Labor Day Conference 8/30/24 - 9/2/24

David Allen has pastored churches in Texas for more than 20 years. He earned his MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX, where he became the founding Dean of the School of Preaching and served as the Distinguished Professor of Preaching and as Director of the Center for Expository Preaching. He also held the George W. Truett Chair of Pastoral Ministry and served from 2004–2016 as the Dean of the School of Theology and for 12
years on the Board of Trustees at Southwestern, including holding the position of Chairman of the Board. David earned his PhD from the University of Texas at Arlington. David currently serves at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary as the Distinguished Professor of Practical Theology and Dean of the Adrian Rogers Center for Biblical Preaching. Dr. Allen is a prolific author having written multiple volumes focusing on theology and preaching. He is the founder of Preaching Coach Ministries and devoted to serving pastors to become better equipped in serving their churches. Dr. Allen and his wife Kate reside in the Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX area. 

Paige Patterson has more than four decades of experience in educating pastors and missionaries. He spent 18 years as the president of Criswell College, 11 years as the president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and 15 years as the president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Patterson has also pastored local churches and led church planting movements across the US. Along with his wife, Dorothy, Dr. Patterson has traveled and ministered to 135 countries around the world. After graduating from Hardin-Simmons University, Dr. Patterson completed the Master of Theology (Th.M.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Southern Baptists elected him to serve as president of the Southern Baptist Convention for two terms (1998–2000). Dr. Patterson resides in Texas with his wife Dorothy, with his children and grandchildren nearby. 

 Since January 2019 Tommy Kiker has served as the lead pastor of East Leesville Baptist Church in Leesville, LA. He accomplished his theological training through Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, completing his MDiv in 2002 and PhD in 2009. He has previously served as a youth minister and as a senior pastor in three churches for nearly seventeen years. For eight years Tommy has served as a Professor of Pastoral Theology and Chair of the Pastoral Ministry Department at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. With his wife Carol Ann, Tommy and their two children, Charis and Caleb, live in Leesville, LA. 

Bob Pitman began preaching at age 16 and has continued to faithfully preach the Word for 59 years. For thirty-three years he served as a Senior Pastor in churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Bob is a graduate of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, TN, where he completed his MDiv in 1977 and PhD in 2004. He also served as Mid- America’s Dean of the Adrian Rogers Center for Biblical Preaching for 8 years. Bob has preached over 1,000 revival meetings and Bible conferences in the USA and has also preached several conferences in Europe and Africa. Bob is an author, having written and published 4 books. He and his wife Sheryl reside in Alabama.

Born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and bound to a wheelchair, Ben Waites has never met a challenge he couldn't overcome. Discovering God at an early age, Ben was introduced to the sounds of Southern Gospel by his grandfather, Jim Waites. Since that time, Ben's music has been described as "blues meets jazz meets southern gospel." People across the world are drawn in by his authentic delivery and powerful vocals. Ben is dedicated to building the Kingdom of God by showcasing the life-changing power of the Gospel of Christ. Ben uses his gift to share the gospel through song as he travels to different churches all across the country. He resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife, Natalie. 

 As a singer and songwriter, Bruce Hedrick shares his diverse and upbeat music in large and intimate settings, which allows for interaction with the audience/congregation. His goal is to have every person participate to the best of their ability while having fun and serving the Lord! Bruce believes that music enriches the lives of everyone, especially the elderly, children, and the sick, and has developed a program he used to bring back memories that music evokes. Bruce travels the states sharing his music and serving the Lord. He resides in Statesville, North Carolina with his wife, Lyndra, and children.