Explore being ‘on mission together’ at 2023 Disciple-Making Conference

On Feb. 20, 2023, North Carolina Baptists from across the state will gather at Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem for the annual Disciple-Making Conference, exploring what it means to develop and send out disciples who are “on mission together.”

The one-day conference will feature nearly 30 breakout sessions and will cover topics such as building a sending culture, fostering international discipleship, navigating tension and silos in the church and more. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to hear from keynote speaker Robby Gallaty, senior pastor of Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville, Tenn.

“The Disciple-Making Conference provides an environment for pastors and church leaders from all ministry areas to come together for inspiration, encouragement and equipping,” said conference organizer Brian Upshaw, director of the Ministry Strategies group for N.C. Baptists.

“Not only will participants get to hear from one of the nation’s top thought-leaders on multiplying disciples in Robby Gallaty, but they will also benefit from the practical experiences of breakout leaders from N.C. Baptist churches of all shapes and sizes.”

Gallaty has served as senior pastor of Long Hollow since 2015. In addition to his pastoral role, he is also the founder of Replicate Ministries and the author of several books, including “Growing Up,” “Firmly Planted” and “Rediscovering Discipleship.”

The conference will begin at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. on Feb. 20. Cost for the conference is $12 per person and will include lunch and a bundle of resources. Registration is open online.

“The event gives space for leaders to gather for networking with one another to embrace the challenge of being on mission together,” Upshaw said. “They will discover fresh ideas for ministry and avenues for involvement in the overarching mission of God.”

To learn more about the conference, visit disciplemakingconference.org.

Samuel Heard serves as editor and content coordinator for the Marketing and Communications group. He has been on staff with N.C. Baptists since June 2022.

Samuel spent most of his childhood in Central Asia before moving to Greenville, S.C., for his bachelor’s degree. In 2019, he graduated with an interdisciplinary degree in English and Christian Studies from North Greenville University. Since then, he worked overseas as a researcher and a travel writer and has also spent some time working as an employment specialist with a refugee agency.

Samuel and his wife, Brittany, have two children. They live in Wake Forest, where Samuel is currently pursuing his master’s degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.