STEERING COUNCIL

Anthony Allen


immediate past president
Hannibal-LaGrange University
Hannibal, mo

Dr. Anthony Allen is the immediate past president of Hannibal-LaGrange University in Hannibal, Mo. He enjoys teaching and preaching God’s Word, integrating faith and learning, and equipping students with a biblical worldview. He is married to Stacy Allen and has five children.

Mark Ballard


President
Northeastern baptist College
Bennington, VT

Dr. Mark Ballard is the founding president of Northeastern Baptist College and a former member of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.  He earned a B.A. from Criswell College and an M.Div. and Ph.D. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.  The Lord used 30 years of preaching and more than 20 years of pastoring, church planting, and new ministry development to prepare Ballard to lead NEBC with a consistent commitment to biblical principles.  President Ballard is also a conference speaker, seminar leader, professor, and author.

Voddie Baucham


Dean of Theology
African Christian University
Lusaka, Zambia

In addition to his roles as husband, father, church planter, professor, author, and speaker, Baucham serves currently as the dean of Theology at African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia. He holds a doctor of ministry degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary as well as degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Houston Baptist University. Baucham has also spent time in post-graduate study at the University of Oxford in England. Released in 2021, one of Baucham’s most recent books, “Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe,” quickly gained attention in the evangelical community and became a national bestseller.

Dennis Baxley


florida state senator
ocala, fl

Senator Dennis Baxley (R-FL) is Chairman of the Ethics and Elections Committee in the Florida Senate. He previously served as Speaker Pro Tempore in the Florida House of Representatives. He is Chairman of the Florida chapter of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, is a member of Gideons International, and previously served as President of the Christian Coalition of Florida. The son of a Southern Baptist minister, he is very active in Baptist life, including service as an elder of his church, on the board of Jay Strack’s Student Leadership University, and previously on the board of the Florida Baptist Witness. Senator Baxley lives in Ocala, Florida with his wife (Ginette) of forty-eight years, and has three natural and two adopted children and eight grandchildren.

Stoney Benfield


Senior Pastor
Prospect Baptist Church
Albemarle, NC

Pastor Stoney was born and raised in the foothills of North Carolina and received his call to the ministry in 1996.  He has served as the Senior Pastor of Prospect Baptist Church since 2005.  Pastor Stoney has a passion for preaching and evangelism, a heart for pastors, and takes an uncompromising stand on the Word of God.   As a committed Southern Baptist, his desire is to see the local church proclaim the name of Jesus Christ and be equipped to carry the gospel to the lost. 

Lee Brand


Pastor
Faith Baptist Church
Bartlett, TN

With a Ph.D. in Practical Theology from Mid-America, Dr. Lee Brand has served as pastor, professor, and administrator.  Under his leadership, Beth-el Missionary Baptist Church experienced much of its growth and ministry development, including campus outreach and significant international mission work in the Philippines and Uganda.  Brand has served in a variety of teaching roles and convention positions, and previously he served his community as the chaplain to the Starkville Police Department.

Brad Bright


President and CEO
Bright Media Foundation
Orlando, FL

Brad Bright is the youngest son of Bill and Vonette Bright, the founders of Campus Crusade for Christ.  Brad graduated from Wheaton College in 1982 with a B.A. in political science and history.  During the 1980s, he served as an aide in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.  Brad currently serves as the president and CEO of Bright Media Foundation, an affiliate of Campus Crusade for Christ (now known as CRU in the U.S.). He is the author of several books and currently resides in Orlando, Fla.

Steve Brumbelow


Senior Pastor
Southview Baptist Church
Rosharon, TX

Raised in a pastor’s home, Steve Brumbelow was born again at age 5 and surrendered to preach at age 11. He preached his first sermon at 12 and conducted revival meetings from age 15 to 23. At 23 years of age, he assumed the pastorate of Cross Lanes Baptist Church in Charleston, W.V., where he pastored for fourteen and a half years. He has since served the Southern Baptist Convention in various capacities at the national level. In 1991, he re-entered evangelism and has conducted more than 550 revival meetings. Pastor Brumbelow has led Southview Baptist Church outside of Houston since 2004.

