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Refresh Conference 2026

Refresh Conference 2026

Refresh Conference 2026

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Refresh Conference 2026

Prayer: Come Boldly. Find Grace.

Register Here

Prayer:
Come Boldly. Find Grace.

Costs and Registration

By December 5 After December 5
Ministry Leader Registration $175 $200
Leader and Spouse Registration $250 $300
Children (0-5)
(Per Family)
$25 $50
Children/Teens
Age 6-12th grade
(Per child)
$50 $75
Exhibitor Table Silver Table: $200 + registration cost
Gold Table: $250 + registration cost
Platinum Table: $300 + registration cost
Deadline for exhibitor registration
is November 21.
Advertising Half Page: $100
Full Page: $175
PowerPoint: $75
Deadline for advertiser registration
is November 21.

Refresh Conference Scholarships- NEW!

Would you like to attend the Refresh Conference, but your ministry can’t afford to send you?

Thanks to some generous donors, we are pleased to be able to offer Refresh Conference Scholarships for the first time this year!

Scholarship Information

Eligible applicants will be considered to receive one of the following scholarships.

  1.  All Expense Paid Scholarship for ministry leader and spouse (1 awarded)
    • Transportation
    • Meals
    • Hotel for 3 nights
  2.  Free Conference Registration (5 awarded)
    • Free Refresh Conference registration
    • Includes on-campus lunches on Wednesday and Thursday

Eligibility

In order to be considered for the Refresh Conference Scholarship, applicants must meet both of the following requirements.

  1. Must be currently serving in a ministry full-time.
    • Retired or part-time individuals do not qualify for this scholarship.
    • Ministry workers who serve full-time in ministry and work a second job are eligible to apply.
  2. Must be located within the continental United States.
    • Applicants from Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories, and countries outside of the U.S are not eligible.

Application Deadline and Awarding Timeline

Scholarship Applications are officially closed for Refresh 2026. Check back in the Spring for applications for Refresh 2027.

Schedule

Tuesday, February 3

12:00–7:00 PM | Registration
2:00–4:00 PM | Pre-Conference Seminars
6:30–8:00 PM | General Session – Dr. Jim Tillotson

Wednesday, February 4

8:30- 9:00 AM | Prayer Time (optional)
9:00–10:00 AM | General Session – Dr. Will Senn
10:00–10:20 AM | Break
10:20–11:30 AM | General Session – Dr. Sam Horn
11:45 AM–12:45 PM | Workshops
11:30 AM–1:30 PM | Lunch at local restaurants or Benson Hall
2:00–3:00 PM | Workshops
3:15 PM | Campus Tour; Visit Exhibits
5:15–6:30 PM | Banquet
6:30–7:30 PM | General Session – Dr. Dennis Wilkening

Thursday, February 5

8:30- 9:00 AM | Prayer Time (optional)
9:00–10:00 AM | General Session – Dr. Marty Herron
10:00–10:20 AM | Break
10:20–11:30 AM | General Session – Dr. Dave Marriott
11:45 AM–12:45 PM | Workshops
11:30 AM–1:30 PM | Lunch at local restaurants or Benson Hall
2:00–3:00 PM | Workshops
3:15 PM | Campus Tour; Visit Exhibits
6:30–8:00 PM | General Session – Dr. Mark Minnick

Friday, February 6

8:30- 9:00 AM | Prayer Time (optional)
9:00–10:00 AM | General Session – Dr. Paul Hartog
10:00–10:20 AM | Break
10:20–11:30 AM | General Session – Dr. Les Ollila

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Paul Hartog

Chair, Theological Studies Department
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Paul Hartog serves as the Professor of Theology for Faith Baptist Theological Seminary.  He completed graduate work at Faith Baptist Theological Seminary, as well as Iowa State University, St Andrew’s Theological College, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Loyola University Chicago.  He also serves as the Director of Youth Ministries in his home church of Maranatha Baptist in Grimes.  He enjoys traveling with his sweetheart and family, visiting coffee houses across the Des Moines metro, e-biking to work, playing racquet sports, and researching both theological and information ethics as well as the history and theology of early Christianity.

Dr. Marty Herron

Executive Vice President
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Dr. Marty Herron is a graduate of Bob Jones University and of the Camp Director’s Institute of THE WILDS.

He spent several years traveling throughout the US with a revival team before moving to Northland Camp and Conference Center in 1982. While at Northland, Dr. Herron served in a variety of capacities including Camp Director, Dean of Students, and Vice President of Student Affairs, along with teaching courses in the College.

In July 2000, the Lord called Dr. and Mrs. Herron and their family to Guam as the Senior Pastor of Harvest Baptist Church and Harvest Ministries. Harvest is a multi-faceted ministry in a poly-cultural island in the Pacific.

