Empowered, Educated, Equipped, and Encouraged
The E4 Church Conference, scheduled for January 23-25, 2026, at Word Tabernacle Church in Rocky Mount, NC, is a premier event dedicated to church development for individuals at all levels—from members to ministers. Guided by the principles of Ephesians 4:11-16, the conference emphasizes that every person has a unique gift and calling to serve God through the Church.
Dress Code for the conference is Church Casual.
Schedule
This schedule is subject to change.
Friday, January 23
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11:30 am - Registration and Check In
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1:00 pm - Breakout Session 1
A practical "how to" of church function by equipping leaders with tools and systems that help participants learn how to design and organize budgets, build strategic calendars, and establish accountability systems that support leaders, programs and members. Presenter: Kyle Johnson
Launching a Nonprofit for Greater Impact. Designed for churches ready to grow beyond the walls, this session walks leaders through assessing need, clarifying vision, and launching a nonprofit for lasting impact. Presenter: Trishonda Roberson
How We Secure Our House of Worship. A guideline to understanding how we can secure our churches while still creating a welcoming and safe environment. Done right, church security doesn’t change the spirit of worship, it quietly safeguards it, like good lighting or sturdy doors: unnoticed when everything goes right, invaluable when it doesn’t. Presenter: Matthew Gailliard
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2:00 pm - Breakout Session 2
This is a practical workshop designed to help churches implement systems and programs that support physical, mental, and emotional health. This session equips leaders with actionable strategies to create a culture of holistic care, promoting well-being for individuals and strengthening the overall health of the church. Presenter: Stephanie Battle, Vikki Brown, Jessie Nunery
Serving with Compassion, Wisdom, and Kingdom Strategy. Kingdom Case Management equips church leaders and volunteers with a faith-based, practical service delivery model to walk with individuals through complex life situations with grace, dignity, and hope. Presenter: Keilana Ham
How We Secure Our House of Worship. A guideline to understanding how we can secure our churches while still creating a welcoming and safe environment. Done right, church security doesn’t change the spirit of worship, it quietly safeguards it, like good lighting or sturdy doors: unnoticed when everything goes right, invaluable when it doesn’t. Presenter: Matthew Gailliard
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3:00 pm - Breakout Session 3
Evangelism is all about sharing the gospel with others in order to lead them to a believing faith in Jesus Christ. This program will help equip believers to share the complete Gospel while also helping them to connect sharing the Gospel in everyday situations and living it out in a way that shines the light of Christ. People who take part in the cohort will also have the opportunity to put lessons into action through planned outreach.
Presenter: Kyle Durrell Johnson
The Caring Church is a practical workshop focused on developing grief support and member care systems that help churches respond with compassion, consistency, and structure. This session equips leaders with tools to support individuals through loss and life transitions while fostering a culture of ongoing care. Presenters: Stephanie Battle, Cynthia Howard, Lillian Brown
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4:00 pm - Breakout Session 4
Next Generation ministry is central to the church’s mission and long-term sustainability. This workshop helps leaders design intentional systems that move beyond isolated programs to create aligned pathways for discovery, discipleship, development, and engagement. Participants will explore how to invest deeply in those who opt in while still creating accessible on-ramps for families and the broader community.
Presenter: Kyle Durrell Johnson
The Caring Church is a practical workshop focused on developing grief support and member care systems that help churches respond with compassion, consistency, and structure. This session equips leaders with tools to support individuals through loss and life transitions while fostering a culture of ongoing care. Presenters: Stephanie Battle, Cynthia Howard, Lillian Brown
An interactive workshop designed to clarify what foreign missions truly are and how every believer has a role in God’s global mission. Grounded in Scripture and real-world application, participants will explore calling, cultural humility, spiritual preparation, and sustainable impact which moves beyond misconceptions to engage missions with wisdom, partnership, and obedience. If you are interested in missions, this workshop is for you.
Presenter: Leshaun Jenkins
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5:15 pm - 6:15 pm - Dinner and Fellowship & Networking for those who attended breakout sessions 1-4
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6:15 pm - Plenary Session 1: "Worship Blueprint - Designing Multi-Generational Experiences That Connect" Innovation in worship design that bridges generational preferences while maintaining theological depth - Nya Cotton & Casey Hobbs
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7:15 pm - Worship with Dr. F. Bruce Williams preaching
Saturday, January 24
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7:00 am - Continental Breakfast
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8:00 am - Prayer & Praise
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8:15 am - Pastor's Panel (Dr. Bruce F. Williams, Dr. Justin Lester, Dr. Craig Oliver, Dr. Jasmin "Jazz" Sculark)
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9:05 am - Plenary Session 2: "A.I. Architecture - Building Smart Systems for Kingdom Impact" Artificial intelligence in church ministry, administration, and community outreach - Dr. Justin Lester
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10:15 am Plenary Session 3: "Resilience by Design - Building Anti-Fragile Leaders and Organizations" Personal and organizational sustainability strategies that move beyond surviving to thriving - Dr. Craig Oliver
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11:25 am Plenary Session 4: "And The Survey Says - Blueprinting Solutions for 18 Social Impacts" Data-driven approach to community transformation using survey/research methodology - Dr. Brianna Parker
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12:30 pm - Closing Worship with Dr. Jasmin “Jazz” Sculark
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1:30 pm - Lunch
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1:45 pm Breakout Session 5
Examines how churches and community organizations can build sustainable civic engagement systems that move beyond moments to long-term impact. This workshop centers on creating infrastructure that promotes access, equity, inclusion, and informed participation for all people, regardless of race, sex, gender, or religion. Participants will explore practical frameworks that strengthen civic involvement, build trust, and uphold human dignity. Attendees will leave with tools to design civic engagement strategies that empower communities and foster lasting transformation.