Emir Caner


President
Truett McConnell University
Cleveland, GA

Dr. Emir Caner is president of Truett McConnell University. Since 2008, the University, built upon an Anabaptist vision of fulfilling the Great Commission through the Great Commandment, has septupled in enrollment, adding five schools, four master’s degrees, and 13 online degree programs. He is the host of the syndicated program, “The Emir Caner Show,” and has published or contributed to 24 books which have sold more than 300,000 copies. His bestseller, Unveiling Islam, won the Gold Medallion Book of the Year award. Over the past 20 years, Dr. Caner has preached in nearly 1,000 churches. His wife, Hana, was raised under the oppression of Communism, and speaks on the ills of socialism and communism. 

Kelvin Cochran


Chief Operating Officer
Elizabeth Baptist Church
Atlanta, GA

Kelvin J. Cochran is the former Fire Chief of the City of Atlanta, terminated for writing a book for a Christian men’s Bible study.  He currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Atlanta. He is a member of the preaching team and provides leadership over their men’s ministry.  Cochran is a strong advocate for religious liberty and unity of the Body of Christ.

 

Scott Colter


Director of Strategic Initiatives
Mid-america baptist theological seminary
Memphis, TN

Scott Colter serves as the director of strategic initiatives at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.  His work and ministry have taken him to 13 countries, including some where he has met with Christian leaders and ministers suffering religious persecution and censorship — a reality that fuels Scott’s commitment to preserving religious liberty within the United States.  Scott holds a Ph.D. from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary  and previously served on staff at Birchman Baptist Church and as chief of staff at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.  Scott is passionate about preaching God’s Word, and his desires to promote the sanctity of human life and to preserve religious liberty have continually led him to interest and involvement in various public policy efforts to effect change based on a Christian worldview.

Sharayah Colter


Journalist and
founder, Colter & Co.
Memphis, TN

Sharayah serves as founder and principal of Colter & Co., which assists clients internationally in brand identity, public relations, and strategic communications. She has served Southern Baptists in multiple roles, including as a news writer for both an SBC entity and a state convention, and as part of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Resolutions Committee. Sharayah studied print and broadcast journalism and graduated from the University of Texas, Arlington, later earning certificates in biblical counseling and women’s ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  She also holds a certificate in leadership from the Focus on the Family Leadership Institute. Sharayah has worked with various secular and Christian news organizations across the United States, and her experience includes newspapers, magazines, radio, marketing, graphic design, and public relations. The wife of Scott Colter, Sharayah is the mother of two and intensely committed to defending unborn children.

Chad Connelly


President, faith wins
FMR. Nat. Director of Faith Engagement, RNC
prosperity, SC

Chad Connelly served as the Republican National Committee’s first-ever national director of faith engagement and two terms as chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party. In those capacities, he traveled to 43 states and spoke to more than 85,000 pastors and faith leaders about the importance of pastoral leadership in the public arena. He serves on the boards of South Carolina Citizens for Life, the Palmetto Family Council, and the Christian Life and Public Affairs committee of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. He and his family attend First Baptist of Newberry where he is a deacon, Sunday school teacher and is past chairman of the church council. He has been a featured commentator on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, NBC and many other networks.

Mark Coppenger


Retired Professor
the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Louisville, ky

Mark Coppenger (B.A., Ouachita Baptist University; M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; Ph.D., Vanderbilt) retired as a professor of Christian philosophy and ethics at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been a philosophy professor at Wheaton College, an infantry LTC in the Army Reserve, managing editor of kairosjournal.org, and a pastor in Arkansas and Illinois. Within the Southern Baptist Convention, he has served as the executive director for Indiana Baptists, chairman of the SBC Resolutions Committee, founding editor of SBC LIFE, BCM director at Northwestern, and president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo.