In October of 2018, the Herrons embarked on their third ministry when God called them to serve as Executive Vice President of Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in Ankeny, IA. The burden of this move has been to help train ministers to go out into full time ministry internationally and take the Word to the World.

Dr. Herron and Tami have been happily married since 1979 with four grown, married  children and sixteen grandchildren with four more in Heaven. The Herrons’ messages, encouragement, and travel details can be found at herronshome.net.

Dr. Sam Horn

Lead Pastor for Preaching and Vision
Palmetto Baptist Church
Greenville, South Carolina

Sam Horn is the Lead Pastor of Palmetto Baptist Church in Greenville, SC. Sam has earned a BA in Bible, an MA in Bible, and a Ph.D. in New Testament interpretation from Bob Jones University. In 2007, he completed a DMin in expository preaching from The Master’s Seminary in California. He has served in various roles as professor, vice president, and president in the Bible departments at Bob Jones University, Northland International University, Central Baptist Theological Seminary, and The Master’s University and Seminary. He has also held various pastoral roles throughout his ministry.

Sam has a deep burden for missions and has been privileged to participate on the founding teams for both Universidad Cristiana de Las Americas in Monterrey, Mexico, and Central Africa Baptist University in Zambia, Africa. In addition, he has been an academic advisor for Harvest Baptist Bible College in Guam. He is a member of the boards of CABU in Zambia, IBM Global Mission Agency, and the advisory board for Worldwide Tentmakers International.

Pastor Sam Horn is a passionate preacher and teacher of God’s Word, has a heart for God’s people, and desires to advance God’s Kingdom through the Church. Sam serves alongside his wife, Beth, and their daughter, Ashton. Sam and Beth also have a married son, Robert, who serves with his wife Audrey at Calvary Baptist Church in Simpsonville, South Carolina.

Dr. Dave Marriott

Lead Pastor
Lakewood Baptist Church
Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Dave Marriott serves as the lead pastor of Lakewood Baptist Church in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, where he has served since its planting in 2009. He is energized by expository preaching, evangelism in the community, and involvement in missions. He recently completed his Doctor of Ministry, focusing on the church’s response to faith deconstruction. The Marriotts have four children through foster care adoption.

Dr. Mark Minnick

Senior Pastor
Mount Calvary Baptist Church
Greenville, South Carolina

Mark Minnick is a 1975 graduate of Bob Jones University. His terminal degree was a PhD in New Testament Interpretation (1983) from the graduate school of the same institution. For over forty years he taught either full time or part time at his alma mater in the fields of homiletics, New Testament Greek, Systematic Theology, Bible, Biblical Exposition, and the history of Preaching. Concurrently he has pastored continuously for nearly fifty years, forty-five of them at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina, where he continues as senior pastor. He serves as Vice President of the board of Gospel Fellowship Association Missions, as a board member of the FBFI, and writes a regular column for pastors in FRONTLINE. His wife of forty-nine years, Linda, serves with him in the ministries at Mount Calvary. They are the parents of three daughters, Abigail, Esther, and Lydia, each of whom is married to a spouse serving the Lord in full time occupational ministry.

Dr. Les Ollila

Chaplain
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Les Ollila is the president of Building Great Leaders, an organization that provides instruction, encouragement, and resources for Christian leaders. Prior to that, he served as the president of Northland Baptist Bible College in Dunbar, Wisconsin, for 18 years. Les has authored and co-authored several books including God’s Glory in Clay Pots and A New Normal. He also has a television show for Building Great Leaders through VCY Television. Les also currently serves as the chaplain at Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa.

Dr. Will Senn

Chair, Pastoral Studies Program
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Dr. William J. Senn III was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the surrounding area. During his junior year at Elizabethtown College, he was unknowingly invited to a women’s Bible study. After several weeks of attending, Will came to trust Christ as his Savior. Eighteen months later, he sensed God’s call to full-time ministry.

He earned a B.S. in Business Education from Elizabethtown College in 1981, then went on to complete both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry at Bob Jones University. Will married Allissa Isbell in 1982, and together they have three sons and nine grandchildren.

Dr. Senn served as senior pastor of University Baptist Church in Clemson, South Carolina (1984–2002), and then as senior pastor of Tri-City Baptist Church in Westminster, Colorado (2002–2025). He is also the founder and president of Cross Impact Ministries, a national campus outreach focused on reaching students at secular universities, and he continues to serve on several ministry boards.

In 2025, Dr. Senn joined the faculty of Faith Baptist Bible College, where he now serves as the Chair of the Pastoral Studies Program, equipping the next generation of students for gospel ministry. In his free time, he enjoys writing, bicycling, hiking, and Hare and Hound racing.

