Polishing the Pulpit - Sevierville 2026: Full Schedule

Knowing how to respond, when to respond, and what to say is critical during Bible studies. Come and learn how to deal with the most difficult questions. Your answer weighs heavily on people's eternal souls.

Speakers

Rob Whitacre

Director, HTHSOE

Rob Whitacre was born in Carbondale, Illinois. He was raised near San Antonio, TX, attending the Northern Oaks church of Christ. He married Nicole of Nashville, TN, in August of 1996. They have one daughter, Hannah and one son, Jared. He comes from a God fearing family of preachers... Read More →

Saturday August 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Ballroom A

Evangelism

11:00am EDT

What Comes After the Moment You Wish Had Never Happened?

Saturday August 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am EDT

Ballroom A

Failure feels permanent when it’s public. This session tackles shame, regret, and the lie that one moment defines your faith forever.

Speakers

B. J. Clarke

Director, MSOP

If you would love to learn the Book, and learn how to preach the Book (tuition free) at the Memphis School of Preaching, I would love to talk to you about how you can do just that!

Saturday August 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am EDT
Ballroom A

Members

12:30pm EDT

Hurry Back Session: Tech Solutions Panel - Social Media Ministry

Saturday August 15, 2026 12:30pm - 1:15pm EDT

Ballroom A

Panelists:
• Josh Robinson
• Paul Mays
• Dan Fraley

Speakers

Josh Robinson

Manna Project and Uplift Media

Josh Robinson is the Director of Communications for the Manna Project. Josh is also experienced in video and media production and operates Uplift Media, helping the church reach the lost online. Josh is a part-time instructor at the Georgia School of Theology (teaching technology... Read More →

Paul Mays

Hymnist, Paul Mays A Cappella Hymns

Paul Mays is a hymnist (writer of hymns) and travelling evangelist. He and his wife, Yvette, are parents to Sophia and Chloe. All four worship at the Westside church of Christ in Salem, Virginia.

Paul works extensively on social media, sharing his original A Cappella teaching hymns, recorded teaching videos, and live teaching videos which generate many Bible studies. Paul broadcasts live hymn studies at 1 PM Eastern and 9 PM Eastern on Digital Bible Study on Facebook and YouTube... Read More →

Dan Fraley

Saturday August 15, 2026 12:30pm - 1:15pm EDT
Ballroom A

Ministry

1:30pm EDT

Hot Button Issues: The Bible and Slavery

Saturday August 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT

Ballroom A

Speakers

Kyle Butt

For the past twelve years Kyle Butt has worked at Apologetics Press. Kyle graduated from Freed-Hardeman University with a B.A. in Bible and Communication and an M.A. in New Testament Studies.

He is the author or co-author of 20 books dealing with topics such as the existence of Go... Read More →

Saturday August 15, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
Ballroom A

Contemporary Issues

2:15pm EDT

The Things God Wants You to Drop (Hebrews 12:1)

Saturday August 15, 2026 2:15pm - 2:45pm EDT

Ballroom A

Speakers

Parker Webster

Preaching Minister, North Lexington Church of Christ

Saturday August 15, 2026 2:15pm - 2:45pm EDT
Ballroom A

Teens

3:00pm EDT

What It Means to Be Brave When Courage Gets You Labeled

Saturday August 15, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

Ballroom A

Standing for truth often comes with social cost. This lesson explores courage without aggression and conviction without bitterness.

Speakers

Greg Dismuke

Pulpit Minister, Newport News church of Christ

Saturday August 15, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Ballroom A

Teens

3:45pm EDT

Seven Minutes of Wisdom on Dating, Love, and Purity

Saturday August 15, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm EDT

Ballroom A

Speakers and topics:
• Cameron Freeman — Why God's Design for Boundaries and Marriage Are Beautiful
• Matt Wallin — How Far Is Too Far? A Better Question
• Michael Shepherd — Lust vs. Love: Knowing the Difference
• Dean Thompson — Practical Steps to Become the Kind of Person Worth Marrying
• Bengy Slocumb — How to Handle Heartbreak with Grace
• Joshua Cantrell — What Respect Looks Like in a Relationship

Speakers

Cameron Freeman

Matt Wallin

House to House Heart to Heart

I have worked with House to House Heart to Heart since 2006, where I have overseen production and promotions of the House to House magazine. I currently serve as the Director of Promotions.

I received a business degree and a Bible degree from Faulkner University and a Masters in Management from Troy University. After graduating from Faulkner I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, so I moved to China to live with a friend who was serving as a missionary. While I was there... Read More →

Michael Shepherd

Dean Thompson

Evangelist, University church of Christ

Dean Thompson received his bachelor's degree in Communication studies from Wingate University in Wingate, N.C. ('15), and a Graduate Diploma from the Memphis School of Preaching ('21). He is currently enrolled in the Graduate School of Theology at Freed-Hardeman University, where... Read More →

Bengy Slocumb

Minister, Shannon Church of Christ

Joshua Cantrell

Preacher, Avondale church of Christ

Joshua Cantrell is the pulpit minister for the Avondale church of Christ in Decatur, Georgia. He is a graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching (2015), and Nations University (BA, 2019). He is originally from Phenix City, Alabama. He is the host of the Diligent Podcast, a work of... Read More →

Saturday August 15, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm EDT
Ballroom A

Teens

6:00pm EDT

Hurry Back Session: Lukan Models of Faith: Stephen—A Model Witness

Saturday August 15, 2026 6:00pm - 6:30pm EDT

Ballroom A

Speakers

Melvin Otey

Professor of Law & Preacher, Faulkner University & Perry Hill Road church of Christ

Melvin preaches for the Perry Hill Road church of Christ in Montgomery, AL, and serves as Professor of Law at Faulkner University’s Jones School of Law, where he teaches criminal law and procedure courses. He formerly worked as a trial lawyer for the Criminal Division of the... Read More →

Saturday August 15, 2026 6:00pm - 6:30pm EDT
Ballroom A

Textual

8:00pm EDT

Lessons from the Women in John: Mary the Mother of Jesus

Saturday August 15, 2026 8:00pm - 8:30pm EDT

Ballroom A

While Mary’s virtue and faith are seen throughout her story, this lesson highlights what we learn and what she learned at a wedding in Cana in John 2.

Speakers

Celine Sparks

speaker/author/instructor/humorist

Celine Sparks is the author of Whatever Happened to Fried Chicken?, How to Train Your Dragon, Because I Said So, and most recently, If Mama Ain’t Happy. She served for 15 years as the humorist for Christian Woman magazine, and has freelanced for a number of other publications.
Celine lives in Huntsville, Alabama where she and her husband, Scotty, worship and work with the Meridianville Church of Christ. Celine loves her physical family (4 kids and their 3 spouses, and two grandchildren who have adopted her) and enjoys being with her spiritual family as... Read More →

Saturday August 15, 2026 8:00pm - 8:30pm EDT
Ballroom A

Women