Polishing the Pulpit - Branson 2026: Full Schedule

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12:30pm CDT

Meet and Greet Zone: Churches Looking for Preachers / Preachers Looking for Churches

Friday July 17, 2026 12:30pm - 1:15pm CDT

Bee Creek

Speakers

Gary Hampton

Pulpit minister, Siwell Road church of Christ

Gary C. Hampton has been preaching since 1968 and has done work in North Little Rock, Arkansas; Mobile, Alabama; Valdosta, Georgia and Cookeville, Tennessee. Hampton served as the director of the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions in Knoxville, Tennessee for nearly six... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 12:30pm - 1:15pm CDT
Bee Creek

Preachers Elders

2:15pm CDT

Seven Lessons on Preaching From the Master Preacher

Friday July 17, 2026 2:15pm - 2:45pm CDT

Ballroom A

Speakers

Mike Vestal

Mike has served the Westside congregation in Midland, TX for almost 25 years. He and Cherie have been married for over 40 years. They have 2 children and 4 grandchildren. Mike has preached in meetings or lectures in 37 states and in 7 foreign countries. Mike has served as an adjunct... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 2:15pm - 2:45pm CDT
Ballroom A

Preachers

3:45pm CDT

Seven Minutes of Wisdom on Building Sermons That Build Souls

Friday July 17, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT

Roark Creek

Speakers and topics:

• Scott Cain: The Art of Introduction -- Using the First Sentences to Get Them Leaning In
• Allen Webster: Teaching Without Sounding Like a Textbook
• Trent Kennedy: Illustrations or Distractions? Knowing the Difference
• Kerry Duke: Sharpening Your Tools — Study Habits That Last
• B. J. Clarke: How to Use Humor Without Hurting the Moment
• Mike Hixson: What I Wish I’d Known About Invitations

Speakers

Scott Cain

Preacher; MSOP Instructor, Forest Hill church of Christ

Scott preaches with the Forest Hill Church of Christ in Memphis, TN, & is an instructor & 2009 alumnus of the Memphis School of Preaching. He & Melissa married in 2003. They have three sons: Walker, Tanner, & Hunter. Scott served as the preacher with the DeGaulle Drive Church of Christ... Read More →

Allen Webster

Trent Kennedy

Trent Kennedy is the director of the Southwest School of Bible Studies in Austin, TX. Before coming to Southwest in 2022, Trent worked with the Four Seas College of Bible and Missions and the Jurong church of Christ in Singapore. He also has twelve years of experience me in campus... Read More →

Kerry Duke

Vice-President of Academics, Tennessee Bible College

Minister of West End church of Christ in Livingston, TN. Author of ten books on Bible interpretation and current issues. Host of My God and My Neighbor podcast and speaker for GBN Beyond the Basics studies.

B. J. Clarke

Director, MSOP

If you would love to learn the Book, and learn how to preach the Book (tuition free) at the Memphis School of Preaching, I would love to talk to you about how you can do just that!

Mike Hixson

Mike graduated from Lipscomb University in 1985 with a degree in Communications including a minor in Bible. He married the former Nancy Ericson in 1987 and their son, Braden, was born in 1989.

Mike preached in the Nashville area for several years before moving to the Memphis are... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT
Roark Creek

Preachers