SPARK 2025 features powerhouse keynote lineup and 50+ breakouts on evangelism, missions, and church leadership By HENRY DURAND, The Christian Index Monday, August 18, 2025 ALPHARETTA, Ga. — SPARK 2025, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board's church-strengthening conferences, is set for six locations across Georgia this fall, will feature a premier slate of keynote speakers, and an expansive offering of more than 50 breakout sessions designed to equip churches for gospel-centered ministry. Discipleship catalyst Scott Sullivan described the lineup as “the most robust in SPARK’s history. It is truly a stable full of thoroughbreds.” This year’s keynote lineup brings together leaders with deep and varied ministry experience. David L. Allen is a longtime seminary professor and author who has preached in more than 450 revivals worldwide and is widely regarded as a foremost voice on expository preaching. Thom S. Rainer previously led LifeWay Christian Resources and founded Church Answers, giving him a national platform in church revitalization and research. Mark Clifton, senior director of replanting at the North American Mission Board, brings years of experience guiding congregations through revitalization, both in rural and urban settings. Bryant Wright, former pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist in Marietta and past president of Send Relief, has combined pastoral leadership with global compassion ministry through his ongoing work with Right From the Heart Ministries. International Mission Board president Paul Chitwood will also take the stage, sharing insights from overseeing more than 3,500 missionaries serving among 1,200 people groups worldwide. Rounding out the lineup is Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee and a longtime seminary leader, author, and church planter, whose career has centered on equipping pastors and leaders for effective ministry. Beyond the keynote sessions, SPARK 2025 will provide more than 50 breakout opportunities that touch nearly every aspect of church life. Evangelism and discipleship topics will range from Steve Foster’s practical “Go Fish!” training to Brad Marchman’s strategies for building multiplying small groups and Buck Burch’s insights on mobilizing new believers for mission. Missions and partnerships will be a strong emphasis as well, with sessions on working across church lines, creating a sending culture, and engaging unreached people groups close to home. Next Gen ministry leaders will find help addressing childhood and adolescent anxiety, equipping parents as disciple-makers, and strengthening campus ministries. Other sessions will focus on pastoral health and leadership, including coaching opportunities, women in ministry, and guarding the pastor’s soul. Specialized ministries will also be highlighted, from disaster relief and church safety to deaf ministry, senior adult engagement, special needs outreach, and literacy missions. Worship leaders will have opportunities to explore vision casting for their teams, song selection that disciples, and affordable technology tools for small-church settings. In addition, SPARK 2025 will feature Spanish-language breakouts at Hebron Church in Dacula. These include Transformational Leadership for Pastors and Lay Leaders, led by David Cardoza, which will help participants cast a Christ-centered vision and develop leadership skills that inspire and mobilize church members. Another session, Living a Great Commission Life, led by Henry Medina, will focus on discipleship and practical tools for investing in the lives of others SPARK 2025 will be offered at six locations across Georgia, giving churches multiple opportunities to take part. The series begins Aug. 23 at Peavine Baptist in Rock Spring with David Allen, followed by Brewton-Parker Christian University in Mt. Vernon on Aug. 24 featuring Thom Rainer. On Sept. 7, Mark Clifton will speak at Sherwood Baptist in Albany, and Bryant Wright will be at Hebron Church in Dacula on Sept. 14. International Mission Board president Paul Chitwood is scheduled for Sept. 21 at First Baptist Atlanta, and the final event will be Sept. 28 at Lakeside Church at Lake Oconee in Greensboro with Jeff Iorg. Mark Marshall, the GBMB’s senior lead strategist for church strengthening, said SPARK is more than training. “Those attending will be inspired through keynote speakers and worship—and the greatest benefit may be networking with others who serve in similar positions.” Every registrant will also receive access to the SPARK Vault, a digital archive of sessions from the past three years. For more details or to register, visit gabaptist.org/spark. --- PHOTOS --- File: 20240903-231710-996-Eric 5.jpg Caption: Eric Swenson, campus minister at Georgia Tech, leads a breakout session at a SPARK conference at Glen Haven Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga., Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand, File)