News & Resources 

Plenary Speakers

Daniel L. Akin is the president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, a gifted expositor and an unflagging advocate of Great Commission ministry. His preaching and teaching ministry takes him around the world. He has written a number of books, including two commentaries. He lives in Wake Forest, N.C., with his wife Charlotte. They have four sons, three daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren.

Thabiti Anyabwile is the full-time husband to a loving wife, Kristie, and father to three adorable children - Afiya, Eden and Titus. He now serves as the senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.  He worked previously as an assistant pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church.  Thabiti holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in psychology from North Carolina State University. A former high school basketball coach and bookstore owner, Thabiti loves reading, sports, and watching sci-fi films.

Alistair Begg has been in pastoral ministry since 1975. Following graduation from The London School of Theology, he served eight years in Scotland at both Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church. In 1983, he became the senior pastor at Parkside Church near Cleveland, Ohio.  He has written several books and is heard daily and weekly on the radio program, Truth For Life. The teaching on Truth For Life stems from the week-by-week Bible teaching at Parkside Church. He and his wife, Susan, were married in 1975 and they have three grown children.

Matt Chandler was born near Seattle, and due to growing up with a father in the military, moved several times before settling in the Houston area. Though he attended church during his childhood and adolescence, he did not truly know and follow Jesus until he turned 17. He attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX where he received a bachelor’s degree in Bible. In 2002, he became pastor of First Baptist Church of Highland Village, known now as The Village Church. In 1999, he married his wife, Lauren, and they now have three children. He is the author of the book, The Explicit Gospel. 

Mark Dever serves as the senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. A Duke graduate, Dr. Dever holds a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Ecclesiastical History from Cambridge University. He is the president of 9Marks and has taught at a number of seminaries.  Dr. Dever has also authored several books and articles. He and his wife Connie live and minister on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

David Platt is deeply devoted to Christ and His Word. A life-long learner, David has earned two undergraduate and three advanced degrees. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (A.B.J.) from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Theology (Th.M.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He has previously served at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as Dean of Chapel and Assistant Professor of Expository Preaching and Apologetics, and as Staff Evangelist at Edgewater Baptist Church in New Orleans. David and Heather married in 1999. They are the parents of two sons. He is the author of Radical and Radical Together.