Breakout Speakers

Our breakout sessions are led by respected industry leaders with proven credentials and real-world experience.

Abby Williams

Abby Williams serves as the Director of Worship Operations at Thomas Road Baptist Church. She graduated from Liberty University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in worship and music and holds a master’s degree in life coaching. Abby has a passion for equipping church leaders with the tools necessary to lead their congregations from a healthy place.

Adam McClendon

Adam McClendon, PhD., serves as Associate Dean at the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University and as a Teaching Elder at Bedrock Church Forest. With thirty years of ministry experience, he has served in a variety of pastoral and leadership roles and is an accomplished author with a passion for equipping believers and church leaders.

Adam Underwood

Adam Underwood brings deep design chops and a sharp creative eye to his role as Founder, Partner and Creative Director at ODD+EVEN. With a career spanning ad agencies, high-end luxury brands like Moore & Giles, and national tech startups, he’s worked with icons like the Dallas Mavericks, Foot Locker, KitchenAid, Marriott Hotels, and NASCAR.

These days when he’s not creating bold brands for ODD+EVEN he’s slow-pouring the perfect cup of coffee, and building furniture that could moonlight in a catalog. He’s a design geek through and through, a self-proclaimed home chef, an unapologetic coffee snob, and possibly the only person who treats font pairings and dovetail joints with equal reverence.

Andrew McKinney

Andrew McKinney serves the Worship Initiative as SBC Worship & Partnerships lead. He grew up in North Houston but has spent the last 25 years in North Texas serving churches primarily on staff in Worship Leadership roles, as well as several meaningful years through the ministry of RightNow Media. He has been married to Monica for 16 years. Together, they have 3 children. He has been blessed by many faithful leaders who have invested in him and his ministry. He aims to create opportunities for other faithful men and women in worship leadership to receive resources and relationships that encourage and equip them for the work of ministry.

Andy Chrisman

Andy Chrisman is a worship pastor, consultant, radio show host and artist, who has dedicated his life to helping others follow Jesus and worship God forever. He’s a full-time worship pastor in Tulsa, OK (Church on the Move) for 21 years and counting. He has the heart of a shepherd and helps other worship pastors via coaching, mentoring and consulting. He is also the host of the internationally syndicated radio show “Worship with Andy Chrisman.” And….he was one of 4Him, a group that sold 5 million records, had 25 #1 hits, multiple Dove awards and Grammy nominations.

AnDY PEELE

Andy Peele is the founder of the eTeam, a consulting & coaching organization that helps churches build healthy, sustainable ministry teams & intentional growth strategies.

With hands-on experience in worship leadership, audio, video, lighting, & team development, Andy understands the real pressures leaders face from staffing gaps & volunteer burnout to unclear systems & high expectations.

BOBBY PUFFENBURGER

Bobby Puffenburger is the communications director for Bay Leaf Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. He previously served as the creative director for the SBC of Virginia and Innovative Faith Resources. Bobby is passionate about file organization, project management, and helping churches communicate effectively. He enjoys frequenting local coffee shops with his family in his spare time.

Carlos Martinez

Dr. Carlos Martinez is a husband, father, worship leader, educator, and jazz musician who has served in ministry since 1992. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of North Florida, a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Martinez is currently a PhD candidate in Christian Worship at Liberty University. He serves as the Minister of Worship and Media at First Baptist Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys time with his wife, golfing, playing jazz piano, and culinary adventures.

charles billingsley

Singer and songwriter Charles Billingsley is currently a worship leader and teaching pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Billingsley boasts a robust career within the music industry. He started his career as lead vocalist for Christian recording artist NewSong, and has headlined more than 3,200 concerts, and released 23 recordings as a solo artist. Billingsley is also an adjunct professor at Liberty University, teaching at the Center for Music and Worship,

CLIFF LAMBERT

Cliff serves as the worship pastor at Liberty Baptist Church in Appomattox, VA as well as an associate professor of music, worship, and applied voice at Liberty University. Originally from the Detroit area, Cliff has provided leadership to local church worship ministries in both large and medium-sized churches in Florida, Michigan, and Virginia over the past 30 years. Cliff is a contributor to the Church Collective, a parachurch organization aimed at training and equipping worship leaders and their teams at no cost.

