Registration for the 2026 Ministry Empowerment Summit has officially closed. Thank you for your interest and support.
Ministry leaders worshipping at conference
June 8–10Hosted By: MTS House of Black Church Studies & Mount Vernon Baptist Church-WestwoodNo Cost. Free to the Public. Nutritious Meals Each Night.

The Ministry
Empowerment Summit

Equipping Leaders. Strengthening Ministries. Transforming Communities.

Registration ClosedView Sessions

Dates

June 8–10

Each Evening

5:30 – 8:30 PM

Hosted By

MTS House of Black Church Studies & Mount Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood

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Ministry Empowerment Summit — Save the Date flyer
About the Summit

A gathering for those called to lead.

The Ministry Empowerment Summit is designed to equip attendees with the spiritual insight, practical tools, and personal strategies needed to thrive in effective ministry.

This conference brings together dynamic teaching and hands-on workshops focused on leadership development, ministry effectiveness, community engagement, and personal renewal.

The goal is to inspire and equip participants with clear, actionable plans that strengthen both their personal lives and the ministries they serve.

The Voices

Pastors, scholars & practitioners.

A faculty assembled to teach, refuel, and equip ministry leaders — three nights of focused conversation.

Ms. Tonecia Wade

Conference Faculty

From Posts to Purpose

Dr. LaShaunda Massey

Speaker · Ministry Educator

Refueled

Pastor Tommy Cash

Pastor · Conference Faculty

Beyond the Walls

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Dr. David Brown

Speaker · Ministry Educator

AI & The Church

Lady Loie Watkins

First Lady · Stewardship Voice

Faith & Finances

Rev. Dr. James Thompson

Retired Pastor, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Arlington, TX

Passing The Mantle

Pastor Ronald Claxton

Pastor · Conference Faculty

Leadership That Lasts

Dr. Karren D. Todd

Speaker · Ministry Educator

Women in Leadership: Leading Without Losing Yourself

PortraitComing SoonKB

Keenan Shotwell & Brock Julian Brown

Conference Faculty

Voices of Excellence

Alicia Hill, CEO of ACG Brand Management

Conference Faculty

Beyond the Announcement: Marketing Ministry That Builds Community

Course Tracks

Choose your courses.

Monday – TuesdayEach course meets on both Monday and Tuesday evenings. You will take your two assigned courses each night — Part 1 on Monday, Part 2 on Tuesday.

Your Action

Choose THREE courses.

You'll be placed in two of your top three picks — rank them in order of preference.

01

From Posts to Purpose

Using Digital Influence for Kingdom Impact

Equip ministry leaders and volunteers to use social media as a tool for evangelism, engagement, discipleship, and church growth — with authenticity, integrity, and spiritual focus.

Presenter

Ms. Tonecia Wade

Mon · June 8 Tue · June 9
02

Refueled

Prioritizing Mental Health in Ministry

Address the realities of fatigue, burnout, and emotional strain among those who serve. Receive practical strategies for spiritual, emotional, and mental health while continuing to lead.

Presenter

Dr. LaShaunda Massey

Mon · June 8 Tue · June 9
03

Beyond the Walls

From Sanctuary to Service

Move beyond the church walls and into the mission field God has placed around you. Learn practical and biblical approaches to sharing your faith, building meaningful relationships, initiating gospel conversations, and leading others to Christ. This course will equip you with the confidence, tools, and strategies needed to make evangelism a natural part of your everyday life.

Presenter

Pastor Tommy Cash

Mon · June 8 Tue · June 9
04

AI & The Church

Navigating Innovation with Spiritual Integrity

Faithful ministry in a digital age. Understand what AI is, how it is shaping the world, and how the church can use it responsibly, ethically, and effectively for Kingdom impact.

Presenter

Dr. David Brown

Mon · June 8 Tue · June 9
05

Faith & Finances

Stewardship, Generosity & God's Provision

The grace of giving and God's provision. Explore biblical understanding, practical insights, and financial wisdom to honor God in today's economy.

Presenter

Lady Loie Watkins

Mon · June 8 Tue · June 9
06

Passing The Mantle

Succession without Struggle

Navigate ministry transition with wisdom, unity, and intentional planning. Explore the spiritual, emotional, relational, and organizational aspects of pastoral retirement and succession.

Presenter

Rev. Dr. James Thompson — Retired Pastor, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Arlington, TX

Mon · June 8 Tue · June 9
07

Leadership That Lasts

Sustainable Leadership for Long-Term Impact

Delve into the characteristics of a servant leader. Equip ministry leaders with insight into vision alignment, effective communication, and compassion toward others to support long-term growth.

Presenter

Pastor Ronald Claxton

Mon · June 8 Tue · June 9
08

Women in Leadership: Leading Without Losing Yourself

An empowering session for women who lead in the Black church as ministers, ministry leaders, and faithful servants. Explore how to lead with confidence, authenticity, boundaries, and wholeness — a safe space for reflection, healing, growth, and renewal that equips women to lead with both strength and sustainability.

Presenter

Dr. Karren D. Todd

Mon · June 8 Tue · June 9
09

Voices of Excellence

A dynamic worship choir intensive that strengthens both the voice and the vessel. Learn conference music for the final night of worship while receiving hands-on instruction in vocal style, breathing, endurance, blending, phrasing, and worship presentation.

Presenter

Keenan Shotwell & Brock Julian Brown

Mon · June 8 Tue · June 9
10

Beyond the Announcement: Marketing Ministry That Builds Community

People don't connect to programs — they connect to purpose, stories, and relationships. Learn how to create communication that informs and inspires: strategic messaging, storytelling, event promotion, email and text communication, and engagement strategies that build authentic community beyond Sunday service.

Presenter

Alicia Hill, CEO of ACG Brand Management

Mon · June 8 Tue · June 9
The Finale

Wednesday Celebration

The summit closes with worship, a keynote message, the distribution of Certificates of Attendance & Completion, and a fellowship meal together.

Evening Includes

Keynote · Certificates · Fellowship Meal

Wed · June 10Open to all attendees
Registration Closed

Registration Closed

Thank you for your interest in the Ministry Empowerment Summit. Registration for this year's event has officially closed and we are no longer accepting new registrations.

For questions or additional information, please contact Mount Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood.

Three-Day Schedule

A rhythm of teaching, worship, and rest.

Mon · June 8

Workshop Sessions & Ministry Tracks

  • Two course selections per attendee
  • 5:30 – 8:30 PM

Tue · June 9

Workshop Sessions & Ministry Tracks

  • Two additional course selections
  • 5:30 – 8:30 PM

Wed · June 10

General Assembly

  • Worship Celebration
  • Keynote Speaker
  • Certificate Distribution
  • Fellowship Meal
Venue & Directions

Where we'll gather.

All three evenings take place on the campus of Mount Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood in Memphis, TN.

Venue

Mount Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood

620 Parkrose Rd
Memphis, TN 38109

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The Promise

Leave Equipped.
Leave Encouraged.
Leave Empowered.

By the end of the summit, each participant will leave with inspiration, strategy, and practical tools for growth, leadership, and impact.