Conference Speakers

This theme of the 2017 Unshakeable Truth Worldview Conference is Family Foundations. We are glad to welcome back Dr. Emir Caner and Dr. Alan Branch. We are also very excited to welcome for the first time Dr. David Prince and Rev. Jim and Debbie Venice. Our speakers this year will be addressing various issues that directly impact modern families, including sports and discipleship, family tension, sexual brokenness, and much more. This year’s conference will take place on Oct 14-15 at Heritage Baptist Church (Sat) and Hillcrest Baptist Church (Sun). Read more about the speakers below, and find the schedule and the sign up form at the bottom of the page.

Dr. David Prince – Pastor, Author, Former High School Football and Baseball Coach

Dr. David Prince serves as Pastor of Preaching and Vision at Ashland Baptist Church. Pastor David is a baseball aficionado and an avid Atlanta Braves fan, but he also enjoys football (#rolltide) and basketball. When he isn’t spending time with his family, or playing sports with his kids, he can usually be found reading. He received is M.Div from Southwestern Theological Seminary and his Ph.D from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition to his role at Ashland, he is also an Associate Professor for Christian Preaching and Pastoral Ministry at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.  He is the author of the book In The Arena: The Promise of Sports for Christian Discipleship. To learn more about Pastor David, visit his website, Prince on Preaching.

Dr. Emir Caner –  Author, President of Truett-McConnell University

Dr. Emir Caner (Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington) was elected the eighth president of Truett-McConnell University in Cleveland, Georgia, in 2008. He is the first former Muslim to hold such a post at a Christian college or university. Since that time, the college has quadrupled in enrollment and added more than 20 programs of study, including a new Master of Arts in Theology. In addition to leading the college, Dr. Caner has written or contributed to 21 books, including the national best-seller Unveiling Islam. Featured on secular outlets (including ABC, CBS, and NBC) as well as Christian outlets (most recently John Ankerberg), Dr. Caner also co-hosts a weekly show, Morning Talk, on WDUN. He and his wife, Hana, reside in Cleveland, Georgia, with their three children.

For more information about Dr. Caner, visit http://emircaner.com.

J. Alan Branch—Author and Professor of Christian Ethics at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

J. Alan Branch is the Professor of Christian Ethics at Midwestern Seminary where he has served since 2001. He earned his undergraduate degree from Kennesaw State College and his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Since coming to MBTS, Dr. Branch has served in a variety of roles including vice president of student development (2001-2008). He currently serves as a Research Fellow in Christian Ethics for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, is a regular presenter at the Evangelical Theological Society, and frequent contributor to Baptist Press and the Missouri Baptist Pathway. In addition, he served as a chaplain in the United States Army Reserves from 2009 to 2013 and served a tour in the Middle East from 2011 to 2012. He preaches frequently and has served as interim pastor for churches in Kansas and Missouri. Dr. Branch and his wife, Lisa, have two daughters. His most recent work is Born This Way: Homosexuality, Science, and the Scriptures.

For more information about Dr. Branch and his work, visit http://www.mbts.edu/about/faculty/j-alan-branch.

Rev. Jim and Debbie Venice—Founders of Pure Heart Ministries

Rev. Jim and Debbie Venice are the founders of Pure Heart Ministries, a ministry located in St. Louis, MO whose primary purpose is to lead the sexually and relationally broken into a liberating relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Freedom from sexual brokenness is not a method, but a person, Jesus Christ; therefore they are dedicated to the purpose of bringing the life of Christ to people who desire to live their lives more like Jesus Christ and His examples given in the scriptures. They minister freedom through a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord.   Their secondary purpose is to both educate and equip the entirety of the body of Christ to minister God’s love, hope, and healing to hurting and wounded individuals. For more information about Jim and Debbie Venice, visit their website at http://www.pureheartministries.org/

 

 

Conference Schedule

Saturday, October 14

2:00-2:05pm—Welcome, Prayer

2:05-2:50pm—Main Session #1—Rev. Jim Venice and Debbie Venice

2:50-3:00pm—Break

3:00-3:45pm— Main Session #2—Dr. Alan Branch

3:45-4:00pm—Break

4:00-4:40pm—Breakout #1

4:40-4:45pm—Travel Time

4:45-5:25pm—Breakout #2

5:25-5:30pm—Travel Time

5:30-6:30pm—Dinner in Heritage Family Life Center

6:30-7:15pm—Main Session #3—Dr. David Prince

7:15-7:30pm—Break

7:30-8:15pm—Main Session #4— Dr. Emir Caner

Sunday, October 15

9:00am Service—Dr. Emir Caner (@Heritage)

10:30am Service—Dr. Alan Branch (@Hillcrest)

11:00am Service—Dr. David Prince (@Heritage)

Lunch Break

2:00-2:50pm—Breakout #3

2:50-3:00pm—Break

3:00-3:50pm—Breakout #4

4:00-5:15pm—Panel Session (with all speakers)

5:30—7:00pm—Fellowship Meal

*All main sessions will take place in the Heritage Baptist Church Auditorium

# All breakout sessions on Saturday will take place at Heritage Baptist Church in the Loft, Youth Room, Sanctuary, and S.S. Rooms