2025 Pastors Conference | November 18-20, 2025

On the night before his death, Jesus prayed, “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24) Why would Jesus pray that we would see his glory? John Owen answers it this way, “The Lord Jesus desired that his disciples should see his glory in order that they might be filled with joy and happiness for evermore.” 1 To labor for the joy of their people (Philippians 1:25) pastors need to behold the glory of Christ. To build joyful churches, pastors need to show their people the glory of Christ. At our 2025 Pastors Conference, we will look yet again at Christ and behold his glory for the purpose of delighting and strengthening our own souls so that we might continue to build happy churches who see and savor Christ, who is our glory.

Women’s Breakout: The Grace of Friendship for the Pastors Wife

Jeff & Julie Purswell

Among our differing relationships, is there a category that is more widely assumed yet less thoughtfully considered than friendship? But what if friendship with God is one of the highest privileges in life? (It is). And what if God provides human friendship as one of his greatest earthly gifts—a vital grace generously given to cheer our hearts, enrich our lives, and sustain us amid the trials faced by pastors’ wives? (He does). In this breakout, we’ll explore this vital but oft-neglected means of God’s grace to us in our lives and ministries—its preciousness, its challenges, and its promise (to paraphrase J.C. Ryle) to “halve our troubles and double our joys.” We’ve asked Jeff Purswell to teach on this undervalued grace and then to interview his wife Julie on its joys, challenges, and pursuit.

Don’t Ignore the Enemy Within: Rediscovering the Doctrine of Sin and the Wonder of Grace

Jared Mellinger

Many Christians in our day no longer talk about sin as much as we should. A Biblical understanding of our problems has been exchanged for a therapeutic one. In our eagerness to avoid being excessively sin-focused, the pendulum has swung in the other direction. Therefore, we need to reclaim a distinctly Christian vision of life and ministry—one that is committed to praying, fellowshipping, counseling, and preaching in light of the doctrine of sin. We must learn (and teach others) how to embrace repentance, confession, admonishment, and mortification as vital means of grace in the fight for joy. Only by confronting the forgotten enemy within do we flourish in life and come to treasure Christ like never before.

Look to the Fields: Cultivating a Heart for Mission Personally, Locally, and Globally

Dave Taylor & Panel

Mission can be both an exhilarating joy and a challenge. It’s exhilarating to see someone come to know Jesus, a church being planted, or a cross-cultural mission work bearing fruit, but mission is also hard, and can even at times seems to be getting harder. Given all that pastors are called to do, cultivating a heart of mission in their churches can so easily become a lower priority, and not given the attention that it needs. This session is here to help, whether you’re an expert or a beginner, in a big church or a small church, serving on a big team or just by yourself, if you desire for your church to grow in ‘looking to the fields’, then this practical, realistic, and helpful session is designed to position you well for the days ahead.

The Pastor as Leader: Setting Direction, Making Decisions, and Moving the Church Forward

Walt Alexander

There is never a moment in a church’s life together where the pastor is not leading—but how do we lead well? How do we dodge the pitfalls of avoiding unpopular decisions, unpleasant conversations, and unwelcome changes? How do we pursue faith-filled, biblical leadership and how do we do so while serving the same church for many years? This breakout session will answer those questions with biblical wisdom, and practical ideas that helps a pastor lead his church forward in its mission to advance the gospel.

It’s Not (Only) About You: Glorifying God and Caring for the Church in Transitions

Mark Prater

Every one of us will experience ministry transitions—be it a new team or church, or, more likely, a new role on your current team. It will happen in your younger years and in your older years. Such pastoral transitions stir different emotions and raise all kinds of questions about the future. But not just yours. The team’s future. The church’s future. It’s easy to forget the outsized effect ministry transitions have on our own souls, the health of the church, and the glory of God. Whether a transition is imminent or lies far in the future, this breakout will help you prepare now by providing biblical perspective, faith-building truths, and practical steps for transitions that will serve God’s people now and for generations to come as they continue to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Wednesday, November 19

1. Church Planting Interest Meeting

2:00-3:00 PM

An overview of the ways Sovereign Grace Churches seeks to serve both church planting candidates and local churches We will cover a number of programs we offer (church planting pipeline, national assessments, Antioch program, cohorts, etc.).

2. Evangelism Interest Meeting

2:00-3:00 PM

For those who are on point for evangelism or anyone interested in developing evangelism in their local church.

3. Pastors College & Pastoral Ministry Interest Meeting

3:00-4:00 PM

For anyone interested in pursuing pastoral ministry or attending the Pastors College. This is also for churches who are interested in sending someone to the PC.

4. Trinity College Interest Meeting

3:00-4:00 PM

For everyone interested in learning more about how a Christian liberal arts college education can advance the gospel in the next generation of Sovereign Grace. Want to know what class at Trinity is actually like? We’ll include a montage of actual Trinity College classes so you can see what our students experience on a weekly basis. 

Rates

Standard Registration: July 1-October 9

• Individual: $335

• Married Couple: $475

• International Individual: $190

• International Married Couple: $335

Onsite Registration: November 18-20

[Please note that if you miss the registration cutoff date, you can still register onsite at the conference help desk.]

• Individual: $335

• Married Couple: $475

• International Individual: $190

• International Married Couple: $335

NOTE: If you live outside of the U.S. and do not currently have a relationship with Sovereign Grace, we are unable to provide a visa letter. If you choose to register and request a letter, we will charge a $25 processing fee upon cancellation.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellation requests received before midnight on Friday, October 10 will receive a full refund. No refunds can be given after October 10.

Questions? Email us.

Lodging 

Special conference rates have been negotiated with Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace (where the conference is being held):

• You can reserve a room online here.

• Or you can call 855-757-4984. Be sure to request a room under the Sovereign Grace Pastors Conference room block.  

Reservations must be made by October 17 to guarantee the special conference rate, although availability is not guaranteed until that date.

Travel

If traveling by air, the nearest airport is Orlando International Airport (MCO). 

If driving, the address of the hotel is 1900 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830.

Frequently Asked Questions

• AUDIO MESSAGES: All messages will be available as free downloads at www.sovereigngrace.com after the conference.

• NURSING MOMS: A private area near the general session room is available for moms who wish to hear the message while nursing their infant. As well, we have a couple pack-n-plays available for your use in that room.

• WI-FI: Wi-fi is not available in the meeting room. It is available in guest rooms for guests staying at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace.