WORSHIP & WORKSHOP LEADER BIOS

Worship & Workshop LEADERS

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“God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have MORE THAN ENOUGH to do all kinds of good things for others.” – 2 Cor. 9:8

Worship & Workshop LEADERS

AMANDA ATKIN is a native of South Carolina and through over 20 years in ministry has served churches in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. She is passionate about helping disciples celebrate the grace, love and mercy of God as they journey along in faith. In the past few years, Amanda has become active in Welcome House Raleigh and now serves as the Special Projects Manager. She considers welcoming the stranger to be one of the best adventures of discipleship. Amanda is married to Douglas who always makes her laugh and they have a son, Samuel, who most days keeps her guessing. Workshop—Welcome House Ministry Best Practices (Q & A with Marc & Kim Wyatt and Carolyn McClendon) Friday at 10:15 a.m.

JOHN MARK BOES connects advocacy and global missions to engage congregations in the work of advocacy, managing CBF’s Rescue Loan Ministry Project which promotes and supports the development of rescue loan ministries across the Fellowship. John Mark enjoys engaging congregations in the role of advocacy in their community and sharing why advocacy is a natural outgrowth of our call to missions. In his role, he offers advocacy strategies for congregations and creates opportunities for public witness for Cooperative Baptists at the local, state and federal levels. He is a graduate of Georgetown College and Emory University’s Candler School of Theology (master of divinity) with a focus on leadership. Workshop—Encourager Church: What, Who, Why and How? (with Ellen Sechrest) Thursday at 10:45 a.m.

FAITHE BEAM is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a degree in music education. She received her Master of Divinity from Campbell University Divinity School in 2003. She was the director of student services at Campbell Divinity School before serving in Spiritual Life. Before coming to Campbell, Rev. Beam served as minister of music and education at Zion Baptist Church in Shelby. Rev. Beam serves as an adjunct instructor in the department of Christian studies teaching Introduction to Christianity courses. In addition, she teaches a freshman seminar course through the Office of the First Year Experience. Workshop—Lead with Purpose: Vocation Embodied in Beloved Communities (with Colin Kroll) Friday at 10:15 a.m.

JOSHUA BREAZEALE is the minister of education and children at Oakmont Baptist Church in Greenville where he has served since January 2009. He has been married to Jessica since 2005 and has three children: Jacob (11), Josiah (8), and Jaycie (5). The newest member of his family, Buddy, joined his family as a surprise gift from his wife on Christmas morning! Workshop—Faith at Home and the Church Friday at 10:15 a.m.

Worship & Workshop LEADERS

PAUL BURGESS is the senior pastor at Winter Park Baptist Church in Wilmington. He received his D.Min. from Campbell Divinity School, where he focused on the subject of pastoral vulnerability, and enjoys encouraging ministers to “be real” with those they serve. Paul and his wife, Eliza, have two boys, Steven (8) and Parrish (5). Workshop—The Unique Ministry of Podcasting Friday at 10:15 a.m.

TERRI BYRD is the coordinator of Alabama CBF. She is an alumna of Mercer University and Beeson Divinity School of Samford University. Prior to joining Alabama CBF 11 years ago, she served as a minister for several churches in Florida and Alabama.

Workshop—Reimagining Financial Wellness: Lessons from the New Normal (with Shauw Chin Capps, Rob Fox, Dane Jackson and Jim Morrison) Thursday at 10:45 a.m.

SHAUW CHIN CAPPS serves as the CBF Foundation president & CBF chief development officer. Shauw Chin provides the overall leadership and management of the work of the CBF Foundation and CBF’s fund development strategies. Workshop— Reimagining Financial Wellness: Lessons from the New Normal (with Terri Byrd, Rob Fox, Dane Jackson and Jim Morrison) Thursday at 10:45 a.m.

MATT COOK is the assistant director of the Center for Healthy Churches. Prior to coming on board at CHC, he served as a senior pastor for twenty years, most recently at FBC, Wilmington, NC. He has been deeply involved in the life of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship having served as national moderator in 2015-2016. Matt holds a Ph.D. from Baylor University and has taught undergraduates at Belmont University, seminary students at Truett Seminary at Baylor and doctoral students at Central Baptist Seminary. Workshop—Ministerial Transitions: Challenges and Opportunities (with Bill Wilson) Friday at 10:15 a.m.