Mike Courtney


evangelist
Garland, Tx

Mike Courtney has been serving Christ in vocational ministry for more than three decades.  He is passionate for revival and evangelism in the Southern Baptist Convention.  After serving in itinerant ministry for many years, Courtney served in the pastorate for more than 18 years.  Since 2006, he has again been involved in itinerant preaching that focuses on revival, evangelism, and missions.  A committed Southern Baptist, Mike Courtney champions the inerrancy and sufficiency of Scripture and has a desire to see the Southern Baptist Convention growing and thriving in evangelism.

Nathan Davis


pulpit supply & speaker
Apple Springs, texas

Nathan Davis, throughout his 24 years of ministry, has served in various roles including as youth pastor, associate pastor, board of trustee member at Louisiana College, and president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s Pastor’s Conference.  He has studied abroad in Greece and Oxford, England and received his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  He is passionate about the conservative values held by the Southern Baptist Convention and is honored to be a part of the Conservative Baptist Network.

Anthony George


senior pastor
first baptist church
Atlanta, ga

Dr. Anthony George serves as the senior pastor of First Baptist Atlanta.  His exceptional ability to proclaim the gospel is becoming well known, and his circle of influence as a preacher and Christian leader is increasing on a consistent basis as he serves at First Baptist Atlanta.  Prior to serving at First Baptist Atlanta, Dr. George served for 15 years as the senior pastor of Aloma Baptist Church in Winter Park, Fla.

Jim Gregory


senior pastor
first southern baptist church
mountain home, id

Jim Gregory serves currently as the senior pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in southwest Idaho as well as on the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention.  Jim has served the SBC through a variety of committee appointments, as a pastors’ conference speaker, and as a church planter.  With more than 35 years of experience in ministry as a pastor and church planter, Jim is currently on the Board of Directors for Harvest North America Ministries and leads a ministry to military servicemen and women in his community. 

Tom Hatley


Senior Pastor
Immanuel Baptist Church Global Outreach Center
Rogers, AR

Tom Hatley pastors the Immanuel Baptist Church Global Outreach Center in Rogers, Ark.  He has championed an approach to sustainable, rapid growth church-planting that is impacting several countries in South Asia.  Dr. Hatley has served as a trustee of several mission agencies, including serving two years as chairman of the International Mission Board of the SBC.

Gerald Harris


retired editor
The Christian Index
Atlanta, ga

Gerald Harris served as pastor for more than 40 years before becoming editor of The Christian Index (the Georgia Baptist state publication) from 2003 until 2019. He is the author of five books. He has served as president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, was on the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, a trustee of the SBC Sunday School Board (now LifeWay Christian Resources), and chairman of the Resolution Committee of the SBC. He currently serves as a trustee of Shorter University and fulfills a preaching and teaching ministry called Love Lifted Me Higher.

Ryan Helfenbein


Vice President
Communications and Public Engagement
Liberty University
lynchburg, va

Ryan Helfenbein, one of America’s most prominent Millennial evangelical leaders, is Vice President of Communications and Public Engagement at Liberty University. He is Executive Director of the university’s Falkirk Center for Faith and Liberty, which equips Christians to become courageous champions for Christ to advance His kingdom and preserve American freedom. He taught Sunday School for four years with Dr. Al Mohler, and was a pastoral intern for Dr. Kie Bowman. He holds an M.Div. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Texas.

Mike Huckabee


fmr. Arkansas governor
fmr. president, Arkansas state baptist convention
author

Mike Huckabee is an ordained Southern Baptist minister who served as the 44th governor of Arkansas.  He was also a candidate in the United States Republican presidential primaries in both 2008 and 2016. He is the host of the talk show Huckabee, which ran on the Fox News Channel from 2008–2015 and currently runs on the Trinity Broadcasting Network and on Newsmax TV. He paused the show in January 2015 in order to explore a potential bid for the presidency.  From April 2012 through December 2013, he hosted a daily radio program, The Mike Huckabee Show.  Huckabee is the author of several best-selling books, a previous Southern Baptist pastor noted for his evangelical views, a musician, and a public speaker.

