How Biblical Studies are Helping Apologetics

One of the key things that’s often said against apologetics is that you shouldn’t defend the Bible — as Spurgeon famously said, “Defending the Bible is like defending a lion.” But, holding that in tension and affirming our great desire for people to encounter the Scriptures, how does one rightly employ apologetics in evangelism so that people may come to know God? The apologist’s role is often to do away with enough prejudices so that people will come and hear the word of God, read the word of God, and, as Williams puts it, “to get out of the way so the lion can do his work.” In this breakout, Peter Williams and Simon Gathercole discuss the relationship between apologetics, biblical studies, and evangelism.

Simon Gathercole is a New Testament scholar, editor of the Journal for the Study of the New Testament, an elder at Eden Baptist Church in Cambridge, and Senior Lecturer in New Testament Studies and Director of Studies at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University in England. He was formerly Senior Lecturer in New Testament at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland for seven years. Gathercole received a MA at Cambridge, and later completed a MTh and PhD at the University of Durham. Some of Dr. Gathercole’s books include: Where is Boasting? Early Jewish Soteriology and the New Perspective on Paul, and The Preexistent Son: Recovering the Christologies of Matthew, Mark and Luke. He is an acknowledged expert on early apocryphal gospels, having written The Gospel of Judas: Rewriting Early Christianity.

Peter Williams is the current warden (president) of Tyndale House and a Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen and a lecturer at University of Cambridge in England. Dr. Williams earned his M.A., M. Phil. and Ph.D. at Cambridge University studying ancient languages. He is the author of several books and publications including Early Syriac Translation Technique and the Textual Criticism of the Greek Gospels. His research includes the early history of translation with particular focus on translation of the Bible and textual criticism. He resides in Cambridge, England with his wife and two children.


Speakers

Peter Williams

Peter Williams received an M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge and is currently the Principal of Tyndale House, Cambridge. Dr. Williams is also the chair of the International Greek New Testament Project as well as a member of the Translation Committee of the English Standard Version of the Bible. He recently published Can We Trust the Gospels? (Crossway, 2018).

Simon Gathercole

Simon Gathercole’s first degree was in Classics and Theology in Cambridge, after which he pursued doctoral research under the supervision of James D.G. Dunn in Durham. He also studied for short periods at the University of Tübingen and the Jewish Theological Seminary, New York. He previously taught in the University of Aberdeen (2000-2007). He is currently Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of Cambridge, and editor of the journal New Testament Studies.

The Pastor as Public Theologian in an Increasingly Hostile Culture

Speakers: Owen Strachan Year: 2014 Session: Breakout Session

Every pastor is a kind of public theologian offering gospel-driven theology for their people and the broader culture. Why is this important when we consider what’s happening in the modern public square? In this breakout session, Owen Strachan strives to help pastors consider their cultural context and what they’re people are up against.

Owen Strachan is the Assistant Professor of Christian Theology and Church History at Boyce College in Louisville, KY. From 2008-2010, he was the full-time Managing Director of the Carl F. H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Associate Director of the Jonathan Edwards Center at TEDS. He holds an A.B. from Bowdoin College in History, M. Div from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author of six books and contributed to publications including The Atlantic, First Things, Christianity Today, and the Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology. Owen currently resides in Louisville with his wife, Bethany and their two children.


Speaker

Owen Strachan is a graduate of Bowdoin College (A.B. in History), Southern Seminary (M.Div. in Biblical & Theological Studies), and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Ph.D. in Theological Studies). In roles within the SBC and greater evangelical sphere, Dr. Strachan is Senior Fellow of the Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood and was formerly President of CBMW. Owen is also a contributing writer for The Gospel Coalition, a research fellow of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the SBC, and a fellow of the Center for Pastor-Theologians. A well-established writer, Dr. Strachan has published six books, including Risky Gospel: Abandon Fear and Build Something Awesome. Dr. Strachan is married to Bethany and together they have three children.

