Plenary Sessions

These plenary sessions are designed to encourage the attendees as well as allow them to engage in mindful discussion and pray with one another.

1. Self-care is not Selfish
   Deshun Avery
   An exploration of Mark 6:31
2. God Loves Small Towns
   Adam Pardue

Breakout Sessions

These breakout sessions are designed to equip the attendees as well as allow them to engage in focused dialogue around the topic. There will be a Spanish Track that runs concurrently.

1. Mental Health & Soul Care in Small Towns (English Track Only)
   Sharla Knippa
   People are people whether in the heart of Metropolitan cities or the middle of less known places. However, common themes in soul care and pastoral counseling emerge in different places. This breakout will focus on the issues that arise most frequently in small-town Texas, as well as the most surprising things that aren't different in a small town.
2. Small Town Evangelism in the New Normal (Post-Pandemic)
   Richard Miller, Pastor Happy Union Baptist Church (English Track)
   Sam Medina, Pastor One Accord Church – Lubbock (Spanish Track)
   Things are not the same after a global pandemic. This includes small towns and communities. But one thing has not changed, the need to share the Gospel. In this session, the facilitator will challenge you to be intentional about sharing the Gospel and offer practical ways to do so in a post-pandemic world.
3. Being a House of Prayer
   Tim Watson Texas Baptists Area 7 Representative (English Track)
   David Vela, Texas Baptists Area 2 Representative (Spanish Track)
   Jesus told us in Matthew 21:13,"My house shall be called a house of prayer". While the local church is charged with many ministries and outreaches, first and foremost, the church must be a house of prayer. Prayer must be the engine that drives everything of significance
   the church undertakes. Dr. Tim Watson will share best practices that churches of any size can integrate into the DNA of their congregation to unleash the power of the Holy Spirit, see people come to know Jesus and spiritual renewal take place
4. Ministering to Families with Children
   Mike Bryant, Family Pastor FBC Dalhart (English Track)
   Lucy Vela, (Spanish Track)
   Most churches are trying to figure out what Family Ministry looks like in their specific context. The church needs to have an intentional plan on how to minister to families. In this breakout we will talk about some of the different ways churches can minister to families with teenagers and children at home.
5. Volunteer Worship Leaders in Small Towns
   John Mark Hester, President, Regenerations Ministries (English Track)
   David Natividad, Pastor (Spanish Track)
   Small town churches can have impactful worship leaders despite their size. In this breakout, the facilitators will share practical ways a church can utilize volunteer worship leaders despite the number of people singing and playing instruments.