Dr. Jim Tillotson

President
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Dr. Jim Tillotson holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Ministry degrees from Northland Baptist Bible College, and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Bob Jones University in 2016.

Prior to coming to Iowa, Dr. Tillotson helped plant Meadowlands Baptist Church in Edmonton, Alberta where he served as the senior pastor for 18 years. During that time, he led the church in planting three new churches and revitalizing a church as well as starting a Christian School and helping start a Bible Institute.

In 2015, God called Dr. Tillotson to serve as the President of Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in Ankeny, Iowa. During his time as President God has blessed Faith in providing growth both numerically and financially. He also has led the school through two building projects and the celebration of Faith’s 100 year anniversary.

He and his wife Joan have three children and four sweet grandchildren.

Dr. Dennis Wilkening

Chair, Biblical Counseling Department
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Dr. Dennis Wilkening wears many hats at Faith Baptist Bible College—he serves as the Director of Student Life, Chair of the Biblical Counseling program, and is a full-time faculty member. His wife, Lori, partners with him in ministry as the Dean of Women. Together, they bring a dynamic presence to campus life.

Before joining Faith, Dr. Wilkening spent over a decade (2012–2023) as the Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church in Colville, Washington. During his time there, the rural congregation saw remarkable growth—tripling in size, completing two major building expansions, and welcoming a full-time Youth Pastor and Children’s Director. His ministry is marked by a deep passion for evangelism and discipleship.

Off campus, Dennis and Lori are most at home in the great outdoors. Whether they’re hiking trails, fly fishing in quiet streams, or enjoying a round of golf (Lori often wins), they find joy in God’s creation. Dennis also enjoys riding his motorcycle. They have two sons —Collin, who lives in Oregon, and Clayton, who resides in Montana.

In addition to his role at the college, Dr. Wilkening contributes to the ministry of Ankeny Baptist Church, where he leads the counseling ministry.

Featured Musicians: Church Works Media Worship Team

Founded by pastor, church planter, and hymn-writer Chris Anderson, Church Works Media (CWM) has been producing exceptional, Christ-centered resources for the church for nearly two decades. The Church Works Media Worship Team comes together from states all over the Eastern U.S. to lead music in a way that embodies their philosophy of congregation- centric worship. The team pulls from a wide variety of songs, ancient and modern, including a rich catalog of doctrinal CWM hymns. Church Works Media recently released its first studio album, Shout Out for Joy, which reimagines CWM hymns that have been loved by thousands and sung by congregations all over the world, inviting listeners to embrace rich theology and sing along enthusiastically to the Lord.

Workshop Speakers

Dr. Chris Anderson

Founder & President
Church Works Media

Chris Anderson served as a pastor for twenty-five years—first as a church planter in Ohio and then as lead pastor in the Atlanta, Georgia, area. After working as a missions catalyst for three years nationally and around the world, he is now serving full-time as president of Church Works Media, which he co-founded in 2006.

Chris is the author of multiple books, including The God Who Satisfies and Theology That Sticks. He is a contributing author and editor for Church Works Media’s popular Gospel Meditations devotional series; a frequent speaker in churches, colleges, and conferences; and a well-known hymn-writer of songs like “His Robes for Mine” and “I Run to Christ.” Chris and his wife Lori have four lovely daughters, three sons-in-law, and a beautiful granddaughter.

Dr. Douglas Brown

Seminary Dean
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

In May 2024, Doug completed twenty-five years of teaching at Faith. He currently serves as a Senior Professor of Biblical Studies and as the Academic Dean at Faith Baptist Theological Seminary. He primarily teaches New Testament studies and biblical Greek in the seminary and youth ministry classes in the college. In addition, Doug serves as an assistant pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Cambridge, IA. Doug is a graduate of Faith Baptist Bible College (B.A., 1992), Faith Baptist Theological Seminary (M.A., 1993), Central Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1995), and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Ph.D., 2003). He has planned and led over thirty short-term missions trips with young people across the U.S. and around the world. He is passionate about discipling the next generation to love and serve Jesus Christ both in the academy and the local church. Doug is married to Tricia; together they have four children.

Dr. Alan Cole

Chair, Bible-Theology Division
Faith Baptist Bible College

Alan D. Cole, M.Div., Th.M., Th.D., is a Senior Professor of Bible and Theology at Faith Baptist Bible College where he also chairs the Bible-Theology Division. He has taught in Brazil and Peru and served as an interim pastor in southern Iowa. He and his wife Nancy have been married for thirty-five years.

