Polishing the Pulpit - Branson 2026: Full Schedule

2:15pm CDT

Hot Button Issues: Do Gender Roles Apply Beyond Marriage?

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:15pm - 2:45pm CDT

EHA

Speakers

Glenn Colley

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:15pm - 2:45pm CDT
EHA

Contemporary Issues

3:00pm CDT

Strong Churches Need Strong Women: Why Men and Women Flourish When We Follow Scripture, Not Trends

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Cooper Creek 1/2

Speakers

Matthew and Wendy Gibson have been married for over thirty years with four sons, three daughter-in-laws, and three grandsons. Matthew has been preaching since 1995 serving now as a full time instructor at Southwest School of Bible Studies in Austin, Texas. He can be reached at m... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Cooper Creek 1/2

Doctrine Contemporary Issues

3:00pm CDT

Problems Facing Rural Congregations and Solutions

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Roark Creek

This lesson will look at some of the problems facing rural congregations, especially in the Great Plains, including a rapidly aging demographic, sparseness (distance between) of congregations, lack of generational evangelism, reputations in a small town, and how to use evangelism to correct course.

Speakers

Dustin Dougherty

Evangelist

I'm an evangelist laboring with the Beloit church of Christ in Beloit Kansas specifically, and more broadly laboring throughout the state of Kansas speaking at various congregations every month. I am married to my wonderful wife, Sally, since 2006, and have 2 great kids. I am... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Roark Creek

Evangelism Contemporary Issues Small Church

3:45pm CDT

Brainstorming Panel: Bigger Men for a Greater Church -- Correcting the Leadership Crisis. Long-term Plans to Prepare Qualified, Trained, and Mentored Men to Take the Helm in Coming Decades

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT

Ballroom A

Coordinator: Kevin Rhodes
Panelists: Mark Reynolds, Gary Hampton, Tim Togami, Keden Shrum

Speakers

Kevin Rhodes

Executive Director, Brown Trail School Of Preaching

Kevin W. Rhodes is the Executive Director of the Brown Trail School of Preaching, taking the school’s helm in 2018. Kevin is a graduate of Midwest School of Biblical Studies, the University of Central Missouri (B.S. in History), West Texas A&M University (M.A. in History). Tarleton... Read More →

Mark Reynolds

Mark married Mindy in 1991 and together they have three daughters (Cassidy, Abby, and
Corinne) three sons-in-law (Nick and Max, and David) and one grandson (Benson).
Mark began preaching full time in 1995 and has served three congregations: Towne Acres in
Muncie, Indiana (23 years... Read More →

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 →

Tim Togami

Keden Shrum

Preaching Minister, Rison church of Christ

Keden Shrum has served as the pulpit minister for the Rison church of Christ in Rison, Arkansas, since June 2022. A graduate of the Brown Trail School of Preaching, he entered full-time ministry in 2015 after the passing of his father, whose faithful example greatly influenced his... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT
Ballroom A

Contemporary Issues Ministry

10:00am CDT

Orthodoxy and Tradition

Thursday July 16, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am CDT

Roark Creek

A look at how the Orthodox church appeals to tradition and asserts first-century origins—and how those claims stand against Scripture and historical records.

Speakers

Rick Brumback

Professor of Bible and Historical Theology, Freed-Hardeman University

Rick Brumback serves as Professor of Bible and Historical Theology and is the Earl D. Edwards Director of the Graduate School of Theology at Freed-Hardeman University. He also preaches for the Christian Chapel Church of Christ in Wildersville, Tennessee. Prior to joining FHU in 2017... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am CDT
Roark Creek

Contemporary Issues

11:00am CDT

Answering the Methodist Church's Defense of Homosexuality

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am CDT

EHA

Don will play an episode of GBN's series "Answering the Error" and make comments throughout on the subject.

Speakers

Don Blackwell

Don and his wife Sheri have been married since 1991 and have three grown children and three grandchildren. Their son, Brandon, and their son-in-law Casey are gospel preachers. Don has been preaching since 1994 when he separated from active duty in the United States Air Force. He has... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
EHA

Contemporary Issues

1:30pm CDT

Hot Button Issues: Christian Nationalism vs. Kingdom Mission: What Is the Church’s Identity in a Polarized State?

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm CDT

EHA

A considered look at how the church engages culture and national identity without confusing the Gospel with government.

Speakers

David Smith

Minister, North Hamilton church of Christ

I am a native of the Chattanooga area. I spent five years in active duty military service. I am married to Ashley and we have two amazing girls: Evie Rose and Graceley. I have education from East Tennessee School of Preaching, Southern Christian/Amridge University and Liberty University... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
EHA

Contemporary Issues

3:00pm CDT

Hot Button Issues: Compassion Without Compromise -- Loving People in a Culture That Redefines Sin

Thursday July 16, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Cooper Creek 1/2

How Jesus modeled truth and tenderness — and how the church can do the same in the age of affirmation and identity politics.