J. DANIEL (DAN) DAY is pastor emeritus of First Baptist, Raleigh, and former associate professor of preaching & worship at Campbell Divinity School. He is also author of Seeking the Face of God: Evangelical Worship Reconceived and If Jesus Isn’t the Answer, He Sure Asks the Right Questions. Workshop—What is the Gospel? Second Thoughts from the Fourth Quarter Friday at 10:15 a.m.

Worship & Workshop LEADERS

ROB FOX serves as the president of CBF Church Benefits. Rob’s passion is to serve ministers and church staff members as they live into their calling to ministry, and to help them to develop personal and financial plans for their future.

Workshop—Reimagining Financial Wellness: Lessons from the New Normal (with Terri Byrd, Shauw Chin Capps, Dane Jackson and Jim Morrison) Thursday at 10:45 a.m.

CHRIS GAMBILL is the director of The Center for Congregational Health at Wake Forest Baptist Health. Chris draws upon decades of experience as a Baptist pastor, missionary, chaplain, consultant and coach to help clergy and congregations overcome challenges and find new ways to flourish. Workshop—Increasing Congregational Health (with Beth Kennett) Thursday at 10:45 a.m.

DANE JACKSON is the minister to students and their families at Providence Baptist Church in Charlotte. Dane served on the executive board of the CBF Youth Ministry Network and is a past participant in the M.E.I. Program. Workshop—Reimagining Financial Wellness: Lessons from the New Normal (with Terri Byrd, Shauw Chin Capps, Rob Fox and Jim Morrison) Thursday at 10:45 a.m.

LIBBY JOHNSON is a native of Wilmington and a lifetime member of Winter Park Baptist Church. She graduated from Campbell University Divinity School with a Master of Divinity. Libby was ordained by Winter Park Baptist Church. She often develops and leads weekend retreats. Since graduation, she has become a Certified Christian Leadership Coach (CCLC), and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC). She is a member of the International Coaching Federation. Having felt God’s call to ministry later in life, Libby has a unique perspective with which to minister. Her passion and desire is to inspire confidence in others as they discover their fullest life. She does this through individual coaching and by presenting God’s word in a way that motivates people to act. She has been married to Kenny for more than 30 years and has two boys, Brandon and Zack. Workshop—Enoughness Thursday at 10:45 a.m.

BARRY JONES is professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Campbell University Divinity School, where he has taught since 2000. He is the author of Gaining a Heart of Wisdom: A Model for Theological Interpretation of the Bible (Smyth & Helwys, 2019). He and his wife, Beth, live in Raleigh and are members of First Baptist Church. Workshop—The Four Senses of Scripture: Retrieving an Ancient Model of Theological interpretation Thursday at 10:45 a.m.

Worship & Workshop LEADERS

BETH KENNETT is a United Church of Christ minister and a graduate of Southeastern Seminary (MDiv). As the consulting and coaching ministries coordinator at the Center for Congregational Health, Beth coordinates the consulting and coaching ministries. Beth also has expertise in transitional issues, team building, conflict management and coaching. Workshop—Increasing Congregational Health (with Chris Gambill) Thursday at 10:45 a.m.

CHRISTEN KINARD has spent a decade as a professional in communications and marketing. She has helped businesses and organizations as diverse as high-end retail stores and independent schools develop and implement efficient and impactful communications strategies. Digital Congregations sits at the intersection of her desire to do meaningful work, her belief in the importance of faith communities, and her talents and experience. She has an MA in Peace and Conflict Resolution from Norwich University and a BA in International Relations and French Literature from the University of South Carolina. Workshop—Storytelling as Digital Marketing Strategy for Churches Thursday at 10:45 a.m.

COLIN KROLL is the director of the Campbell Youth Theological Institute and an associate campus minister for Campbell University. Colin also has regular opportunities to practice vocational discernment with high school and college students in intentional communities that cultivate leadership and promote agency for people of faith who often feel a sense of disconnect between who God is calling them to be and what they assume is important to God. In these communities, everyone from an engineer to an entrepreneur can discern what it means for them to seek first the Kingdom of God with ingenuity and passion. Workshop—Lead with Purpose: Vocation Embodied in Beloved Communities (with Faithe Beam) Friday at 10:15 a.m.

