Breakout Session 1 • 9:30 AM
AI and the Great Commission: How the Church Can Embrace Innovation for Ministry
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming every aspect of society—including missions and ministry. In this session, we will explore how AI is currently being used in global missions, from Bible translation and digital evangelism to discipleship and church planting strategies. We’ll also discuss how local churches can leverage AI for ministry.
Many believers are asking, Should we be afraid of AI? Is it safe? We’ll tackle these concerns head-on, providing a balanced, biblical perspective on AI’s risks and opportunities. This session will offer practical guidance on integrating AI into church life while ensuring it aligns with the mission of the Gospel. Whether you’re skeptical or excited about AI, this discussion will equip you with the knowledge and tools to engage with it wisely and effectively for Kingdom impact.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Don Barger
Don Barger has dedicated his career to global missions, beginning in the Dominican Republic, where he and his wife, Jennifier, used Bible storying and community health strategies in their ministry. He later led the International Mission Board’s (IMB) work among indigenous people groups in Mexico and Central America before moving to Lima, Peru, where he spent a decade leading IMB’s Training Team for Latin America. Don has a deep passion for equipping others in effective communication with oral cultures.
In 2024, he co-authored Unreadable: Another Book You Probably Won’t Read with Grant Lovejoy. Today, Don serves as the Director of Innovation and Artificial Intelligence at IMB, where he leads initiatives in AI, digital and immersive engagement, design thinking, and gaming to advance the missionary task.
Design Consistency: How to Create Unified, Impactful Visuals for Your Church
Consistency is the key to building trust and engagement through church visuals, whether creating your first sermon graphic or managing a complete ministry brand. In this session, we’ll unpack the principles of design consistency across platforms—social media, screens, print, and beyond—including the use of typography and color.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Bobby Puffenburger
Bobby Puffenburger is the communications director for Bay Leaf Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. He previously served as the creative director for the SBC of Virginia and Innovative Faith Resources. Bobby is passionate about file organization, project management, and helping churches communicate effectively. He enjoys frequenting local coffee shops with his family in his spare time.
Finding Song #1 - How Everything Flows from the First Song
The songs we sing shape the hearts of our people and the culture of our church. In this hands-on session, we’ll step up to the whiteboard—just like we do at Bethel—and build an entire month of services together. We’ll look at song flow, tempos, and meters, and see how they naturally work within the rhythm of your church’s liturgy (yes, every church has one!). We’ll balance the familiar with the fresh, the modern with the historic, all while keeping biblical priorities at the center. You’ll walk away not only with a clear, repeatable method for planning your services but also with renewed confidence to lead your congregation in worship that is thoughtful, rich, and intentional. Come ready to collaborate and be inspired!
BREAKOUT LEADER
Keith McMinn
Keith McMinn serves as the Pastor of Worship and Worship Arts Academy Director at Bethel Baptist Church in Yorktown, Va. He and his wife Joy, and their three children live in Poquoson. They joined the pastoral team at Bethel in August 2011. He is a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned a Masters of Church Music. Keith and Joy lead abideingod.org. His passion is to see all peoples and generations extol the Lord and bless His name every day with their lives and God-given gifts.
Livestream Worth Watching
Your online church service could be as appealing as watching your favorite movies and shows. It takes the right equipment, good planning, and a willing spirit. Join Ishmael LaBiosa who will share best setup and practices to increase quality with your livestream service.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Ishmael LaBiosa
Ishmael LaBiosa serves as associate pastor for Liberty Baptist Church after serving more than 800 churches through the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia for 13 years. Ishmael began his broadcast journalism career as a news reporter for WSET ABC 13 News in Lynchburg. God called him out of the news to ministry. The Lord blessed Ishmael with his wife, Sara, and four boys: Ethan, Jayden, Rylan, and Deacon. He holds true to the Gospel message of what Jesus shared with His disciples in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me
Planning Center Services
This lab-based session will give participants the opportunity to ask their Planning Center Services questions and to receive feedback on any challenges they may have when using this software. In order to best serve our worship and production teams, we will take time to explore how we can leverage Services to equip our people to execute week after week.
Please email abby.williams@trbc.org to submit your Planning Center Services questions before the conference begins!
BREAKOUT LEADER
Abby Wiliams
Abby Williams serves as a worship associate at Thomas Road Baptist Church. She graduated from Liberty University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in worship and music and holds a master’s degree in life coaching. Abby has a passion for equipping church leaders with the tools necessary to lead their congregations from a healthy place. She has been married to her best friend Kevin for nearly ten years, and together, they have two amazing children, Ben and Sarah.
“Put Me In Coach” Strategies for Developing a Ready Team
Strategies for Developing a Ready Team
BREAKOUT LEADER
Scott Bullman
With over 35 years of local church experience, including his current role as Worship Pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, Scott is recognized as a seasoned veteran in worship ministry leadership. In addition to his position at TRBC, Scott serves as Chair of the Center for Worship & Music at Liberty University and vocal coach of the Liberty Worship Collective.
