (part 1)

The role of associate pastor can often be neglected or misunderstood. In this episode, hear directly from a pastor and his associate about the essential role this position plays in the life of the church.

In this episode, Mission Catalyst Dennis Conner and Chris Autry, pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Fayetteville, join two other pastors — Associate Pastor Andrew Barclift and now former Pastor Luke Lunceford (now a mission catalyst with N.C. Baptists) — to discuss the role and value of an associate pastor. Together, the pastors share personal experiences, reflect on the relationship between a lead pastor and an associate, and explore how this essential role serves and supports the flock of God.

NAMB’s Catherine Renfro explains living on mission

God has called everyone in the church to live on mission for Him. But sometimes, this call to live on mission can feel overwhelming. On this week’s episode, hear from NAMB’s Women’s Evangelism Director Catherine Renfro as she shares encouragement and advice as we step in faith to share the gospel with those around us.

In this episode of the N.C. Baptists Podcast, Ashley Reffit, women's leadership and discipleship consultant for N.C. Baptists, sits down with Catherine Renfro, national director of women’s evangelism at the North American Mission Board, to discuss living on mission. Together, the two explore reasons we need to be living on mission, why it can feel difficult to share the gospel and practical ways we can be a light to the world around us. 

Hollifield, Unzicker discuss God’s work among NC Baptists

Listen in to a conversation between Todd Unzicker, Executive Director-Treasurer for N.C. Baptists, and former Executive Director Treasurer Milton Hollifield as they share ministry updates and celebrate how God is moving across the state and beyond. 

During a recent N.C. Baptist “Staff Day,” former EDT Milton Hollifield addressed staff for the first time since his retirement in 2021. Hollifield encouraged N.C. Baptists to “let Christ be magnified.” 

In this episode of the N.C. Baptists Podcast, Chad Austin, managing editor of the Biblical Recorder, caught up with Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker and Milton Hollifield, who now serves with the North American Mission Board (NAMB) to assist with strategic partnerships with state conventions. 

Listen in to their conversation as they share life and ministry updates, and celebrate God’s work among N.C. Baptist churches.

Steps to take after ‘ServeNC’

In early August, communities across North Carolina were met with open arms by nearly 1,200 N.C. Baptist churches through an “on mission together” initiative known as “ServeNC.” But now that the weeklong emphasis has wrapped up, what’s next for churches? 

On this week’s episode of the N.C. Baptist podcast, three N.C. Baptist team members — Antoine Lassiter, Barry Murry and Casey Norkett — share stories of how God moved across the state, how churches met needs and how “ServeNC” can serve as a catalyst for evangelism in your church. 

As you plan to foster relationships that were developed this summer, here are some ways you can continue to love your community in Jesus’ name.

1. Pray for people you met during “ServeNC” and for the relationships your church can develop with the community. 
2. Volunteer with Baptists on Mission. Learn more at BaptistsOnMission.org.
3. Help mobilize N.C. Baptists for missions by supporting the N.C. Missions Offering at GiveNCMO.com. Give the gift of relief for today, and hope for tomorrow. 

Support and send — what’s next for your church?

What does a supporting church and a sending church look like? SendNC stands ready to help churches plant churches — everywhere for everyone. Listen to how your church can support and send church planters across North Carolina. 

In this episode, SendNC Director Mike Pittman and SendNC Church Planting Strategist Paul Ortiz sit down with Pastor Robert Hefner of Pleasant Garden Baptist Church to discuss how N.C. Baptist churches — regardless of size — can be supporting and sending churches. They discuss why your church should support church planters and how you can become a sending church.

Be.Do.Tell. trains the next generation

God is on the move across our state, and He is using the next generation of Be.Do.Tell staffers to train the next generation of North Carolina students. Learn more about how God is working this summer through our summer youth camps in this week’s podcast episode.

In this episode of the N.C. Baptists’ Podcast, Daniel Rose, a student ministry strategist for N.C. Baptists, sits down with three Be.Do.Tell. summer staffers to hear an update about how God is working in this year’s summer youth weeks at Fort Caswell. Listen in as they share how God led them to work at camp, what they are witnessing in the lives of students and more. 

Podcast guests include summer staffers Maelyn Ginn, Reagan Houchard and Luke Clevenger.

Real stories of church revitalization

Recent studies show that 9 out of every 10 churches need some form of revitalization. In the latest episode of the N.C. Baptists’ Podcast, hear from a panel of guest speakers about how they’ve seen revitalization bring life back into churches. 

In this episode, hear from a panel of ministry leaders featured at the recent Reconstruct Conference as they discuss the variety of methods for church revitalization, including church fostering, merging and replanting. Hear powerful testimonies of how God is using revitalization efforts to grow and strengthen His church.

List of panel speakers include:

• Ben McRoy, mobilization pastor; Faith Baptist Church, Youngsville
• Dave Kiehn, lead pastor; Park Baptist Church, Concord
• Joey Baynes, lead pastor; Restoration Church at the Rock, Greensboro
• Randy Titus, executive pastor of worship services; Mercy Hill Church, Greensboro
• Jonathan Yarboro, executive pastor of sending; Mercy Hill Church, Greensboro
• Aaron Wallace, lead pastor; Hephzibah Baptist Church, Wendell
• John Wilson, associate pastor; Hephzibah Baptist Church, Wendell
• Mark Gray, N.C. Baptist contractor for the Church Revitalization Team

9 reasons people (still) aren’t singing in worship

10 years after its release, Kenny Lamm’s article “9 reasons people aren’t singing in worship” continues to resonate with many today. Tune in to hear more about the reasons behind this article and why so many churches still struggle to encourage their members to participate in worship.

In this episode of the N.C. Baptists’ Podcast, Church Health & Revitalization Strategist Terry Long sits down with Kenny Lamm, worship ministries strategist for N.C. Baptists, as the two discuss why churches aren’t singing in worship. Listen in as they explain reasons for stagnated worship and what churches can begin to do to facilitate vibrant worship within their congregations. 

What you need to know about the new ARITF ministry toolkit

Every church desires to be a safe space for children and adults alike. In this episode of the N.C. Baptists Podcast, hear from two members of the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force of the Southern Baptist Convention as they share how their new curriculum will help churches across the country protect the vulnerable and give them the tools they need to prevent and respond to sexual abuse.

In this episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, Seth Brown, director of the convention relations group for N.C. Baptists, sits down with two members of the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF): Brad Eubank, pastor of Petal First Baptist Church in Petal, Miss., and Kris Buckman, youth and kids missionary for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware.

 

Together, the three of them discuss the newly-released ministry toolkit, the five essentials of abuse prevention and response, how churches can protect their flock and more.

How NC Baptists ‘play ball’ as one team

Next week, N.C. Baptists will be gathering with partners from across the country to celebrate being on mission together as one team. In this episode, Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker highlights how we “play ball” together as we put the mission of the gospel first.

 

What does it look like for N.C. Baptists to play ball as one team? Here are four ways we partner together.

 

• N.C. Baptists partner as one team to reach the lost near & far. God has given our churches a goal: to go and make disciples of all nations. We play ball together so that people across North Carolina and beyond can have a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• N.C. Baptists partner as one team to train disciples, churches & the next generation. Disciple-making is a core component of the Christian faith. We play ball together to train believers from all stages of life — from the youngest disciple to the most seasoned disciple-maker.

• N.C. Baptists partner as one team to send church planters through the local church. If N.C. Baptists are a baseball team, then the word “sending” belongs somewhere on our jerseys. Sending is in our DNA as N.C. Baptists. Our churches are on mission together to send senders through the local church. 
• N.C. Baptists partner as one team to serve churches, communities, our nation and the world. We play ball together to reach, train, send and serve. Serving is how we show the world we’re on the same team and that we want others around us to join our team as well.

4 things that could happen when you 'ServeNC'

ServeNC is a special opportunity for N.C. Baptists to be the “light of the world” and the “salt of the earth” as we go to meet tangible needs in our communities. In this week’s episode, N.C. Baptist staff members share 4 things that could happen to you when you start to volunteer for ServeNC. 

Going out and doing any kind of service project is never easy — there will always be new kinds of challenges that you will face when you go out as a light for the gospel. For many, ServeNC will be an opportunity to try out new things, to meet new members of the community, and to go out of our comfort zone to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

N.C. Baptist staff members recently had a glimpse of what it will be like to ‘ServeNC’ at a service retreat in late April. For this week’s episode of the N.C. Baptists podcast, hear directly from our staff members as they share what it was like for them to serve. Here are four takeaways they offered:

1. Serving can take you out of your comfort zone.
2. Serving helps us realize how much we need each other.
3. Serving begets serving.
4. Serving begets sending. 

 

How to reconstruct a dying church

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.

A sneak peek at the ‘24 SendNC Gathering

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. 

40 years later, N.C. disaster relief still sharing hope

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.

When God calls women to lead

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.

Mark Richt talks faith, football and living sent

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.”

Is your church’s next ministry leader in your church?

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. 

5 reasons you don’t want to miss DMC ‘24

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.

The good news and bad news of church planting

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.

Faithfulness in finances — what does it look like?

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. 

On mission with the local church to make abortion unthinkable

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.

2023 highlights — Here is how God moved.

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.

Whitfield shares Lottie’s story through new book

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. 

Newly elected officers talk ServeNC

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.

NC missionaries sent to reach the nations

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. 

Why a sabbatical?

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.

What the church needs to know about the pastor’s family

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.