IMPACT saw its largest attendance ever at this year’s conference.

On Thursday, Feb. 22, 1,137 leaders representing 250 South Carolina Baptist churches gathered at Church at the Mill in Spartanburg for this annual conference.

Connecting with Leaders

Each session, song, and breakout aimed to equip and encourage pastors and church leaders. In addition, the IMPACT conference provides pastors and church leaders a valuable opportunity to reconnect with colleagues. 

Ty Childers, Senior Pastor of Fairview Baptist Church, shared that IMPACT allowed him to share burdens with brothers and sisters in Christ and receive prayer and support.

IMPACT also allows leaders to expand their network by meeting new people passionate about ministry. Kayleigh Mayfield, Student Minister at First Baptist Simpsonville / Upstate Church, said, “IMPACT is an awesome opportunity to connect and community with other leaders around the state.” She added that she was encouraged to encounter and grow alongside other women in ministry.

Equipping Opportunities

Fred Luter, Senior Pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, and Shane Pruitt, National Next Gen Director at the North American Mission Board, led the main sessions. Worship Pastor Jimmy McNeal led worship and was joined by a choir made up of students from North Greenville University, Anderson University, and Charleston Southern University.

Aside from main sessions, attendees chose from a plethora of diverse topics during breakout sessions, selecting breakouts tailored to their specific interests, needs, and areas of ministry focus. There were 44 breakout sessions in total, varying from inclusive discipleship through special needs ministry to strengthening decision-making skills as a pastor.

With the recently announced 10×10 Plan, Tony Wolfe, SCBaptist Executive Director-Treasurer, also held a Lunch and Learn session sharing the heart behind the plan, the opportunities before SCBaptists for Gospel advance, and the challenge for SCBaptists to invest their lives in Great Commission engagement.

Receiving Encouragement

IMPACT provides rest and refreshment for many church leaders, a rare opportunity to be replenished and refreshed, as they are typically the ones pouring out to others, allowing them to receive encouragement, wisdom, and inspiration to fuel their ministries.

At IMPACT, pastors and leaders have a unique chance to receive replenishment and refreshment. This is a crucial time for many, as they are consistently pouring out to others, and IMPACT lets them gain encouragement, wisdom, and inspiration to fuel their ministries. 

Twila Ellenburg, Ministry Assistant at Trinity Point Church, shared that IMPACT gave her a chance to “take a breath, relax, and worship freely.” She also said that, for her, the conference is about “refueling the tank to give back.” 

IMPACT 2025

The planning for the 2025 IMPACT Conference is already in progress. It will feature Jeff Iorg, President of Gateway Seminary, and will take place on Feb. 20, 2025.