SPECIAL PLENARY GUEST: 
Dr. Will Willimon

William Willimon is a retired American theologian and bishop in the United Methodist Church. He is Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry and Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Duke Divinity School. He is a former Dean of the Chapel at Duke University and is considered by many as one of America's best-known and most influential preachers.

A Pulpit & Pew Research on a Pastoral Leadership survey determined that he was one of the two most frequently read writers by pastors in mainline Protestantism.
 

His books have sold over a million copies. He is also Editor-At-Large of The Christian Century.  His 2019 memoir Accidental Preacher was described as "An exceptional example of theology at its best." 

SPECIAL AFTERNOON GUEST: 
Dr. Sam Barber

Sam Barber replaced Scott Rainey, who served as global NDI director from 2018 to 2024. Sam and his wife, Jill, currently reside in Grove City, Ohio.
 

“Discipleship is the heart of the gospel and the Church of the Nazarene,” Barber said. “I am humbled to carry on the work of the church to make Christlike disciples in the nations.”
 

Dr. Barber began his ministry serving on staff at Warren, Ohio, First Church.  He then pastored in Louisville, Ohio, Elon, North Carolina, Troy, Ohio, and Lenexa, Kansas.  Sam was elected superintendent of the South Central Ohio District in April of 2022.  Sam authored the book A People of Grace: Becoming Disciples Together in 2023 and was elected to serve as global director of Nazarene Discipleship International (NDI), effective 1 August 2024.