The Stretch is Worth It

Tommy Brandon | Worship Center

Stretching is uncomfortable, but rewarding. Every pastor/church is one “stretch” away from everything changing! Because on the other side of the stretch is revival, breakthrough, and everything God promised.

Pastor Tommy’s passion and desire to see people experience the life that God has for them is clearly visible through his interaction with people and his relational approach to pastoring. His use of wisdom and humor make him an outstanding communicator as he strives to connect us with biblical principles and equip us in the application of those principles in an ever-changing culture.  

Called to Serve: Aligning Leadership with God’s Heart and Strategic Vision

Chad Townsley | Room 3

From calling to commissioning—staying in step with the heart and plan of God. Leadership in ministry is both sacred and strategic, a calling that demands spiritual depth, practical wisdom, and godly character. In this session, we’ll take a fresh look at a familiar story as we explore six key lessons from the life of David—insights that speak directly to leaders and teams navigating the highs and lows of ministry. David’s journey shows how God shapes character, clarifies calling, and teaches us to lead with humility and honor. Whether you’re leading a team, serving on staff, or navigating the tension of faith and frustration, this breakout will help you realign with your calling, refresh your vision, and recommit to the work God has entrusted to you. 

Chad has been serving in ministry through the local church for over 25 years. Since 2012, he has served as Lead Pastor of Calvary Church in O’Fallon, Illinois – a growing church located in the St. Louis metropolitan region. Chad and Brittani have been married for 22 years and have three sons—Conner (20), Caiden (17), and Carson (14).

Modern Ministry: Practical Tools for a Digital Age

Alex Suber | Room 1

Ministry hasn’t changed, but the methods have. In this breakout session, Alex Suber will equip you with practical, easy-to-implement tech solutions to help you lead more effectively, communicate clearly, and reach more people. You don’t need a media team or a massive budget, just the right mindset and a few powerful tools. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by technology or unsure where to start, this session will help you cut through the noise and focus on what works.

Alex Suber is a pastor, itinerant speaker, and marketing consultant with over a decade of ministry experience. He serves as the Director of Operations at ChurchCandy Marketing and is also on the pastoral team at Riverside Church in Victoria, TX. Alex is married to Hannah; they have two children and another on the way.

The Seven Secrets to Highly Effective Communication

Jerry Parsons | Room 2

“Learning to listen and speak so more will hear and understand.” Effective communication is not just an art—it follows a predictable pattern. In this engaging and insightful session, Gerald Parsons, senior communication coach and founder of Esek Minds, reveals the seven key secrets that highly effective communicators use to build relationships, foster collaboration, and drive results. Participants will uncover their Predictable Communication DNA, gaining the tools to improve clarity, connection, and confidence in every conversation.

This high-impact session equips attendees with practical strategies they can immediately apply in their personal and professional lives. Unlock the secrets of highly effective communication, and start building stronger, more meaningful connections today!

Strategic builder, inspired by God and family. Passionate about character-driven communication, empowering teams, and creating relational equity. Dedicated to visionary leadership and meaningful impact. Grateful husband, father, and grandfather. Jerry leads with integrity, purpose, and care—committed to helping people thrive personally and professionally through better communication.

Youth Breakout: Revival Generation: Sharing Jesus with a Culture Ready for Truth

Abigail DeJarnett | YOUTH ROOM

Our whole lives, we’ve been told to live our truth, find ourselves, and follow our hearts–believe whatever, be whoever, and love whomever we want–whatever it takes to make us happy, and it’s not working. Recent articles and reports show that our generation is ready for something real; something authentic. We want something we can sink our teeth into and build our lives upon. We want something true—and there is nothing more real or true than the gospel of Jesus. 

So as young believers, we have to be bold to share the hope of Jesus with our friends, classmates, and coworkers in this moment of opportunity we’re in—are we ready?

Abigail DeJarnatt is the founder and CEO of Counteract USA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry with a mission to equip young Christians to apply biblical truth to cultural and political issues. Abigail was born and raised in Northwest Arkansas, where she lives and works full-time with Counteract USA.

Paradoxical Power – Learning to Lead in the Contrasts of the Kingdom.  

Kevin Herrin | Worship Center

Meekness or weakness? Is timidity humility?  Are we leaders or servants? Serpents or doves? Leadership in the Church can be the hardest in the world. What does God really want from us? Find the balance between the seemingly opposites of Christ’s Kingdom and discover the beauty in the tension that keeps us on our knees.  

Kevin & Melissa Herrin have been senior pastors of The Fellowship of Texas City since 2001. Before that, they served in the second chair for 11 years under Kevin’s parents and founders, Bishop Delbert & Eloise Herrin.  They are co-founders of NOW Camps, Inc. where they have been mentoring and raising up leaders for the past two and a half decades, and co-founders of The Fellowship Network, a ministerial network presently serving pastors and leaders primarily in Latin America. Kevin is a recording artist/worship leader/songwriter, and has ministered across the United States and internationally preaching in the local church, at youth events, and at ministers’ conferences. Melissa has worked in the local church extensively in children’s ministry and administrative pastor capacity. Their mandate is to prophetically call this generation into relationship and partnership with Jesus Christ.    