Pastor Santiago “Chago” Curling

Teaching Pastor
Redeemer Bible Church
Alamo, Texas

Santiago “Chago” Curling is passionate about empowering people to engage in meaningful ministry. This passion has been shaped by a lifetime in full-time ministry. This began by being raised in a missionary family dedicated to church planting in Mexico. In his early 20s, God called him to lead Macedonian Christian Academy, where his focus on discipleship was refined and deepened. Through this commitment, God led him to plant Redeemer Bible Church in 2010, igniting a profound love for the church in his heart.

Chago has been married to his wife, Trinette, for 26 years, and together they cherish ministering as recent empty nesters. They are blessed with three adult children who follow Jesus and are starting their own families. Outside of ministry, Chago has one cherished hobby: coaching basketball, a pursuit he has enjoyed throughout his adult life. He loves Texas BBQ, authentic Mexican food, and good southern sweet tea.

Dr. Paul Hartog

Chair, Theological Studies Department
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Paul Hartog serves as the Professor of Theology for Faith Baptist Theological Seminary.  He completed graduate work at Faith Baptist Theological Seminary, as well as Iowa State University, St Andrew’s Theological College, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Loyola University Chicago.  He also serves as the Director of Youth Ministries in his home church of Maranatha Baptist in Grimes.  He enjoys traveling with his sweetheart and family, visiting coffee houses across the Des Moines metro, e-biking to work, playing racquet sports, and researching both theological and information ethics as well as the history and theology of early Christianity.

Dr. Mike Hartwig

Financial Advisor
Financial Architects, LLC

Dr. Mike Hartwig is a Financial Representative and Director of Training for Financial Architects located in Des Moines. He has a B.A. from Faith Baptist Bible College, a M.Div. from Grace Seminary, Winona Lake and a Ph.D. in Educational Studies from Trinity University in Deerfield, IL.

Mike has served as a pastor in Iowa, Wisconsin and Indiana. He has taught as an adjunct professor for Mid-Western, Grace College, Park University, Rockhurst University and Trinity.

Currently, he coaches couples, with his wife, to position their finances to bring the most influence toward building the kingdom of God.

Mike and Lee Ann live in Altoona, IA and have been married 43-years. They have three married kids and nine grandkids.

Dr. Marty Herron

Executive Vice President
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Dr. Marty Herron is a graduate of Bob Jones University and of the Camp Director’s Institute of THE WILDS.

He spent several years traveling throughout the US with a revival team before moving to Northland Camp and Conference Center in 1982. While at Northland, Dr. Herron served in a variety of capacities including Camp Director, Dean of Students, and Vice President of Student Affairs, along with teaching courses in the College.

In July 2000, the Lord called Dr. and Mrs. Herron and their family to Guam as the Senior Pastor of Harvest Baptist Church and Harvest Ministries.  Harvest is a multi-faceted ministry in a poly-cultural island in the Pacific.

In October of 2018, the Herrons embarked on their third ministry when God called them to serve as Executive Vice President of Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in Ankeny, IA. The burden of this move has been to help train ministers to go out into full time ministry internationally and take the Word to the World.

Dr. Herron and Tami have been happily married since 1979 with four grown, married children and sixteen grandchildren with four more in Heaven. The Herrons’ messages, encouragement, and travel details can be found at herronshome.net.

Dr. Sam Horn

Lead Pastor for Preaching and Vision
Palmetto Baptist Church
Greenville, South Carolina

Sam Horn is the Lead Pastor of Palmetto Baptist Church in Greenville, SC. Sam has earned a BA in Bible, an MA in Bible, and a Ph.D. in New Testament interpretation from Bob Jones University. In 2007, he completed a DMin in expository preaching from The Master’s Seminary in California. He has served in various roles as professor, vice president, and president in the Bible departments at Bob Jones University, Northland International University, Central Baptist Theological Seminary, and The Master’s University and Seminary. He has also held various pastoral roles throughout his ministry.

Sam has a deep burden for missions and has been privileged to participate on the founding teams for both Universidad Cristiana de Las Americas in Monterrey, Mexico, and Central Africa Baptist University in Zambia, Africa. In addition, he has been an academic advisor for Harvest Baptist Bible College in Guam. He is a member of the boards of CABU in Zambia, IBM Global Mission Agency, and the advisory board for Worldwide Tentmakers International.

Pastor Sam Horn is a passionate preacher and teacher of God’s Word, has a heart for God’s people, and desires to advance God’s Kingdom through the Church. Sam serves alongside his wife, Beth, and their daughter, Ashton. Sam and Beth also have a married son, Robert, who serves with his wife Audrey at Calvary Baptist Church in Simpsonville, South Carolina.

Dr. Keith Kobelia

Chair, Biblical Studies Program
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Keith Kobelia is a graduate of Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in Ankeny, IA (B.A., 1995; M.A., 1996; M.Div., 1999), Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Plymouth, MN (Th.M., 2003), and Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, TX (Ph.D. in Bible Exposition, 2014). The focus of his dissertation research was the Thessalonian letters and biblical eschatology.

Dr. Kobelia serves as Associate Professor of Bible and Theology at Faith Baptist Bible College and as an adjunct in the seminary. He has taught at Faith since 2014, teaching in the areas of Bible, theology, and history. He also serves in various faculty-related administrative roles at Faith.

Dr. Kobelia resides in Ankeny, Iowa with his wife, Elizabeth. They have six children. The Kobelias are active serving the Lord as part of the ministry of Faith Baptist Church in Cambridge, Iowa. Dr. K enjoys spending time with his family, reading, jogging, and working on small projects at home.

Dr. Dave Marriott

Lead Pastor
Lakewood Baptist Church
Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Dave Marriott serves as the lead pastor of Lakewood Baptist Church in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, where he has served since its planting in 2009. He is energized by expository preaching, evangelism in the community, and involvement in missions. He recently completed his Doctor of Ministry, focusing on the church’s response to faith deconstruction. The Marriotts have four children through foster care adoption.

Mrs. Linda Minnick

Senior Pastor's Wife
Mount Calvary Baptist Church
Greenville, South Carolina

Having grown up in a liberal Methodist church, Linda was not saved by faith in Jesus Christ until her freshman year at Bob Jones University in 1970. She graduated from the University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Humanities. In spring of 1976 she was married to Mark Minnick, who was at that time enrolled at Bob Jones Seminary. After the wedding Mark accepted his first pastorate in a small church in North Carolina on the weekends while continuing to work on his seminary degrees. Four years later he was called to be part time associate pastor under Pastor Jesse Boyd at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina while he and Linda were employees of Bob Jones University. In 1989 Dr. Minnick was called to be full time senior pastor at Mt. Calvary where they are presently serving. Linda is a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and has had the blessing and privilege of serving the women at her church. She has spoken occasionally to women’s gatherings at her own church as well as various other churches and camps. The Minnicks have three daughters; Abigail Crocket (Nathan), Esther Arnold (Sam), and Lydia Hamilton (Ethan), and they are the grandparents of nine delightful grandchildren.

Dr. Mark Minnick

Senior Pastor
Mount Calvary Baptist Church
Greenville, South Carolina

Mark Minnick is a 1975 graduate of Bob Jones University. His terminal degree was a PhD in New Testament Interpretation (1983) from the graduate school of the same institution. For over forty years he taught either full time or part time at his alma mater in the fields of homiletics, New Testament Greek, Systematic Theology, Bible, Biblical Exposition, and the history of Preaching. Concurrently he has pastored continuously for nearly fifty years, forty-five of them at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina, where he continues as senior pastor. He serves as Vice President of the board of Gospel Fellowship Association Missions, as a board member of the FBFI, and writes a regular column for pastors in FRONTLINE. His wife of forty-nine years, Linda, serves with him in the ministries at Mount Calvary. They are the parents of three daughters, Abigail, Esther, and Lydia, each of whom is married to a spouse serving the Lord in full time occupational ministry.

Mr. Daniel Moore

Founder
Legacy Construction
Ankeny, Iowa

Growing up in a pastor’s home, Daniel developed an understanding of the dynamic and unique needs of the church when it comes to their leadership, people, and facilities. During his initial years of construction management, Daniel did not know, but God was preparing him for starting a company that places a focus on serving their partners by operating based on biblical core values.

Prior to launching the company, Daniel oversaw $5,000,000+ in renovations. This allowed him to build key skills and relationships, which he leveraged to start Legacy Construction. Upon starting, Legacy Construction secured $3,200,000+ in contracts in their first year. With a passion for loving people and relationship-driven service, Daniel brings practical insight to help churches navigate construction projects with confidence and clarity.

Dr. Les Ollila

Chaplain
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Les Ollila is the president of Building Great Leaders, an organization that provides instruction, encouragement, and resources for Christian leaders. Prior to that, he served as the president of Northland Baptist Bible College in Dunbar, Wisconsin, for 18 years. Les has authored and co-authored several books including God’s Glory in Clay Pots and A New Normal. He also has a television show for Building Great Leaders through VCY Television. Les also currently serves as the chaplain at Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa.

Mrs. Allissa Senn

Adjunct Instructor, Women's Ministries
Faith Baptist Bible College

Allissa Senn grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania.  After graduating from Houghton College, she became the Bradford County director for Child Evangelism Fellowship. After meeting Will at a Christian camp they were married.  Allissa has been been a senior pastor’s wife for over forty-one years.  She and her husband have had the joy to minister at University Baptist Church in Clemson, South Carolina and at Tri-City Baptist Church in Westminster, Colorado.  They have three children and nine grand-children.  Allissa loves to write ladies’ Bible studies (i.e. The Fairest King, The Sleepy Town SeriesWomen of the Bible, etc.) and to teach.  She has had the joy to speak at ladies’ retreats and with her husband, couple’s retreats.  She now teaches on ladies’ ministries at Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary.