The Importance of Inerrancy for Evangelism in Missions

Speakers: Albert Mohler, Ligon Duncan Year: 2014 Session: Breakout Session

God’s Word is truth. What does this mean for missions? Discussing inerrancy and its importance for evangelism, especially global evangelism, Ligon Duncan and Albert Mohler lead this breakout session. Mohler gives a succinct definition for biblical inerrancy — he defines it by saying, “the Bible in whole and in all of its parts is the word of God written.” Or as B.B. Warfield puts it, “inerrancy simply comes down to the formula when the Bible speaks, God speaks.” That the Bible is completely true and completely trustworthy is something Christians should rejoice in, and we should strive that the world might rejoice in it too.


Speakers

Albert Mohler

R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as the ninth president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Mohler is a theologian and an ordained minister, having served as pastor and staff minister of several Southern Baptist churches. He came to the presidency of Southern Seminary from service as editor of The Christian Index, the oldest of the state papers serving the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Mohler is a member of Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of The Gathering Storm: Secularism, Culture, and the Church, The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits, The Prayer that Turns the World Upside Down, We Cannot Be Silent, The Conviction to Lead, He is Not Silent, Culture Shift: Engaging Current Issues with Timeless Truth, and Atheism Remix. He is also the general editor of the new Grace and Truth Study Bible. He is married to Mary, and they have two children, and are the proud grandparents of Benjamin, Henry, and Margaret.

Ligon Duncan

Ligon Duncan is Chancellor/CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary, and John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, and reared in a Christian home, he did his studies at Furman University, Greenville, SC (BA); Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis (MDiv & MA); and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland (PhD). Ligon and his wife, Anne, have two children. Ligon has edited, written, and contributed to numerous books, most recently including: The Gospel As Center, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, Preaching the Cross, Fear Not: Death and the Afterlife from a Christian Perspective, In My Place Condemned He Stood, and Does Grace Grow Best in Winter?.

Church Planting in Hard Places

Speakers: Mez McConnell, Mike McKinley Year: 2014 Session: Breakout Session

What does it look like for churches to reach out and evangelize among the poor? Whose responsibility is this within the church and what does Scripture say about it? In this breakout, pastors Mike McKinley and Mez McConnell discuss what church planting in difficult contexts means for the local church’s evangelism.

Mike McKinley is the lead pastor of Sterling Park Baptist Church in Sterling, VA. He is the author of several books, including “Am I Really a Christian?” and “Passion: How Christ’s Final Day Changes Your Every Day”. Mike and his wife Karen have five children.

Mez McConnell, is the Senior Pastor of Niddrie Community Church, Edinburgh, Scotland. He is the founder of 20schemes and has been involved in full time pastoral ministry, both church planting and revitalisation since 1999. He has worked in inner city areas in England, Scotland and Brazil and has a passion for training men and women for ministry in this context. He has written 2 books: Preparing for Baptism: A Personal Diary (Grace Publications Trust), and Is There Anybody Out There? (Christian Focus).

Mez studied Missiology at Moorland Bible College, England and Pastoral Theology at Bryntirion Bible College, Wales. He has been married to Miriam for 15 years and has two lovely daughters, Keziah & Lydia.


Speakers

Mez McConnell

Mez McConnell is the senior pastor of Niddrie Community Church in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is the director of 20schemes, a church planting and revitalization initiative in Scotland. He is also co-director of the Acts 29 initiative Church in Hard Places and a worldwide conference speaker. Books by Mez McConnell include The Creaking on the Stairs: Finding Faith & Forgiveness from Childhood Abuse, Preparing for Baptism: A Personal Diary, Is There Anybody Out There?: A Journey from Despair to Hope, Church in Hard Places (with Mike McKinley), as well as the following books from the 9marks Urban Series: God- Is He Out There? and War- Why Did Life Just Get Harder? He also contributes articles to Ligonier, Acts29, and 20schemes blogs as well as being the host of the 20schemes podcast. Mez is married to Miriam and they have two teenage daughters.