Chris Hughes


Founder & Chairman
The Citizens for America Foundation
Boone, NC

Chris Hughes is one of America’s most important, influential, and respected voices on cultural and political issues. Chris Hughes serves as the President and CEO of The Christhall Corporation, a government consulting and media relations company, and Christian Perspective Media. Chris Hughes is the Founder and Chairman of the Citizens for America Foundation, one of the nation’s most effective advocacy and grassroots public policy organizations. A powerful and effective communicator, Chris Hughes is a corporate leadership and government consultant, conference leader, Christian political advocate, Second Amendment defender, and author. Chris has been heard and seen on radio and television stations around the globe. Chris Hughes is also the President and CEO of Salvation Ministries, a world-wide evangelistic association that holds crusades, pastor training schools, revivals, vacation Bible schools, and plants Churches around the world. In his travels, Chris Hughes works to inform and mobilize Pastors and Christians to be proactive in restoring a biblical worldview framework in their communities and across the nation. He is the host of The Chris Hughes Show.

Peggy Jeffries


former Arkansas
state senator
fort smith, ar

Senator Peggy Jeffries (R-AR) was the first Republican woman ever elected to the Arkansas Senate, and was the only woman in the Senate during her service. She was elected Republican National Committeewoman for Arkansas, and served on the RNC Platform Committee. She long served as Executive Director of Arkansas Eagle Forum, and has been a tireless lobbyist in both Arkansas and Washington, D.C. for education, pro-life, and family issues. Senator Jeffries trusted Christ as her Savior and Lord at the age of 12, served as Director of Children’s Ministries and taught Women’s Bible Class at First Baptist Fort Smith for decades. She has also served on the board of the Arkansas State Baptist Convention. She is the wife of Dr. Jerry Jeffries and has three grown children.



Brad Jurkovich


senior pastor
first bossier
bossier city, la

Dr. Brad Jurkovich is a leader committed to reaching this generation with the hope of Jesus. He is the senior pastor of First Bossier in Bossier City, La. Prior to coming to First Bossier, Dr. Jurkovich served as the founding pastor of Victory Life Church in Lubbock, Texas. Before answering the call to pastor, Dr. Jurkovich traveled throughout America preaching for city-wide outreach events and youth camps, speaking in schools, and ministering in numerous churches. He received his B.A. in biblical studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological College, his Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Dr. Jurkovich is committed to seeing the Southern Baptist Convention fulfill its purpose biblically.  He has served the SBC in a variety of roles, including most recently on the Committee on Order of Business. 

Chuck Kelley


President Emeritus and Distinguished Research Professor of Evangelism at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
New Orleans, la

Dr. Chuck Kelley is distinguished research professor of evangelism at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  Born in Beaumont, Texas, in 1952, Kelley grew up in First Baptist Church of Beaumont and was ordained as a minister in February 1972 at the age of 19. Kelley earned a bachelor of arts in philosophy from Baylor University in 1974. Kelley also holds two degrees from NOBTS: a master of divinity (1978) and a doctor of theology (1983).  Kelley served as president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for 23 years and evangelism professor for more than 35 years.  On July 31, 2019, Kelley retired as president of NOBTS and became distinguished research professor of evangelism and president emeritus. In addition to his research and writing, he continues to be an itinerant preacher and evangelist.

Joe Knott


lawyer
Knott & Boyle
raleigh, nc

Joe Knott currently serves as an officer of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention.  As a committed Baptist layman, Knott has taught a 500-member Bible study for more than 25 years, serves on the board of elders at Christ Baptist Church, and has taught Sunday School for more than 30 years.  A practicing lawyer, Knott is active in legal, educational, political, and religious communities.  In 2004, he was nominated by the Republican party as the candidate for Attorney General of North Carolina.  Beginning his career as a trial lawyer in the Department of Justice under Ronald Reagan, Knott is a committed conservative with a record of standing firmly against injustice. 