Kevin and Melissa serve in their local church with their daughter, Jade, her husband, Raf, their son, Jentry, and his wife, Meredith. They are Pops and Honey to their first grandson, Romeo.  

Faith Under Friction: Leading with Resolve in a Culture of Resistance



Bo Kilgore | Room 3

In a post-Christian culture increasingly hostile to biblical convictions, church leaders are called to more than vision—they are called to resolve. Using the life of Caleb as a biblical template and drawing from his experience as a U.S. Marine, Pastor Bo Kilgore explores the concept of “friction”—the emotional, spiritual, and cultural resistance every leader encounters in the trenches of ministry. Whether it’s internal discouragement, external opposition, cultural compromise, or the slow erosion of mission clarity, this session will equip those leading at a high level in ministry to stand firm, lead with courage, and persevere with faith. You’ll leave ready to confront chaos and contend for the faith in a culture of resistance.

Bo Kilgore is the Lead Pastor of Life Church, a former Marine, and an ordained minister with Destiny Ministries. He is a graduate of Destiny Leadership Institute and holds a B.S. in Ministerial Leadership from Southeastern University, where he is also completing his M.A. in Ministerial Leadership.

Grow Leaders at Home: Launch Internships that Earn Degrees

Dr. Landon Galloway & Jonathan Buckland | Room 1

Learn how your church can launch a Destiny Leadership Institute (DLI) internship program that helps students earn their Bachelor’s degrees without leaving the local church. We’ll explain how DLI internships combine practical ministry experience with academic credit through a partnership with Nelson University. You’ll also hear how current DLI alumni can transfer their credits toward completing a Bachelor’s degree. This breakout will give you the tools to start an internship program or help your graduates take their next educational step. Empower your church to raise up and equip future leaders while investing in their spiritual and academic development.

Dr. Landon Galloway serves as a pastor at Grace Church in Houston, TX and as the Director of Destiny Leadership Institute, a two-year ministry training program that helps local churches raise up and equip leaders from within their own congregations. Landon is passionate about teaching the Bible in ways that are both deeply rooted in Scripture and accessible for everyday life. His academic background includes degrees in history, theology, and biblical studies, and his doctoral work focused on how the New Testament uses storytelling and rhetoric, especially in the books of Luke and Acts. Above all, Landon loves being a husband and dad. He and his wife, Sarada, are the proud parents of two amazing daughters, Vanna and Zarra.

Jonathan Buckland currently serves as the Director of Recruiting and Partnerships with Destiny Leadership Institute, which is a two-year ministry training program that helps local churches raise up and equip leaders from within their own congregations. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership and a Master of Arts in Ministerial Leadership. Jonathan has been actively involved in ministry for over 20 years, serving in many different capacities from missionary, youth pastor, associate pastor, church planter and instructor. In addition to serving Destiny Leadership Institute, he works as a Recruiter Advisor for the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education at Cleveland State University and as an Educational Specialist at Cuyahoga Community College. Jonathan and his wife, Jessica, currently reside in Cleveland, Ohio, and have two sons.  

Shifting the Atmosphere: 5 Ways to Change Culture and Create Momentum in an Established Church

John & Desiree Carranco | Room 2

This session offers practical strategies for pastors and ministry leaders to shift culture and build momentum when stepping into an established church. It explores key principles for gaining trust, assessing existing dynamics, and casting a renewed vision. Attendees will learn how to navigate challenges unique to established congregations with wisdom and sensitivity. Through real-life examples and actionable tools, leaders will be equipped to inspire growth and foster lasting change.

John and Desiree Carranco serve as Senior Pastors of Impact City Church, a vibrant, multigenerational, and multicultural congregation in Odessa, TX. With backgrounds in public education, they’ve served in bi-vocational ministry roles. Passionate about advancing God’s kingdom, they lead with servant hearts and are proud parents of Parker, Paisley, and Penelope.

Youth Breakout: A Note To My Younger Self

Mylon Anderson | YOUTH ROOM

If you could go back in time and tell your younger self anything,  what would you say? As a young leader, I’ve learned there are things in life that really matter, and other things… Well, not so much…  This breakout will challenge the way you look at your life and to examine what is holding you back from making the biggest kingdom impact!

Mylon Anderson is the Campus Pastor at C3 Church’s Hudson campus and also serves as the Next Gen Pastor for the entire C3 community. A graduate of Crown College, he double majored in Youth and Family Ministry and Biblical Studies. Mylon is passionate about raising up the next generation of Christ-followers and equipping families to grow in faith together. His leadership blends deep compassion with a strong vision for community, discipleship, and spiritual development.