Mike McKinley

Mike McKinley was raised in suburban Philadelphia. He received a B.A. in Religion and Classics from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and an M.Div from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. In 2004, Mike was brought onto the pastoral staff at Capitol Hill Baptist Church as a church planter. In 2005, he brought a small group of people from CHBC to Guilford Baptist Church in order to help revitalize the church’s ministry. He served as Guilford’s pastor until 2013, when Guilford merged with Sterling Park Baptist Church, where he now serves as Senior Pastor. Mike has been married to Karen since 1997, and they have five beautiful children: Kendall, Knox, Phineas, Ebenezer, and Harper. In his free time, Mike loves to spend time with his family, reading all kinds of books, and daydreaming about the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Church Planting as a Means of Evangelism

Speakers: Leonce Crump Year: 2014 Session: Breakout Session

How exactly does the church the multiply? How are disciples made? Who do we preach the gospel to? Leonce Crump looks at Acts 9:31 to answer these questions as he discusses what the evangelistic implications for local churches are today.

Leonce Crump is the Elder for Vision, Preaching and Leadership at Renovation Church in Atlanta, GA. Originally from Louisiana and raised Roman Catholic, Leonce began following Jesus at age 16. He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and holds Masters degrees in Criminal Justice, with a focus on Case Law (University of Tennessee), Missional Leadership (Resurgence Theological Training Center), and is currently finishing his Masters of Divinity at Reformed Theological Seminary. At Oklahoma he was an All-American wrestler and played defensive end on the Sooner football team. After college he competed to make the world team in wrestling, played professional football for the New Orleans Saints and coached collegiate wrestling. In 2006, he felt called to plant a church and through prayerful seeking of direction settled on the under-served area of downtown Atlanta. Leonce and his wife, Breanna, have lived in Atlanta for over 4 years, and have two daughters.


Speaker

Léonce Crump Jr., is an author, international speaker, and the founder and lead pastor of Renovation Church in Atlanta. In 2006, Crump answered God’s call to relocate from Tennessee to Atlanta and begin the process of planting Renovation Church. He details the obstacles he and his family faced and the revelations he uncovered during this process in Renovate: Changing Who You Are by Loving Where You Are (Multnomah Books, Feb. 16, 2016). He has been in ordained ministry for nine years and holds graduate degrees from the University of Tennessee and Resurgence Theological Training Center. He is currently a Master of Divinity student at Reformed Theological Seminary and a member of the Acts 29 church planting network. He and his wife, Breanna, reside in the heart of downtown Atlanta with their two daughters and son.

Building an Evangelistic Church

Speakers: Juan Sanchez Year: 2014 Session: Breakout Session

When it comes to the topic evangelism, it’s safe to say that we all can feel inadequate — we all struggle with it. How does a pastor, then, encourage a congregation who corporately struggles with evangelism? What does a culture of evangelism look like in the local church and what should it look like in light of Scripture? In this breakout session, Juan Sanchez answers these questions and more.

Juan Sanchez has served as the preaching pastor and elder of High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, TX since 2005. He was converted to Christ in 1983 at the age of 17. Juan earned an undergraduate degree in Music from the University of Florida. He later earned a Masters of Divinity and a Masters in Theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He is currently completing his Doctorate of Philosophy degree from the same institution. Juan and his wife have five daughters.


Speaker

Juan has served as senior pastor of High Pointe Baptist Church since August 2005. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and holds an MDiv, a ThM, and a PhD in systematic theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition, Juan serves as a council member of The Gospel Coalition, co-founder and president of Coalición, and assistant professor of Christian theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has authored numerous books, including 1 Peter for You and Seven Dangers Facing your Church. His most recent book is The Leadership Formula: Develop the Next Generation of Leaders in the Church. Juan has been married to Jeanine since 1990, and they have five adult daughters.

Mobilizing the Church to Evangelize on Campus

Speakers: Dave Russell Year: 2014 Session: Breakout Session

On college campuses there are thousands of people open to talking about the gospel during one of the most pivotal seasons of their lives.  How can the local church take advantage of these opportunities? How could a local church that’s a few hours away from a campus impact students? In this breakout session, Dave Russell explains what a rich opportunity evangelizing college students is and how local churches can mobilize to reach campuses.

Dave Russell is the Director for Campus Outreach DC, a college ministry based out of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC, where he also serves as an elder.  God’s work in Dave’s life as a college student at UNC Charlotte, ultimately led him to desire to work in Christian ministry.  For the last 14 years, he has worked with Campus Outreach to evangelize and disciple on college campuses.  After 10 years of serving with Campus Outreach in North Carolina, Dave moved to Washington, DC in 2010 to start Campus Outreach DC.  Dave is presently finishing up his Masters of Divinity at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He lives in Washington, DC with his wife, Carrie, and their four children.


Speaker

Dave Russell grew up mostly in Florida and moved to North Carolina when he was in high school. His parents were both believers and were the first to share the gospel with him. His college years at UNC Charlotte were a time of great growth with the help of Campus Outreach. God’s work in Dave’s life during college ultimately led him to desire to work in Christian ministry. Since graduating college, he has worked with Campus Outreach to evangelize and disciple on college campuses. After 10 years of working for Campus Outreach in North Carolina, Dave moved up to DC in 2010 to start Campus Outreach DC out of Capitol Hill Baptist. Dave is presently working toward a degree at Southeastern Baptist Seminary. He lives on Capitol Hill with his wife Carrie and their four children: Charlotte, Carson, Helen, and Henry.

Distinctives of God-Centered Evangelism

Speakers: David Sinclair Year: 2014 Session: Breakout Session

What are the implications and characteristics of God-centered evangelism? What can we learn from the First and Second Great Awakening about this? In this breakout session, David Sinclair explains how our theology should affect our methodology when it comes to evangelism.

David Sinclair is the senior pastor of Clemson Presbyterian Church. David grew up in Greenville, SC and after graduating from Clemson University and Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, he returned to Clemson to begin a work with Reformed University Fellowship and help with the plant of Clemson Presbyterian Church in 1984. In 1997, he received his doctorate from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi and was called as Senior Pastor to Lexington Presbyterian Church in Lexington, SC where he pastored for 10 years. Then in 2007 he accepted a call back to Clemson Presbyterian Church where he presently serves as Senior Pastor. David is married to Becky and they have three grown children and a daughter-in-law.


Speaker

David Sinclair is the senior pastor of Clemson Presbyterian Church. David grew up in Greenville, SC and after graduating from Clemson University and Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, he returned to Clemson to begin a work with Reformed University Fellowship and help with the plant of Clemson Presbyterian Church in 1984. In 1997, he received his doctorate from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi and was called as Senior Pastor to Lexington Presbyterian Church in Lexington, SC where he pastored for 10 years. Then in 2007 he accepted a call back to Clemson Presbyterian Church where he presently serves as Senior Pastor. David is married to Becky and they have three grown children and a daughter-in-law.

Denominations: Your Grandfather’s Oldsmobile?

Are denominations a thing of the past? Are they sin because they divide the body of Christ? Has the church actually experienced a fracture at any point? Historically, denominations came about in order to protect peoples’ consciences under the Word of God to practice what they believe the Bible is teaching them. In this panel, hear these brothers discuss the history, current state, and future of denominations in light of the wide spectrum across evangelicalism.


Speakers

John Yates

John Yates has been the Rector of The Falls Church in Falls Church, Virginia, since 1979. John has been an instrumental figure in the Anglican renewal movement here in the U.S. over the last several decades. He attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, graduating in 1968, Phi Beta Kappa and a Morehead scholar. He received his Masters of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1971, and in 1984 earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. His work over the years with Christian young people and young families has especially equipped him as a spokesman on family life. He and his wife are deeply involved in the Little Rock, Arkansas-based ministry, Family Life, and they speak regularly at Weekend to Remember conferences around the country. John is married to Susan Alexander Yates. They have five adult children and 21 grandchildren.

