Polishing the Pulpit - Branson 2026: Full Schedule

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8:15am CDT

Bible Villains: Esau and the Soup of the Day

Saturday July 18, 2026 8:15am - 8:45am CDT

Sometimes, lessons can be learned from what not to do and who not to follow. This lesson will look at Esau's rashness (Genesis 25:32), regard (Genesis 25:34), rebellion (Hebrews 12:16), and rejection (Malachi 1:2-3; Romans 9:13).

Speakers

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 →

Saturday July 18, 2026 8:15am - 8:45am CDT
Ballroom A

Members

9:00am CDT

Isaiah: Powerful Proof for the Bible and Jesus

Saturday July 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am CDT

Ballroom A

Speakers

Eric Lyons

Saturday July 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am CDT
Ballroom A

Evidence Textual

10:00am CDT

What Happened to the Church Jesus Left Behind?

Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am CDT

Ballroom A

Speakers

Aaron Gallagher

Director of Production and Social Media Marketing, Gospel Broadcasting Network

Aaron Gallagher works for The Gospel Broadcasting Network and is a deacon at the Southaven church of Christ in Southaven, MS. Aaron came to work for GBN after working in the Scientific Research Lab Automation field for 10 years. Aaron obtained a B.S. degree in Biology and a Minor... Read More →

Saturday July 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am CDT
Ballroom A

History Doctrine

11:00am CDT

Just Believe to Be Saved? A Study of Acts 16:30-31

Saturday July 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am CDT

Ballroom A

Speakers

Eric Lyons

Saturday July 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
Ballroom A

Textual Contemporary Issues

1:30pm CDT

Corinthian Issues: Work Tested by Fire (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

Saturday July 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm CDT

Ballroom A

One study claimed that the average congregation experiences a crisis every eighteen months. Sometimes these trials are severe—like going through fire. Paul’s words give encouragement and hope.

Speakers

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.

Saturday July 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
Ballroom A

Textual

2:15pm CDT

Ten Practical Ways to Encourage a Discouraged Church

Saturday July 18, 2026 2:15pm - 2:45pm CDT

Ballroom A

Speakers

Clark Sims

Saturday July 18, 2026 2:15pm - 2:45pm CDT
Ballroom A

Ministry

3:00pm CDT

Lessons from the Shadows: Christ in the Old Testament -- The Scapegoat (Leviticus 16:20–22)

Saturday July 18, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Ballroom A

One goat died, another carried the people’s sins into the wilderness. In Christ, both shadows meet — He bore our guilt and removed it forever.

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 →

Saturday July 18, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Ballroom A

Textual

3:45pm CDT

Brainstorming Panel: Politics, the Death of Charlie Kirk, and Reaching the Religious Nones

Saturday July 18, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT

Ballroom A

Coordinator: Daniel Stearsman
Panelists: Glenn Colley, Steven Ford, Joshua Cantrell, Aaron Gallagher

Speakers

Daniel Stearsman

Faculty/ Dean of Graduate Studies, Bear Valley Bible Institute

Daniel Stearsman is a preacher, pharmacist, and ethicist by training. After serving congregations in Florida and Georgia, he joined the faculty of Bear Valley Bible Institute in 2025 and was appointed Dean of Graduate Studies in 2026. He holds degrees from the University of Florida... Read More →

Glenn Colley

Steven Ford

Preaching Minister, South Florida Avenue church of Christ

Steven Ford is a native of Detroit, Michigan. He began preaching in 2004 and worked with two congregations in Detroit both with youth and in the pulpit. Steven is a 2013 graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching. Upon graduation, he began preaching for the Highway church of Christ... Read More →

Joshua Cantrell

Preacher, Avondale church of Christ

Joshua Cantrell is the pulpit minister for the Avondale church of Christ in Decatur, Georgia. He is a graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching (2015), and Nations University (BA, 2019). He is originally from Phenix City, Alabama. He is the host of the Diligent Podcast, a work of... Read More →