As a movement of churches on mission together, the work of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina is organized into five groups, each headed by a director of that ministry area. The five groups that make up the convention’s structure aim to connect churches and associations to relationships and resources that fuel missions partnerships across the state and around the world.
Brian Upshaw serves as director of the Ministry Strategies Group and associate executive director-treasurer. As the group’s director, Upshaw leads convention staff who are specialists in particular ministry areas to work with churches and pastors to develop and implement strategic approaches to ministry.
We asked the five directors to tell us about their work and a bit about themselves. Here’s what Brian shared.
Describe your role with North Carolina Baptists.
I serve as the associate executive director-treasurer and the director of ministry strategies.
Tell us about your group’s mission.
The Ministry Strategies Group is responsible for building relationships, developing resources, partnering on building strategies and offering various trainings. Our group is responsible for assisting churches in developing various ministries in the church including church planting, church revitalization, evangelism, discipleship, college, youth, children, worship, women, families and prayer.
What about your group are you most excited about for 2022?
I am most excited for the collaboration we are seeing among churches to help one another make disciples, plant and revitalize. Every day I hear stories from our strategists about how they are seeing churches grow into a movement.
What are you currently reading? Tell us a little bit about it.
I am reading a few books right now. They include:
- “There’s No Free Lunch” by David Bahnsen, which is a book about economics. Bahnsen is a Christian economist and investor who gives common sense insights into our financial markets.
- “The Mystery of Providence” by John Flavel. This is a Puritan book from the 17th century that gives solid biblical theology for trusting in the providence of God.
- “Your Future Self Will Thank You” by Drew Dyck which is a book on how biblical discipleship and brain science address the spiritual discipline of self control.
What book (other than the Bible) has helped shape you most or left the biggest impact on you? How so?
“Transforming Discipleship” by Greg Ogden. It was the first book to introduce me to the importance of relational disciple-making and gave me a picture of how to make disciples beyond church programs.
If you could share a meal with any three people who have ever lived, who would they be and why?
- C.S. Lewis
- Augustine
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer – I just want to listen to a conversation about living in perilous times reaching a lost culture.
If you could spend two weeks anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?
The Patagonia region of Argentina. That was the first place Brandie and I went on a mission trip as a couple and I love the people, culture and the scenery. I’d love to introduce my kids to the area.
Share three fun facts about your family.
- My wife, Brandie, just started a new career as a realtor.
- Our family likes to go to late night movies (at least one of us always falls asleep).
- We love to celebrate special occasions at nice restaurants.
Brian Upshaw serves as director of the Ministry Strategies Group and associate executive director-treasurer. As the group’s director, Upshaw leads convention staff who are specialists in particular ministry areas to work with churches and pastors to develop and implement strategic approaches to ministry.
We asked the five directors to tell us about their work and a bit about themselves. Here’s what Brian shared.
Describe your role with North Carolina Baptists.
I serve as the associate executive director-treasurer and the director of ministry strategies.
Tell us about your group’s mission.
The Ministry Strategies Group is responsible for building relationships, developing resources, partnering on building strategies and offering various trainings. Our group is responsible for assisting churches in developing various ministries in the church including church planting, church revitalization, evangelism, discipleship, college, youth, children, worship, women, families and prayer.
What about your group are you most excited about for 2022?
I am most excited for the collaboration we are seeing among churches to help one another make disciples, plant and revitalize. Every day I hear stories from our strategists about how they are seeing churches grow into a movement.
What are you currently reading? Tell us a little bit about it.
I am reading a few books right now. They include:
- “There’s No Free Lunch” by David Bahnsen, which is a book about economics. Bahnsen is a Christian economist and investor who gives common sense insights into our financial markets.
- “The Mystery of Providence” by John Flavel. This is a Puritan book from the 17th century that gives solid biblical theology for trusting in the providence of God.
- “Your Future Self Will Thank You” by Drew Dyck which is a book on how biblical discipleship and brain science address the spiritual discipline of self control.
What book (other than the Bible) has helped shape you most or left the biggest impact on you? How so?
“Transforming Discipleship” by Greg Ogden. It was the first book to introduce me to the importance of relational disciple-making and gave me a picture of how to make disciples beyond church programs.
If you could share a meal with any three people who have ever lived, who would they be and why?
- C.S. Lewis
- Augustine
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer – I just want to listen to a conversation about living in perilous times reaching a lost culture.
If you could spend two weeks anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?
The Patagonia region of Argentina. That was the first place Brandie and I went on a mission trip as a couple and I love the people, culture and the scenery. I’d love to introduce my kids to the area.
Share three fun facts about your family.
- My wife, Brandie, just started a new career as a realtor.
- Our family likes to go to late night movies (at least one of us always falls asleep).
- We love to celebrate special occasions at nice restaurants.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Read other entries in the series: Chuck Register | Kathryn Carson | Seth Brown | John Butler
