2022 Conference Speakers
We are thankful for our guest speakers who make this yearly event full of rich and biblical truths.
"Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ."
The humanity of Christ is bound up in a truth theologians call “the hypostatic union.” By His earthly incarnation, Jesus is one person with two natures: divine and human. The human nature of Christ is affirmed by His virgin birth, by the testimony of John 1 that God became flesh, by many other witnesses in Scripture, and by the minimum of 34 titles specific to His humanity. But beyond just the theological fact of Christ’s humanity, much of the believer’s hope is grounded in Jesus the Man. For example, only Jesus the Man could fulfill the first prophecy of a Savior to crush Satan (Genesis 3:15). Jesus must be human to act in the roles of prophet, priest, and king for all who belong to Him. A perfect sinless human being can only be a sufficient substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Jesus demonstrated perfectly as a man how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. And only Jesus the Man could prove that a human being may be resurrected by the power of God, thus giving Christians certain hope that we too can follow Him safely to death and resurrection.
We are thankful for our guest speakers who make this yearly event full of rich and biblical truths.
We live in an age and culture that makes us want to question everything and not believe that truth is immovable. It's no wonder the Apostle Paul warned us, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable." (1 Corinthians 15:58)
"Beloved, Be ye STEADFAST in the doctrines of the gospel. Know what you know, and knowing, cling to it."
Charles H. Spurgeon
British 19th century "Prince of Preachers"
This word STEADFAST is crucial in Scriptures and occurs dozens of times, warning us and encouraging believers to be strong in our faith. We know as Christians we are called to be different from our culture, and it is by standing upon God's Word that we are strengthened.
"Continue STEADFAST and unmovable in the profession of [your] faith"
George Whitefield
Great American 18th Century Preacher
"...Continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven."
The Apostle Paul
Colossians 1:23 (ESV)
Dr. Steve Swartz is the senior preaching pastor of Grace Bible Church in Bakersfield, California and the featured speaker on Steadfast in the Faith, a teaching ministry based in expository preaching and writing. Author of Shattered Shepherds, Preparing for Heaven, Strength in the River, and more, Steve's desire is to train men and build up churches to know and teach the Word of God and to equip the local community of believers with impact for the Gospel of Christ. He is a two-time graduate of The Master's Seminary and brings 25 years of seasoned pastoral and counseling experience to the pulpit. Steve lives in Bakersfield with his wife and family.
Austin Duncan is the Director of The MacArthur Center for Expository Preaching, Chair of the Pastoral Ministries department at TMS, and Director of the Doctor of Ministry program, which helps current pastors refine their expository preaching.
Austin specializes in homiletics, and is, himself, an experienced preacher, particularly at Grace Community Church where he serves as the college pastor. For nearly 25 years, Austin has served in various capacities in student ministries, starting at the age of 17 when he first preached to a group of junior high students in his hometown, Albuquerque, New Mexico. After graduating from the University of New Mexico, and listening to hundreds of hours of John MacArthur’s preaching while running a landscaping business, Austin moved to California in 2005 to attend The Master’s Seminary, where he has earned a M.Div degree and a Doctor of Ministry in expository preaching. He and his wife, Merrily, have three daughters and a son.