Featured Speakers
GREGG MATTE
Senior Pastor - Houston’s First Baptist Church
Gregg Matte was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and trusted Christ as his Savior at the age of 16. Since then, God has done a tremendous work in him and through him.
In 1989, as a Texas A&M sophomore, Gregg and his roommates started a small Bible study named Breakaway in their apartment. Under Gregg’s leadership, Breakaway exploded, reaching thousands of students each week.
In 2004, God called Gregg to become the pastor of Houston’s First Baptist Church. Today, this great church has grown tremendously and is impacting the world as never before.
Gregg holds a marketing degree from Texas A&M and a master’s degree in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is an author of numerous books, the latest being Difference Makers.
Most importantly, Gregg is married to Kelly and is a father of two: Greyson and Valerie.
LEVI SKIPPER
Senior Pastor - Sagemont Church
A native of Georgia, Dr. Levi Skipper has served as Sagemont Church’s Senior Pastor since January 2024. Prior to coming to Sagemont, Levi pastored in Georgia for 22 years before serving in leadership with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.
During his tenure with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, he developed and wrote The Domino Effect: Building an Evangelistic Culture in the Life of Your Church, and No Sweat Evangelism. With these tools for personal evangelism, over 10,000 people have been trained across the state. In addition, he wrote several resources for church leaders, including: No Sweat Discipleship, Ride the Waves, Your Ministry Zone, and Time Management Training, as well as Marriage In the Red, a resource tool for married couples.
Levi is a graduate of Shorter College. He went on to receive his Masters of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and then completed his Doctorate in Ministry at Luther Rice University.
Levi is married to his wife Christa, and they have four children: Garrison, Mattie, Gavin, and Marlee.
JARRETT STEPHENS
Senior Pastor - Champion Forest Baptist Church
Dr. Jarrett Stephens has served since 2021 as Senior Pastor of Champion Forest Baptist Church, in Northwest Houston.
Jarrett also serves on the boards of BridgeBuilders, Dallas Baptist University and the Houston Church Planting Network – which clearly point to his passions of sharing the life-transforming message of the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the world, to serving the least of these in the inner cities, to raising up the next generation of Christian leaders, to equipping churches to be on mission.
A native of Louisiana, Jarrett graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Psychology. He received his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry from Liberty Theological Seminary.
Jarrett is the author of two books, The Mountains Are Calling: Making the Climb for a Clearer View of God and Ourselves, and his most recent book, The Always God: He Hasn’t Changed, and You Are Not Forgotten. He also hosts the Forward with Jarrett Stephens podcast.
Jarrett and his wife, Debbie, have four daughters: Riley, Kelsey, Cameron, and Landry.
Breakout Speakers
Andrew Buck has a passion for helping men find freedom from pornography and walking deeply with Jesus so they can run their race with endurance. He serves as the Director of Operations for the Freedom Fight ministry, enjoys hunting and fishing and lives in Pearland Texas with his wife Kaitlyn and two kids.
Chuck Davenport serves as the Executive Director of Discipleship and has been a pastor at Sagemont Church for 8 years. He is married with three children and is passionate about serving the church, his wife, and his kids. Chuck’s heart is to help others embrace a life of consistent, Christ-centered service, at home, in the church, and in everyday moments.
Eric N. Davis holds a B.S. from UNC Charlotte and an M.A. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He serves as the Family Discipleship Pastor at Bay Area Church in League City, TX, and brings 32 years of family ministry experience. He has been married to Becky for 30 years, and they have three amazing children.
Joe Dougharty brings over two decades of pastoral experience and a deep heart for men navigating life’s hardest seasons. As a former single dad and now a father in a beautifully complex blended family of ten children—biological, adopted, and kinship—Joe knows firsthand the silent battles men face: the pressure to lead while carrying emotional wounds, the strain of stepfamily dynamics, and the spiritual isolation that often comes with fatherhood. Joe currently serves as Minister to Single Parent & Blended Families at Houston’s First Baptist Church, where he equips and encourages men and families through discipleship, support, and biblical truth.
Kellie and Brett Hurst founded Home Encouragement Ministries, Inc. in 2007 as a result of a shared passion for marriage and family encouragement. The Hursts reside in Katy, Texas, and have two talented and hilarious grown children, one precious son-in-law, and three gorgeous grandchildren who currently "run the show.” Kellie and Brett are native Texans who have been married since 1987 and have worked together in ministry since they first dated. Brett is the Relationships Pastor at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston, where he has served since 1997. The Hursts are marriage educators and host a popular marriage-related podcast, “Marriage to the Max.”
Jeff Lynn is the Senior Strategist for the Church Health and Leadership Team at the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. In this role, he provides resources and fosters connections among church leaders statewide, focusing on cultivating healthy churches and leaders. With over 40 years in ministry, Jeff has a diverse background, including time in itinerant Christian music ministry as a songwriter, concert and recording artist, and 25 years as a Senior Pastor. Most recently, he served as the pastor of Yorktown Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, Texas, for twelve years.
Ben Niscavits lived and served for 12 years in South Asia with the IMB. Ben has extensive experience of working with all types of Muslims and has a deep love for the Muslim people and desires for them to know Jesus as Messiah. The Lord has strategically placed His church in Houston, where many Muslims people groups are flocking to, and it is our job as the body of Christ, to go and share the good news with them.
Eric Reed has served on staff at Houston’s First Baptist Church for over 20 years. Currently he serves as the Minister to Men and Assistant to the Minister of Education. He is passionate about calling men and women into biblical friendship and discipleship to leverage their gifts and abilities to advance God’s Kingdom around the world. Eric holds degrees from Furman University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, as well as professional certifications from Belmont University. He enjoys life with his amazing wife of over 28 years, Stacie, and their four energetic kids, Emma, Luke, Kate, and Lily (ages 17 to 24) and Willow their “over loved” dog.
Rick Wertz is the founder and president of Faithful Fathering. Prior to his call into ministry in 2000, Rick was in the corporate world for 15 years. He provides biblically-grounded studies and workshops for dads and a comprehensive strategy for churches.