Featured Speakers
Dave Earley
Dave Earley is Lead Pastor of First Baptist of Grove City, Ohio. He is also Assistant Professor of Pastoral Leadership for Liberty Graduate School of Divinity. Throughout his ministry, he has started and pastored several churches and served as chairman of Liberty University’s department of pastoral leadership and evangelism. Previously, Dave was founding Lead Pastor of Grace City Church and the Grace Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Early has written numerous books, selling more than 700,000 copies, including his popular The 21 Most Effective Prayers of the Bible. Dave is passionate about discipling people for Christ and loves being a global online evangelist.
Clint Pressley
Clint Pressley currently serves as Senior Pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. His work has prepared him for denominational service within the Southern Baptist Convention and other leadership posts. In 2013, he served as Vice President of the SBC Pastors Conference. In 2014–15, Pressley served as the First Vice President of the SBC. He also has served on various boards and is currently serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He was a student-athlete and earned his bachelor’s degree from Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently working on his final project toward the Doctor of Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
H.B. Charles Jr.
H.B Charles Jr. is Pastor-Teacher at the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church of Jacksonville and Orange Park, Florida, where he has served since the fall of 2008. He is primarily responsible for preaching-teaching, vision casting, and leadership development — along with all the other tasks that go along with pastoral ministry.
Prior to joining the Shiloh Church, Charles led Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church of Los Angeles for nearly 18 years. Succeeding his late father, Charles began his pastorate at Mt. Sinai at the age of 17 — a senior in high school.
Outside of his ministry with his congregation, Charles regularly speaks at churches, conferences, and conventions around the country. He is also an author and co-author, having published several books. Additionally, he is the host of The On Preaching Podcast – a podcast dedicated to helping pastors preach faithfully, clearly, and better.
Bruce Frank
Bruce Frank is the Lead Pastor at Biltmore Church in Arden, North Carolina. Bruce was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but grew up in Oklahoma and Texas. He became a follower of Christ at the age of 17 through the influence of his three brothers. Bruce earned his undergraduate degree in Finance from Texas Tech University, his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary, and his Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary.
He’s committed to communicating God’s Word clearly and with application to today’s culture. He moved to North Carolina in 2008 with his wife, Lori, and family. They have two sons, Conner and Tyler, along with their daughter-in-law, Carissa, and the world’s best granddaughter, Elsie Grace.
Stan Parris
Dr. Stan Parris is the Senior Pastor of Franklin Heights Church in Rocky Mount, Virginia. He has served in that capacity since 2008. Previously, he served as the Senior Pastor of Vansant Baptist Church in Virginia for more than 12 years.
Parris is a native of Waynesville, North Carolina. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a doctoral degree from Asbury Theological Seminary.
He and his wife, Susan, are proud parents to sons, Briggs and Glenn.
Brian Autry
Dr. Brian Autry is the Executive Director of the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia (SBC of Virginia). He previously started Parkway Baptist Church in Moseley, Virginia in 2002 and served as senior pastor. The church became known for its focus on families, its heart for community outreach, missions, and prayer ministry. As a pastor, Autry had a particular focus on speaking to and leading men to become spiritual leaders. The church became involved with the church planting in Virginia, Colorado, Boston, Romania, and the Philippines.
Autry has served as a Trustee for Southern Seminary and Liberty University. Brian received his bachelor’s degree from James Madison University, his Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Ministry degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Brian and his wife, Jennifer, have three children, Melissa, Mark, and Jenna.
Special Guests
Meredith Andrews
Dove Award-winning Artist Meredith Andrews is passionate about writing and leading songs to worship Jesus. As a gifted songwriter and recording artist, she has been a part of multiple songs sung by churches across America such as “Open Up The Heavens,” “Lamb of God,” “Not For A Moment,” “Spirit of the Living God,” and “Faith and Wonder.”
Liberty University Worship Choirs & LU Praise
LU Praise is a multi-ethnic Gospel choir at Liberty University. The ministry team is committed to leading worship and glorifying God through both testimony and song. LU Praise is a highly sought after worship team, performing at renowned events such as the National Prayer Service during the 58th Presidential Inauguration.