Strengthening the Church: CKNB Pastors at the NAMB Replant Lab in Georgia

Alpharetta, GA | This week, a group of pastors and leaders from Central Kentucky Network of Baptists (CKNB) embarked on a meaningful journey to Alpharetta, Georgia, for the North American Mission Board’s (NAMB) Replant AMS Practitioner Lab—a three-day intensive training focused on revitalization, renewal, and replanting of struggling churches.

Why This Trip Mattered

Church revitalization and replanting are critical needs across North America as many congregations face plateau, decline, or transitioning challenges. In response, NAMB’s Replant Lab equips Associational Mission Strategists (AMS), pastors, and church leaders with the tools needed to assess church health, build effective renewal strategies, and walk through the replanting process in real ministry contexts.

For nearly a decade, CKNB has prioritized this work through its Barnabas Team, a group dedicated to church health and revitalization. The NAMB Lab offers fresh vision, practical frameworks, and real-world case studies that help leaders move from theory into action.

The Team on the Ground

Led by David Barron, the CKNB contingent included pastors deeply committed to strengthening local churches:

• CJ Pearce (White Sulphur Baptist, Georgetown)

• Donovan Stewart (The Mission Church, Lexington)

• Shane Maples (Southern Heights Baptist)

• Steve Gray (Edgewood Baptist)

• Jonathan Graves (Gano Baptist)

These pastors engaged fully in the lab—participating in hands-on workshops, engaging discussions, and strategy sessions designed to help them walk faithfully with congregations seeking renewal.

Key Takeaways from the Experience

1. Practical Tools and Strategies

The lab provided hands-on training with frameworks for assessing church vitality, identifying areas of decline, and charting clear pathways toward renewal. Attendees worked through real case studies and collaborated on solutions for complex ministry contexts.

2. Connection and Encouragement

One of the most impactful aspects of the trip was the fellowship and mutual encouragement among leaders. Ministers from different backgrounds and contexts shared insights, struggles, and victories, deepening relationships and strengthening each other for the work ahead.

3. Renewed Commitment to Church Health

For CKNB’s Barnabas Team, this was more than a training event—it was an affirmation of their calling to walk alongside churches with compassion, wisdom, and strategic support. With resources and relationships sharpened, the team returns energized and ready to fuel long-term revitalization efforts across Central Kentucky.

Looking Ahead

As these pastors bring back what they’ve learned, from practical tools to spiritual encouragement, CKNB’s commitment to revitalization and replanting continues to grow. The vision is simple but profound: to see congregations restored, communities transformed, and the Gospel proclaimed with strength and clarity.

For listeners who want a deeper dive into the conversation, the Together for the Bluegrass podcast episode covers reflections and highlights from the week at NAMB. It’s a valuable resource for anyone invested in church health, pastoral leadership, or the mission of renewal across the Church.