Leadership Training to Make an IMPACT

Saturday, February 7th
8:45-Noon
@ FBC, Buffalo

Whether you work with children, youth, adults, even senior adults, you will get helpful information and key insights to help you be a better leader, teacher, influencer toward the gospel.

We are bringing experts from both Texas Baptists and the Southern Baptists of Texas to help improve our church ministries.

Here is some key information to help you prepare for the conference:

Schedule

8:15 – Doors open for registration
8:45 – Opening session – Welcome
9:00 – Breakout 1
10:00 – Breakout 2
11:00 – Breakout 3

The cost for the conference is $10 per person made payable to Leon Baptist Association.

Check back often for more information on sessions and leadership.

Sessions to Choose From (you get to pick three)

Spanish Language Sessions
Ruben Burguete – Associate Pastor of Missions and Outreach at First Baptist Church of Caldwell TX

Discipulado: La Verdadera Gran Omisión – Nuestras iglesias necesitan hacer que las últimas palabras de Jesús sean nuestra primera responsabilidad. Jesús nos pidió no solo evangelizar o hacer misiones, sino formar discípulos.

El Pueblo Hispano y las Misiones Transculturales – El pueblo hispano en Estados Unidos experimenta múltiples desafíos constantes. Sin embargo, también posee oportunidades únicas para servir a Dios en la tarea de hacer discípulos a todas las naciones.

Liderando desde un Alma Sana – Las investigaciones nos muestran que los pastores cuidan las almas de las personas, pero no se cuidan de sí mismos. Dios desea que sirvamos sacrificialmente a quienes nos ha confiado pero desde un corazón rebosante de Su Espíritu, no con un alma vacía.

Karem Burguete – Esposa de pastor, maestra de profesión y actualmente segunda vice presidenta de la UFM Bautista de Texas

La importancia del ministerio de niños – Un ministerio de niños puede hacer que las puertas del infierno tiemblen.

Discipulado en el ministerio de niños – El discipulado es un proceso, un viaje, más que una decisión y cuanto antes comienza mejor.

Involucrando a los padres – Todos los padres cristianos están involucrados en el discipulado de sus hijos aunque no lo sepan. El ministerio de niños efectivo se asegura que dicho involucramiento sea positivo e intencional.

Adult Small Groups – Cory Liebrum – Cory has served with Texas Baptists since 2021 and is currently the Director of Discipleship & NextGen. Prior to coming to the BGCT he served over 20 years in the local church in youth, family & small group ministry.

Planning a Year of Discipleship – A basic strategic framework for discipleship will be shared, as well as a simple tool to help you approach annual planning with balance and intentionality. Time for open conversation about issues related to leading discipleship in your church is also planned.

Teaching That Connects: 5 Keys to Engaging Adult Learners – Tired of your Bible study feeling like a one-way lecture? Learn five practical ways to make your teaching more engaging, interactive, and meaningful. We’ll explore how to spark curiosity, connect truth to real life, and help your group grow—together.

Adult Discipleship Groups That Thrive – Leading Small Groups That Grow Deep and Reach Wide – Groups are the heart of the church, providing the foundation for discipleship, ministry, and growth. Though lay-led, groups need leaders who equip and encourage members to use their gifts and serve, helping the group thrive and multiply for God’s kingdom.

Children’s Ministry – Jennifer Howington – Jennifer currently serves as the Associate Director of Discipleship & NextGen and Childhood Ministry Specialist for Texas Baptists.

The Impact of This Digital Age on Child Development (Part 1) – The world changed in 2007 with the advent of the smartphone. Access to data became instantaneous and portable with little known about the long-term effects on childhood. Gen Z is the first generation to grow up in the digital age of smartphones and are also labeled as the most anxious generation that has ever existed. Is there a connection? Has technology adversely impacted childhood? If so, in what ways? In this session, we will explore the impact of technology on this generation of children, adolescents, and emerging adults.

The Impact of This Digital Age on Child Development (Part 2) – The world changed in 2007 with the advent of the smartphone. Access to data became instantaneous and portable with little known about the long-term effects on childhood. Gen Z is the first generation to grow up in the digital age of smartphones and are also labeled as the most anxious generation that has ever existed. Is there a connection? Has technology adversely impacted childhood? If so, in what ways? In this session, we will explore the impact of technology on this generation of children, adolescents, and emerging adults.

