Men's Main Event

Tony Evans

Speaker

Dr. Evans has served as the senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship for over 35 years, witnessing its growth from ten people in 1976 to now over 9,000 congregants with 100 plus ministries.

Dr. Evans has authored over 50 books including Oneness Embraced, The Kingdom Agenda, Marriage Matters and Victory in Spiritual Warfare. Dr. Evans served as chaplain for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, and continues to serve as chaplain for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, a ministry he has done for over 30 years.

Tommy Bowden

Speaker

*Coach Tommy Bowden* is the former college football coach for Clemson University from 1999-2008. He is the son of former Florida State Seminoles head coach Bobby Bowden. Tommy holds a record as head coach for 90 wins in eleven and a half years and never had a losing season. He is 3-time conference coach of the Year (Conference USA, and twice ACC Coach of the Year). He is also 2-time Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Finalist. Along with being an award-winning coach, Tommy has been actively involved with faith-based speaking for at least 20 years. He has been involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for over 30 years and speaker for fundraisers and conferences.

David Akers

Speaker

David Akers is one of the NFL's most accomplished kickers. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49'ers, and the Detroit Lions. David is not only a star on the football field, but his strong faith in Christ has led him to actively serve others off the field as well. David launched Kicks for Kids with the mission to provide children with opportunities to pursue their dreams. The Foundation provides interactive programs and events designed to directly benefit children facing serious challenges in their lives whether due to mental or physical challenges or the environment in which they live. David currently resides in the Nashville, TN area with his wife Erika and their 3 children.

Darrin Patrick

Speaker

Darrin founded The Journey in 2002 in the urban core of St. Louis, Missouri. The Journey has six locations and has released seven church plants. Darrin is Vice President of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network and has helped start multiple non-profits in St. Louis. He also serves as Chaplain to the St. Louis Cardinals.
 
After earning his B.A. in Biblical languages from Southwest Baptist University and a Master’s of Divinity (summa cum laude) from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Darrin earned his Doctor of Ministry from Covenant Seminary. Darrin is author of The Dude’s Guide to Manhood, Church Planter, co-author of Replant, and For the City, and contributor to the ESV Gospel Transformation Bible. 
 
Darrin is married to his high school sweetheart, Amie, and they have four beautiful children: Glory, Grace, Drew, and Delainey.

MIke Hamilton

Speaker

Mike Hamilton currently serves as the Executive Director of Show Hope. Mike was a leader for 26 years in intercollegiate athletics at Clemson University, Wake Forest University and the University of Tennessee. He served at the UT for nearly 20 years, spending eight of those years as Athletic Director where he created one of the few self-sustaining athletic departments in the country. Mike holds BS and MBA degrees from Clemson University and has served on the board for Show Hope (prior to his employment) and Blood:Water, among other local, regional and national nonprofits. In Knoxville, he also chaired the Knoxville Chamber Partnership and the United Way. Mike and his wife, Beth, have five children, three of whom were adopted from Ethiopia. Their youngest daughter, who is HIV-positive, is named Kalu, which means "get the word out" and since 2009, that is exactly what Mike has been trying to do in regards to orphan crisis issues and health care needs in Africa.

Stephen Kendrick

Speaker

Stephen Kendrick is co-writer of the New York Times best sellers, The Resolution for Men and The Love Dare and producer of the movies Courageous, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof. Stephen is passionate about men’s discipleship and has spoken to churches and men’s conferences across the nation. He serves on the board of the Fatherhood Commission and has been interviewed by FOX and Friends, CNN, and ABC World News Tonight, among others. Stephen and his wife, Jill, have six children and live in Albany, GA where he serves as an associate pastor at Sherwood Church. (kendrickbrothers.com)

Derwin Gray

Speaker

Derwin L. Gray is the founding and Lead Pastor of Transformation Church (www.TransformationChurch.tc), a multi-ethnic, multi-generational, mission-shaped community with two campuses in South Carolina (Indian Land and Rock Hill), both just south of Charlotte, North Carolina. Transformation Church (TC) was recognized as the 2nd fastest-growing church by percentage in America for 2010 by Outreach magazine. In 2011 and 2012, TC was recognized again as one of the top 100 fastest-growing churches in America. 

Gray met his wife, Vicki, at BYU and has been married for 21 years. They have two children, Presley and Jeremiah. After graduating from Brigham Young University, he played professional football in the NFL for five years with the Indianapolis Colts (1993-1997) and one year with the Carolina Panthers (1998). He’s recognized by many as The Evangelism Linebacker and is a highly sought-after communicator. Gray is the author of Hero: Unleashing God’s Power in a Man’s Hear t (2009) and Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future, released September 2013 (www.LimitlessLifeBook.com).

Tierce Green

Speaker

Tierce Green is Pastor of House Churches at Church Project in The Woodlands, Texas where his primary role is to call men up and equip them to lead and care for people. He taught the principles of authentic manhood to over a thousand men each week over a seven-year period in a seasonal gathering called The Quest.

Tierce is on the creative and presentation team for 33 The Series, a journey to authentic manhood as modeled by Jesus in his 33 years on earth. Learn more at www.33theseries.com

Tierce also created and produced a 12-session video series for men called Fight Club: Some Things Are Worth Fighting For. He has written curriculum and training resources for Student Life and LifeWay.

He and his wife, Dana, have been married for 27 years. They have a 9-year-old daughter, Anna.

Marty Simpson

Comedian

Marty Simpson doesn't look like an All-American Football Player, a sports radio talk show host, or the only white guy selected to appear on a BET comedy special. Let's be honest, he looks like Dr. Phil's heavier brother. Yet, he's all of these things. Plus, Marty is a stand up comedian who has quickly garnered national recognition after becoming the winner of the 2012 Clean Comedy Challenge. Marty stays busy at live standup shows throughout North America including clubs, churches, fund-raisers, festivals, corporate functions, and the occasional rock'n roll tour.

Learn more on his website at www.MartySimpson.com.

Stephen Miller

Worship Leader

Stephen Miller is a pastor and artist who strives to enlarge people’s view of God with the truth of Scripture and artfully give a vocabulary to express thankfulness and praise to Him. He is a passionate advocate for the local church and his band travels to lead worship all over the world.

Believing that songs alone are insufficient to express our love for God, and are in fact our smallest expression of worship, Stephen is adamant that worship is a lifestyle expressed through mercy, justice, and compassion. He is a voice for orphan care as well as a Compassion artist, who he partners with to help rescue children out of poverty in Jesus’ name.

Stephen has recorded 4 studio albums, and is the author of Worship Leaders, We Are Not Rock Stars. He serves as the Worship Pastor at Real Life Church in Austin, TX where he resides with his wife, Amanda, and their 5 children.