Dr. Will Senn

Chair, Pastoral Studies Program
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Dr. William J. Senn III was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the surrounding area. During his junior year at Elizabethtown College, he was unknowingly invited to a women’s Bible study. After several weeks of attending, Will came to trust Christ as his Savior. Eighteen months later, he sensed God’s call to full-time ministry.

He earned a B.S. in Business Education from Elizabethtown College in 1981, then went on to complete both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry at Bob Jones University. Will married Allissa Isbell in 1982, and together they have three sons and nine grandchildren.

Dr. Senn served as senior pastor of University Baptist Church in Clemson, South Carolina (1984–2002), and then as senior pastor of Tri-City Baptist Church in Westminster, Colorado (2002–2025). He is also the founder and president of Cross Impact Ministries, a national campus outreach focused on reaching students at secular universities, and he continues to serve on several ministry boards.

In 2025, Dr. Senn joined the faculty of Faith Baptist Bible College, where he now serves as the Chair of the Pastoral Studies Program, equipping the next generation of students for gospel ministry. In his free time, he enjoys writing, bicycling, hiking, and Hare and Hound racing.

Mr. Andy Stearns

Assistant Professor, Bible and Greek
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Andy is a native Iowan who grew up in Urbandale. He was raised in a Christian home and was saved at an early age. He attended Faith in his undergrad, where he met his first wife, Robyn. In 2023, Robyn died of cancer and he was widowed with two children. In 2024, God brought Melissa into his life and they were married in the summer. They both enjoy books, coffee, and being outdoors.

Andy teaches in the Bible department of the college. Along with Bible and Greek classes, he teaches Western Civ and Apologetics. He and two other teachers co-host  The Thinklings Podcast. Each week they talk about books, ministry, and always a passage from the Scriptures. Their goal is to help listeners learn to renew their minds rather than entertain themselves with aimless scrolling through social media. Professor Stearns also blogs at AndyStearns.net, where you can read Robyn’s story.

Dr. Dean Taylor

Pastor of Ministry Development
Ballard Creek Church
Huxley, Iowa

Dr. Dean Taylor is Pastor of Ministry Development at Ballard Creek Church in Huxley, Iowa. He served as Professor of Pastoral Studies at Faith Baptist Bible College from 2016 to 2025. Prior to his teaching role, Dean pastored in three churches, one as youth pastor and two as lead pastor, for 25 years.

Dean’s book The Thriving Church: The True Measure of Growth was published in 2019. His book Pathway to Pastoral Ministry: First Steps for Young Men was published in August 2024. His new book, The Healthy Pastor: Stewarding Your Personal Life for Long-Term Ministry is scheduled for publication in 2025.

Dean and his wife Faith have four adult children and five grandchildren. Dean enjoys cycling and beekeeping.

Mrs. Faith Taylor

Adjunct Professor, Women’s Ministries
Faith Baptist Bible College

Faith serves as Adjunct Professor of Women’s Ministries at Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa, and as a pastor’s wife at Ballard Creek Church in Huxley, Iowa. She received her B.A. in Church Ministries from Bob Jones University and her M.A. in Biblical Studies from Faith Baptist Theological Seminary. Her years of experience as a pastor’s wife, mother, counselor, and friend have opened her heart to minister to the needs of many. She loves to teach ladies by explaining the practical applications of God’s Word and sharing with them His working in her own life. Faith is the author of A Look Within, a women’s Bible study book and Pray for Him, a prayer journal for ministry wives. She and her husband, Dean, have 4 children and 5 grandchildren.

Mr. Brian Trainer

VP of Global Initiatives and Ministry Development
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Brian Trainer serves at Faith as the Chairman for Cross-Cultural Ministry and Division of Church Ministries and also serves as the Vice President of Global Initiatives and Ministry Development. Brian has over 35 years of combined experience in pastoral ministry, missions, and higher Christian education. Brian teaches national pastors at multiple overseas schools throughout the calendar year. He and his wife Shery have lived internationally and enjoy global travel. When he is not teaching, he enjoys the English Premier League (EPL) and mountain trekking.

Dr. Dennis Wilkening

Chair, Biblical Counseling Department
Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Dr. Dennis Wilkening wears many hats at Faith Baptist Bible College—he serves as the Director of Student Life, Chair of the Biblical Counseling program, and is a full-time faculty member. His wife, Lori, partners with him in ministry as the Dean of Women. Together, they bring a dynamic presence to campus life.

