CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Wayne FaisonGod called Wayne from banking to vocational ministry. He moved to Virginia to begin his career with the BGAV in 2001. After serving in several positions - most recently as Growth Venture Staff Coordinator - he was elected as BGAV Executive Director in November 2022 during the 199th BGAV annual meeting in Hampton, Virginia. In addition to his role with BGAV, Wayne also serves as pastor of East End Baptist Church in Suffolk, Virginia. He holds a Doctor of Ministry in Black Church Leadership, as well as a Masters of Divinity in Missions, Evangelism, and Church Growth, from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The father of two daughters, he lives and serves with his wife Carmen in Chesapeake, Virginia.
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Shelton MilesShelton Miles has served for over forty years in various pastoral roles. For twenty eight years, he served as the pastor of First Baptist Church Republican Grove. Throughout Pastor Miles' ministry, he also worked as a farmer. River Bluff Farm currently runs 140 cow-calf pairs, along with developing about 60 Premium Assured Bred Heifers. Pastor Miles married his wife Jody in 1980. Since 1997 they have resided on the family farm along the Staunton River in Campbell County. Jody taught in the public schools of Halifax and Campbell Counties 1978-2011, and in retirement now works alongside Shelton on the family farm. The Mileses have 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren. Pastor Miles has been active in both the local association and the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Pastor Miles has served on the board of the Religious Herald, as Chair of the Religious Liberty Committee, as Chair of the Committee on Resolutions, as special Government Relations envoy on behalf of the BGAV, and in various other capacities.
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Linda PophamLinda Barnes Popham began her ministry at Fern Creek Baptist Church in March 1983 as Minister of Music and Youth. Later her role transitioned to Minister of Music and Education and then to Interim Pastor in August 1990. She was called as Pastor in April 1993. Linda, a native of Sheffield, Alabama, is a graduate of the University of North Alabama and of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Linda has served on church staffs in various capacities in Alabama and Kentucky since the age of 16. Linda married George Popham in October 2001 and inherited two step-sons and daughters-in-law. George and Linda have four grandchildren. Linda's greatest passion is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.
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Ken PruittKen Pruitt serves as President of The John Leland Center for Theological Studies. He entered this position from a full-time pastorate in Virginia Beach. He also served as a member of the Board of Trustees and an adjunct professor prior to being named as President. Prior to Leland, Dr. Pruitt served in full time pastoral ministry for over 30 years. Dr. Pruitt earned his Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) at Baylor University’s Truett Seminary in Waco, Texas, specializing in Preaching and Theology. His M.Div. with Biblical Languages was earned at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth Texas. He also studied for one year in the School of Religious Education at Southwestern Seminary with a concentration in Marriage and Family Counseling. Dr. Pruitt has also ministered extensively in India, where he regularly serves as a keynote speaker in conferences and graduations of the Nagpur Theological Seminary. Dr. Pruitt is married to his high school sweetheart Terry, and they have three beautiful daughters, Nichole (26), Bethany (23), and Sarah Joy (11). Dr. Pruitt's passion, second to following Jesus and prioritizing His family, is training and mentoring the called.
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CONFERENCE WORSHIP LEADER
Ben DishnerBen Dishner serves as National Field Director at OneCry - a ministry which aims to inspire, resource, and mobilize the church to urgently pray for and passionately proclaim the hope of revival. Before joining the OneCry staff, Ben served as Worship Pastor as well as a wide variety of ministry leadership roles at churches in Tennessee and Kentucky for 25 years. He has a heart for revival and a desire to see the body of Christ united in mission with a wholehearted pursuit of Christ. He and his wife, Melissa, live in Knoxville, Tennessee and have two adult children - Andrew and Abigail.
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