NORA O. LOZANO, Mexican-born, is a professor of theological studies at the Baptist University of the Américas. She received her Ph.D. and M.Phil. in Religious and Theological Studies at Drew University, her M.Div. at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, now Palmer Theological Seminary, and her BA in Social Communication at Universidad Regiomontana. Dr. Lozano is executive director and co-founder of the Latina Leadership Institute. The work of the Institute is devoted to the discovery, development, nurturance and empowerment of women leaders from a Latina perspective to be transformational agents in church and community settings. Workshop—Pastoral Leadership in Chaotic Times: A Theological Approach / Liderazgo Pastoral en tiempos Caóticos: Un acercamiento teológico Thursday at 10:45 a.m.

CAROLYN MCCLENDON joined the CBFNC team in September 2020. As Welcome House manager, Carolyn serves as a team member at Welcome House with Field Personnel Kim and Marc Wyatt in the Capital Region of North Carolina. A native of Louisiana, Carolyn loves working with interfaith, inclusive and vulnerable communities who continue to enhance, challenge and enlarge her world/worldview and her relational community. She is a member at Millbrook Baptist Church in Raleigh. Carolyn earned a B.S. at Southeastern Louisiana University; an M.R.E. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; and an Ed.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Workshop—Welcome House Ministry Best Practices (Q & A portion with Marc & Kim Wyatt; workshop led by Amanda Atkin) Friday at 10:15 a.m.

Worship & Workshop LEADERS

JIM MCCONNELL began his professional life as an electrical engineer after earning a B.S. in electrical engineering from North Carolina State University. After 14 years, he transitioned into teaching and full-time church ministry, earning an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and then a Ph.D. in New Testament from Baylor University. In the fall of 2009, he joined the faculty of the School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb, where he serves as Associate Dean and Associate Professor of New Testament Interpretation. Dr. McConnell and his wife, Susan, have two married sons and a daughter, as well as twin grandsons. They attend First, Shelby, where they serve in various ministry capacities. Workshop—Jesus’ Paradigmatic Sermon: Luke 4 Friday at 10:15 a.m.

EMILY HULL MCGEE is pastor at First, Winston-Salem. She came to ministry through her love for music and the arts, which she pursued at Furman University and Northwestern University. She attended Wake Forest University School of Divinity where she was called to the ministry of the local church. She previously served as minister to young adults at Highland Baptist in Louisville, Kentucky. Emily enjoys contributing to our larger Baptist family by serving in leadership on a variety of organizational boards in CBF life. Opening Plenary Speaker Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

JIM MORRISON is the executive vice president and COO of CBF Church Benefits. Jim’s passion is helping ministers and lay employees improve their financial wellness by assisting with church employee benefits. Workshop—Reimagining Financial Wellness: Lessons from the New Normal (with Terri Byrd, Shauw Chin Capps, Rob Fox and Dane Jackson) Thursday at 10:45 a.m.

ROB NASH currently serves as the Arnall-Mann-Thomasson Professor of Mission and World Religions and associate dean at the McAfee School of Theology of Mercer University and as senior pastor of Heritage Fellowship in Canton, Georgia. He also served for six years as the global mission coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and is the former dean of the School of Religion and International Studies at Shorter College. Nash grew up in the Philippines where his parents served as Baptist missionaries for more than 30 years. He has traveled extensively in some 90 countries, either during his childhood or as part of his work with CBF, Shorter College and mission immersion experiences at McAfee. He is married to the former Guyeth Godwin, and they are parents to two adult children. Workshop—Moving the Equator: The Families of the Earth and the Mission of the Church Thursday at 10:45 a.m.

Worship & Workshop LEADERS

JERUSHA MATSEN NEAL, assistant professor Homiletics at Duke Divinity School, is an ordained ABC (USA) pastor who recently served as a Global Ministries mission partner in the Fiji Islands through the United Methodist Church. She has spent her ministry preaching in cross-cultural spaces and bridging denominational communities. God’s work in these in-between locations has convinced her that preaching matters more than ever. Her most recent book, The Overshadowed Preacher, asks the sticky question of what we mean when we say preaching is “anointed.” Closing Worship Proclaimer Friday at 11:30 a.m.

