Conference Workshops

Session 1

GENERAL

Room 32 – The Real Adam Makes Jesus the Only Way
Robert Gillespie, Reasons for Hope
Science says you can’t take Genesis literally. Really? We will deal with that argument and many more to show that you don’t have to be a ‘science denier’ to believe Genesis. Why is this important? A real first man named Adam is foundational to why Jesus is the only way. Come prepared to have your faith confirmed. (L, M, W)

Room 34 – Israel: A Biblical Outlook
Dr. Michael Rydelink, Moody Bible Institute, Host/Bible Teacher on Moody Radio
Israel and the Jewish people are the topic of conversation in podcasts, on school campuses and in our homes. Yet Christians are wondering about the modern State of Israel and contemporary Jewish people. This workshop will examine God’s ancient promises and prophecies and their present and future fulfillment.

Room 38 – Developing a Christian Mind in a Non-Christian World
Robert Bowman, Institute for Religious Research
We are told in Scripture to love God with all our minds. In this workshop, we’ll explore how Christians can do this by growing in their ability to understand and defend the faith.

Room 52 – God: Our Strength, Shield, and Stronghold
Tom Lothamer, Beautiful Feet International (A Ministry of ABWE)
The Psalmist David in Psalm 18:1-3 gives reasons why he loved the Lord. He is our strength, shield, and stronghold. Within these three truths, David tells us that God is our rock, fortress, deliverer, refuge, and the horn of our salvation. During this workshop, we’ll discuss the meaning of these truths and be encouraged to carry on for the Lord during the difficult or pleasant times in our lives. We’ll be reminded that our identity is in Christ and that He is present at all times and will give us victory no matter what our situation is in life, family, and ministry! (L)

Room 58 – Praying Scripture for You, Your Church, and Other Churches
Dave Rodgers, Trinity Baptist Church
Praying Scripture is a great way to help grow your prayer life. We will look at prayers in the book of Daniel and how they can help your prayer life.

DISCIPLESHIP

Room 30 – From ‘Hello’ to ‘Go and Do Likewise’: A 60-Minute Playbook on Disciple-Making
Andrew Manwarren, Orangeville Baptist Church
Most Christians want to make disciples but often feel too busy, undertrained, or unsure where to start. In this session, you’ll discover a simple, biblical framework for disciple-making that works in real life: around tables, on walks, in carpools, and at work. Together we’ll define what disciples are, map the growth journey, and introduce reproducible tools you can use right away. Come ready to leave with a name, a plan, and clear next steps for making disciples where you live, learn, work, play, and worship

Room 31 – You Don’t Have Time to Skip the Icebreaker: How Icebreakers Are a Wise Investment of Time
Nathan Pierpont, Northeastern Baptist Church & ShepherdsFriend.org      
This fun, interactive workshop will let you see first-hand that using icebreakers actually makes better use of your time in small group. You will better understand how icebreakers encourage meaningful discussion and build deeper relationships with others. (M, W, S)

Room 126 – Discipleship Groups
Phil Severn, North Park Baptist Church
Have you ever wanted a simple way to do discipleship that can be easily replicated? Something that is very easy to lead but helps people delve deeply into God’s Word and grow in their faith? Phil Severn will explain a simple model for discipleship that involves groups of 3-5 men or women meeting weekly to study God’s Word, keep each other accountable, and pray together. (L, M, W)

LEADERSHIP

Room 64 – Keeping Church Safe Legally
Sally Wagenmaker, Wagenmaker & Oberly
Acts of hostility and violence involving churches have increased at an alarming pace. To what extent are organizational leaders responsible for proactively addressing potential threats and vulnerabilities, and what resulting liability may arise when these security issues arise? This workshop will address these questions through informative tools and related guidance, equipping ministry leaders to best promote safety and address related security concerns.

