2023 East Coast Ministers’ Conference

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

The US Ministers’ Conference is an annual event where men gather from a variety of ministerial vocations to worship God and sit under the preaching of his Word.

Secularism is increasingly antagonistic toward the Christian principles that have served it well in producing a tolerant and generous society. As this antagonism increases, the natural human response to compromise with the culture also increases. But twice the apostle Paul (Romans 1:16, 2 Timothy 1:8) tells us to not be ashamed of the gospel or the testimony about our Lord Jesus – because it is the power of God to believers and it is better to suffer for the gospel than prosper in our society.

This conference is designed to equip you for the days at hand.

N.B. The Banner Ministers’ Conference is an all-inclusive conference – including the conference fee, food and refreshments, and accommodation. Take advantage of this great opportunity to grow with your fellow ministers of the gospel!

Speakers

Rob Ventura

ROB VENTURA is one of the pastors of Grace Community Baptist Church of North Providence, Rhode Island. He is the author of Expository Outlines and Observations on Romans. He is a coauthor of A Portrait of Paul and Spiritual Warfare, and is the general editor of Going Beyond the Five Points, Covenant Theology, and A New Exposition of The London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689. He has also contributed articles to journals, periodicals, and The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible.

Jeff Kingswood

JEFF KINGSWOOD has served as senior pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church (Associate Reformed Presbyterian) in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada for twenty-two years. Jeff also serves as Chairman of the Banner of Truth Trust, has served as the Chairman of the Board of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, as Moderator of the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, and continues to serve as a Board member of the Christian Hospital Sahiwal, Pakistan.

Henry Jansma

HENRY JANSMA (PhD, University of Durham) serves as the organizing rector of All Souls Anglican Church, Cherry Hill, NJ (ACNA). Henry previously served in the Church of England (1991-2001) and the Episcopal Church (2001-2013). He also serves as Canon Theologian for the Anglican Diocese of the Living Word, Anglican Church in North America (ACNA).

Gabriel Fluhrer

GABRIEL N.E. FLUHRER (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is the senior minister at First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is the author of Alive (Ligonier, 2020) and The Beauty of Divine Grace (Ligonier, 2022). In addition to his pastoral duties, Gabe serves as a visiting professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta.

John van Eyk

JOHN VAN EYK is the Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Previously he ministered in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Ontario, Canada, and the Associated Presbyterian Church in the Highlands of Scotland, and was a church planter.

David Whitla

DAVID WHITLA (PhD Queens, Belfast) was born in Scotland, raised in Northern Ireland and emigrated to the United States in 2000. After several years in the pastoral ministry, he was called to serve as Professor of Church History at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Whitla is co-author of Portraits of Christ, contributed a chapter on Scottish homiletics to The Brill Companion to the Reformation in Scotland, c.1525-1638, and edited John Owen’s Rules for Walking in Fellowship.

Jonathan Master

JONATHAN MASTER (PhD Aberdeen) is the President of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Previously he was a professor at Capital Seminary and Cairn University and Dean of Cairn University. He is the author of Growing in Grace (for the Trust), A Question of Consensus: The Doctrine of Assurance After the Westminster Confession, and co-author of two books on worship The God We Worship and On Reforming Worship.

Schedule

Tuesday, May 30

11:00am – 3:15pm:       Registration (Leffler Chapel Lobby)

3.30pm:                        Session 1: Jeff Kingswood, Opening Address

5:00pm – 6:30pm:          Supper

7:00pm:                        Session 2: Gabe Fluhrer, Not Ashamed of the Gospel in a Hostile Culture

8:15pm:                        Refreshments (Leffler Chapel)

9:00pm – 10:00pm         Gymn, Racquetball, and Pool Open

Wednesday, May 31

7:00am – 8:00am:       Breakfast

8:15am – 8:45am:       Conference Prayer Time

9:00 am:                     Session 3: David Whitla, John Hooper (1495-1555) – Reformer, Pastor, Martyr (1)