TIMOTHY PEOPLES is the senior minister at Emerywood, High Point. A native of Jones, Oklahoma, Timothy graduated from Adrian College with a B.A. in Religious Studies before earning his M.Div. from Yale University School of Divinity. Timothy has served churches in Michigan, Connecticut and Texas. Most recently he was a pastoral resident at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. Opening Plenary Speaker Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

CHARITY ROBERSON previously served as pastor of a church in Smithfield, NC and served for nine years as the Raleigh Area Baptist campus minister. In a previous life, she was an eighth grade science teacher for two years. Roberson is a graduate of UNC Greensboro with a degree in middle grades education and Campbell University Divinity School where she received a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctorate of Ministry. Roberson is a certified life and leadership coach and a certified organizational coach and consultant. She is a published author who enjoys helping people discover who God has created them to be through discipleship, coaching, personality assessment and other leadership development. Workshop—Increasing Congregational Health (with Chris Gambill & Beth Kennett) Thursday at 10:45 a.m.

DANIEL S. SCHIPANI, Dr.Psy., Ph.D.Professor of Pastoral Care & Counseling, Emeritus Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary Affiliate Professor of Pastoral & Spiritual Care for the topic of emotional intelligence. Workshop—Emotional intelligence: A fundamental competence for pastoral care / Inteligencia Emocional: Competencia fundamental para el Cuidado Pastoral Friday at 10:15 a.m.

ELLEN SECHREST joined the CBF staff as manager of Global Missions Engagement. She brings 29 years of local church experience as a youth minister and minister of missions and spiritual formation. Nearly 27 of these years were spent at Boulevard Baptist Church, a CBF partner church in Anderson, S.C. A North Carolina native, Sechrest is a graduate of Mars Hill College and Southern Seminary. She brings great knowledge and experience to this role that connects churches across the Fellowship more deeply with CBF Global Missions and the ministries of field personnel serving across the globe. Workshop—Encourager Church: What, Who, Why and How? Thursday at 10:45 a.m.

Worship & Workshop LEADERS

KIA WALKER is a vocalist, instrumentalist, songwriter and recording artist. She specializes in jazz, classical and contemporary vocal techniques along with piano, guitar and violin. Kia has an M.Div. (with church music) from Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC. Worship Leader Thursday and Friday

JONATHAN L. WALTON is a social ethicist whose scholarship focuses on evangelical Christianity, and its relationship to mass media and political culture. He is an outspoken advocate for social justice and civil rights. His work and insights have been featured in several national and international news outlets including the New York Times, CNN, Time Magazine and the BBC. His latest book, A Lens of Love: Reading the Bible in Its World for Our World (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018), blends his work from the pulpit and classroom. A Lens of Love explores the Bible from the perspective of the most vulnerable and violated characters toward developing a Christian social ethic of radical inclusion and human affirmation.

Professor Walton earned his Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Divinity degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary. He served as the Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church at Harvard University prior to being appointed Dean of the Divinity School and Wait Chapel at Wake Forest University in 2019. Professor Walton also occupies the Presidential Chair in Religion & Society at Wake Forest. He is married to the former Cecily Cline and they are the parents of three children—Zora Neale, Elijah Mays, and Baldwin Cline.

Workshop—The Sun Do Move! Interpreting the Bible in Competing Cultural Contexts Thursday at 10:45 a.m.

BILL WILSON founded The Center for Healthy Churches in January of 2014. This followed his service as president of the Center for Congregational Health at Wake Forest Baptist Health since 2009. Previously he was pastor of First Baptist Church of Dalton, Georgia, where he served since 2003. He is married to Kathy and they have three children and nine(!) grandchildren. Workshop—Ministerial Transitions: Challenges and Opportunities (with Matt Cook) Friday at 10:15 a.m.

MARC AND KIM WYATT are CBF Global Missions field personnel posted in the Research Triangle. The Wyatts resource and mobilize churches as they discover their international neighbors and share the Gospel in culturally appropriate ways. In this ever-changing day of global migration, the new “foreign mission field” just might be your own home town. Workshop—Welcome House Ministry Best Practices (Q & A portion with Carolyn McClendon; workshop led by Amanda Atkin) Friday at 10:15 a.m.