DALE FIELDS

Rev. Dale Fields has served as Worship Pastor at First Baptist Park Street since 2017. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Liberty University, a Master’s degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is finishing a Doctor of Ministry degree from Liberty Theological Seminary. In addition to his pastoral ministry, Dale has served as a guest speaker and worship leader for the SBC of Virginia and the Kentucky Baptist Convention. In his free time, Dale enjoys spending time with family, playing music, reading books, and cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats!

david hahn

David Hahn is the Chair of the Michael W. Smith Center for Commercial Music at Liberty University where he has taught songwriting and music technology since 2008. Before coming to Liberty, David was in Nashville and worked for Don and Lorie Marsh at the Worship Company, and also in studios as a singer, guitarist, violinist, and as a custom project engineer. Before Nashville he served as a Music Minister for over twenty years. Some of his songwriting students include: Rachel Bowsher, Hannah Cheshire, Alley Horner, and Rob & Cassidy Estevez. His passion at Liberty is to energize songwriters through his songwriting classes and lessons. His EP “Sky” is available on Spotify, Apple Music and other music outlets. His song “Keep Me Near the Cross” (Alfred Music Pub) is featured in JW Pepper Choral Music.

david morton

David began his ministry as a worship pastor in small, rural churches in North Carolina, where he developed a deep passion for the local church.

With over 20 years of experience, David is a seasoned worship pastor who has led worship in a variety of settings, ranging from small-town, rural congregations to large, multi-campus ministries. His heart is to see a culture of worship and discipleship take root, and his ministry is focused on helping congregations draw closer to the Lord through both personal and corporate worship.

drew hester

Drew Hester has dedicated over 15 years to the church creative community, where he combines his technical expertise with a passion for spiritual growth. Specializing in worship, production, and creative media teams, Drew coaches church leaders and volunteers to excel in their craft while maintaining a focus on discipleship. Drew currently serves as the Creative Director at Lynchburg City Church.

Garry Buycks Jr.

Garry B. Jr. is a media consultant, trainer, and documentary filmmaker with over 20 years of experience helping churches and non-profits use technology and media with clarity and confidence. He also has a deep love for teaching people both the Word of God and technology in practical, approachable ways. Known for his patient, hands-on teaching style, Garry creates a learning environment where no question is too basic and no one feels behind.

Garth Henson

Garth brings over two decades of software engineering experience spanning Amazon, Microsoft, Disney, and Lucasfilm. He has spent the last four years in the startup space with a recent focus on AI, and serves as a technical advisor to early-stage companies. He is also an international keynote speaker and longtime mentor to university students in technology.

ishmael labiosa

Ishmael LaBiosa serves as associate pastor for Liberty Baptist Church after serving more than 800 churches through the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia for 13 years. Ishmael began his broadcast journalism career as a news reporter for WSET ABC 13 News in Lynchburg. God called him out of the news to ministry. The Lord blessed Ishmael with his wife, Sara, and four boys: Ethan, Jayden, Rylan, and Deacon.

jesse stevens

Jesse studied Broadcasting and Journalism at Concord University in southern West Virginia. He started his video career at WDBJ7 in Roanoke Virginia, where he worked as a Promotions Producer. After nearly 5 years in TV, God called Jesse to his current role with the SBC of Virginia, where he produces video content for local churches and ministries around the country. He also serves as a Worship Associate at his home church, North Roanoke Baptist, where he sings, plays lead guitar, and oversees all video production.

john blair

John Blair has been the Worship Pastor at Swift Creek Baptist Church in Midlothian, VA, since June 2024. He has served in worship ministry for twenty years in small and large size churches in Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, and South Carolina before Swift Creek. He is passionate about multi-generational worship in a modern context with choirs, bands, and orchestras. Before moving to Virginia, he served two years as a Worship Consultant for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, equipping worship pastors and leaders throughout the state and Convention events.

john forystek

John Forystek is a multifaceted leader in the entertainment industry, with extensive experience in music, television, and global media. As a singer, songwriter, musician, and worship leader, John has collaborated with renowned artists across diverse venues. Holding a Master’s degree in Commercial Music Performance, he has produced for television shows, written educational curriculum, and serves as an advisor on global music boards spanning the USA to Africa.

kyle bentz

Kyle has been in the church production world since middle school—aka, long enough to have seen everything from flawless services to full-on tech meltdowns (and survived them all). He currently serves with KBSI, a worship-focused integration company, and leads Tech Worship Pro (TWP)—a resource built for churches by someone who truly gets it.

