What might happen when local churches across the state pray and plan for gospel conversations and baptisms from now until April 12?
North Carolina Baptists are once again gearing up for Fill the Tank Sunday, a statewide baptism emphasis that celebrates the life-transforming power of the gospel. Churches are invited to boldly proclaim the good news and encourage new believers to take the first step of obedience through baptism.
Last year, we saw more than 1,700 people baptized during the Fill the Tank emphasis. We are praying for even more, ready to see how God moves in 2026.
Will your church join us?
Stories of faith and transformation
In western North Carolina, First Baptist Church of Clyde held more than 20 baptisms during the Fill the Tank season last year. Months after Hurricane Helene devastated the region, the church experienced revival, said Pastor Byron Burnette.
“There is power in the Word of God when it is proclaimed boldly,” Burnette said. “Our God is still in the saving business. All we have to do is be faithful and preach Christ crucified.”
Brandon Watson’s first Sunday as pastor of Oakdale Baptist Church in Rocky Mount was in January 2025. He quickly marked last year’s Fill the Tank date and challenged the church to pray every week that God would call people to follow Him. Oakdale had 10 people come forward for baptism.
Churches celebrated with families as children and spouses were baptized. A father baptized his young son, and a husband baptized his wife at NewLife Church in Locust. A family of four was baptized at Sunset Forest Baptist Church in Gastonia.
At Arran Lake Baptist Church in Fayetteville, a deacon baptized his son, who then baptized his own wife and son. Two newlywed couples were baptized there.
Keep praying
Prayer is our first and primary strategy. As churches prepare for April 12 (or a nearby Sunday), pray specifically for: open hearts, boldness, gospel response, obedience in baptism and ongoing fruit.
Fill the Tank serves as a powerful reminder of our call to proclaim the gospel. Who is someone you have been praying for, and how can you share the message of the gospel so you can see that person make a decision for Christ? What a blessing it would be to see a friend or family member baptized on Fill the Tank Sunday!
Teach on baptism
Fill the Tank provides pastors, teachers and other church leaders a special opportunity to teach the significance of baptism and the reasons we complete this act of obedience. Maybe your church has members who have professed faith in Christ but have never been baptized. Consider using this season to challenge and encourage them to follow through.
Beyond baptism: Plan for discipleship
Baptism is only the beginning. As Jesus commanded, we are called to “teach them to obey” all that He has commanded.
Churches can prepare now to walk faithfully with newly baptized believers through several practical steps:
- Determine biblical literacy. Someone who has just been baptized might be a new Christian who needs foundational teaching. Someone else might be farther along in their faith journey. Knowing where someone stands helps church leaders guide them toward either a discovery curriculum that introduces core doctrines or a small group environment for deeper discussion.
- Help them read and respond to the Bible. One of the best things you can do for new believers is help them learn to read the Bible for themselves.
- Pair them with a mature disciple maker. Connect newly baptized believers with someone trained in a follow-up curriculum covering topics like prayer, salvation, Bible basics and sharing faith.
- Equip them to share their faith. Tools like the 15-Second Testimony and the 3 Circles method help people put words to their story and God’s story. Even new believers can effectively share what God has done in their lives.
Will your church join us? Fill the baptistry, pool or make plans to head to wherever you will hold baptisms, and trust God to save people between now and April 12.
What might God do if churches across North Carolina step out in faith together?
Let’s fill the tank and watch God change lives. Sign up and begin praying today to be part of what God is doing across our state. Find more resources and tools to help your church plan for Fill the Tank Sunday at fillthetanknc.org.
