2025 Speakers
RICHARD BLACKABY
The Preeminence of Christ in Spiritual Leadership
Richard Blackaby is the president of Blackaby Ministries International and the eldest son of Henry and Marilynn. Richard has a Ph.D. in church history from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as a senior pastor and as a seminary president. Richard travels extensively and speaks internationally on spiritual leadership, experiencing God, revival, and God in the marketplace. Richard regularly works with Christian CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. You can follow Richard on Twitter at @richardblackaby, Facebook at Dr. Richard Blackaby, or his podcast at The Richard Blackaby Leadership Podcast. Richard and his wife Lisa live in Atlanta. Their three children all serve in ministry. They also have eight grandchildren, 5 boys and 3 girls!
Richard has authored and co-authored 40 books, including: Experiencing God, The Experiencing God Study Bible, The Ways of God, The Seasons of God, Spiritual Leadership, God in the Marketplace, Hearing God’s Voice, Unlimiting God, Putting a Face on Grace, The Inspired Leader, Spiritual Leadership Coaching. Living Out of the Overflow and Flickering Lamps: Christ and His Church.
FRED "CHIP" LUTER, III
Proclaiming the Preeminence of Christ
Fred “Chip” Luter, III is a native of New Orleans, LA. He currently serves as the Senior Associate Pastor at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church under the leadership of his father, Fred Luter, Jr. At an early age, he accepted his calling to be a minister of the gospel of Christ.
Since accepting his calling, Chip has served in various capacities at a few different churches. At Concord Church in Dallas, he was the High School Pastor for 3 years. He then served for 5 years at Franklin Avenue as the Pastor of Youth and Young Adults. He then followed the call of God to serve at Idlewild Baptist Church for close to six years as the Campus Pastor of the Sulphur Springs campus in Tampa.
Chip has a strong passion for preaching and teaching the Word of God, as well as living out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Outside of ministry, Chip loves to root for his hometown sports teams along with enjoying great food and fellowship with family and friends.
Even though the Lord has blessed Chip to serve at amazing places of ministry, the greatest blessings are his wife, Jasmine, and their three precious children Fred, IV aka Drew, Zoe Grace, and Gabrielle Sierra.
DOWAND MALONE
The Preeminence in Church Planting
Pastor Dowand Malone began preaching at 8 years old and has served in ministry for 35 years. In 2010, he founded Greater Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church with 35 members, which has grown to over 400 strong.
He leads impactful outreach initiatives, including The Love Closet (a free clothing ministry), the Fresh Start Rehabilitation Center (an in-house program for displaced individuals), and a church-based food pantry — all focused on restoring lives spiritually and practically.
He is currently pursuing theological studies at Mid-America Theological Seminary and serves faithfully alongside his wife, Rita, and their four children: JaLyric, JaHarmony, Caidon, and Caitlon.
ED NEWTON
The Preeminence of Christ in the Called
Dr. Ed Newton is the lead pastor of Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas a 27,000-member multigenerational, multicultural congregation of disciple-makers who seek to initiate and celebrate life change in Jesus’ name. A pastor, speaker, and leader with an intentional burden to speak into the capital “C” church towards revival, leadership, evangelism, discipleship, missional living. He is also the author of several books.
Dr. Newton holds multiple degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in Church Ministries from Clearwater Christian College, Clearwater, Florida, a Master’s in Religious Education from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee, a Master’s in Divinity, and a Doctorate of Ministry in Pulpit Communication from Trinity Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana.
Dr. Newton, his wife Stephanie, and their four children have made their home in culturally vibrant San Antonio, where they seek to lead a generation of people to hear God’s voice and respond in obedience.
ZANE PRATT
The Preeminence of Christ in Missions
Zane Pratt serves as Vice President for Field Personnel Deployment and Training with the International Mission Board, SBC. He came to this position after living and working overseas for 23 years. He also serves as Assistant Professor of Christian Missions at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Zane and his wife Catherine have been married 35 years, and they have two grown children and three grandchildren.
KYLE RENO
The Preeminence of Christ in Prayer
Kyle Reno serves as Senior Pastor of Crossgates Church in Brandon, MS. His passion for ministry was shaped when he came to Christ at 19 through the investment of his baseball coach and a local church in Gardendale, AL.
Kyle has a deep desire to be a part of a movement marked by men embracing their role in the story of God and prayer-filled dreams of being part of a move of God across America. Toward this end, he is also a national speaker on behalf of BetterMan ministry.
Kyle and his incredible wife, Katie, have been blessed with four sons and one daughter.
JAY WOLF
The Preeminence of Christ in Perseverance
Dr. Jay Wolf served as the Pastor of First Baptist of Montgomery, Alabama since 1991. Following retirement in 2020, he continues his serving as Pastor Emeritus.
The Georgetown, Texas native attended Baylor University, where he was President of the Student Body. He earned degrees from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for his Masters and Southern Seminary in Louisville for his Doctor of Ministry.
Jay and his wife, Mary Ruth, have been blessed with four treasured, Christ-following children and seven grandchildren.
Jay’s Kingdom assignments have included traveling in 62 countries to engage in a wide variety of Christian mission enterprises on 5 continents. He was Recognized as “Alabama’s Minister of the Year” by Samford University,
“Distinguished Alumni” by New Orleans Baptist Seminary, and “Family of the Year” for Montgomery. In 2019, Dr. Wolf was the Recipient of Montgomery’s Martin Luther King’s “Beloved Community” Award as a Leader who upholds and advances Dr. King’s ideals of justice, equality, and Christian unity.
Jay has served as a leader on many boards and Christian organizations including: the International Mission Board, Samford University Trustees, Baptist Healthcare Systems, The Baptist Foundation of Alabama, The Virginia and Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, Valiant Cross Academy, and Children’s Hope for Haiti.
Jay’s passion for exalting the Savior, edifying the Saints, and evangelizing Seekers has taken him to Pastoral assignments in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Virginia, and Canada, along with a host of other speaking and mission engagements, which have included all parts of the US.
An avid outdoorsman, Jay hosted the “Fishin’ Mission” on First Baptist Montgomery Television and Broadcast Ministry of “Crossroads.”
Jay’s ultimate purpose and passion is to serve Christ as a Kingdom entrepreneur.
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