Bill Logan


senior pastor
Immanuel Baptist Church
Ridgecrest, CA

Bill Logan has served in three Southern Baptist Churches during his 40 years of ministry.  He serves currently as the senior pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Ridgecrest, Calif.  A passionate preacher and teacher of God’s Word, Logan is committed to evangelism and missions both locally and internationally.  Logan attended California Baptist University, Gateway Seminary, and Trinity Theological Seminary.  He served as a trustee to the California Southern Baptist Convention and the North American Mission Board.

Bob McEwen


Executive Director
Council for National Policy
fmr. congressman

Former Congressman Bob McEwen (R-OH) is Executive Director of the prestigious Council for National Policy, which the New York Times once called “the club of the most powerful,” and U.S. News and World Report once termed “the real RNC.” Congressman McEwen served on the House Intelligence Committee and House Rules Committee, and served as a member of the U.S. delegation to the European Parliament for ten years. He was a Presidential representative in Moscow during the Gorbachev coup, escorted the world’s first non-communist Prime Minister of a Communist country into the Polish Chancellery in 1989, participated in the formation of democratic governments in Soviet satellite countries and witnessed the vote in the Kremlin that eliminated the Soviet Union.

Michael O’Brien


Christian musician and recording artist
Columbia, tn

Michael O’Brien, a much-accomplished 20-year music veteran, served a 7-year tenure as lead singer of the Christian band Newsong.  O’Brien has produced two additional albums—2007’s Something About Us and 2010’s Be Still My SoulChrist’mas, released in 2012, also celebrates the sacredness of the season.  Doors of opportunity have opened for Michael to share his music and his and Heidi’s story of restoration.  In addition to leading worship at various events, including Extraordinary Women Conferences and Wildfire Men’s Conferences, Michael has launched his own marriage enrichment date nights and weekend events called Tour De Romance. 

Bob Pearle


senior pastor
Birchman baptist church
Fort Worth, tx

Dr. Pearle began his ministry at Birchman Baptist Church of Fort Worth, Texas in 1998 after serving as pastor at First Baptist Church in Portland, Texas for eight years. He is a graduate of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tenn. where he received both his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees. He presently serves on the President’s Executive Advisory Council at Mid-America Seminary and has served as a Visiting Instructor of Pastoral Ministries at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Pearle served two terms as President of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, and he has served on the SBTC’s Executive Committee since 2001. Dr. Pearle places a strong emphasis on evangelism, discipleship, and growing a church through a strong Sunday School program. Bob Pearle is the author of The Vanishing Church: Searching for Significance in the 21st Century.

Tony Perkins


President
the family research council
Washington, d.c.

Tony Perkins is President of the Family Research Council, one of the leading Christian public policy voices in Washington, D.C. Described as a legislative pioneer in the national media, he is the immediate past president of the Council for National Policy and Chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). He is host of Washington Watch with Tony Perkins, is an ordained minister who regularly fills pulpits across the country, and a member of President Trump’s faith advisory council.

Tom Phillips


Vice President
the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Charlotte, NC

Dr. Tom Phillips is vice president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). He has served as the executive director of the Billy Graham Library and the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove, the vice president of crusades, and the director of counseling and follow-up globally, playing a key role in the development of materials and programs. Dr. Phillips serves on the Billy Graham Center Committee at Wheaton College, and he is also a member of the Mission America Executive Committee.

Jessica Pigg


author and pastor's wife
fellowship church
Immokalee. FL

Jessica Pigg is a committed Southern Baptist and pastor’s wife. She resides with her husband, Timothy Pigg, in Ave Maria, Fla. Timothy serves as the Senior Pastor of Fellowship Church in Immokalee, Fla. Jessica graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Jessica’s writings have been published in BiblicalWoman.comFlorida Baptist Witness, The Southern Baptist Texan, Whole Magazine, and Baptist Press. It has been the honor of a lifetime to be a contributing writer for The Devotional for Women (B&H, 2015), The Devotional for Women: Psalms and Proverbs (B&H, 2017), and The Devotional Bible for Women (B&H, 2019) with Dr. Dorothy Patterson and Dr. Rhonda Kelley. 

