NATIONAL PASTORS & LEADERS CONFERENCE 2026
Houston, TX
Theme: “The Way Forward”
April 23-25, 2026
2026 Classes Schedule
Thursday Sessions – April 23, 2026
7:00 – 7:15 PM | OPENING PRAYER & GENERAL INFORMATION
Session Time
Topic
Conducted By
7:15 – 8:30 PM
Cultivating A Healthy and Productive Team Environment
Dr. Aaron Lavender, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Living Word Fellowship Church
Designing and Developing a Contemporary Worship Service
Pastor Eric Levels, Ph.D., M.Div. and Chris Kinsey, Living Word Fellowship Church
Effective Teaching Methods for Transforming the Lives of Children
Sis. Sylvia Edwards, B.A., Living Word Fellowship Church
Overcoming Stagnation in Ministry
Dr. D. Earl Lewis, Greater Oak Grove Baptist Church
Social Media: Its Effect on Children and Youth: Designing Positive Approaches
Sis. Sharon Daniels, Living Word Fellowship Church
Succession Planning & Legacy Leadership
Dr. Pierre Cannings, Ph.D., Living Word Fellowship Church
The Biblical Approach to Resolving Conflict in the Church
Pastor Lee Skinner, B.A., M.A., Good Shepherd Baptist Church
Traits of Successful Biblical Leaders
Dr. Victor Clay, B.A., M.Div., Ph.D., Dynamic Life Baptist Ministries
Revitalizing Your Ministry Amid Uninspired Leadership
Dr. Paul Cannings, B.A., Th.M., D.Phil., Living Word Fellowship Church
Friday Sessions – April 24, 2026
7:30 – 8:15 AM | CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
8:15 – 8:30 AM | OPENING PRAYER & GENERAL INFORMATION
Session Time
Topic
Conducted By
8:45 – 10:00 AM
Balancing Life, Home, and Ministry
Pastor Willard Allen, First Mt. Olive Baptist Church
Designing a Discipleship Ministry for Young Adults
Min. Keron Brown, B.A., Th.M (3rd Year Student), Living Word Fellowship Church
General Principles for Developing Effective Counseling Skills
Min. Jeffrey Allen and Christalyn Williams, Living Word Fellowship Church
Leading Through Change
Dr. Lawrence Scott, B.A., Th.M., D.Min., One Church @ Harvest Point
Pastor and Deacons Functioning Under the Lordship of Christ
Pastor Lee Skinner, B.A., M.A., Good Shepherd Baptist Church
Recruiting and Training Leaders
Dr. Paul Cannings, B.A., Th.M., D.Phil., Living Word Fellowship Church
The Church and Mental Health Issues
Dr. Darrell Rose, D.Min, Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church
Using Canva for Marketing & Ministry
Sis. Shani Smothers, B.A., M.A., Living Word Fellowship Church
10:15 – 11:30 AM
Church Growth and Evangelism
Dr. Lawrence Scott, B.A., Th.M., D.Min., One Church @ Harvest Point
Designing and Training a Leadership Team for Women’s Ministry
Sis. Eleanor Wilson, Living Word Fellowship Church
Discipling Leaders to be Godly Leaders
Pastor Willard Allen, First Mt. Olive Baptist Church
Moving from Traditionalism to Biblio-Centric Ministry
Dr. D. Earl Lewis, Greater Oak Grove Baptist Church
Moving the Church from Ineffective Leadership to Effective Leadership
Pastor Keith Treadwell, B.A., M.Div., Ocean Avenue Baptist Church
Moving Your Church from Surviving to Thriving
Pastor Lee Skinner, B.A., M.A., Good Shepherd Baptist Church
The Art of Leadership Delegation
Dr. Clarence Bunch, Living Word Fellowship Church
The Role of Function of a Church Administrator
Sis. Gail O’Neal, Living Word Fellowship Church
Training Teachers for Special Needs Children
Sis. Judy Flemings, Living Word Fellowship Church
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM | LUNCH
1:15 – 2:30 PM
Cultivating an Environment Where People Want to Serve
Dr. Paul Cannings, B.A., Th.M., D.Phil., Living Word Fellowship Church
A Strategic Process for Overcoming Addictions
Rev. Allen Boutte, Living Word Fellowship Church
Designing an Effective Men’s Ministry
Bro. Ian Moore, Living Word Fellowship Church
Develop Strategic Methods to Keep Youth Focused on God
Min. Brandon Crenshaw, Living Word Fellowship Church
Overseeing the Day-to-Day Operations of a Church Office
Min. Jeffrey Allen and Rashaud Hudson, Living Word Fellowship Church
Strategically Developing a Viable Vision for a Small Church
Dr. Paul Cannings, B.A., Th.M., D.Phil., Living Word Fellowship Church
Traditional Leadership Verses a New Testament Leadership Model
Dr. D. Earl Lewis, Greater Oak Grove Baptist Church
Vision Casting and Strategic Planning
Dr. Lawrence Scott, B.A., Th.M., D.Min., One Church @ Harvest Point
What Does a Healthy Marriage Ministry Look Like?
