Conference Instructors

Dr. Paul Cannings,
Sr., B.A., Th.M., D.Phil.

Founder and Pastor of Living Word Fellowship Church (1994) in Houston, Texas. Dr. Cannings and his wife Everette are the parents of two adult sons, Paul Jr., and Pierre who are married to Tanisha and Monica respectively; with seven grandchildren.

Dr. Cannings is also the founder and president of Power Walk Ministries, a ministry for Church Leadership Development, Marriage and Family, and Teacher’s Training. He serves as a Bible Study Leader, featured on The Pastor’s Corner, and he is the host of a live question and answer program, ‘The Pastor’s Study’ all on KHCB 105.7 FM, Houston, TX. Dr. Cannings is a graduate of Austin College (BA), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.), and Oxford Graduate School (D.Phil.) with some coursework at Oxford University, England.

Sis. Debbie Grimshaw,
Local Author and Speaker

Debbie has been a Christian and a truth seeker for 35+ years. She raised her brood of seven here in Central New York. She’s a foster care and adoption advocate. Debbie uses life illustrations coupled with God’s Word to uplift and encourage, touching hearts with what has touched hers.

Difficult journeys as hers has been, are chock-full of life lessons, many of which she’s written about in her new devotional book, ‘Redefining Your Hurts’. Her favorite things besides her grandbabies are Jesus and talking about Him.

Dr. Victor Clay,
B.A., M.Div., Ph.D.

Senior Pastor of Dynamic Life Baptist Ministries in Kansas City, KS. He is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Clay has a B.A. in Business Management, an A.A. and B.A. from Carver Baptist Bible College and Institute, and a Master of Divinity in American Church Planting from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated in May 2018 with a D Min Degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His Doctorate thesis was on “Developing a Theological and Practical Training Guide for Intentional Racial Diversity in the Church.” He is married to Stephanie and has two children; Tyler and Janessa.

Pastor Milton Kornegay, B.S.

Serves as the Senior Pastor of the Central Baptist Church in Syracuse, NY since 1996. Pastor Kornegay was saved in April 1987 and has committed his life to serving the Lord in the Pastoral Ministry. He is a graduate of the former Baptist Bible College and Seminary of Clarks Summit, PA. [the former Clarks Summit University] and Moody Bible Institute. He also currently serves as the President of The Baptist Fellowship Association. His heartbeat is the discipling of men and women – bringing them to a place of usability in the Master’s service. Pastor Kornegay is married to Patricia and are blessed with two sons.

Pastor Sam Macri, Director of Missions, Central NY Baptist Association

Born in Rome, NY, in 1960, came to Christ at 17 after hearing the gospel on a roofing job. He later married his high-school sweetheart and served as a youth teacher and deacon at Clinton Road Baptist Church in New Hartford.

Called to pastor, Sam graduated with honors from Clear Creek Baptist Bible College in 1990 and pastored a small Kentucky church. He returned to NY, attended Mid-America Seminary, and pastored Clinton Road Baptist Church, later Crosspoint Church, for 32 years. His construction business helped sustain his family and remained a passion as the church grew and was featured in Ed Stetzer’s Comeback Churches.

In 2020, Sam began his current role, serving 46 churches while continuing to work bi-vocationally.