Kevin DeYoung

Kevin DeYoung is the senior pastor at Christ Covenant Church (PCA) in Matthews, North Carolina and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte). Prior to the summer of 2017, he pastored at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan (2004-2017). Kevin holds a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and received his Ph.D. in early modern history at the University of Leicester. He is the author of several books, including The Biggest Story, The Hole in Our Holiness, Crazy Busy, and Just Do Something. Kevin and his wife, Trisha, have nine children.

Ligon Duncan

Ligon Duncan is Chancellor/CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary, and John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, and reared in a Christian home, he did his studies at Furman University, Greenville, SC (BA); Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis (MDiv & MA); and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland (PhD). Ligon and his wife, Anne, have two children. Ligon has edited, written, and contributed to numerous books, most recently including: The Gospel As Center, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, Preaching the Cross, Fear Not: Death and the Afterlife from a Christian Perspective, In My Place Condemned He Stood, and Does Grace Grow Best in Winter?.

Mark Dever

Mark Dever serves as the senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. A Duke graduate, Mark holds a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Ecclesiastical History from Cambridge University. He is the president of 9Marks and has taught at a number of seminaries. Mark has authored several books and articles, most recently, Compelling Community, Baptist Foundations, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, What is a Healthy Church?, and Nine Marks of a Healthy Church. He and his wife Connie live and minister on Capitol Hill. They have two adult children.

Future Theological Threats

What are impending threats facing evangelicalism? Though the brothers on this panel discuss many, Mark Dever reminds us of the glorious confession that there may be none! Christ could return today, and at some point theological threats will be no more. Yet we still prepare to be ready to give an answer in season and out of season for the hope that we hold. We pray this panel encourages you as you do just that.


Speakers

Albert Mohler

R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as the ninth president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Mohler is a theologian and an ordained minister, having served as pastor and staff minister of several Southern Baptist churches. He came to the presidency of Southern Seminary from service as editor of The Christian Index, the oldest of the state papers serving the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Mohler is a member of Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of The Gathering Storm: Secularism, Culture, and the Church, The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits, The Prayer that Turns the World Upside Down, We Cannot Be Silent, The Conviction to Lead, He is Not Silent, Culture Shift: Engaging Current Issues with Timeless Truth, and Atheism Remix. He is also the general editor of the new Grace and Truth Study Bible. He is married to Mary, and they have two children, and are the proud grandparents of Benjamin, Henry, and Margaret.

Kevin DeYoung

Kevin DeYoung is the senior pastor at Christ Covenant Church (PCA) in Matthews, North Carolina and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte). Prior to the summer of 2017, he pastored at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan (2004-2017). Kevin holds a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and received his Ph.D. in early modern history at the University of Leicester. He is the author of several books, including The Biggest Story, The Hole in Our Holiness, Crazy Busy, and Just Do Something. Kevin and his wife, Trisha, have nine children.

Ligon Duncan

Ligon Duncan is Chancellor/CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary, and John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, and reared in a Christian home, he did his studies at Furman University, Greenville, SC (BA); Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis (MDiv & MA); and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland (PhD). Ligon and his wife, Anne, have two children. Ligon has edited, written, and contributed to numerous books, most recently including: The Gospel As Center, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, Preaching the Cross, Fear Not: Death and the Afterlife from a Christian Perspective, In My Place Condemned He Stood, and Does Grace Grow Best in Winter?.

Mark Dever

Mark Dever serves as the senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. A Duke graduate, Mark holds a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Ecclesiastical History from Cambridge University. He is the president of 9Marks and has taught at a number of seminaries. Mark has authored several books and articles, most recently, Compelling Community, Baptist Foundations, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, What is a Healthy Church?, and Nine Marks of a Healthy Church. He and his wife Connie live and minister on Capitol Hill. They have two adult children.

Peter Williams

Peter Williams received an M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge and is currently the Principal of Tyndale House, Cambridge. Dr. Williams is also the chair of the International Greek New Testament Project as well as a member of the Translation Committee of the English Standard Version of the Bible. He recently published Can We Trust the Gospels? (Crossway, 2018).