10:15am:                    Refreshments (Leffler Chapel)

10:45am:                    Session 4: Henry Jansma, The Gospel Minister’s Solace

12:00pm – 1.30 pm:    Lunch

1:00pm – 3:00pm:       Free Time (Gym, racquetball & pool open)

3:15pm:                      Session 5: Jonathan Master, Thoughts on Public Prayer

3:30pm:                      Session 6: Rob Ventura, The Life and Labours of Charles Spurgeon

5:00pm – 6:30pm:        Supper

7:00pm:                       Session 7: Gabe Fluhrer, Not Ashamed of the Gospel When Life is Hard

8:15pm:                       Ice Cream Social & Soccer Match (Wolf Field)

9:00pm – 10:00 pm:      Gym open.

Thursday, June 1

7:00am – 8:00am:         Breakfast

8:15am – 8:45am:         Conference Prayer Time

9:00am:                        Session 8: Rob Ventura, Paul’s Passionate Heart for the Gospel

10:15am:                      Refreshments (Leffler Chapel)

10:45am:                      Session 9: Henry Jansma, The Gospel Minister’s Hope

12:00pm – 1.00pm:       Lunch

1:30pm:                        Session 10: David Whitla, John Hooper (1495-1555) – Reformer, Pastor, Martyr (2)

2:45 p.m.                       Session 11: John van Eyk, Closing Sermon

FAQs

Who attends?

The East Coast Ministers’ Conference is arranged for men in (or who have been in) pastoral ministry; students in theological training for the ministry; men serving in missionary work (at home or overseas); and men serving the church as elders or as deacons. In addition, we welcome those who are sponsored by their church/minister where the church is seriously considering them for eldership or full-time ministry.

We ask that only men attend to maximize opportunities for fellowship, accountability, and prayer. We understand the difficulty of being away from family for a couple of nights, but one of the goals of this conference is to encourage men to forge strong friendships with like-minded brothers and fellow gospel ministers.  

Where is it located?

Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown PA. Some might ask, “Why host a conference at a college campus?” A college campus allows us to keep everyone together. The vast majority of the attendees will stay in the campus dorms, share meals together at the campus food court, and enjoy fellowship together in the campus recreation centers.

What does it cost?

The Elizabethtown College campus allows us to keep the conference rates low. This is an important feature of Banner of Truth conferences, for we want to reach out to as many pastors as possible, not all of whom are serving in large and prosperous congregations. Our conference fee, which ranges from $200 to $405 is great value for money when you consider it covers room and full board, conference registration, bookstore gift certificates, and the use of all campus facilities. There are absolutely no hidden costs!

Rooms and Registration

Registration RatesEarly Bird RegistrationStandard RegistrationLate Registration
Before
February 28, 2023		March 1, 2023
to April 30, 2023		After
April 30, 2023
1Standard Plan$335$365$395
2Standard+ Plan$375$405$435
3Apartment Accommodations$355$385$415
4Seminary Student$240$270$300
5Registration Only $170$200$230

  1. Standard Plan: 2 person bedroom in dorm accommodation with shared (4-8 people) bathroom facilities. 2 nights accommodation and a 6-meal plan (Tuesday supper to Thursday lunch).

  2. Standard+ Plan: Single bedroom in dorm accommodation with shared (4-8 people) bathroom facilities. 2 nights accommodation and a 6-meal plan (Tuesday supper to Thursday lunch). Limited availability.

  3. Apartment Accommodations: 4 person apartment with two twin bedrooms and shared bathroom facilities. Must be booked as a group of four at time of booking. Price is per person and includes 2 nights accommodation and a 6-meal plan (Tuesday supper to Thursday lunch). Limited availability.

  4. Seminary Student: Based on the standard plan.

  5. Registration Only: You arrange your own accommodations and meals (meal tickets available on campus).

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