Kyle’s a hands-on kind of guy—he’s learned everything by doing, fixing, testing, and sometimes even duct-taping his way through real Sunday morning chaos.

LASHONDA BROWN

LaShonda Brown is an award-winning Tech Educator & Canva Verified Expert based in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of VA. Through her YouTube channel & tech education company, Bootstrap Biz Advice, LaShonda teaches service providers worldwide through tutorials, workshops & group coaching, how to do less manually and live more fulfilling lives by leveraging technology. LaShonda heavily advocates for sustainable, healthy rhythms in business and is most well known for her 20-Hour Work Week practice that’s built on the foundation of deep focus work and a mindful morning routine.

LJ Mitchell

LJ Mitchell is a music director, pianist, organist, producer and arranger. Born and raised just outside of Toronto, Canada, LJ began his musical instruction at the age of 5 with piano lessons. He studied throughout middle and high school with the Royal Conservatory of Music, and expanded his studies to include jazz, gospel, composition, musical technology and theory.

A Music Director for over 26 years, LJ has an extensive background in both gospel and sacred music. He currently serves as the Musical Director of Elevation Church and Elevation Worship.

He is currently living out his dreams in Charlotte, NC hand in hand with his incredible wife Petula and their beautiful daughters Adlai and Ayah.

michael byrd

Michael Byrd is an enterprising entrepreneur who, after some college experience, co-founded Churchapps.org, a tech company supporting the Capital C Church. He’s passionate about the outdoors, enjoying RVing, fishing, and camping, and his strong faith as a follower of Jesus Christ guides his life. As a full-time volunteer with Churchapps.org’s Lessons.Church division, Michael combines his hard work ethic, humor, and deep sense of faith to make a positive impact in the world of technology and the Capital C Church.

paul french

Paul French is the bi-vocational minister of worship at North Roanoke Baptist Church and an elementary music teacher in a local public school system. He has served in worship ministry at churches in Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, and Virginia in full-time and bi-vocational roles since 2006. Paul studied church music and music education at Indiana Wesleyan University and Belmont University, theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and school administration at Liberty University. His wife, Abbi, is also a music teacher, and they have been married since 2008.

RJ GOODWIN

RJ Goodwin is the Creative Director of Photo and Video at ODD + EVEN, where he brings over a decade of professional photography experience to life through dynamic visual storytelling. With a background spanning wedding photography, e-commerce, and brand marketing, RJ has a passion for crafting imagery that connects brands to people in meaningful ways. His work blends artistic vision and strategic messaging, shaped by years of hands-on experience across diverse industries.

sam stroud

Sam Stroud brings over 15 years of experience as a business owner, creative, and strategic partner to his role at ODD+EVEN. As VP and Director of Sales, he's the driving force behind agency growth and client relationships.

Before joining ODD+EVEN, Sam was (allegedly) a spy and (definitely) a football player. These days, Sam’s swapped covert ops for campsite coffee. He’s usually somewhere deep in the woods—bow hunting, fly fishing, or capturing the kind of views that make you question your life choices.

He’s a self-proclaimed abnormally good card player, a total bird nerd, and—most recently—a 2025 long drive champion.

scott bullman

With over 35 years of local church experience, including his current role as Worship Pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, Scott is recognized as a seasoned veteran in worship ministry leadership. In addition to his position at TRBC, Scott serves as Chair of the Center for Worship & Music at Liberty University and vocal coach of the Liberty Worship Collective.

Scott and his wife, Jamie, have been married for 35 years and have three children: Kelsey (30), Cameron (26), and Kaylee (17).

Vlad Belonozhko

Vlad Belonozhko is a touring musician–turned–audio innovator and founder of Bellos Audio, launched in 2021 to redefine comfort and performance in custom in-ear monitors. After using CIEMs on stage since the early 2000s and encountering persistent fit and seal issues, he set out to improve the experience. Following his touring career, Vlad spent nearly a decade at 64 Audio (formerly 1964 Ears) as Director of Marketing, leading marketing, sales, support, and customer experience while gaining deep industry insight. Drawing on both musician and industry perspectives, he founded Bellos Audio to push innovation beyond traditional constraints, working today with longtime collaborator Vladislav Kulakevich to build products made by musicians, for musicians.