Tim Pigg


senior pastor
fellowship church
Immokalee. FL

As senior pastor of Fellowship Church in Immokalee, Fla., Timothy Pigg is committed to text-driven preaching, evangelism, and discipleship.  A conservative Southern Baptist, Timothy has served in a variety of roles with the Florida Baptist Convention and has been a featured speaker on multiple panels and at evangelism conferences.  Having served several churches, Timothy champions the high calling of the pastor and believes that the most pressing issues facing communities and the nation are solved through the ministries of a local church functioning biblically.  Timothy earned three degrees, including a D.Min., at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Lewis Richerson


senior pastor
Woodlawn baptist church
Baton Rouge, LA

Dr. Lewis Richerson has served as pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church since 2012. He previously served at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in various capacities from 2005-2012 where he also received his Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages (M.Div.) and Doctor of Philosophy in Preaching (Ph.D.) degrees. Richerson began his pastoral ministry in 1999, while a senior in high school, as an interim pastor in rural Rapids Parish, La. That experience, along with his other ministry experiences (he served churches in Louisiana and Texas) have given him a passion for people and the Word of God.  In addition to leading in the local church, Pastor Richerson has been instrumental in launching a ministry in India that includes an accredited Bible college and seminary, church planting efforts all over India, an orphan ministry, and pastor training.

Phil Roberts


Director for International Theological Education
Global Ministries Foundation

Dr. Roberts currently serves as Director for International Theological Education with Global Ministries Foundation and previously served as president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo.  He holds a Ph.D. from the Free University in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and an M.Div. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.  He has conducted post-graduate research at Oxford University and has published several books on interfaith evangelism.  He is a prolific preacher and evangelist and served as vice president of the North American Mission Board with emphasis in urban ministries and interfaith evangelism.  Dr. Roberts taught as Professor of Missions and Evangelism at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., and he holds membership in the Evangelical Theological Society and the International Society of Christian Apologetics, where he serves as president. 

Ronnie Rogers


Senior Pastor
trinity Baptist Church
norman, ok

Ronnie W. Rogers (B.A., Biblical Studies, Criswell College; M.S., Counseling, Henderson State University) has been a pastor for more than 30 years and is currently the senior pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Norman, Okla. Rogers is also a prolific author. He has served as chairman of the Nominating Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention; chairman of the Board of Trustees for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; president of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention; and a member of the Committee on Committees of the Southern Baptist Convention. Ronnie presented papers on four occasions, 2004-2013, at the Oxford Round Table meeting in Oxford England (Now, the Oxford International Round Table Symposiums).  Papers presented included “Government Policy Toward Teaching Religion in State Schools,” “The Decline of Religion in Public Education and The Decline of Public Education,” and  “A Proposal for a Proportional Accommodation and Appreciation Model For Governing the Relationship of Church and State.” The latter served as the basis for the book, The Death of Man as Man: The Rise and Decline of Liberty. 

Jeff Schreve


Senior Pastor
first baptist church
texarkana, tx

Jeff Schreve became the pastor of First Baptist Church of Texarkana, Texas, in 2003. He previously served on the staff at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Jeff graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1984 with a degree in business administration. After spending 12 years working in business, God called Jeff to preach. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in December 2000. Pastor Jeff received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in December 2014. Jeff is a passionate communicator whose love for the Lord and love for people comes out in every sermon he preaches.  From His Heart Ministries with Dr. Jeff Schreve is heard on more than 800 radio stations, seen on thousands of TV outlets across America, and is also available in more than 180 countries around the world. 

Corey Smith


Senior Pastor
heritage Baptist Church
Shreveport, La

Corey Smith is the senior pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in Shreveport, La. He received his theological education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has traveled throughout the world preaching and teaching at seminaries, churches, and conferences. His desire is to glorify God by making disciples of all nations.