Scott and his wife, Jamie, have been married for 35 years and have three children: Kelsey (30), Cameron (26), and Kaylee (17).
Redeemed On- Stage Storytelling
Great speeches, hilarious commercials, entertaining movies, and engaging drama all include a vital element – great storytelling. We often use storytelling in our sermon illustrations and salvation testimonies, but seem to utilize staged drama less and less in the church.
In this fun workshop, we will discuss how to plan, prepare, and present great staged drama that points people to Jesus Christ – the Redeemer of our stories!
BREAKOUT LEADER
Timmy Williamson
Timmy serves as the Pastor of Praise & Worship at Franklin Heights Church in Rocky Mount, VA. He is a Virginia native, having grown up in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Timmy attended Liberty University where he earned a B.S. in Music & Worship, B.A. in Theatre Arts, and M.A. in Music & Worship. He loves finding ways to incorporate creative and dramatic elements into services and special events.
Slide Into Worship (And We’re Never Getting Back to Keynote)
Just getting started with ProPresenter? This is your launch pad. Whether you’ve never opened the program or you’re still fumbling through your first few services, this session is designed to demystify the magic behind clean slides, seamless transitions, and worship sets that flow. We’ll walk through the essentials of how to build a presentation that enhances—rather than distracts from—worship. Bonus: we’ll keep it fun, because tech doesn’t have to be terrifying.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Kyle Bentz
Kyle has been in the church production world since middle school—aka, long enough to have seen everything from flawless services to full-on tech meltdowns (and survived them all). He currently serves with KBSI, a worship-focused integration company, and leads Tech Worship Pro (TWP)—a resource built for churches by someone who truly gets it.
Kyle’s a hands-on kind of guy—he’s learned everything by doing, fixing, testing, and sometimes even duct-taping his way through real Sunday morning chaos. With a background in emergency medicine, he thrives in pressure-cooker moments (think: pastor’s mic dies, countdown’s ticking, FOH guy’s missing, #girldad… you get the idea).
But more than anything, Kyle loves the Church, the people, and especially the faithful tech folks behind the booth. Whether you serve a church of 5 or 5,000, Kyle’s here to help you level up your systems, lower your stress, and maybe even laugh a little along the way.
The Elusive Basics: Learning Some Easy Techniques And Solving Mysterious Problems
Your church has a massive digital console. But, the electric guitar is buzzing. How do you fix it?
Your digital console is stuffed with effects processors. But what does “threshold” and “attack” mean on a compressor?
You have a pile of nice mic cables that don’t work. Can you repair them?
With the advent and affordability of digital consoles, church sound systems are becoming more and more sophisticated. However, the fundamental nuts and bolts of audio infrastructure and mixing haven’t changed. In this session, we will dive into the “easy” stuff that can actually cause some real headaches.
XLR & 1/4″ Connectors: Why They Work And Don’t Work
What’s Inside An Audio Connector And How To Fix It
Why Grounding Gives You A Buzz
The Who, What, Where, When & Why Of A Compressor
Simple Wireless Mic Fixes
Answers To Many Other Questions!
BREAKOUT LEADER
Chris Wygal
Chris has more than twenty years of experience in live sound, radio broadcast and studio audio production. In addition to working as a full-time broadcast engineer since 2002, he owns “Audio Concepts,” which provides multitrack, mixing and mastering services for individual musicians, choral groups, church music production and podcast and radio production. Over the years Chris has consulted with small to mid-sized churches concerning their live sound needs. Chris is married to Sharon, has three children and lives just outside of Richmond, Virginia.
Twice the Production, Half the Time - MultiTracks.com
Powerful technology for worship and production doesn’t have to be complicated. With MultiTracks.com you can have twice the production with no learning curve. The MultiTracks.com ecosystem is easy to use, powerful, and quick, saving you valuable set up time. Join us to learn how to streamline your process from planning to production. You can even enter for a chance to win our Connected Stage ecosystem free for 6 months!
BREAKOUT LEADER
Andrew George
We Can Arrange That!
Are you wanting to broaden your musical diversity in church? Want to add flare to your worship set? You want to elevate your band? Let’s walk through some techniques and ideas to bring your worship band experience to the next level!
BREAKOUT LEADER
Patrick Shorts
Patrick “Colby” Shorts serves as Music Director at Liberty University’s School of Music. A Delaware native who has arranged, composed and produced records within the Gospel and CCM world. Alongside leading worship he directs choir and has played for some major artist such as Cece Winans, Michael W. Smith, Kirk Franklin and Natalie Grant.
Breakout Session 2 •11:00 AM
Building Effective Teams: Worship, Production, and Creative
Your worship, production, and creative teams are more than just volunteers—they are ministers of the Gospel through their gifts. In this breakout, we’ll explore how to build a culture where creatives are fully committed, connected to the mission of the church, and equipped with clear pathways to success. How do we help creatives see their talents as tools for the Great Commission? How do we cultivate teams that don’t just serve but thrive in a Gospel-centered community? Join us as we unpack strategies to develop spiritually rooted, mission-driven teams that make much of God through their creativity.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Drew Hester
Drew Hester has dedicated over 15 years to the church creative community, where he combines his technical expertise with a passion for spiritual growth. Specializing in worship, production, and creative media teams, Drew coaches church leaders and volunteers to excel in their craft while maintaining a focus on discipleship. Drew currently serves as the Creative Director at Lynchburg City Church.