Before joining Faith, Dr. Wilkening spent over a decade (2012–2023) as the Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church in Colville, Washington. During his time there, the rural congregation saw remarkable growth—tripling in size, completing two major building expansions, and welcoming a full-time Youth Pastor and Children’s Director. His ministry is marked by a deep passion for evangelism and discipleship.

Off campus, Dennis and Lori are most at home in the great outdoors. Whether they’re hiking trails, fly fishing in quiet streams, or enjoying a round of golf (Lori often wins), they find joy in God’s creation. Dennis also enjoys riding his motorcycle. They have two sons —Collin, who lives in Oregon, and Clayton, who resides in Montana.

In addition to his role at the college, Dr. Wilkening contributes to the ministry of Ankeny Baptist Church, where he leads the counseling ministry.

Workshop Schedule

Wednesday Workshops #1  11:45am-12:45pm

Dr. Chris Anderson
Theology That Sticks: Using Hymns as a Teaching Tool in the Church

The topic of music too often feels like a call to arms rather than a call to worship. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Music can be used to exalt the Lord, build up the church, and express our unity as believers. Let’s talk about how to use it well!

Dr. Douglas Brown
Evaluating Theological Triage

What is “theological triage” and how should we evaluate it? In this workshop we will seek to define theological triage and attempt to explain how evangelicals are using heuristic model to weigh different levels of doctrines.

Dr. Sam Horn
Praying about Prayer

What do you tell people who are facing incredibly tough times spiritually, emotionally, personally, and even physically? How do you help such people develop a strong dependence on God through prayer when they know the true God of Heaven personally and have access to His Word, yet wonder if God’s promises are still true for them? In these moments, Scripture encourages us to pray to a God who answers prayer. This workshop will establish a biblical theology of prayer for difficult times.

Dr. Dave Marriott
Resilient Faith: Responding to Deconstruction

Many in our churches are questioning, drifting, or walking away—and pastors are feeling the weight. The aim of this workshop is to help ministry leaders to understand the dynamics of deconstruction and to cultivate Scripture-rooted resilience in their people. Come be strengthened, equipped, and encouraged to lead your flock with clarity, courage, and compassion.

Dr. Will Senn
The Prayer Imperatives of Jesus 

In this workshop we will cover how to look for the worshipful responses in our daily reading of Scripture.  After identifying the different types of worshipful responses we will then work on the practice of personalizing those responses by incorporating them into our own prayer life.

Ladies Panel

Wednesday Workshops #2  2:00pm -3:00pm

Dr. Alan Cole
Lessons on Prayer From the Life of Daniel

We often sense the need to improve our prayer lives, and we go to various resources for assistance. One resource is the prophet Daniel. This workshop will focus on principles of prayer from the Book of Daniel to assist us in improving our time in prayer.

Dr. Sam Horn
Answers from a Prayer-Hearing God

When we urgently need access to God’s presence, His power, and the assurance of His promises, where do we turn? Solomon directs such people toward the God who answers the sincere, repentant, humble prayers of His followers. Ezra refers back to this prayer to inspire future generations with these enduring spiritual truths about prayer, which are meant to restore confidence, renew hope, and rekindle faithfulness in the hearts of God’s people

Dr. Keith Kobelia
Serving God in a Difficult Ministry: Lessons from the Life of Nehemiah

We all face difficulties in ministry, but God calls us to remain faithful. The life and ministry of Nehemiah reveals several principles that can be an example to us and that can help encourage us when we face challenges in ministry.

Mrs. Allissa Senn
“Father, the Hour has Come” Comforting thoughts from John 17

Often in ministry we have the need to refocus on truths that are a balm to our souls! The prayer of Jesus in John 17 conveys His loving thoughts for those who believe in Him! We will consider His passionate message given to us through His high priestly prayer.

Dr. Dean Taylor
Essential Elements of Longevity in Ministry

Will you finish well? What will keep you from burning out, bailing out, or crashing out before completing your ministry? While God gives grace, we are still responsible to steward our personal lives in order to sustain lifelong faithfulness and effectiveness. The principles and practices examined in this session will help you cultivate physical wellness and a thriving soul for the long haul of ministry. 

Mr. Brian Trainer
Is Daniel 9 a model for Public or Personal Confession?

The book of Daniel provides a robust theology of personal prayer. Daniel 9 is the apex of the devotional element of the book. Although less recognized than David’s penitential prayers in the Psalms, Daniel’s prayer of confession serves as a model for both personal and national confession. The workshop will focus on the rich theology of Daniel’s prayer and consider the place of a public prayer of national confession in ministry.

