Photo gallery: SPARK conferences draw crowds, inspire discipleship across Georgia

Photos by HENRY DURAND and JIM NGUYEN, The Christian Index

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

More than 1,500 Georgia Baptists gathered for SPARK conferences at Sherwood Baptist in Albany and Hebron Baptist in Dacula earlier this month, joining nearly 2,900 participants from 368 churches who have attended the church-strengthening conference in 2025.

With two conferences still ahead this fall, leaders say attendance is on track to surpass 4,000.

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Caption: Thomas Hammond, executive director of the GBMB, addresses attendees at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: An attendee receives a t-shirt at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: An attendee receives a t-shirt at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Jim Nguyen)

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Caption: Attendees worship at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Attendees worship at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Mark Clifton delivers his message at the SPARK conference in Albany, Ga., on Sept. 7, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Paul Gotthardt, pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church, speaks to attendees during the meal at the SPARK conference in Albany, Ga., on Sept. 7, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Attendees read the Bible on their devices at the SPARK conference in Albany, Ga., on Sept. 7, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Attendees worship at the SPARK conference in Albany, Ga., on Sept. 7, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Attendees arrive at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Attendees arrive at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Thomas Hammond, executive director of the GBMB, addresses attendees at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Attendees head to the breakout sessions at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Jim Nguyen)

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Caption: Chris Reynolds, pastor wellness lead strategist for the GBMB, leads a breakout at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Jim Nguyen)

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Caption: Henry Medina leads a Spanish-language breakout at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Landon Dowden, pastor of Hebron Baptist Church, and Bryant Wright participate in a panel discussion at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Thomas Hammond, executive director of the GBMB, addresses attendees at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Bryant Wright delivers his message at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Steve Parr, evangelism strategy director for the GBMB, speaks to an attendee at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Bryant Wright speaks during a panel discussion at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Wade Lott, pastor wellness catalyst for the GBMB, leads a breakout at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Jim Nguyen)

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Caption: Attendees listen with their Bibles open at the SPARK conference in Albany, Ga., on Sept. 7, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Attendees participate in a breakout session on kids ministry at the SPARK conference in Albany, Ga., on Sept. 7, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Joy Stevens, Women in Ministry coordinator for the GBMB, leads a breakout session at the SPARK conference in Albany, Ga., on Sept. 7, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: David Cardoza, associational missions strategist for the Mulberry Baptist Association, participates in a panel discussion at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Bryant Wright delivers his message at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: David Williams, director of Baptist Collegiate Ministries at Valdosta State University, leads a breakout session at the SPARK conference in Albany, Ga., on Sept. 7, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Henry Medina leads a Spanish-language breakout at the SPARK conference in Dacula, Ga., on Sept. 14, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Dwain Carter, director of Disaster Relief for the GBMB, leads a breakout session at the SPARK conference in Albany, Ga., on Sept. 7, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)

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Caption: Jason Jones, pastor wellness catalyst for the GBMB, leads a breakout session at the SPARK conference in Albany, Ga., on Sept. 7, 2025. (Index/Henry Durand)