Canva Magic: AI Features in Canva You Don't Want to Miss
Canva Create is the big annual launch event for Canva and this year’s theme is Canva: Uncharted. In this session you will learn all about the newest AI features announced in April 2025. There will also be a time for Q&A and giveaways so bring your laptop and your specific Canva questions to be answered by Canva Verified Expert, LaShonda Brown.
BREAKOUT LEADER
LaShonda Brown
LaShonda Brown is an award-winning Tech Educator, YouTube Coach and Speaker based in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of VA. Through her educational company, Bootstrap Biz Advice, LaShonda teaches service providers worldwide how to work less & live more by leveraging tech and YouTube. LaShonda believes there is no shame in bootstrapping and her trainings will help you keep your expenses low and your profit margin high while you DIY. LaShonda heavily advocates for sustainable, healthy rhythms in business and is most well known for her 20-Hour Work Week practice that’s built on the foundation of deep focus work and a mindful morning routine.In 2022, LaShonda became one of the first 25 Canva Verified Experts in the world. In addition to training organizations of all sizes about Canva, LaShonda consults SaaS brands about UGC and serves as an instructor for the email service provider, Flodesk inside of Flodesk University.
How to Have Difficult Conversations with Team Members
Navigating tough talks with grace and purpose is a vital skill for any ministry leader. In this session, we’ll unpack how to approach difficult conversations with team members effectively. Rooted in shepherding well before issues arise, we’ll explore building a culture of kind correction, aligning it with your church’s vision, and caring for your team as sheep entrusted to you. Discover how to spot truth in complaints, foster engagement, and tackle problems before they grow. We’ll also wrestle with tough calls: Are you ready to let a challenging team member go—even from a “vital” role—for the sake of truth? Through practical strategies and heartfelt discussion, learn what it means to speak the truth in love (no Haddaway soundtrack required, though we’ll leave that temptation on the table). Bring your real-life scenarios and a willingness to grow!
BREAKOUT LEADER
David Morton
After graduating in 2005 from the college at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Judson College), David began his ministry as a worship pastor in small, rural churches in North Carolina, where he developed a deep passion for the local church.
With over 20 years of experience, David is a seasoned worship pastor who has led worship in a variety of settings, ranging from small-town, rural congregations to large, multi-campus ministries. His heart is to see a culture of worship and discipleship take root, and his ministry is focused on helping congregations draw closer to the Lord through both personal and corporate worship.
As a songwriter, David has written and recorded his own music, but believes that God has called him to write and choose songs that speak directly to the needs of the local church. He is dedicated to equipping others in worship ministry, particularly churches with limited resources, by providing encouragement and practical guidance on how to develop strong worship teams, build leadership, and inspire volunteers.
David and his wife Becki have been married for almost 20 years and are blessed with three wonderful children: Eden, Asher, and Hadassah.
Livestream Worth Watching
Your online church service could be as appealing as watching your favorite movies and shows. It takes the right equipment, good planning, and a willing spirit. Join Ishmael LaBiosa who will share best setup and practices to increase quality with your livestream service.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Ishmael LaBiosa
Ishmael LaBiosa serves as associate pastor for Liberty Baptist Church after serving more than 800 churches through the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia for 13 years. Ishmael began his broadcast journalism career as a news reporter for WSET ABC 13 News in Lynchburg. God called him out of the news to ministry. The Lord blessed Ishmael with his wife, Sara, and four boys: Ethan, Jayden, Rylan, and Deacon. He holds true to the Gospel message of what Jesus shared with His disciples in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me
Planning Center Services
This lab-based session will give participants the opportunity to ask their Planning Center Services questions and to receive feedback on any challenges they may have when using this software. In order to best serve our worship and production teams, we will take time to explore how we can leverage Services to equip our people to execute week after week.
Please email abby.williams@trbc.org to submit your Planning Center Services questions before the conference begins!
BREAKOUT LEADER
Abby Wiliams
Abby Williams serves as a worship associate at Thomas Road Baptist Church. She graduated from Liberty University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in worship and music and holds a master’s degree in life coaching. Abby has a passion for equipping church leaders with the tools necessary to lead their congregations from a healthy place. She has been married to her best friend Kevin for nearly ten years, and together, they have two amazing children, Ben and Sarah.
Songwriting for Worship
If worship is a battle within the realm of spiritual warfare, then the songs we sing are weapons we use. With the accessibility of music production and publishing resources it has become increasingly more possible for worship leaders to equip their congregations with songs that are specifically written out of their local context. Learn practical tips to take songwriting from a dream to a reality, how songwriting fits in with the larger world of church creativity and how writing songs can deepen faith, teach scripture and unite the local church through song.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Zach and Rachel Bowsher
Zach and Rachel Bowsher are Worship Leaders from Lynchburg, VA. They firmly believe that God has given his people the gift of music as a weapon for the believer as they walk through each season of life. For the last 7 years they have traveled, leading worship for many different gatherings, conferences, and events where they have truly seen that God is doing a new work in calling his children home to be his followers and passionate worshipers. Zach and Rachel believe that biblical, spirit-led worship offers a moment that God uses to change lives for eternity.
Streamline Your Ministry: Project Management for Churches
Tired of last-minute planning and communication breakdowns? This session will equip you with practical project management strategies to simplify your church’s workflow—saving time and reducing stress. You’ll walk away with actionable steps to improve collaboration and efficiency.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Bobby Puffenburger
Bobby Puffenburger is the communications director for Bay Leaf Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. He previously served as the creative director for the SBC of Virginia and Innovative Faith Resources. Bobby is passionate about file organization, project management, and helping churches communicate effectively. He enjoys frequenting local coffee shops with his family in his spare time.
The 3D MD
A musical director (MD) is always navigating three directions at once, juggling key priorities that shape their role. In this session, we’ll talk about what pulls an MD’s focus and share easy tips for handling them. Learn what you can do during the week and on stage to lead better and make a real impact. Whether you’re new or experienced, you’ll leave with ideas to improve your directing.
BREAKOUT LEADER
LJ Mitchell
LJ Mitchell is a music director, pianist, organist, producer and arranger. Born and raised just outside of Toronto, Canada, LJ began his musical instruction at the age of 5 with piano lessons. He studied throughout middle and high school with the Royal Conservatory of Music, and expanded his studies to include jazz, gospel, composition, musical technology and theory. After high school, he studied Biological Science at York University and continued his classical music studies under Boris Berlin.
A Music Director for over 26 years, LJ has an extensive background in both gospel and sacred music. He currently serves as the Musical Director of Elevation Church and Elevation Worship.
He is currently living out his dreams in Charlotte, NC hand in hand with his incredible wife Petula and their beautiful daughters Adlai and Ayah.
Turning Ideas into Reality
Have you ever had a brilliant idea but struggled to bring it to life? This session will walk you through the essential steps of transforming your creative vision into reality.
Learn how to leverage your team’s strengths, recognize when to contract outside help or engage in work-for-hire agreements, and define your target audience to maximize impact. We’ll cover practical strategies for taking your project from concept to completion, ensuring that your ideas don’t just remain aspirations but become successful, tangible realities.
Whether you’re working on a video project, songwriting, recording, production, publishing, music licensing, or worship initiatives, this session will equip you with the tools and knowledge to bring your creative endeavors to life.
BREAKOUT LEADER
John Forystek
John Forystek is a multifaceted leader in the entertainment industry, with extensive experience in music, television, and global media. As a singer, songwriter, musician, and worship leader, John has collaborated with renowned artists across diverse venues. Holding a Master’s degree in Commercial Music Performance, he has produced for television shows, written educational curriculum, and serves as an advisor on global music boards spanning the USA to Africa.
John has worked alongside executives from major studios, including FOX Animation, NBC, and DreamWorks, fostering relationships that bridge faith and entertainment. As a Director with Liberty Music Group, he partners with churches nationwide, equipping worship pastors with valuable resources to enhance their ministries. With a passion for impacting culture through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, John continues to influence both the entertainment industry and the global faith community.
Worship Service Planning - A Biblical and Logistical Approach
Planning worship and special events is one of the main things we do as worship pastors. From creating various environments of worship and transition flows to working with people and teams, our goal is to take all of this together and look at how we can plan worship services in our various contexts. From the very first step to the time the gathering starts, hear some biblical approaches and tools that may help you plan or prepare each week or for that big event.
BREAKOUT LEADER
John Blair
John Blair has been the Worship Pastor at Swift Creek Baptist Church in Midlothian, VA, since June 2024. He has served in worship ministry for twenty years in small and large size churches in Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, and South Carolina before Swift Creek. He is passionate about multi-generational worship in a modern context with choirs, bands, and orchestras. Before moving to Virginia, he served two years as a Worship Consultant for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, equipping worship pastors and leaders throughout the state and Convention events. He also has been on the mission field and has served in over twenty-five countries, as he feels missions and worship are a dual calling. He has been married to Jennifer for thirteen years, and they have three children: Rion Kate, Ethan, and Lydia.
Your Church Logo Is NOT Your Brand (What's Needed)
Your logo isn’t your brand—your reputation is! In this session, Mark MacDonald will show how to create a brand that attracts and engages people. For the gospel!
-Build a strong, memorable brand beyond visuals
-Avoid common church branding mistakes
-Ensure people recognize what makes your church unique
Don’t let your logo do all the work! Discover how to be known for something!
BREAKOUT LEADER
Mark McDonald
With four decades of expertise in Branding, Advertising, and Marketing, Mark MacDonald is a trusted brand strategist specializing in helping pastors and churches communicate effectively. Mark is a bestselling author, engaging speaker, coach, and founder of BeKnownforSomething.com, a national church branding company. As an ordained communication Pastor, he influences 1000’s of churches with practical strategies for branding, communication strategies, content, and tools. Pastor, be heard!
Breakout Session 3 • 1:00 PM
Beyond the Slides: The Production Era (2-hour session)
Ready to move past the basics? This session is for those who already have a few Sundays under their belt and want to make ProPresenter work smarter, not harder. We’ll dig into advanced workflows, automation, syncing across campuses, and media-rich production that still feels worshipful—not over the top. If you’ve ever thought, “There’s gotta be a better way to do this,” this is your two-hour answer.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Kyle Bentz
Kyle has been in the church production world since middle school—aka, long enough to have seen everything from flawless services to full-on tech meltdowns (and survived them all). He currently serves with KBSI, a worship-focused integration company, and leads Tech Worship Pro (TWP)—a resource built for churches by someone who truly gets it.
Kyle’s a hands-on kind of guy—he’s learned everything by doing, fixing, testing, and sometimes even duct-taping his way through real Sunday morning chaos. With a background in emergency medicine, he thrives in pressure-cooker moments (think: pastor’s mic dies, countdown’s ticking, FOH guy’s missing, #girldad… you get the idea).
But more than anything, Kyle loves the Church, the people, and especially the faithful tech folks behind the booth. Whether you serve a church of 5 or 5,000, Kyle’s here to help you level up your systems, lower your stress, and maybe even laugh a little along the way.
Building Effective Teams: Worship, Production, and Creative
Your worship, production, and creative teams are more than just volunteers—they are ministers of the Gospel through their gifts. In this breakout, we’ll explore how to build a culture where creatives are fully committed, connected to the mission of the church, and equipped with clear pathways to success. How do we help creatives see their talents as tools for the Great Commission? How do we cultivate teams that don’t just serve but thrive in a Gospel-centered community? Join us as we unpack strategies to develop spiritually rooted, mission-driven teams that make much of God through their creativity.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Drew Hester
Drew Hester has dedicated over 15 years to the church creative community, where he combines his technical expertise with a passion for spiritual growth. Specializing in worship, production, and creative media teams, Drew coaches church leaders and volunteers to excel in their craft while maintaining a focus on discipleship. Drew currently serves as the Creative Director at Lynchburg City Church.
Clarifying your Church Message (2-hour session)
Navigating tough talks with grace and purpose is a vital skill for any ministry leader. In this session, we’ll unpack how to approach difficult conversations with team members effectively. Rooted in shepherding well before issues arise, we’ll explore building a culture of kind correction, aligning it with your church’s vision, and caring for your team as sheep entrusted to you. Discover how to spot truth in complaints, foster engagement, and tackle problems before they grow. We’ll also wrestle with tough calls: Are you ready to let a challenging team member go—even from a “vital” role—for the sake of truth? Through practical strategies and heartfelt discussion, learn what it means to speak the truth in love (no Haddaway soundtrack required, though we’ll leave that temptation on the table). Bring your real-life scenarios and a willingness to grow!
BREAKOUT LEADER
Mark McDonald
With four decades of expertise in Branding, Advertising, and Marketing, Mark MacDonald is a trusted brand strategist specializing in helping pastors and churches communicate effectively. Mark is a bestselling author, engaging speaker, coach, and founder of BeKnownforSomething.com, a national church branding company. As an ordained communication Pastor, he influences 1000’s of churches with practical strategies for branding, communication strategies, content, and tools. Pastor, be heard!
Design Consistency: How to Create Unified, Impactful Visuals for Your Church
Consistency is the key to building trust and engagement through church visuals, whether creating your first sermon graphic or managing a complete ministry brand. In this session, we’ll unpack the principles of design consistency across platforms—social media, screens, print, and beyond—including the use of typography and color.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Bobby Puffenburger
Bobby Puffenburger is the communications director for Bay Leaf Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. He previously served as the creative director for the SBC of Virginia and Innovative Faith Resources. Bobby is passionate about file organization, project management, and helping churches communicate effectively. He enjoys frequenting local coffee shops with his family in his spare time.
Finding Song #1 - How Everything Flows from the First Song
The songs we sing shape the hearts of our people and the culture of our church. In this hands-on session, we’ll step up to the whiteboard—just like we do at Bethel—and build an entire month of services together. We’ll look at song flow, tempos, and meters, and see how they naturally work within the rhythm of your church’s liturgy (yes, every church has one!). We’ll balance the familiar with the fresh, the modern with the historic, all while keeping biblical priorities at the center. You’ll walk away not only with a clear, repeatable method for planning your services but also with renewed confidence to lead your congregation in worship that is thoughtful, rich, and intentional. Come ready to collaborate and be inspired!
BREAKOUT LEADER
Keith McMinn
Keith McMinn serves as the Pastor of Worship and Worship Arts Academy Director at Bethel Baptist Church in Yorktown, Va. He and his wife Joy, and their three children live in Poquoson. They joined the pastoral team at Bethel in August 2011. He is a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned a Masters of Church Music. Keith and Joy lead abideingod.org. His passion is to see all peoples and generations extol the Lord and bless His name every day with their lives and God-given gifts.