Thursday Workshops #3 11:45am – 12:45pm

Dr. Michael Hartwig
How Pastors Can Find Financial Peace While Faithfully Serving Their Calling

  • Align Finances with Calling
  • Create Margin to Serve Freely
  • Plan for the Future, Not Just the Present: Faithful service includes preparing for seasons of rest and retirement. Setting up a sustainable long-term plan — through retirement accounts, insurance, and legacy giving — helps ensure you can continue your ministry impact for years to come.

Dr. Marty Herron
The Hour that Changes the World

“Watch and pray” is the command of our Savior…but how? This session guides participants through twelve essential components designed to enrich their devotion and connection to God by praying for one hour a day.

Mr. Daniel Moore
Praying, Planning, and Performing: A Blueprint for Church Projects.

No project ever goes according to plan, except HIS! This session will focus on equipping Pastors for spiritual and strategic preparation and execution of construction projects, while increasing church unity.

Mrs. Linda Minnick
Ready on Your Lips: Systematic Scripture Memory

Inspiration and practical tips for hiding God’s Word in our hearts. I will be sharing my journey of learning the spiritual discipline of memorizing Scripture, it’s contribution to a more Word-centered life, and the wonderful blessings that can be ours as a result.

Dr. Mark Minnick
Hard to Pray?

John Bunyan lamented, “As for my heart, when I go to pray, I find it loth to go to God. And when it is with him. . . loth to stay with him.” Why is it so hard to pray? Here are six reasons unique to prayer’s very nature.

Dr. Dennis Wilkening
Prayer that Births Revival

Revival is not worked up by human effort; it is prayed down by surrendered hearts. How do we organize the church to pray? What do we pray for? How do we get everyone involved?

Thursday Workshops #4  2:00pm – 3:00pm

Dr. Chago Curling
Getting Practical about Equipping your People for Ministry

Want to learn how to have a “every member ministry” church? Come learn how to equip and build a framework where the people in the seats become the primary ministers in the church. Train your people to GREET others, have INTENTIONAL CONVERSATIONS, PRAY with people, and do the work of DISCIPLESHIP.   

Dr. Paul Hartog
Baptists and the Creed

At the 2024 Southern Baptist annual convention, several motions were made to add the Nicene Creed to the Baptist Faith and Message.  The ensuing debates overflowed from the convention floor into social media and into other Baptist contexts.  What roles should early Christian creeds have in Baptist faith and practice?  

Dr. Mark Minnick
Surmounting Prayer Difficulties Scripturally

It is one thing to attempt to pray. It is quite another to actually do so. The difference isn’t usually due to any significant disparity in the difficulties, but to overcoming them in Scriptural ways. This session highlights seven of these.

Dr. Les Ollila

Mr. Andy Stearns
Faithful in Prayer: What to do when God says no

God sometimes says “no” to a believer’s request in prayer. We want to trust the Lord, but making sense of a “no” can be difficult. This workshop will look at Scripture to learn how to respond when we don’t receive the answer we want.

Mrs. Faith Taylor
Stop Trying to Fix It! (Psalm 46)

Women typically expend a lot of energy trying to fix everything for our people. While God has wired us to be nurturers and helpers, the fretting that too often accompanies that role is not His plan. He instructs us to Stop! and He tells us how and why we should.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the registration fee include?

Are meals included with my registration?

Can I bring my children to the conference?

Refresh Conference is a conference for ministry couples. With that in mind, we strongly encourage couples to attend without their children in order to rest, reconnect as a couple, and truly be refreshed.
However, we understand that childcare needs can be a challenge, so we do offer limited childcare for children ages 0–5 during general sessions and workshops. If you do need to bring older children (age 6+), please note that they will need to remain with you during all sessions. Be sure to include your children in your registration if they will be attending. Child Care slots are very limited due to space, so please register your children early.

What is the cancellation and refund policy?

What is the dress code?

Do you have hotel recommendations?

What if I am traveling internationally to the conference?

Any other questions?

Exhibitors and Advertisers

We welcome exhibitors and advertisers whose mission aligns with the biblical values of Faith Baptist Bible College & Theological Seminary. All new exhibitors go through an approval process to ensure doctrinal alignment and compatibility with the purpose of the Refresh Conference.

Representatives from other colleges and universities are warmly invited to attend the conference; however, we do not currently offer exhibitor or advertising space to other higher education institutions.

Approved ministries and businesses are welcome to promote their organization at the conference. While outside conferences or events may not be advertised in conference materials or displays, you are welcome to share information about them in conversation or printed material with those who visit your exhibit table.

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Individual Prize Drawings

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Future Refresh Conference Dates

  • February 3-6, 2026

  • February 9-12, 2027

  • February 8-11, 2028

 

Date And Time

February 3, 2026 to
February 6, 2026
 

Registration End Date

January 20, 2026
 

Event Category

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