2023 West 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.

Join us in October at the beautiful Oaks Center in Ramona California, near San Diego, for an all-inclusive pastors’ retreat to rejuvenate the spirit and re-energize the body.

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, yet 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.

The Banner of Truth Ministers’ Conference is an all-inclusive conference retreat. Included in the conference fee are food, refreshments, and accommodation. All you need to bring is yourself – and maybe some like-minded brothers in the ministry!

Please note that space is limited at this conference so register soon to ensure your place.

Speakers

Mark Johnston

Mark Johnston is originally from Belfast and trained for the ministry in Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He was the founding minister of Trinity EPC Richhill before being called to London as the minister of Grove Chapel, Camberwell in 1994. He went on to serve as Senior Pastor of Proclamation Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Philadelphia and subsequently as minister of Bethel Presbyterian Church in Cardiff until his return to Ireland and eventual call to Groomsport. Mark serves on the Boards of Banner of Truth Trust and Ligonier Ministries, UK. He has authored a number of books and has a monthly column on the ‘Place for Truth’ website of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.

Rick Phillips

Richard D. Phillips (D.D. GPTS) is Senior Minister of the historic Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC. Prior to entering the ministry, he commanded tank units as an officer in the U.S. Army and later served as an assistant professor of leadership at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Rick serves on the boards of Westminster Theological Seminary, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, and the Gospel Reformation Network. He is the author of forty-five books and series co-editor of the Reformed Expository Commentary series. He frequently speaks at conferences on the Bible and Reformed Theology.

Mike Myers

Mike Myers has served as an Army National Guard Chaplain in South Carolina and Georgia and graduated from Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (M.Div.) where he now serves on the seminary’s Board of Trustees. Currently Mike is pastor of Heritage Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Royston, Georgia – a congregation he has been involved with from its inception in 2013.

Jeff Smith

Jeffery S. Smith is the pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Coconut Creek FL. Jeff also serves on the governing board of Reformed Baptist Seminary where he lectures. Jeff has been involved in ministerial and theological training in the U.S., Dominican Republic, the Far East, and Colombia. He is the author of ‘The Rich Man and Lazarus: Plain Truth About Life After Death.’

Derek Thomas

Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas (Ph.D. Lampeter, Wales) is Senior Minister of 1st Presbyterian Church (ARP) Columbia SC. He is a Chancellor’s Professor at Reformed Theological Seminary and a Teaching Fellow with Ligonier Ministries. Derek has also authored many books, including Let’s Study Galatians and Let’s Study Revelation for the Trust, and frequently speaks at conferences. He is editorial director for the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals and editor of the E-zine, Reformation 21.

Ryan Davidson

J. Ryan Davidson is pastor of Grace Baptist Chapel, Hampton VA. Ryan is the author of Thinking Through Anxiety and Green Pastures: A Primer on the Ordinary Means of Grace. Ryan holds graduate degrees from The College of William & Mary (M.Ed.) and Southern Seminary (Th.M.) and is completing a Ph.D. from The Free University of Amsterdam in Early Church History/Pastoral Theology. Ryan also teaches at International Reformed Baptist Seminary and Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary.

Schedule

Tuesday, October 10

11:00am – Registration Begins

3:30pm – Opening Sermon: Mark Johnston

7:00pm – A Call to Sound Doctrine – Richard Phillips

Wednesday, October 11

8:15am – Corporate Prayer

9:00am – When Sinners Fail: Lessons from the Life of Peter – Mike Myers

10:45am – Divine Monergism: my Only Hope – Derek Thomas

3:15pm – When Churches Fail – Mark Johnston

3:30pm – The Preacher’s Approach and Subject – Jeff Smith

7:00pm – A Good Soldier – Richard Phillips

Thursday, October 12

8:15am – Corporate Prayer

9:00am – How Saints Endure: Triumph through the Blood of the Lamb – Mike Myers

10:45am – George Whitefield in the Carolinas: The Power of God in Revival – Derek Thomas

1:30pm – The Preacher’s Dependence and Aim – Jeff Smith

2:45pm – Closing Address: The Lord Stood with Me – Ryan Davidson

FAQs

Who attends?

The West 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?

The Oaks Center, Ramona, CA. With many conferences utilizing large church campuses and off site lodging, some might ask, ‘Why host a conference retreat center?’ A retreat center allows us to keep everyone together. The vast majority of the attendees will stay in the lodgings on site, share meals together, and enjoy fellowship together in the retreat recreation centers.

What does it cost?

Retreat centers allow us to keep rates lower than a normal hotel conference set up. However, finding an affordable location has been very difficult. The Oaks Center is more expensive than we would prefer, but it will provide a very comfortable retreat setting. Our conference fee covers room and full board (6 meals, coffee, snacks throughout), conference registration, bookstore gift certificates, and the use of all campus facilities. There are no hidden costs.

Rooms and Registration

Registration RatesEarly Bird RegistrationStandard Registration
Before
July 1, 2023		July 1, 2023 to
September 30, 2023
1Standard Group Plan$550$610
2Commuter Plan$355$395

  1. Standard Group Plan:  We do not have single rooms available. Plan to come with a friend or make a new one when you arrive. Some rooms are double rooms, others have four per room. Please mention roommate preference when you register online. Includes registration and 6-meal plan (Tuesday dinner to Thursday lunch).

  2. Commuter Plan: Includes registration and four meals (Tuesday dinner, Wednesday lunch & dinner, Thursday lunch). You arrange your own accommodations.

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