Multigenerational Worship – the Care and Shepherding of the Next Generation
Developing a multigenerational worship experience can be challenging, but worship leaders have the privilege of ministering not just to the adults in our congregation but also to our youngest congregants. In an effort to respond to this need, we will explore how to embrace a “multigenerational mindset” in order to invest in the next generation and to teach skills of music and worship to those who will one day be leading our churches in worship.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Abby Wiliams
Abby Williams serves as a worship associate at Thomas Road Baptist Church. She graduated from Liberty University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in worship and music and holds a master’s degree in life coaching. Abby has a passion for equipping church leaders with the tools necessary to lead their congregations from a healthy place. She has been married to her best friend Kevin for nearly ten years, and together, they have two amazing children, Ben and Sarah.
“Put Me In Coach” Strategies for Developing a Ready Team
Strategies for Developing a Ready Team
BREAKOUT LEADER
Scott Bullman
With over 35 years of local church experience, including his current role as Worship Pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, Scott is recognized as a seasoned veteran in worship ministry leadership. In addition to his position at TRBC, Scott serves as Chair of the Center for Worship & Music at Liberty University and vocal coach of the Liberty Worship Collective.
Scott and his wife, Jamie, have been married for 35 years and have three children: Kelsey (30), Cameron (26), and Kaylee (17).
Songwriting for Worship
If worship is a battle within the realm of spiritual warfare, then the songs we sing are weapons we use. With the accessibility of music production and publishing resources it has become increasingly more possible for worship leaders to equip their congregations with songs that are specifically written out of their local context. Learn practical tips to take songwriting from a dream to a reality, how songwriting fits in with the larger world of church creativity and how writing songs can deepen faith, teach scripture and unite the local church through song.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Zach and Rachel Bowsher
Zach and Rachel Bowsher are Worship Leaders from Lynchburg, VA. They firmly believe that God has given his people the gift of music as a weapon for the believer as they walk through each season of life. For the last 7 years they have traveled, leading worship for many different gatherings, conferences, and events where they have truly seen that God is doing a new work in calling his children home to be his followers and passionate worshipers. Zach and Rachel believe that biblical, spirit-led worship offers a moment that God uses to change lives for eternity.
Tech Tools for Church Media Teams
If you’re looking for new innovative ways to leverage technology to support ministries and keep congregations engaged, this breakout is for you. Tech Educator, LaShonda Brown will share new tech tools on the market that will help you boost engagement on a budget.
BREAKOUT LEADER
LaShonda Brown
LaShonda Brown is an award-winning Tech Educator, YouTube Coach and Speaker based in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of VA. Through her educational company, Bootstrap Biz Advice, LaShonda teaches service providers worldwide how to work less & live more by leveraging tech and YouTube. LaShonda believes there is no shame in bootstrapping and her trainings will help you keep your expenses low and your profit margin high while you DIY. LaShonda heavily advocates for sustainable, healthy rhythms in business and is most well known for her 20-Hour Work Week practice that’s built on the foundation of deep focus work and a mindful morning routine.In 2022, LaShonda became one of the first 25 Canva Verified Experts in the world. In addition to training organizations of all sizes about Canva, LaShonda consults SaaS brands about UGC and serves as an instructor for the email service provider, Flodesk inside of Flodesk University.
The 3D MD
A musical director (MD) is always navigating three directions at once, juggling key priorities that shape their role. In this session, we’ll talk about what pulls an MD’s focus and share easy tips for handling them. Learn what you can do during the week and on stage to lead better and make a real impact. Whether you’re new or experienced, you’ll leave with ideas to improve your directing.
BREAKOUT LEADER
LJ Mitchell
LJ Mitchell is a music director, pianist, organist, producer and arranger. Born and raised just outside of Toronto, Canada, LJ began his musical instruction at the age of 5 with piano lessons. He studied throughout middle and high school with the Royal Conservatory of Music, and expanded his studies to include jazz, gospel, composition, musical technology and theory. After high school, he studied Biological Science at York University and continued his classical music studies under Boris Berlin.
A Music Director for over 26 years, LJ has an extensive background in both gospel and sacred music. He currently serves as the Musical Director of Elevation Church and Elevation Worship.
He is currently living out his dreams in Charlotte, NC hand in hand with his incredible wife Petula and their beautiful daughters Adlai and Ayah.
Twice the Production, Half the Time - MultiTracks.com (2-hour session)
Powerful technology for worship and production doesn’t have to be complicated. With MultiTracks.com you can have twice the production with no learning curve. The MultiTracks.com ecosystem is easy to use, powerful, and quick, saving you valuable set up time. Join us to learn how to streamline your process from planning to production. You can even enter for a chance to win our Connected Stage ecosystem free for 6 months!
BREAKOUT LEADER
Andrew George
Video Storytelling Part 1: The Shoot
Whether you’ve been creating video content for years or you’re just stepping into the field, this interactive breakout will have something for you. We’ll dive into techniques and practices that will take your pre-produced videos to the next level. We’ll talk about shooting event highlight videos, church member testimonies, documentary style interviews and more. If you’ve ever wanted to produce a compelling video to share with your church, this breakout is the place to start.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Jesse Stevens
Jesse studied Broadcasting and Journalism at Concord University in southern West Virginia. He started his video career at WDBJ7 in Roanoke Virginia, where he worked as a Promotions Producer. After nearly 5 years in TV, God called Jesse to his current role with the SBC of Virginia, where he produces video content for local churches and ministries around the country. He also serves as a Worship Associate at his home church, North Roanoke Baptist, where he sings, plays lead guitar, and oversees all video production.
Jesse is married to his wife Rhian, and they have an adorable baby boy named Emerson.
Breakout Session 4 • 2:15 PM
AI and the Great Commission: How the Church Can Embrace Innovation for Ministry
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming every aspect of society—including missions and ministry. In this session, we will explore how AI is currently being used in global missions, from Bible translation and digital evangelism to discipleship and church planting strategies. We’ll also discuss how local churches can leverage AI for ministry.
Many believers are asking, Should we be afraid of AI? Is it safe? We’ll tackle these concerns head-on, providing a balanced, biblical perspective on AI’s risks and opportunities. This session will offer practical guidance on integrating AI into church life while ensuring it aligns with the mission of the Gospel. Whether you’re skeptical or excited about AI, this discussion will equip you with the knowledge and tools to engage with it wisely and effectively for Kingdom impact.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Don Barger
Don Barger has dedicated his career to global missions, beginning in the Dominican Republic, where he and his wife, Jennifier, used Bible storying and community health strategies in their ministry. He later led the International Mission Board’s (IMB) work among indigenous people groups in Mexico and Central America before moving to Lima, Peru, where he spent a decade leading IMB’s Training Team for Latin America. Don has a deep passion for equipping others in effective communication with oral cultures.
In 2024, he co-authored Unreadable: Another Book You Probably Won’t Read with Grant Lovejoy. Today, Don serves as the Director of Innovation and Artificial Intelligence at IMB, where he leads initiatives in AI, digital and immersive engagement, design thinking, and gaming to advance the missionary task.
More than a Bulletin: Make Disciples, Increase Generosity, and Grow Your Church with Email
BREAKOUT LEADER
Hilary Sutton
Operating Within Your Window-of-Tolerance
Striving to meet the needs of our congregations can sometimes come at the expense of our own personal health. The temptation to step outside of our “window-of-tolerance,” or the place where we can best manage our emotions and experiences, becomes all too easy when we are faced with major ministry challenges. Together, we will explore how God created our bodies to manage stress. God never intended for us to operate in constant anxiety, but rather, He promised us peace. Join me, as we study how the truth of His Word encourages us to minister from that place of peace.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Abby Wiliams
Abby Williams serves as a worship associate at Thomas Road Baptist Church. She graduated from Liberty University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in worship and music and holds a master’s degree in life coaching. Abby has a passion for equipping church leaders with the tools necessary to lead their congregations from a healthy place. She has been married to her best friend Kevin for nearly ten years, and together, they have two amazing children, Ben and Sarah.
The Elusive Basics: Learning Some Easy Techniques And Solving Mysterious Problems
Your church has a massive digital console. But, the electric guitar is buzzing. How do you fix it?
Your digital console is stuffed with effects processors. But what does “threshold” and “attack” mean on a compressor?
You have a pile of nice mic cables that don’t work. Can you repair them?
With the advent and affordability of digital consoles, church sound systems are becoming more and more sophisticated. However, the fundamental nuts and bolts of audio infrastructure and mixing haven’t changed. In this session, we will dive into the “easy” stuff that can actually cause some real headaches.
XLR & 1/4″ Connectors: Why They Work And Don’t Work
What’s Inside An Audio Connector And How To Fix It
Why Grounding Gives You A Buzz
The Who, What, Where, When & Why Of A Compressor
Simple Wireless Mic Fixes
Answers To Many Other Questions!
BREAKOUT LEADER
Chris Wygal
Chris has more than twenty years of experience in live sound, radio broadcast and studio audio production. In addition to working as a full-time broadcast engineer since 2002, he owns “Audio Concepts,” which provides multitrack, mixing and mastering services for individual musicians, choral groups, church music production and podcast and radio production. Over the years Chris has consulted with small to mid-sized churches concerning their live sound needs. Chris is married to Sharon, has three children and lives just outside of Richmond, Virginia.
The Keyboard in Contemporary Worship
This breakout session, geared toward intermediate church pianists or keyboardists, will cover a wide variety of techniques relevant to playing a keyboard in a church worship setting. Drawing on almost thirty years of experience as a church pianist and worship leader, he’ll cover topics like rhythm and feel, modulations and turnarounds, voicing and chord colorings, modernizing hymns, and a variety of other topics. A video projection of the keyboard will be shown to help attendees better grasp techniques.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Dale Fields
Rev. Dale Fields has served as the Worship Pastor at First Baptist Park Street since 2017. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Liberty University and has a Master’s degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Additionally, Dale has been a guest speaker and worship leader for the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia (SBCV) and the Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC). He’s been married to his wife Hannah since 2004 and has four children. In his free time, Dale enjoys spending time with family, playing music, reading books, and cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats!