Dr. Darrell Rose, D.Min, Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church
2:45 – 4:00 PM
Counseling Techniques for Restoring Broken Marriages
Dr. Darrell Rose, D.Min, Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church
Designing Ministries that Effectively Attract and Retain Gen Zs
Min. Keron Brown, B.A., Th.M (3rd Year Student), Living Word Fellowship Church
Developing Future Leaders
Dr. Lawrence Scott, B.A., Th.M., D.Min., One Church @ Harvest Point
Growing up in An Alcohol and Drug Family
Rev. Allen Boutte, Living Word Fellowship Church
Leadership Self-Care & Burnout Prevention
Pastor Clyde McCray, Gracious Hope International Church
Revitalizing Ministries from Status Quo
Dr. D. Earl Lewis, Greater Oak Grove Baptist Church
Starting a Children’s Ministry from the Ground Up
Sis. Sylvia Edwards, B.A., Living Word Fellowship Church
Using Technology to Enhance Ministry
Sis. Taylor Haynes, Living Word Fellowship Church
Wholesome Living: Feeding the Body & Spirit
Sis. Dean’na Mitchell
Saturday Sessions – April 25, 2026
8:15 – 8:30 AM | OPENING PRAYER
Session Time
Topic
Conducted By
8:45 – 10:00 AM
Building a Healthy Marriage and Establishes a Healthy Home
Dr. Darrell Rose, D.Min, Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church
Building Leaders to Work Together Effectively
Pastor Keith Treadwell, B.A., M.Div., Ocean Avenue Baptist Church
Dealing with Difficult People While Progressing in Ministry
Pastor Bobby Hamilton, Th.M.
Designing a Children’s Ministry
Sis. Sylvia Edwards, B.A., Living Word Fellowship Church
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
Rev. Darrell Jackson, MDIV, BCC
Innovative Methods for Developing Church Property so that it is Profitable
Bro. Paul Cannings, B.A., MBA, Paul Alexander Company, LLC
Leading Through Change
Dr. Lawrence Scott, B.A., Th.M., D.Min., One Church @ Harvest Point
Redesigning Ministries to Attract Involvement and Development
Dr. Victor Clay, B.A., M.Div., Ph.D., Dynamic Life Baptist Ministries
The Titus Woman: Women Mentoring Other Women
Sis. Eleanor Wilson, Living Word Fellowship Church
What does a Healthy Singles Ministry look Like
Min. Keron Brown, B.A., Th.M (3rd Year Student), Living Word Fellowship Church
10:15 – 11:30 AM
Attitude that Leads to Success
Rev. Rene Manago, Living Word Fellowship Church
Building a Ministry Amid Uninspired Leadership
Dr. Paul Cannings, B.A., Th.M., D.Phil., Living Word Fellowship Church
Developing a Functional and Productive Church Budget
Elder Hurdis Rhodes, ONEMOVEMENT Bible Church
Developing Effective Leadership Skills
Pastor Keith Treadwell, B.A., M.Div., Ocean Avenue Baptist Church
Growing Your Church Through Marketing
Sis. Taylor Haynes, Living Word Fellowship Church
Organizing Youth Leadership to Effectively Minister to the Needs of Youth
Min. Brandon Crenshaw, Living Word Fellowship Church
The Biblical Point of View Concerning Mental Health
Dr. Darrell Rose, D.Min, Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church
The Hebrews Israelites Movement and the Church
Min. Jordan Washington, Living Word Fellowship Church
Training Lay Leaders for Biblical Counseling
Min. Jeffrey Allen, Living Word Fellowship Church
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM | LUNCH
1:15 – 2:30 PM
Overcoming Elijah Moments
Dr. Paul Cannings, B.A., Th.M., D.Phil., Living Word Fellowship Church