Polishing the Pulpit - Sevierville 2026: Full Schedule

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8:15am EDT

Unearthing Islam: What Archaeology Reveals About Islamic Claims

Tuesday August 18, 2026 8:15am - 8:45am EDT

Islamic texts make a number of important claims about historical places and people. This lesson examines what archaeology really reveals about Muhammad and the religion he founded, and how these shortcomings contrast the reliability of the Bible.

Speakers

Dewayne Bryant

Tuesday August 18, 2026 8:15am - 8:45am EDT
Ballroom B

Evidence

9:00am EDT

In Their Sandals (Series): Paul in Athens

Tuesday August 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

Ballroom B

See the world through the eyes of those who were there. What has been discovered? What did they encounter? What challenges did they face? And, how can this help me in my own walk of faith?

Speakers

John Moore

Instructor, Bear Valley Bible Institute International and Bible Land Passages

A native of Dripping Springs, Texas, John has served as an evangelist, teacher, preacher and minister of the gospel for over 30 years. He and his wife Carla are working with Bear Valley Bible Institute International, and serve as the directors of Bible Passages, a ministry dedicated... Read More →

Tuesday August 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Ballroom B

Evidence

10:00am EDT

How to Stop Making Life Harder Than It Has to Be

Tuesday August 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT

Ballroom B

Procrastination, assumptions, catastrophizing, avoidance and learning to let faith simplify what we complicate.

Speakers

Glenn Colley

Tuesday August 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Ballroom B

Teens

11:00am EDT

When Heaven Interrupted Earth: The Light on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1–9)

Tuesday August 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am EDT

Ballroom B

Speakers

John Moore

Instructor, Bear Valley Bible Institute International and Bible Land Passages

Tuesday August 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am EDT
Ballroom B

Textual

12:30pm EDT

Hurry Back Session: High Society, Low Sobriety — Thinking Biblically About Marijuana in a Relaxed Culture

Tuesday August 18, 2026 12:30pm - 1:15pm EDT

Ballroom B

Speakers

Daniel Stearsman

Faculty/ Dean of Graduate Studies, Bear Valley Bible Institute

Daniel Stearsman is a preacher, pharmacist, and ethicist by training. After serving congregations in Florida and Georgia, he joined the faculty of Bear Valley Bible Institute in 2025 and was appointed Dean of Graduate Studies in 2026. He holds degrees from the University of Florida... Read More →

Tuesday August 18, 2026 12:30pm - 1:15pm EDT
Ballroom B

Contemporary Issues

1:30pm EDT

The Day You Stop Playing It Safe . . .

Tuesday August 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT

Ballroom B

Fear keeps too many teens from using their gifts for God. This lesson will challenge you to risk something — to serve, speak, or step up — even if it’s uncomfortable. Courage is contagious.

Speakers

David Smith

Minister, North Hamilton church of Christ

I am a native of the Chattanooga area. I spent five years in active duty military service. I am married to Ashley and we have two amazing girls: Evie Rose and Graceley. I have education from East Tennessee School of Preaching, Southern Christian/Amridge University and Liberty University... Read More →

Tuesday August 18, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
Ballroom B

Teens

2:15pm EDT

The Gospel According to John: That You May Believe—Why John Tells the Story the Way He Does (John 20:30-31)

Tuesday August 18, 2026 2:15pm - 2:45pm EDT

Ballroom B

Speakers

Odie Duncan

Pulpit Minister, Mt Carmel church of Christ

Married to Kim LeMay Duncan since Septmber 1994 with 3 sons. I have been in fulltime ministry since 1994, having now been with Mt Carmel for over 20 years. I have a degree in Art, as well as both a BA and an MA in biblical studies.

Tuesday August 18, 2026 2:15pm - 2:45pm EDT
Ballroom B

Textual

3:00pm EDT

You Are Not Their Judge—And That’s a Relief (Romans 14:4)

Tuesday August 18, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

Ballroom B

This session will focus on finding the balance between keeping each other accountable and letting go of the burden of policing others’ choices.

Speakers

Clark Sims

Tuesday August 18, 2026 3:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Ballroom B

Spiritual Growth

3:45pm EDT

Seven Minutes of Wisdom: Friends, Influence, and Belonging

Tuesday August 18, 2026 3:45pm - 4:30pm EDT

Ballroom B

Speakers and topics:
• Joshua Cantrell — Characteristics of Friends Who Pull You Closer to God
• Daniel Stearsman — The Power of One Kind Voice in a Cruel World
• Jeremy Pate — When Does Loyalty Becomes Compromise?
• Tavaro Hanna — How to Be the Person Who Makes Others Brave
• Jerry Martin — How to Confront a Friend Without Losing the Friendship
• Wade Webster — How to Recover from a Broken Friendship

Speakers

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 →

Daniel Stearsman

Faculty/ Dean of Graduate Studies, Bear Valley Bible Institute

Jeremy Pate

Youth Publications Coordinator, Apologetics Press

Jeremy is the Youth Publications Coordinator at Apologetics Press, where he has served since 2019. He and his wife, Brooke live in Montgomery AL with their 4 children: Ava, Greta, Willa, and Prentice. Jeremy served as a full-time Youth/Family Minister for 18 years before moving to... Read More →

Tavaro Hanna

Jerry Martin

Licensed Professional Counselor, Christian Counseling Services

Jerry L. Martin, PhD, LPC-S currently serves as a Professor at Amridge University in Montgomery, AL. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Jerry has over four decades of preaching experience, having worked with congregations in Louisiana, Georgia, Colorado, Tennessee, and Alabama... Read More →