Before pastors ever begin the work of shepherding, we are first called to know and enjoy Christ in the power of the gospel. As we labor tirelessly for the good of God’s people, we sometimes lose intimate fellowship with Jesus. This conference is designed for pastors, church leaders, and their spouses to marvel at the glory of Christ. This is not a “how to” conference, but an occasion to reset our affections on our first love—the Lord Jesus Christ.
The day is coming when Christ will return and all of his saints will rejoice with exceeding joy at the sight of his appearing. 2 Thessalonians 1:10 says Christ is coming, “...on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.” Friends, come and marvel at Jesus as we behold Christ together!
SPEAKERS
JORDAN THOMAS
Pastor
Grace Church Memphis
Memphis, TN
God opened Jordan’s heart to believe the gospel during his freshman year of college. He has been preaching the gospel since 1997, is husband to Tracy, and has six children—four daughters and two sons. While serving with the other elders at Grace Church to provide soul-care to the flock, Jordan is a pastor-teacher at Grace overseeing vision and spiritual leadership.
PHIL NEWTON
Director of Pastoral Care & Mentoring
PILLAR NETWORK
Phil A. Newton serves as director of Pastoral Care and Mentoring for the Pillar Network, an international association of Baptist and baptistic churches committed to kingdom-minded equipping, church planting, and church revitalization. He planted South Woods Baptist Church, Memphis, TN, in 1987 and concluded his 35 years of pastoral leadership in May 2022. He served as pastor of three other churches in Mississippi and Alabama prior to moving to Memphis, as well as serving on two church staffs as a college student. He received his education at the University of Mobile (B.A.), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Fuller Theological Seminary (D.Min.), and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Ph.D.). He is visiting professor of pastoral theology at Southeastern and an adjunct professor at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Both natives of Alabama, he and his wife Karen met in Mobile, AL and married in 1975. They enjoy discussing biblical issues, reading, cooking, traveling, and interacting with their family. They have five children and nine grandchildren. He has spent the past three decades training young men for the ministry and leading local church sponsored international mission trips. He has authored Elders in Congregational Life; Elders in the Life of the Church (with Matt Schmucker); Conduct Gospel-Centered Funerals (with Brian Croft); Venture All for God: Piety in the Writings of John Bunyan (with Roger Duke and Drew Harris); The Mentoring Church; 40 Questions About Pastoral Ministry; Shepherding the Pastor (with Rich Shadden); Mending the Nets: Rethinking Church Leadership (with Rich Shadden); Are You a Christian?; Churches Planting Churches (edited with Matt Rogers); and Unburdening the Soul: Personal and Corporate Confession of Sin. He has contributed to several journals including The Gospel Coalition and 9Marks e-Journal. Phil and Karen live in Germantown, TN and are members of Midtown Baptist Church in Memphis, where Phil serves as an elder.
RICH SHADDEN
Pastor
Park Avenue Church
Memphis, TN
Rich was born in Martin, TN where he was raised in a Christian home with godly parents who were members of First Baptist Church. Rich heard the gospel regularly and trusted in Christ when he was sixteen. After college, he moved to Memphis, TN in 2008 to begin his theological studies at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned his M.Div. and his Ph.D. in Theology and Historical Studies. In 2011, Park Avenue Church in Memphis called Rich to serve as Senior Pastor, the role he continues serving in today. He also enjoys training pastors and teaching theology. Rich currently teaches as an adjunct professor for Union University in the Master of Arts in Bible and Theology program at the Memphis extension. He's written two books (co-authored with Phil Newton), Mending the Nets: Rethinking Church Leadership and Shepherding the Pastor: Help for the Early Years of Ministry. He has also contributed to journals including the 9marks e-journal, Themelios, and the Focused Pastor. Rich is married to his beautiful wife Kristy and they have four children.
What to Expect
-
We will sing songs together centered on beholding Christ.
-
The word will be preached to equip us to look to heaven where Christ is!
-
Enjoy time with fellow brothers & sisters beholding Christ and marveling at His mercy towards sinners.
-
Each attendee will receive a swag bag with resources helping us to behold Christ.
-
We desire to see pastors, church leaders, and spouses resting in the finished work of Christ and having their hearts stirred to King Jesus!
Location
Friday Itinerary
-
Come early for fellowship, kid’s check-in (opens 20 minutes before first session), light refreshments, and bookstore opportunity.
-
Introductions and giveaways.
-
coming soon…
-
We will close Friday with Doxology. The venue will close at 9:30 PM Friday, September 11th.
Saturday Itinerary
-
Come early for fellowship, kid’s check-in (opens 20 minutes before first session) , light refreshments, and bookstore opportunity. Session 2 will kickoff at 9:30 AM.
-
coming soon…
-
Enjoy 30 minutes of fellowship with other attendees. Use this time to ask one another “How is the song, sermon, or prayer we just heard helping you to Behold Christ?”
-
coming soon…
-
We will close our time together with Doxology. The venue will close at 12:30 PM Saturday, September 12th.
2026 SPONSORS
WHAT WE’LL BE SINGING
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and register for a workshop.
-
$50...by July 1st
$75...by September 1 st
$40...Ladies
$75...Married Couple
Childcare available for ages 4 & under for $10/child & $20/Max per family (Space is limited)
-
If you are traveling to Memphis we recommend the Doubletree hotel.
-
Meals will not be provided. However, we will provide coffee, tea, and light refreshments.
-
Children are welcome to sit with parents during the conference.
-
This conference is for pastors, church leaders, spouses, brothers and sisters in Christ to come and behold Christ and marvel at Jesus!
-
Yes! We have intentionally kept ticket prices low to ensure that as many individuals can attend. You can donate to help individuals attend. Donate here and list BEHOLD CONFERENCE in the memo line.