Speakers

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 →

Thursday July 16, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Cooper Creek 1/2

Contemporary Issues

3:00pm CDT

Orthodoxy and Leadership/Liturgy

Thursday July 16, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Short Creek 4

A study of the Orthodox church’s polity and worship practices, showing how both have developed far beyond the pattern revealed in the New Testament.

Speakers

Rick Brumback

Professor of Bible and Historical Theology, Freed-Hardeman University

Thursday July 16, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Short Creek 4

Contemporary Issues

3:45pm CDT

Brainstorming Panel: Tactics for Reaching the "Religious Nones" -- Bringing the Nones Back

Thursday July 16, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT

Ballroom A

Coordinator: Daniel Stearsman
Panelists: Dan Winkler, Caleb Rutherford, Daniel Webster

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 →

Dan Winkler

Caleb Rutherford

Daniel Webster

Associate/Youth Minister, Mabelvale Church of Christ

Daniel is originally from Jacksonville, Alabama. (Some would call him an obnoxious Alabama fan.) He graduated from the Memphis School of Preaching and Amridge University and is currently finishing up (i.e., "stressing through") three master's degrees (Master’s of Divinity, Master’s... Read More →

Thursday July 16, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT
Ballroom A

Contemporary Issues Evangelism

11:00am CDT

Orthodoxy and Theology

Friday July 17, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am CDT

Cooper Creek 3

This session will cover specific topics such as ancestral sin, resultant soteriology (infants), and more.

Speakers

Rick Brumback

Professor of Bible and Historical Theology, Freed-Hardeman University

Friday July 17, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
Cooper Creek 3

Contemporary Issues

1:30pm CDT

Hot Button Issues: The Death of Discernment -- How Christians Became Easy to Fool

Friday July 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm CDT

Cooper Creek 1/2

Social media theology, false teachers, and “feel-good” Christianity — training Christians to test every spirit again.

Speakers

Cameron Freeman

Friday July 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
Cooper Creek 1/2

Contemporary Issues

3:00pm CDT

The Danger of a Rooftop Scroll: How to Avoid David’s Temptation in a Digital World (2 Samuel 11)

Friday July 17, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Ballroom A

Speakers

Joe Wells

Joe Wells holds an earned B.S. degree in Science along with a completion certificate
from the Nashville School of Preaching and Biblical Studies and a Masters of Ministry
degree from Freed Hardeman University. Joe is an author of numerous books and a
frequent speaker for youth and f... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Ballroom A

Contemporary Issues

3:45pm CDT

Brainstorming Panel: Tactics for Reaching the "Religious Nones" -- Reaching the Spiritually Unaffiliated Nones

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

Ballroom A

Coordinator: Daniel Stearsman
Panelists: Keno Shrum, Eric Lyons, Ross Haffner, Branyon May

Speakers

Daniel Stearsman

Faculty/ Dean of Graduate Studies, Bear Valley Bible Institute

Keno Shrum

Elder at the Coweta, OK church of Christ. House to House School of Evangelism Regional Trainer, House to House Heart to Heart

Keno has attended the Coweta church of Christ in Coweta, OK since April of 1990. He serves as an elder and was the minister there for ten years. Keno currently serves as a Regional Trainer for the House to House School of Evangelism. As a Regional Trainer, Keno travels all over the... Read More →

Eric Lyons

Ross Haffner

Preacher, Southwest church of Christ, Austin, TXFaculty of Southwest School of Bible Studies

Branyon May

General Manager, World Video Bible School

Branyon May serves as the General Manager of World Video Bible School (WVBS), a non-profit organization focused on the production of Bible-based, faith-building resources (www.wvbs.org). Having earned a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of Alabama, he combines his scientific... Read More →

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

Contemporary Issues Evangelism

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

2:15pm CDT

Has the Church Lost Confidence in Conviction? (2 Timothy 4:3–4)

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

EHA

Speakers

Bengy Slocumb

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

Contemporary Issues

3:00pm CDT

The Death of Absolutes and the Birth of Confusion (Judges 21:25)

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

Cooper Creek 1/2

The challenges and issues we face are not new. Anytime God's standard is removed from the world, there will be confusion. This lesson will look at the time when the "judges judged in Israel" and make applications to today.

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 3:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Cooper Creek 1/2

Contemporary Issues

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

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 →

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 3:45pm - 4:30pm CDT
Ballroom A

Contemporary Issues Evangelism

2:00pm CDT

Where Did the Church Go? A Look at the Fallen Away

Sunday July 19, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT

Ballroom A

Speakers

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!

Sunday July 19, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
Ballroom A

Contemporary Issues

9:00am CDT

Hot Button Issues: Do We Need to Re-Evaluate How Much Women Are Involved In Worship Services?

Monday July 20, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am CDT

Cooper Creek 1/2

Speakers

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!

Monday July 20, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am CDT
Cooper Creek 1/2

Contemporary Issues