NATIONAL PASTORS & LEADERS CONFERENCE 2026
Houston, TX
Theme: “The Way Forward”
April 23-25, 2026
Meet The Instructors
Pastor Paul Cannings, D. Phil.
Dr. Paul Cannings is the Founder and Senior Pastor of Living Word Fellowship Church in Houston, Texas. He is also the Founder and President of Power Walk Ministries, a national and global training resource for clergy and lay leaders.
Pastor Pierre Cannings, Ph.D.
Dr. Pierre Cannings is the Dean of the Dalla Theological Seminary Houston campus and the Executive Assistant Pastor at Living Word Fellowship Church in Houston, Texas.
Min. Jeffrey Allen, B.A.
Min. Jeffrey Allen is the Director of Ministry Development and Family Ministries at Living Word Fellowship Church in Houston, Texas, where he oversees the Marriage, Women, Men, Biblical Counseling, and Finance Ministries.
Pastor Willard Allen Sr.
Pastor Willard Allen was called to preach the Gospel in early 1994 and was licensed by his father the late Pastor Therie Washington of Nazarene Baptist Church and ordained on August 27, 1999.
Rev. Allen Boutte, LCD
Allen studied at the University of Houston, Houston Bible Institute, the Rapha Christian Counseling, and the College of Biblical Studies. Allen has worked in the field of addiction since 1987, as a Chaplain, Substance Abuse Program Supervisor, and Facility Director for State Jails. He is the Founder of the Recovery and Restoration. He currently serves as Pastor Director of Christian Outreach at LWFC.
Min. Keron Brown, B.A., Th.M (3rd Year Student)
Keron Brown is the Young Adult & Discipleship Director at Living Word Fellowship Church. He also oversees L.E.G.I.T. Young Adult Ministry and the overall discipleship structure. He received his Bachelors in Sports Administrative Kinesiology and a Minor in Education from the University of Houston.
Dr. Clarence Bunch, Ph.D
Dr. Clarence Bunch is a preacher, teacher, author, and former bi-vocation Senior Pastor of Vision
of Zion, formerly, First Zion Baptist Church in Jamestown, OH and President
and CEO of CBG Ministries, a role held from 2009 to 2019. He is passionate about the vision God has given him for the physical and
spiritual restoration of the Church.
Dr. Victor Clay, B.A., M.Div., Ph.D.
Dr. Victor Clay is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and the Senior Pastor of Dynamic Life Baptist Ministries. He holds a BA in Business Management from Northwest Missouri State University, an AA and BA from Carver Baptist Bible College and Institute,.
Min. Brandon Crenshaw, BA, Th.M.
Brandon Crenshaw is a native of Houston, Texas. The husband to Ashlee Crenshaw for twelve years and they have a daughter, Olivia, who’s nine years old. He is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with a master’s in Christian education.
Sis. Sharon Daniels, B.A., M.C.S.E.
Sharon Daniel is a Christ-centered educator passionate about evangelism and technology. A Computer Science Instructor at Prairie View A&M University, she holds degrees from SMU and Mississippi State. She enjoys teaching about technology, helping others stay informed in an ever-changing digital world.
Sis. Sylvia Edwards, B.A., M.A.
Sylvia Edwards is a retired teacher/principal and the loving wife over 50 years to Robert G. Edwards, Sr. She is the mother, grandmother and great-grandmother of 17 beautiful angels. She currently serves as the Children’s Director of Living Word Fellowship Church.
Sis. Judy Flemings, B.S.
Judy Flemings earned Teacher Certification from Region 4 in 1997. She worked as Special Education Teacher teaching students with autism since 1995 in various school districts. She was a Special Olympics Coach from 2005 to 2012. She is Sunday a School Teacher at Living Word Fellowship Church.
Pastor Bobby Hamilton, B.S., Th.M.
Pastor Bobby Hamilton is a native of Boyce, LA. He earned a B.S. degree from Louisiana College in Pineville, LA. He was ordained into ministry in 1996. After graduating from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2001, he was called as Senior Pastor of Friendship Community Bible Church, Houston, TX.
Sis. Taylor Haynes, B.S.
Taylor serves as the Marketing Director at Living Word Fellowship Church, leading the development of creative visual content and digital communication. She creates impactful graphics, designs church-wide themes, and manages social media. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Lamar University.
Bro. Rashaud Hudson
Rashaud Hudson is the Operations Director and Fellowship Ministry Director. He is dedicated to Living Word Fellowship and his wife Brittany and their children.
Rev. Darrell Jackson, M.Div., BCC
Pastor Darrell Jackson has 30+ years of leadership experience as Lead & Asst. Pastor, Adjunct Professor, Church & Business Consultant, and Pastoral Care Director. A Board-Certified Chaplain, he holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from College of Biblical Studies and Faith Int’l Univ. & Seminary.
