2025 Speakers
Dr. Emir Caner
Dr. Emir Caner is President of Truett McConnell University. Since 2008, the University, built
upon an Anabaptist Vision of fulfilling the Great Commission through the Great Commandment, has septupled in enrollment, adding three colleges that house ten schools, ten graduate degree programs, and seventeen online degree programs. He has published or contributed to 25 books which have sold more than 300,000 copies. His bestseller, Unveiling Islam, won the Gold Medallion Book of the Year award.
Over the past twenty years, Dr. Caner has preached in nearly 1000 churches. His wife, Hana, was raised under the oppression of Communism, and speaks on the ills of socialism and communism.
Doug Pelfrey
Doug joined the Propel Company (Propel) as CEO in 2010 after serving as the President of the non-profit management company called Legacy Management Group (LMG). Propel is focused on providing investments into a wide variety of projects that involve a cause. Propel is also active in managing the $80 million real estate portfolio for The Ezekiel Foundation (TEF). TEF is focused on providing Affordable Housing options for families in need throughout the Southeastern part of the United States. Doug has transacted more than $100 million in commercial real estate business since 2004.
Through his leadership at LMG, Doug managed the business development for more than 30 professional athletes in 20 states with the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB). On the corporate side he oversaw client projects for the NFL, MLB, NBA, Athletes in Action, Meijer, US Bank, Coca-Cola, Best Buy, Hewitt-Packard and Nike.
Prior to his business career Doug was a professional kicker for the Cincinnati Bengals for seven years. As a NFL player Doug set several records for both the Bengals and the NFL, including setting the mark as the most accurate kicker in NFL history. Doug was named the Bengals representative for the NFL Man of the Year all seven seasons with the Bengals.
During his time with the Bengals, Doug founded Kicks for Kids to help at-risk children. Through his effort Doug was a recipient of the NFLPA’s Byron ‘Whizzer” White award for his contribution to team, community and country. As the Chairman of Kicks for Kids, Doug secured partnerships with General Mills, Skyline Chili, Morgan Stanley, Grainger, Duke Energy, Delta, Comair, Outback Steakhouse, Messer Construction and Marriott.
Doug is a graduate of the University of Kentucky where he also played baseball and football. In football he was an All-American his senior season and was awarded All-SEC honors twice. In the classroom, Doug was honored as an Academic All-SEC performer twice and an Academic All-American once.
Doug currently resides in Northern Kentucky with his wife and three daughters.
Brent snook
Brent Snook has been pastoring First Baptist Church of Glen Este, in Cincinnati, since 1987. He and his wife, Joy, took a small hurting church and saw God do amazing things in growth through reaching the community with the Gospel.
Joy went home to be with her Savior in 2021. Pastor Brent has always had a gift of sharing God’s Word in a dynamic way, but after losing his wife, God has given him an even deeper way of preaching His truth.
Brent has a love for God’s Word, God’s people, and for reaching the lost. He not only has a heart to see people accept Christ as their Savior, but he also has a heart for discipleship. He has preached all over the US and in many foreign countries. He is passionate about seeing people grow in their understanding of God’s Word.
Brent has three daughters and seven grandchildren. He has been an example of a godly husband and father. Family has always been a priority for him, as he loves traveling and making memories with his kids and grandkids.
Brad Whitt
Brad Whitt was born on July 13, 1973, in Fort Worth, Texas. The son of Dr. Don and Judy Whitt, he was raised in Milan, Tennessee where he accepted Christ at the age of 15 and was baptized at the First Baptist Church. Brad is married to his high school sweetheart, Kim, who gave up her position as a junior-high math teacher to stay home with their four children – Laura Kate, Jack, Benjamin and Jonathan. He enjoys hunting and fishing as well as training hunting dogs. He and his family currently live in the Augusta, GA area.
During his third year of pre-law studies at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, Brad surrendered to God’s call upon his life and began to prepare for the gospel ministry. He graduated from Union University with a B.A. in Religion/History and Political Science in May of 1996 and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity in May of 2001. In 2008 he earned a Doctorate in Expository Preaching from the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forrest, North Carolina. In November 2022, Brad earned a Ph.D. in Text-Driven Preaching from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
Beginning with his first pastorate, Brad has brought a spirit of evangelism, excitement and commitment to the Word of God. He has served as pastor of churches in TN, OH, and SC, and is currently the Senior Pastor of the historic Abilene Baptist Church in Augusta, GA. His fervent desire is to lead Abilene Baptist Church to be a regional church that reaches the CSRA with the gospel of Jesus Christ as well as equip and encourage pastors and churches around the world for the glory of God.
Dr. Whitt has served on numerous Associational, State and SBC committees. In 2010 he was elected and served asthe President of the South Carolina Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference. He is the author of 40 Days of Refreshment: Quiet Times for Hectic Hearts and Rooted: Deepening Your Relationship with Jesus. Brad has preached in numerous revivals and conferences in the United States as well as in Latin America, Europe and the Middle East.
Ken Whitten
Ken Whitten- served as long time pastor of Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa, FL
Pastor Whitten has been privileged to serve in various local, state, and national capacities including the SBC International Mission Board, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Florida State Board of Missions, Florida Baptist Witness Board and Guidestone. He Now serves as the director of pastoral leadership with the North American Mission Board.