Biblical Literacy in Childhood – ccording to George Barna, only 4% of adults have a biblical worldview. What does this mean for our younger generations? How can we instill biblical values in this next generation? How can we make a difference and create a strong foundation of faith through biblical literacy? In this session, we will discuss ways in which we, as ministry leaders, can make a lasting impact on the children we serve by teaching truths from God’s Word.

Youth Ministry – Brian Pearce – Brian Pearce is the Student Pastor at Kingwood First Baptist Church (17 years), brings 27 years of student ministry experience, serves as Chairman of the Texas Baptist Conclave, and has been married to his wife Paula for 25 years while raising three college-aged children—Austin, Alyssa, and Alexis—who are active in collegiate ministry.

Impactful Prayer: Teaching Teens the Why and How – This session will equip student ministry leaders with strategies to teach teenagers the importance of prayer and how to make it a meaningful part of their daily lives and incorporate it into Student Ministry. We will explore creative prayer experiences that engage and inspire students to deepen their walk with God.

AI Empowered Ministries = A conference exploring the potential of Artificial Intelligence, specifically GPT technology, in transforming student ministries. Gain hands-on experience and learn to leverage AI tools to enhance student engagement, promote learning, and foster a deeper connection in your ministry communities.

Midweek Marvels – Join us as we discuss easy-to-follow tips to make your mid-week church events and Bible studies more fun and engaging. You’ll learn simple ways to get more students involved and help everyone feel more connected to your ministry.

Media – Charles Robards – Charles serves at Harmony Hill Baptist Church in Lufkin TX as the TechArts Coordinator, overseeing Communications and Technology.

From Clicks to Connections: Designing a website that draws people in. – Your website is the first impression many will have of your church—does it invite them in? This session will help you create a welcoming, user-friendly site that engages visitors, serves your congregation, and encourages next steps. Learn essential content, design best practices, and practical tools to make your website a powerful ministry tool that connects people to your church and the gospel.

Post with Purpose: Church Social Media That Actually Connects – Social media is more than just filling a feed—it’s a frontline for ministry. In this session, we’ll explore how churches can use social platforms with intentionality in 2026 and beyond. Learn how to craft content that’s authentic, engaging, and aligned with your mission. From strategy and scheduling to storytelling and outreach, this class will give you practical tools to stop the scroll and start real connection.

Building a Volunteer Team That Lasts: Recruit, Retain, and Develop Volunteers – A strong volunteer team doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built with intentionality. This session will cover proven strategies for recruiting, training, and keeping volunteers engaged. Learn how to foster a healthy team culture, prevent burnout, and develop leaders who take ownership of the ministry. Whether you’re starting fresh or strengthening an existing team, you’ll leave with practical tools to build a committed, skilled, and thriving ministry.

Deacon Ministry – Phil Miller – Phil serves as the Director of the Center for Church Health with Texas Baptists. He has led deacon training in several contexts, and enjoys serving as a deacon in his church.

Do’s and Don’ts of Hospital Visitation – We will examine the basics of serving members through the ministry of hospital visitation.

Handling Benevolence Ministry – One consistent need for assisting church leadership is through handling how the church responds to various requests for benevolence.

Building a Culture of Adaptability in Your Church – The constant we see in churches today is the presence of change. Deacons can play a key role in helping leaders and members navigate the waters of cultural change.

Small Group Ministry – Steve Brazzel – Steve is the Ministry Consultant for LBA and Director of Missions for Unity Baptist Association

Teaching the Bible for Transformation – Go from reading the lesson to teaching believers.

Equipping Sunday School Leaders to Empower the Local Teacher – A thriving Sunday School doesn’t happen by accident; it happens through intentional mentorship. This session focuses on the “leader-of-leaders” model, providing you with a blueprint for teacher development. We will dive into the mechanics of effective teacher training, strategies for hands-on leadership support, and how to implement a high-impact Quarterly Teacher Meeting (QTM) that moves beyond logistics into true continuing education.

MORE TO COME! CHECK BACK OFTEN