Simon Gathercole

Simon Gathercole’s first degree was in Classics and Theology in Cambridge, after which he pursued doctoral research under the supervision of James D.G. Dunn in Durham. He also studied for short periods at the University of Tübingen and the Jewish Theological Seminary, New York. He previously taught in the University of Aberdeen (2000-2007). He is currently Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of Cambridge, and editor of the journal New Testament Studies.

Stump The Panel

What do you say to an atheist questioning about God ordering the destruction of those who oppose Israel? What do you say to an unmarried couple living together, refusing to separate, but applying for church membership? How do you comfort a Muslim woman inquiring about Christianity, but who realizes her husband may be in hell? These are but a few of the questions asked of this panel — who we rounded together not really to stump, but to talk about questions that pastors are commonly stumped by.


Speakers

Albert Mohler

R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as the ninth president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Mohler is a theologian and an ordained minister, having served as pastor and staff minister of several Southern Baptist churches. He came to the presidency of Southern Seminary from service as editor of The Christian Index, the oldest of the state papers serving the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Mohler is a member of Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of The Gathering Storm: Secularism, Culture, and the Church, The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits, The Prayer that Turns the World Upside Down, We Cannot Be Silent, The Conviction to Lead, He is Not Silent, Culture Shift: Engaging Current Issues with Timeless Truth, and Atheism Remix. He is also the general editor of the new Grace and Truth Study Bible. He is married to Mary, and they have two children, and are the proud grandparents of Benjamin, Henry, and Margaret.

Ligon Duncan

Ligon Duncan is Chancellor/CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary, and John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, and reared in a Christian home, he did his studies at Furman University, Greenville, SC (BA); Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis (MDiv & MA); and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland (PhD). Ligon and his wife, Anne, have two children. Ligon has edited, written, and contributed to numerous books, most recently including: The Gospel As Center, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, Preaching the Cross, Fear Not: Death and the Afterlife from a Christian Perspective, In My Place Condemned He Stood, and Does Grace Grow Best in Winter?.

Mark Dever

Mark Dever serves as the senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. A Duke graduate, Mark holds a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Ecclesiastical History from Cambridge University. He is the president of 9Marks and has taught at a number of seminaries. Mark has authored several books and articles, most recently, Compelling Community, Baptist Foundations, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, What is a Healthy Church?, and Nine Marks of a Healthy Church. He and his wife Connie live and minister on Capitol Hill. They have two adult children.

Mike McKinley

Mike McKinley was raised in suburban Philadelphia. He received a B.A. in Religion and Classics from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and an M.Div from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. In 2004, Mike was brought onto the pastoral staff at Capitol Hill Baptist Church as a church planter. In 2005, he brought a small group of people from CHBC to Guilford Baptist Church in order to help revitalize the church’s ministry. He served as Guilford’s pastor until 2013, when Guilford merged with Sterling Park Baptist Church, where he now serves as Senior Pastor. Mike has been married to Karen since 1997, and they have five beautiful children: Kendall, Knox, Phineas, Ebenezer, and Harper. In his free time, Mike loves to spend time with his family, reading all kinds of books, and daydreaming about the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Simon Gathercole

Simon Gathercole’s first degree was in Classics and Theology in Cambridge, after which he pursued doctoral research under the supervision of James D.G. Dunn in Durham. He also studied for short periods at the University of Tübingen and the Jewish Theological Seminary, New York. He previously taught in the University of Aberdeen (2000-2007). He is currently Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of Cambridge, and editor of the journal New Testament Studies.

Thabiti Anyabwile

Thabiti Anyabwile is the pastor of Anacostia River Church in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, Thabiti served as the pastor of First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman for seven years. He is a native of Lexington, North Carolina. Thabiti holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in psychology from North Carolina State University. He is the author of Captivated: Beholding the Mystery of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, The Gospel for Muslims: An Encouragement to Share Christ with Confidence, The Decline of African-American Theology, The Life of God in the soul of the Church, Finding Faithful Elders & Deacons, and What is a Healthy Church Member?. He is the happy husband of Kristie and the adoring father of three children. A former high school basketball coach and bookstore owner, he enjoys preaching, reading, sports, and watching sci-fi films.

