Dr. Steve Gaines
Dr. Steve Gaines has been the Senior Pastor at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis since 2005. He earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S., 1979) at Union University in Jackson, TN, and his Master of Divinity (M.Div. 1984) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D. 1991) at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, TX. Since 1983. His primary focus in ministry is prayer and preaching. He served as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention (2016-18) and has also served in other denominational positions over the years, in addition to preaching for many denominational events at national, state, and local levels. Brother Steve has been married to Donna since 1980. They have four married children and 18 grandchildren.
Dr. Robert Smith Jr.
Dr. Robert Smith Jr. is a distinguished professor of Christian preaching at Beeson Divinity School, where he has served for over 25 years and held the Charles T. Carter Baptist Chair of Divinity. He is known for his impactful preaching style and has mentored many future church leaders. Dr. Smith has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the 2017 E. K. Bailey Expository Preaching Conference Living Legend. His contributions to Christian ministry include co-editing books and contributing to studies on Christian ministry in the African American church.
Bob Pitman
Bob Pitman, evangelist from Alabama and Co-Founder of the East Coast Men’s Bible Conference. He and his wife, Cheryl, have two sons and a house full of grandchildren.
Dr. Herb Reavis, Jr.
Dr. Herb Reavis, Jr. was born and raised in the panhandle of Texas. He is a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute, Milligan College and the Southern Baptist School for Biblical Studies. He became the Senior Pastor of North Jacksonville Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida in 1991. He and his wife Lisa have three married sons, Joshua, Jonathan, and Joseph, and several grandchildren.
Michael Cloer
Michael Cloer, Mission Strategist of the Cape Fear Network of Baptist Churches. He and his wife, Tebra have 3 children and 8 grandchildren.
Chuck Lawless
Chuck Lawless is Dean of Doctoral Studies and Vice-President of Spiritual Formation and Ministry Centers at Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, NC, where he also serves as Professor of Evangelism and Missions. In addition, he is Team Leader for Theological Education Strategists for the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Lawless was awarded an MDiv and a PhD in Evangelism/Church Growth from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, where he also served as professor and dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism. Prior to that, he was pastor of two Ohio churches. A conference leader and author of several books, including Discipled Warriors, Putting on the Armor, Mentor, Nobodies for Jesus, and Spiritual Warfare in the Storyline of Scripture (co-authored), Dr. Lawless has a strong interest in discipleship and mentoring. Dr. Lawless and his wife, Pam, have been married for more than 30 years, and they live in Wake Forest, NC.