MEN’S MINISTRY

Room 121 – Live Your Best Life
Matt Mead, Calvary Baptist Church, Greenville
‘Live your best life’ is a phrase we hear a lot in our culture. But like it or not, our circumstances often dictate our outlook on life, and often it doesn’t feel like we’re living our best lives at all. Instead, life feels like a series of ho-hum responsibilities punctuated by occasional highs and tragic lows. Is this what Jesus meant when he promised that following him meant living life to the full? Perhaps living life to the fullest has less to do with circumstances and more about our perspective.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

Room 66 – Mentoring Women
Jennifer Boyd, Magnify Church
Titus 2:3-5 tells women to speak into the lives of other women. We will discuss ways to establish a mentoring program in your church or to mentor a woman on your own, including suggestions for first meetings and other helpful ideas and resources. (D)

STUDENT MINISTRY

Room 128 – Built Different: Stop Running a Program. Start Building a Movement
Jake Kallman, Bridge Bible Church
Your ministry can do more than maintain—it can move. Discover strategies to build unstoppable teams, spark real growth in students, and create environments where faith takes root and flourishes. Walk away with tools, energy, and a vision to lead a ministry that leaves a legacy. Build unstoppable teams, empower students, and create safe spaces where faith can flourish—because ordinary youth work won’t change a generation.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

Room 122 – Life-Changing Growth Bible Lessons
Sean Southwell, Child Evangelism Fellowship
This session gives you ideas on how you can prepare a Christian Growth Bible Lesson to help challenge the saved children you teach to grow in Christ.

Room 124 – Managing Your Classroom (Dynamics of Discipline)
Anna Sytsma, Child Evangelism Fellowship
Have you ever felt frustrated with the lack of kids participating or paying attention in class? Have you thought, If only the kids would sit still and listen? If either of those is true for you, then this session is just for you. We will discuss the causes of discipline problems and ways to prevent further discipline problems from happening.

Room 129 – Effectively Assisting Children with Learning Challenges
Marrena Ralph, Regular Baptist Press: Kids4Truth Clubs
Discover practical strategies and creative approaches for supporting children who learn differently. This workshop offers actionable tips to help foster success in children facing learning challenges.

MISSIONS & EVANGELISM

Room 54 – Now What? Why Scripture Engagement is Vital for National Churches
Representative from Bibles International
National churches need more than access to the Scriptures in their own language—equipping them to handle the Scriptures properly is vital to their health and growth. Bibles International’s Scripture Engagement Department seeks to equip national churches to edify the Body of Christ and fulfill the Great Commission in their own contexts with the translated Word of God.

Room 56 – Teaching English (ESL) as Outreach: Questions to Consider
Elisabeth Bowman, TESOL for Eternity
This workshop explores the reasons why churches might consider establishing an English teaching ministry, offers a brief overview of program options, and provides practical tips and key considerations for launching and sustaining such a ministry.

WORSHIP

Room 50 – The Church’s Role as Music Educator
Matthew Olmstead, Regular Baptist Press
From hymnody to choral training, churches have historically shaped musical understanding. Where does music education fit in the mission of the church today?

GENERAL

Room 30 – Praying the Psalms for Your Church and Other Churches

David Rodgers, Trinity Baptist Church

Prayer is essential in ministry. In this workshop we will learn how to pray actual Psalms for your church and other churches. We will talk about how to grow in your personal and churchwide prayer lives.

 

Room 34 – Serving God in a Godless Culture

Tom Lothamer, Calvary Baptist Church & ABWE

We will discuss how we can continue to confidently serve God in a culture whose belief systems contradict the moral principles set by God and are antagonistic to our beliefs and call from God. We will be encouraged to stay the course in ministry as we review the book of Habakkuk.

 

Room 54 – Semicolon Sunday

Matthew Sharpe, Hope & Wholeness Psychology Center

Participants will learn how their congregation can be empowered to provide humility, hope, and healing for people in suicidal crises. With a particular focus on the biblical basis and evidence-based practices, churches can be a redemptive, missional presence in their community.

 

Room 56 – How the Bible Changed the World

Robert Gillespie, Reasons for Hope

Have you ever wondered why Western cultures seem to prosper better than other cultures? It is basic common sense. When people function the way they were created, things will go better for them. It is not very politically correct to say the Judeo-Christian worldview is the way we were designed to function. The truth is, it is the Bible that has changed the world. This talk begins by laying down a Biblical worldview and then contrasts that with other worldviews. We conclude with the worldview clash in America between the Bible and Secular Humanism.

 

Room 64 – How Can the Church Minister to the Divorcing and Be the Church?

Kathey Batey, Keystone Community Church

People going through the trauma of divorce need the church. The church is the answer to this life trauma in giving hope, direction and support. Divorce ministry is an outreach into the community. Many people in my past 19 years of this ministry come from the unchurched or those hurt by the church. Ministering to the divorcing displays the compassionate hand of Christ.