Preaching Sanctification

Pastor, how do you encourage your people toward holiness while allowing their confidence to remain in their positional holiness before the Lord given to them in the person and work of Jesus Christ? What are the biblical motivations to pursuing holiness for those who are already in Christ? In this panel, hear how men in different ministries help clear the fog around this idea while lovingly exhorting the people charged to their care.


Speakers

Derek Thomas

Derek Thomas is senior minister of the First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, S.C., and Chancellor’s Professor of Systematic and Pastoral Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary. He is a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow and author of many books, including How the Gospel Brings Us All the Way Home, Calvin’s Teaching on Job, Strength for the Weary, and, with Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson, Ichthus: Jesus Christ, God’s Son, the Saviour.

John Piper

John Piper serves as founder and lead teacher at Desiring God and is chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, Piper served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He has authored more than 50 books, and more than 30 years of his preaching and writing are available free of charge at desiringGod.org. Piper resides in the Minneapolis area with Noël, his wife of 53 years, and they have five children and 14 grandchildren.

Kevin DeYoung

Kevin DeYoung is the senior pastor at Christ Covenant Church (PCA) in Matthews, North Carolina and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte). Prior to the summer of 2017, he pastored at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan (2004-2017). Kevin holds a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and received his Ph.D. in early modern history at the University of Leicester. He is the author of several books, including The Biggest Story, The Hole in Our Holiness, Crazy Busy, and Just Do Something. Kevin and his wife, Trisha, have nine children.

Matt Chandler

Matt Chandler serves as lead pastor for teaching at The Village Church in Dallas, Texas. He assumed this role in August 2002 after several years of serving on a local church staff and as an itinerant preacher. Matt is involved in church planting around Dallas and across the world through The Village Church and other partnerships such as Acts 29, at which he serves as president. He is the author of The Mingling of Souls, The Explicit Gospel, and Creature of the Word. He and his wife, Lauren, live with their three children in Highland Village, Texas.

Homosexuality: Our Third Rail?

Al Mohler sits with Sam Alberry, author of “Is God anti-Gay?”, and Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberties Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, to discuss the issue of homosexuality. Mohler says that, “this issue is in many ways the frontline issue of our engagement with the culture and with people — some of whom struggle with this issue personally. Others struggle with how anyone can hold anything other than the position that the dominant culture says is mandatory.” Holding this in tension, these brothers discuss how this issue affects our evangelism and ministries.


Speakers

Albert Mohler

R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as the ninth president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Mohler is a theologian and an ordained minister, having served as pastor and staff minister of several Southern Baptist churches. He came to the presidency of Southern Seminary from service as editor of The Christian Index, the oldest of the state papers serving the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Mohler is a member of Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of The Gathering Storm: Secularism, Culture, and the Church, The Apostles’ Creed: Discovering Authentic Christianity in an Age of Counterfeits, The Prayer that Turns the World Upside Down, We Cannot Be Silent, The Conviction to Lead, He is Not Silent, Culture Shift: Engaging Current Issues with Timeless Truth, and Atheism Remix. He is also the general editor of the new Grace and Truth Study Bible. He is married to Mary, and they have two children, and are the proud grandparents of Benjamin, Henry, and Margaret.

Russell Moore

Russell Moore serves as the eighth president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, the moral and public policy agency of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. A widely-sought cultural commentator, Dr. Moore has been recognized by a number of influential organizations. The Wall Street Journal has called him “vigorous, cheerful, and fiercely articulate” while The Gospel Coalition has referred to him as “one of the most astute ethicists in contemporary evangelicalism.” An ethicist and theologian by background, Dr. Moore is also an ordained Southern Baptist minister and the author of several books including Onward: Engaging the Culture Without Losing the Gospel. A native Mississippian, he and his wife Maria are the parents of five sons.