Presenter: James D Gailliard and Brandy Murray
This workshop focuses on the practical “how to” of church function by equipping leaders with tools and systems that bring clarity, consistency, and alignment to daily operations. Participants will learn how to design and organize budgets, build strategic calendars, and establish accountability systems that support leaders, programs, and members.
Presenter: Kyle Durrell Johnson
Launching a Nonprofit for Greater Impact. Designed for churches ready to grow beyond the walls, this session walks leaders through assessing need, clarifying vision, and launching a nonprofit for lasting impact.
Presenter: Trishonda Roberson
How We Secure Our House of Worship. A guideline to understanding how we can secure our churches while still creating a welcoming and safe environment. Done right, church security doesn’t change the spirit of worship, it quietly safeguards it, like good lighting or sturdy doors: unnoticed when everything goes right, invaluable when it doesn’t.
Presenter: Matthew Gailliard
How the Church Grows When We Equip, Not Control. This session will explore how churches flourish when every believer is empowered to use their God-given gifts. Participants can expect a highly engaging experience that blends scripture, reflection, and practical strategies for identifying gifts, removing barriers to service, and cultivating a cultures where leadership is shared, supported, and multiplied throughout the Body of Christ.
Presenter: Dr. Tristan Hunter
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2:45 pm Breakout Session 6
This breakout session will focus on how clearly defined roles, expectations, and purpose create space for believers to serve effectively without confusion, frustration, or burnout. Participants will explore how clarity strengthens unity, builds trust, and allows ministry teams to function as a coordinated body rather than disconnected parts. Attendees will leave with tools and language they can immediately apply to bring greater clarity, kindness, and sustainability to their ministry teams and volunteer structures.
Presenter: Dr. Tristan Hunter
Next Generation ministry is central to the church’s mission and long-term sustainability. This workshop helps leaders design intentional systems that move beyond isolated programs to create aligned pathways for discovery, discipleship, development, and engagement. Participants will explore how to invest deeply in those who opt in while still creating accessible on-ramps for families and the broader community.
Presenter: Kyle Durrell Johnson
Participants will learn how to create safe, ethical, and sustainable counseling ministries that integrate biblical principles, trauma-informed care, and whole-person wellness. This session will explore how to move beyond crisis response toward ongoing support that addresses emotional health, spiritual formation, relational healing, and community connection. Attendees will gain clarity on key components such as ministry structure, volunteer and leadership roles, referral pathways, boundaries, partnerships with licensed professionals, and how to reduce stigma around mental health in faith spaces.
Presenter: Kim Maryland and Yvette Richardson
How We Secure Our House of Worship. A guideline to understanding how we can secure our churches while still creating a welcoming and safe environment. Done right, church security doesn’t change the spirit of worship, it quietly safeguards it, like good lighting or sturdy doors: unnoticed when everything goes right, invaluable when it doesn’t.
Presenter: Matthew Gailliard
Sunday, January 25
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8:00 am - Word Tabernacle Worship Service - Dr. Jasmin "Jazz" Sculark
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10:00 am - Word Tabernacle Worship Service - Dr. Starsky Wilson
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12:00 pm - Leadership Banquet
2025 E4 Conference Lineup
Rev. Matthew Whatley
Founder and Senior Pastor of Kingdom Fellowship AME Church in Calverton, MD.
Darius McClure
Senior Pastor of Rock City Community Church in Birmingham, AL.
Rev. Dr. James S. Hall, Jr.
Renowned pastor, civil rights leader, advocate for social justice and founder of Triumph Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA.
Rev. Dr. John R. Faison, Sr.
Senior Pastor of Watson Grove Baptist Church (The Grove), a thriving, multigenerational, multisite congregation with campuses in Nashville and Franklin, TN.
Niya Cotton
Gifted worship leader, creative director, artist, educator, and CEO of The Whole Tone LLC.
Roy Cotton, II
Renowned consultant, record producer, and orchestral arranger with a passion for social impact and innovation.
Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart
Visionary pastor, preacher, and leader who has served as Senior Pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church (CMBC) in Memphis, Tennessee, since 1995.
Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson
President and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), board chair for the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), and vice chair of the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE).
Pastor Jerome Gay Jr.
Serves as the Pastor of Teaching and Vision at Vision Church in Raleigh, NC. Pastor Jerome has a vision to see gospel centered churches and leaders raised up within the urban context and sent out to plant other gospel-centered churches.
Dr. Mark Andrew Croston, D.Min
National Director of Black Church Ministries at LifeWay Christian Resources, Teaching Pastor at Christ Fellowship Miami, and Executive Pastor at Mount Gilead Baptist Church in Nashville.
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