Michael Spradlin


President
Mid-America Baptist
Theological Seminary
Memphis, TN

Michael R. Spradlin, Ph.D., President of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, received a B.A. from Ouachita Baptist University, and an M.Div and Ph.D. from MABTS.  He has a versatile ministry background that includes preaching, teaching, church planting, and many international and North American mission trips.  In addition to serving as the president, Dr. Spradlin is also the chair of the evangelism department and a professor in the church history department.  He is the author of many scholarly articles and books, most recently The Sons of the 43rd: The Story of Delmar Dotson, Gray Allison, and the Men of the 43rd Bombardment Group in the Southwest Pacific and editor of Studies in Genesis 1-1: A Creation Commentary. Dr. Spradlin and his wife Lee Ann live in Memphis, Tenn. and have three children; David, Thomas, and Laura, and one daughter-in-law, Madelyn.

Lorine Spratt


Executive Assistant
First Bossier
Bossier City, LA

Lorine Spratt is a dynamic person who makes a difference for Jesus wherever she is. She has worked and led in the business world for 24 years, has served on staff of local Baptist churches, and has served her community as previous vice president of Neighborhood Action Group. In all things Lorine does, she makes a positive difference. She is a passionate voice for biblical truth in our culture. Currently, Lorine serves on staff at First Baptist Bossier as executive assistant to Dr. Brad Jurkovich.

Mike Stone


Senior Pastor
Emmanuel baptist church
blackshear, Ga

Pastor Mike originally came to Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear, Ga., in October 1996 as minister of music and became pastor in June 2002. He is a graduate of Valdosta State University.  Mike currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention and is a past chairman.  He has also served as president and Executive Committee chairman for the Georgia Baptist Convention. A frequent speaker at revivals and conferences across the southeast, Stone lives in Blackshear with his wife, Andrea, and their four children, Michaela, Andrew, Sarah, and Matthew.

Chris Thompson


Senior Pastor
South River Baptist Church
Statesville, NC

Dr. Chris Thompson was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army and began serving on active duty at the end of the first Gulf War. While on active duty, God began dealing with Chris about serving in full time ministry. Chris surrendered his commission as an officer in order to attend Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Dr. Thompson has worked both in the local church setting and on the presidential staffs of both Southeastern and Southwestern Seminaries. Dr. Thompson has served as an interim vice president for business affairs and as the chief of staff. He also has taught classes on the Christian home, New Testament, Greek, and Theology.  Dr. Thompson currently serves as Senior Pastor at South River Baptist Church in Statesville, N.C.. He has served with other churches in various roles, as a chaplain for the North Carolina National Guard, and assisted in a church plant.

Tom Tucker


president
Tom Tucker ministries
Rock Hill, SC

Tom Tucker Ministries began in 2019 to assist churches with this vision – “Pointing people to the Saving and Sustaining Grace in The Lord Jesus Christ.” The Lord has allowed him to preach in numerous revivals, conferences and crusades all over America and in other countries. His has a heart for the Word and for believers to realize who they are in Christ.

Dr. Tucker graduated from Covington Theological Seminary. He attended Campbell University and has received an honorary doctorate from Covington Theological Seminary. In 2016 Dr. Tucker received a Lifetime Ministry Recognition Award from Covington Theological Seminary.

Dr. Tucker has served on numerous associational, state and SBC committees including president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference, chairman of the South Carolina Baptist Executive Board, and both first vice president and president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. He presently is serving on The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee as vice-chairman. 

Virgil Walker


Executive Director
for Operations
G3 Ministries
Omaha, NE

Virgil L. Walker is executive director of operations for G3 Ministries and co-host of the Just Thinking Podcast. He previously served for six years as discipleship pastor at Westside Church in Omaha, Neb. Walker currently attends Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he is working toward the completion of a Master of Divinity (MDiv). He is heavily involved in jail ministry, sidewalk ministry at abortion clinics, and street evangelism. Prior to ministry, Walker worked in the pharmaceutical sales industry where he managed award-winning sales teams. He completed his Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2007. Walker is also a national award-winning recruiter for the Air National Guard, where he served for 12 years of both active and reserve duty. He and his wife Tomeka have been married for 25 years and have three children.