Annual Conference: ‘A New Creation’ Speakers to Provide a Springboard
Don’t-miss speakers and toolbox sessions to tune up your effectiveness
Annual Conference kicks off the new year of the church calendar with the theme “A New Creation.”
And the lineup of speakers promises to inspire fresh approaches to spread the compassion and joy of Christ throughout the North Texas Conference.
Here are the speakers. All events are at First UMC Richardsonexcept the Laity Session will be at First UMC Plano.
Laity Speaker
Joseph Bradley, NTC director of camping and retreat ministries
Time: 3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 4, 2017, First UMC Plano
Speech title: “What Do You Have to Offer?”
Description: Bradley seeks to empower laity to help develop disciples through relationships with children, youth, and young adults. In his speech, he’ll share research that supports the importance of significant adults in the lives of young people, as well as his own personal experience.
Background: Youth director for over 10 years at Texas churches and was a missionary in Cambodia and Detroit. He oversees the camping and retreat sites of the North Texas Conference, Bridgeport Camp and Conference Center, the Prothro Center at Lake Texoma and the new mobile camping ministry GO Camp.
Opening Worship Preacher
The Rev. Philip Rhodes, senior pastor of First UMC Hurst
Time: 7 p.m. Sunday, June 4, 2017, First UMC RichardsonSanctuary
Description: Jesus follower. Husband. Father. Preacher. Prefers high-end hair products. Loves golf. Hates golf. Has a passion for the church and believes the best days are ahead of us.
Background: Senior pastor at Hurst since 2013. He is a graduate of Perkins School of Theology at SMU. His wife, Lynne, is manager of volunteers and church engagement for Project Transformation Dallas.
Keynote Speaker
The Rev. Greg Jones, executive vice president and provost of Baylor University
Time: 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 5, 2017; 8:45 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Speech title: “The End Is Our Beginning” (11:00 a.m. Monday); “Love Made Me an Inventor” (1:30 p.m. Monday); “Forming Christians” (8:45 a.m. Tuesday)
Description: He’s guided business, education and religious leaders in Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States on incubating talent, ideas and networks. He is passionate about reshaping cultures within and across organizations.
Background: He is senior fellow of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School, where he was dean for 13 years. He also served as Duke University’s vice president and vice provost for global strategy and programs. He is senior strategist for the Fuqua-Coach K Center for Leadership and Ethics.
Keynote Speaker
The Rev. Matt Miofsky, lead pastor of The Gathering in St. Louis
Time: 3 p.m. Monday, June 5, 2017, and 1:50 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Speech title: “Reclaiming the ‘E’ Word: Evangelism” (3:00 p.m. Monday) and “Generosity for New Generations” (1:50 p.m. Tuesday)
Description: He is passionate about church planting, connecting with new generations and multi-site ministry.
Background: He founded The Gathering in 2006, now the third-fastest-growing United Methodist Church. It meets in four locations with over 1,500 in worship each weekend. He is a prolific author, with books including Flipping Church: How Successful Church Planters Are Turning Conventional Wisdom Upside-Down.
Worship and Music Leader
The Rev. DeAndre Johnson, associate pastor of music and worship, Westbury UMC in Houston
Description: He facilitates worship experiences that are intentionally cross-cultural, calling the church into a deeper commitment to reconciliation.
Background: The ordained deacon holds a master’s in sacred music from Southern Methodist University and has served churches in Louisiana and Texas. Worship coordinator for the Texas Annual Conference, music coordinator for the 2016 General Conference in Portland, Ore., and music coordinator for the 2016 World Methodist Conference in Houston. He has also served as chorus master for the Houston Ebony Opera Guild.
Toolbox Sessions
4:15 pm Monday, June 5
- Q&A with Dr. Greg Jones
- Creating a Discipleship Process with Rev. Matt Miofsky
- Q&A with Rev. DeAndre Johnson
- Lay Leader Best Practices, Networking and Brainstormingwith NTC Lay Leader Jeff Bouis
- Church and Society with Rev. Neal Christie
- Working with Interfaith Partners in Your Community with Rev. Debra Hobbs Mason
Published: Wednesday, May 17, 2017