 

DISCIPLESHIP

Room 32 – What Makes Biblical Counseling Biblical

Joshua Greiner, Berean Baptist

There are all sorts of theories and methods today that are being floated for methods of care within the church. This session answers the question and makes the argument for what Biblical Counseling is and why this is the method that churches should use for soul care with its congregants.

 

Room 50 – How to Do Bible Study with Others

Ben Marx, First Baptist Church of Holland

Who would you love to do Bible study with, if only you had a plan? Maybe a friend? Your significant other? Your children? Maybe a small group? No doubt, we all agree that Bible study is one of the most important things we can learn how to do. It is also one of the most rewarding, especially when you can bring others into the mix. Come and engage as we discuss and demonstrate a few simple methods for taking your group Bible times to the next level.

 

Pod C – Two Church Things that Block God’s Plan to Reach the World

Doug Burrier, Sustainable Discipleship

What do handcuffs have to do with disciple making? Join us for an interactive talk and discover how to remove the two classic barriers to your church reaching people for Christ. You might be surprised at the “two things” and how easy it is to solve them.

 

LEADERSHIP

Room 31 – Five Leadership Lessons Learned in 37 Years of Ministry

John Nixon, North Park Baptist Church

With more than 37 years in church ministry, John will share the biggest leadership lessons he’s learned in this humorous and heart-felt session, you will benefit from his successes and failures (which are plenty)!

 

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

Room 58 – Your Story Matters

Marya Jones, Calvary Baptist Church of Greenville

Your testimony isn’t a single moment of salvation; it’s the ongoing story of Christ’s work in your life, from small, everyday experiences to life-changing events. Together, we’ll explore how laughter, sorrow, and even awkward moments can foster connection and understanding. Through reflective exercises and group discussions, you’ll build confidence in sharing your story in meaningful ways and create authentic, lasting connections within your community.

 

Room 66 – Women Discipling Women

Denise Roberts, Berean Baptist Church, Portage

We live in a culture that challenges the godly role of a woman in the church, home, and community. Learn how you can develop discipleship among women that can have an impact beyond the walls of your church.

 

STUDENT MINISTRY

Room 126 – Creating a Thriving Teen Ministry in Changing Times

Ken Riley, Lake Ann Camp

A deep dive into youth culture while learning how to both meet needs and reach more students than ever before.

 

Room 128 – Youth & Missions

Rob Tahtinen, Calvary Baptist – Greenville / Bridge Fellowship

The who, what, and why of leading teens on mission trips. Also, we will discuss plans for churches to connect with other churches to help bring teens together and make mission trips accessible across the state.

 

CHILDREN
Room 122 – Tips for Teaching Young Learners

Todd Witters, CBM Lakeshore Student Ministries

Are you a new teacher looking for some tips before teaching your first class? Have you been teaching for years and find yourself in a rut? Are you looking for a few tools to add to your teaching “toolbox”? Come join us as we share things we have found helpful in our years of teaching students.

 

Room 124 – Safeguards & Stewardship: Child/Youth Protection Essentials for Leaders

Jeff Dalrymple, Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention / Wagenmaker & Oberly

At this child protection workshop, you will learn the basics of child and youth protection, tap into helpful resources, and find out how ECAP can come alongside your ministry to help you protect the least of these.

 

Room 129 – Bible Verses More Than Memorizing

Anna Sytsma, Child Evangelism Fellowship

Have you ever wondered how to get the kids you teach interested in learning and memorizing Scripture? In this session we will discuss how effective Scripture memorization leads to salvation and spiritual growth. You will learn the value of teaching God’s Word to children. You will also gain ideas and tips for how to apply verses to every child. Come and gain some fun ideas and tips for how to make learning Scripture fun and exciting for the children you teach.

 

MISSIONS & EVANGELISM

Room 52 – Applying Paul’s Motivation as a Missionary to the Gentiles to Our Evangelism Theology

Scott Klooster, Georgetown Bible Church

Paul expressed his desire to complete his ministry in Spain. Why Spain? Paul calls himself the missionary to the Gentiles just six verses prior, and it was his goal to do everything he personally could to hasten the “fullness of the Gentiles,” and Spain had everything to do with that. Join us to understand how and to see how we need his heart in our own evangelism strategies.

 

WORSHIP

Room 38 – Why Do We Sing What We Sing?

Matt Olmstead, Regular Baptist Press

Simple principles to build a healthy music ministry in your church. Practical helps in song selection.