Georgia Baptists hopeful for another year of record-breaking attendance at SPARK conferences

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Georgia Baptists will have six opportunities this fall to take part in the SPARK 2025 church-strengthening conferences, with events scheduled across the state and registration now officially open. Building on last year’s success—more than 3,600 participants representing 385 churches—SPARK continues to expand its reach, momentum, and ministry impact.

“The beauty of SPARK conference training is found in leaders being able to experience the equipping event in person AND utilize the digital vault to bring training back to their members who were not able to attend,” said Georgia Baptist Mission Board Discipleship Catalyst Scott Sullivan. “The SPARK vault makes all breakouts from the past three years available on demand, and all in-person attendees get access for free.”

This year’s conferences will again offer a full day of equipping for pastors and lay leaders alike, featuring keynote messages from some of the most respected voices in Southern Baptist life. Attendees will also benefit from a wide array of breakout sessions focused on evangelism, discipleship, ministry to the next generation, pastoral wellness, and more.

“With registration exceeding 3600 in 2024, SPARK has become the premier training opportunity for Georgia Baptists. Any position in the local church will find something relevant," said Mark Marshall, the GBMB's senior lead strategist for church strengthening. But SPARK is more than training. Those attending will be inspired through keynote speakers and worship. But possibly the greatest benefit of attending SPARK is the opportunity to network with others in local churches who serve in similar positions. 

 “The 2025 SPARK conference has the most robust lineup of high-capacity speakers that we have ever been able to assemble. It is truly a stable full of thoroughbreds,” Sullivan added.

The 2025 SPARK schedule includes:

• Peavine Baptist Church, Rock Springs — Saturday, Aug. 23
  Keynote Speaker: David L. Allen, renowned preacher and author, who served as dean of the School of Preaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
• Brewton-Parker College, Mt. Vernon — Sunday, Aug. 24
  Keynote Speaker: Thom S. Rainer, founder and CEO of Church Answers and former president of LifeWay Christian Resources.
• Sherwood Baptist Church, Albany — Sunday, Sept. 7
  Keynote Speaker: Mark Clifton, national leader in church revitalization and senior director of replanting at the North American Mission Board.
• Hebron Baptist Church, Dacula — Sunday, Sept. 14
  Keynote Speaker: Bryant Wright, former pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church and past president of Send Relief, the Southern Baptist compassion ministry.
• First Baptist Church Atlanta — Sunday, Sept. 21
  Keynote Speaker: Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board, leading one of the largest missionary-sending organizations in the world.
• Lakeside Church at Lake Oconee, Greensboro — Sunday, Sept. 28
  Keynote Speaker: Jeff Iorg, president of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention and former president of Gateway Seminary.

Each event will feature local partnerships between churches, associations, and the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. In addition to in-person gatherings, attendees will receive access to the SPARK Vault—a digital archive of recorded sessions available for ongoing training and encouragement.

Sullivan credits Marshall with having a vision to make high-quality training available to every Georgia Baptist church. “The event has become so well-received that we are already talking with churches now to host for 2026 and beyond.”

Sullivan concluded, “If I were a pastor in Georgia, I would do whatever it takes to get my people to the closest SPARK conference location.”

For more details or to register for a 2025 SPARK conference, visit https://www.gabaptist.org/spark.