Dr. Aaron Lavender, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
Dr. Aaron E. Lavender is a Certified Church Consultant with 40 years of pastoral ministry experience. He served six years as Senior Pastor of Grace Bible Church, Charleston, WV, and thirty-four years as Senior Pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Greater Kansas City, MO.
Pastor Eric Levels, Ph.D., M.Div.
Eric Levels is characterized as a man who is after the mission and moving of God in the lives of others. He devotes his professional and personal life to inspiring and instructing others to pursue God’s plan and purpose for their lives.
Dr. D. Earl Lewis, D.Min.
Dr. D. Earl Lewis assumed the role of Senior Pastor of Greater Oak Grove Baptist Church, Houston, TX., in November 2003, the same church in which he grew up. He is the former Dean of Students at the College of Biblical Studies (CBS), Houston, TX., where he holds a B.S. in Christian Leadership
Rev. Rene Manago
Pastor Rene Manago is a veteran of the United States Army. He received a Bachelor of Theology at the Calvary Leadership Institute in Norfolk, VA. He served as the Asst. Pastor in Hampton, VA until resigning to move to Houston, TX. He joined Living Word Fellowship Church to assist PWM in 2025.
Pastor Clyde McCray, BTH, MTH
Pastor Clyde W. McCray is a man who is truly after God's own heart. A native of Coushatta, Louisiana he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and followed the call of God on his life to preach the gospel in May 1985.He has been in pastorship over 35 years. Currently leading at Gracious Hope International.
Sis. Dean'na Mitchell
Dean’na Mitchell is a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach. She became her own first client and reclaimed her health, igniting a passion to earn ISSA, NASM and Precision Nutrition certifications in personal training and wellness coaching. She inspires others to embrace wellness as a form of worship.
Bro. Ian Moore, B.A.
Ian Moore serves as the Men’s Ministry Coordinator at Living Word Fellowship Church,
where he is dedicated to empowering men to grow spiritually and lead with integrity in their
families, churches, and communities.
Elder Hurdis D. Rhodes Jr., RA, CCA
Elder Hurdis D. Rhodes Jr., RA, CCA, serves as Chairman of the Elder Board and Church Administrator at ONEMOVEMENT Bible Church in Houston, Texas. A native Houstonian, he provides leadership in church governance, ministry development, Christian Education, and operational systems that support discipleship growth.
Dr. Darrell Rose, D.Min
Min. Darrell Rose has been on staff at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church as an Associate Pastor and Director of Maturity for the past 16 years. He obtained a Master of Biblical Counseling from Masters University and Seminary in Santa Clarita, California.
Dr. Lawrence Scott, Th.M., D.Min.
Dr. Lawrence Scott is the planting and Lead Pastor of One Church @ Harvest Point. He has extensive ministry experience, having held various positions in the local church. Apart from leading One Church @ Harvest Point, Pastor Scott is also a Church Consultant and trainer.
Pastor Lee Skinner, B.A., M.A.
Pastor Lee Skinner is pastor of Good Shepherd Missionary Baptist Church. He holds a B.A. from the College of Biblical Studies in Biblical Studies and a M.A. in Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary. He co-hosts on KHCB radio 105.7FM with Dr. Cannings & Dr. Lewis.
Sis. Shani Smothers, B.A., M.A.
Shani is the Public Information Officer for the Harris County Constable Precinct 7. Previously served as Marketing Director of Living Word Fellowship Church. She is a talented writer, editor, teacher, graphic designer, project manager, researcher, creator, and problem-solver. Shani is also the owner of SAS Social, a premier Social Media Marketing, Advertising and Consulting company.
Pastor Keith Treadwell, B.A., M.Div.
Keith Treadwell has been married to his loving wife, Lydia, for 45 years. He is the proud dad of their daughter, Rachel, a Son-in-law, Leonard, and papa to three grandchildren, Gabrielle, Nigel, and Logan.
Rev. Jordan Washington, B.A., Th.M.
Jordan serves as the Executive Director of Enrollment & Student Success at the College of Biblical Studies. A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with a Master of Theology (ThM), Jordan is passionate about helping students especially adult learners and emerging leaders discover their purpose and take confident steps toward their educational and ministry goals.
Sis. Eleanor Wilson, B.A.
Eleanor Wilson received the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour at twelve and wants everyone to know “He is” the Center of her joy! She is a mother of three exceptional adult children, Nicole, Craig, and Jarrid, two “daughters in love,” Racquel and Ashley, .
Sis. Gail O’Neal
Gail O’Neal has been a member of Living Word Fellowship Church for thirty (30) years, during which time she has served in many different ministries. She began working at Living Word as a part-time office manager.