Sam Allberry

Sam Allberry is an editor for The Gospel Coalition, a global speaker for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, and a pastor based in Maidenhead, UK. He is the author of a number of books, including Is God Anti-Gay? (Good Book, 2013), James For You, and, most recently, Why Bother with Church? He is a founding editor of Living Out, a ministry for those struggling with same-sex attraction.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: Pastor-Evangelist

What are some common misunderstandings about D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones? What was most of his ministry spent on? Mrs. Lloyd-Jones says, “No one will understand my husband, who does not know that he was first a man of prayer and then an evangelist.” Pastors Mark Dever and John MacArthur sit with Lloyd-Jones’ biographer, Iain Murray, and his grandson, Jonathan Catherwood, to discuss the life of this pastor-evangelist whom evangelicalism owes so much to.


Speakers

Iain Murray

Iain Murray is a founding trustee of the Banner of Truth Trust. He served as assistant to Dr. Lloyd-Jones at Westminster Chapel for three years and founded the Banner of Truth Trust in 1957, alongside Jack Cullum. Iain is the author of numerous books, including A Scottish Christian Heritage, Evangelicalism Divided, Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography, and Evangelical Holiness.

John MacArthur

John MacArthur is the president of The Master’s College and Seminary and featured teacher with Grace to You. In 1969, after graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John took the pastorate at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. The emphasis of his pulpit ministry is the careful study and verse-by-verse exposition of the Bible, with special attention devoted to the historical and grammatical background behind each passage. Since completing his first best-selling book, The Gospel According to Jesus, in 1988, John has written hundreds of other books and study guides, including Our Sufficiency in Christ and The MacArthur New Testament Commentary series. John and his wife, Patricia, live in Southern California and have four married children. They also enjoy the enthusiastic company of their fifteen grandchildren.

Jonathan Catherwood

Jonathan Catherwood is the middle grandson of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones and the youngest son of Elizabeth Catherwood. Jonathan serves as the CEO of Woodville Hall Capital, LLC and is the president of the MLJ Trust, which provides over 1,600 audio sermons by Dr. Lloyd-Jones for free download (www.mljtrust.org).

Mark Dever

Mark Dever serves as the senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. A Duke graduate, Mark holds a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Ecclesiastical History from Cambridge University. He is the president of 9Marks and has taught at a number of seminaries. Mark has authored several books and articles, most recently, Compelling Community, Baptist Foundations, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, What is a Healthy Church?, and Nine Marks of a Healthy Church. He and his wife Connie live and minister on Capitol Hill. They have two adult children.

The Spark of the Gospel

Speakers: Conference Videos Year: 2014 Session: Pastoral Testimonies

How can the light of the gospel be seen in countries that are closed — where evangelism is illegal and dangerous? What is the current standing of churches in East Asia — are they all “underground”? Hear a brother share about how he is bringing the gospel to East Asia and the fruit that is budding in churches, pastors, and students.

Plant the Gospel

Speakers: Conference Videos Year: 2014 Session: Pastoral Testimonies

When it comes to evangelism, how are pastors to understand their primary role? Is it any different from that of a lay Christian? In this video, three pastors from different parts of the United States explain how they go about planting the gospel in their unique contexts — providing examples of what a pastor-evangelist is.

Believing Differently

Speakers: Conference Videos Year: 2014 Session: Evangelism Stories

Sometimes the most intimidating people to share the gospel with are those closest to us, especially when it becomes clear that they want to adjust the gospel. In this evangelism story, hear how Eli has shared the gospel with a woman dearest to her for 25 years. Though she sees no apparent fruit, Eli, by God’s grace, continues to pray for “Mary” without ceasing.

A Prisoner Set Free

Speakers: Conference Videos Year: 2014 Session: Evangelism Stories

Jesus did not come for the healthy but the sick, and that includes the prisoners regardless of their crime. In this evangelism story, hear how a man, Colin, was freed from two types of imprisonment — a temporal and eternal. The latter was brought about by his friend, Julian, who was faithful to share the gospel with him relentlessly — even though Colin mocked and scorned him.