Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Leaders

08/19/2026

The average person spends over 7.25 hours per day in front of digital devices. What does this mean? We need to meet people where they are. SBCAL welcomes VisitorReach as a new Strategic Ministry Partner. VisitorReach helps churches of all sizes to better engage their communities, increase visitor attendance, and assimilate them into the life of the church. In this webinar, Marc Estes, CEO of VisitorReach, will inform us of important cultural trends, explain the need for digital outreach, give ways to maximize digital outreach, and end with how VisitorReach is available to partner with you and your association to empower your churches to do so. Registration is free for SBCAL members.

SBCAL Webinar, August 20, 2026

08/18/2026

LAST CHANCE to join an AMS Cohort, which begin in September (deadline to sign up is Aug. 19).
Joining an AMS Cohort is an excellent use of your time – peer learning, prayer support, and iron sharpening iron times to help you better serve your pastors and churches. SBCAL AMS Cohorts are no cost to our members. They meet for one hour a month, Sept. - May.
If you are interested, complete this form - https://forms.gle/g2jdqSmyYsP318wp8

08/13/2026

August 2026: AMS Cohorts Begin in September - But You Must Register by August 19 -

08/11/2026

This weekly podcast, approximately 25-45 minutes, features various topics from SBCAL's annual conferences, webinars, and regional conferences to help associational leaders. A new episode drops every Tuesday morning. You can find it wherever you listen to your other podcasts.

With a passion for leading, equipping, encouraging, and networking Associational Mission Strategists, Ray aims to enhance kingdom impact for the glory of God. He hosts a podcast and blog to further these goals.

08/07/2026

2026-27 AMS Cohorts Begin in September - But You Must Register by August 19

We are offering multiple SBCAL AMS Cohorts again at no cost to our members. They meet for one hour a month: Sept. - May. Joining an AMS Cohort is an excellent use of your time – peer learning, prayer support, and iron sharpening iron times to help you better serve your pastors and churches. If you are interested in being in an AMS Cohort that meets by Zoom during the school year, complete this application form as soon as possible, but no later than Wednesday, August 19 - www.sbcal.org/cohorts

08/04/2026

Before the pandemic, it took 3-5 touch points before people would visit a church. Now, it takes 12-15! Add to this that the average person spends over 7.25 hours per day in front of digital devices. What does this mean? We need to meet people where they are. SBCAL.org/webinar

07/30/2026

People are more reluctant than ever to enter into new spaces - especially a church service. Before the pandemic, it took 3-5 touch points before they would visit. Now, it takes 12-15 touch points! Add to this that the average person spends over 7.25 hours per day in front of digital devices. What does this mean? We need to meet people where they are. SBCAL welcomes VisitorReach as a new Strategic Ministry Partner. VisitorReach helps churches of all sizes to better engage their communities, increase visitor attendance, and assimilate them into the life of the church. In this webinar, Marc Estes, CEO of VisitorReach, will inform us of important cultural trends, explain the need for digital outreach, give ways to maximize digital outreach, and end with how VisitorReach is available to partner with you and your association to empower your churches to do so. Register at

SBCAL Webinar, August 20, 2026

07/27/2026

Would you like to be able to better serve the churches in your association, and also be available to help sister associations? If so, we are offering training for those interested in becoming SBCAL Consultants. Learn more and register by August 13th at

August 23-24, 2026 Mt. Lebanon Camp & Conference Center 1701 Texas Plume Rd., Cedar Hill, TX 75104 972-291-7156 | www.mtlebanoncamp.com Cost: $1,250 + Optional Housing ($80)

07/23/2026

"The Succession Planning Cohort with Will Heath gave me the tools I needed to help pastors and churches have the necessary conversations surrounding succession planning.” Steve Laughman, AMS, Centennial Assn., Thomaston, GA

Succession Planning is one of four strategic pillars driving how SBCAL resources AMSs to be better equipped to serve their churches and pastors. Associational leaders are the most strategically positioned within the Southern Baptist Convention to help churches prepare for leadership transition before urgency sets the agenda. That conviction is why SBCAL has partnered with Sherpa to bring Succession Planning Training Cohorts to our network. Learn more and register by August 19 at www.sbcal.org/succession-planning-cohorts

Discounted Rate: $997

07/20/2026

TUESDAY, JULY 21 - While you eat lunch, tune in and learn a simple, free way AMSs can drive growth to your churches by helping them attract guests on Google Maps. Dr. PJ Dunn, Senior Consultant for Revitalization for Georgia Baptists, joins Dr. Ray Gentry, President/CEO of SBCAL, for a meal and discussion of the possibilities and how-to's for Google Maps. Ask your own questions by joining the conversation at the ending Q&A.

SBCAL Lunch & Learn, July 21, 2026