The Role of the Worship Pastor in Discipleship
Our calling and leading of the church goes far beyond the music and logistical aspects of music and worship ministries. Whether it’s the gathering of believers or intentional one-on-one, we are developing deeper walks of life in Christ in those we shepherd. Come learn how to make your ministries more grounded in discipleship and make it the focal point of everything you do. You may be a volunteer, part-time or full-time, but there is always space to disciple and develop.
BREAKOUT LEADER
John Blair
John Blair has been the Worship Pastor at Swift Creek Baptist Church in Midlothian, VA, since June 2024. He has served in worship ministry for twenty years in small and large size churches in Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, and South Carolina before Swift Creek. He is passionate about multi-generational worship in a modern context with choirs, bands, and orchestras. Before moving to Virginia, he served two years as a Worship Consultant for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, equipping worship pastors and leaders throughout the state and Convention events. He also has been on the mission field and has served in over twenty-five countries, as he feels missions and worship are a dual calling. He has been married to Jennifer for thirteen years, and they have three children: Rion Kate, Ethan, and Lydia.
Video Storytelling Part 2: The Edit
So, you’ve spent hours or even days filming as much footage as you possibly could for the video your pastor asked you to create. What now? In this breakout we’ll take a practical look at video editing. We’ll go over some simple steps you can take on the front end that will make your process much easier. We’ll look at timelines together and talk about the intention behind every edit we make. And we’ll even talk about some secret weapons to keep in your pocket to help save a project if the shoot doesn’t go as planned. If you’re already editing videos or you want to get started, this breakout is the place for you.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Jesse Stevens
Jesse studied Broadcasting and Journalism at Concord University in southern West Virginia. He started his video career at WDBJ7 in Roanoke Virginia, where he worked as a Promotions Producer. After nearly 5 years in TV, God called Jesse to his current role with the SBC of Virginia, where he produces video content for local churches and ministries around the country. He also serves as a Worship Associate at his home church, North Roanoke Baptist, where he sings, plays lead guitar, and oversees all video production.
Jesse is married to his wife Rhian, and they have an adorable baby boy named Emerson.
Worship Platform Techniques (Communicating Effectively from the Platform)
The goal while leading worship is to point people to Jesus while not drawing attention to ourselves. However, for our congregations to follow our leadership, we must be able to communicate effectively. Some people are naturally reserved. Others are boisterous. But all personality types can biblically express and lead worship without drawing attention to themselves or their deficiency. Vocal tone, content, and pace as well as face and body language and microphone technique all play a part when speaking, reading scripture, praying, and singing. This breakout will give you and your team members practical insight on how to biblically and effectively express and lead authentic and engaging worship.
BREAKOUT LEADER
Cliff Lambert
Cliff serves as the worship pastor at Liberty Baptist Church in Appomattox, VA as well as an associate professor of music, worship, and applied voice at Liberty University. Originally from the Detroit area, Cliff has provided leadership to local church worship ministries in both large and medium-sized churches in Florida, Michigan, and Virginia over the past 30 years. Cliff is a contributor to the Church Collective, a parachurch organization aimed at training and equipping worship leaders and their teams at no cost. He is also the host of the Theology of Music podcast; a monthly podcast providing biblical insight to worship leaders navigating the waters of choosing songs for their congregations. His passion is to see the Church live out John 4:23: “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” Cliff and his wife, Brenda currently reside in Altavista, VA, have been married for 35 years, and have three children and three grandchildren.
You Don't Have to be the Brooklyn Tabernacle
Stop comparing your church to others and embrace the worship God has given you—whether a cappella, small ensemble, YouTube tracks, or choir. Lead your people in authentic song, not mimicking others. Cultivate a culture of worship beyond Sunday, in prayer and business meetings too. Explore biblical examples of worship in song from both the old and New Testament, and see how Scripture inspires singing together, anywhere, any way. Bring your context and ignite your church’s unique worship!
BREAKOUT LEADER
David Morton
After graduating in 2005 from the college at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Judson College), David began his ministry as a worship pastor in small, rural churches in North Carolina, where he developed a deep passion for the local church.
With over 20 years of experience, David is a seasoned worship pastor who has led worship in a variety of settings, ranging from small-town, rural congregations to large, multi-campus ministries. His heart is to see a culture of worship and discipleship take root, and his ministry is focused on helping congregations draw closer to the Lord through both personal and corporate worship.
As a songwriter, David has written and recorded his own music, but believes that God has called him to write and choose songs that speak directly to the needs of the local church. He is dedicated to equipping others in worship ministry, particularly churches with limited resources, by providing encouragement and practical guidance on how to develop strong worship teams, build leadership, and inspire volunteers.
David and his wife Becki have been married for almost 20 years and are blessed with three wonderful children: Eden, Asher, and Hadassah.
