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 and actually Psalms for our 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 then contrast that with other worldviews. We conclude with the worldview clash in America between the Bible and Secular Humanism, and how humanists have been successful in teaching their lies to the younger generations. America is not exempt to the rule. If we throw off the Biblical worldview we could become a third world nation. This talk is designed to give a greater appreciation of the importance of the Bible and explain why America is so divided today.

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 that 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 you 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.  Doug Burrier, a decision scientist and disciple-maker, leads this fun, eye-opening talk.

LEADERSHIP

Room 31 – 5 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 failure s (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, MI

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, discussing 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.

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 in Romans 15:24, 28. 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,” Romans 11:25, 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.