3rd Annual
Telling The Story
Feb 28 - Mar 2, 2025

Keynote Speakers

• 

  Hon. Shelton Gibbs IV

  Friday Evening, Feb 28

  The Honorable Shelton T. W. Gibbs IV was elected Kaufman County's first African American district judge in 2020. He graduated valedictorian from SW Christian College in 2000 and earned a summa cum laude bachelor’s in political science from ACU in 2002. Gibbs attended SMU’s Dedman School of Law and became Kaufman County's Assistant District Attorney in June 2007, serving as Chief Felony Prosecutor for 13 years. He received the "Young Alumnus of the Year" award from ACU in 2021 and is a Community Fellow for SMU’s Inns of Court Program. A legacy of Church of Christ ministers, he serves as Family Life Minister at Greenville Avenue Church of Christ in Richardson, Texas. Shelton and his wife, Toni, have 3 children.

• 

  Dr. Devin Swindle

  Saturday Morning, Mar 1

  Dr. Devin Swindle is Professor of Bible and ministry, director of the Kerusso Experience, and co-director of "Inspire," the annual Bible lectureship, at Harding University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Bible and religion from Harding, plus a Master of Divinity in Old Testament and a Doctor of Ministry in preaching from Harding's School of Theology. Swindle teaches courses in Old and New Testament texts, preaching and ministry. Additionally, he has served as pulpit minister for the Highway Church of Christ for 20 years. When he is not preaching and teaching, he loves to cheer on the Harding Academy Wildcats, the Harding University Bisons, and the 11-time World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. Devin and wife Rachel have 6 sons.

• 

  Sam Bailey

  Saturday Afternoon, Mar 1

  Sam Bailey, originally from Corsicana, Texas, is a graduate of Southwestern Christian College, and earned his degree in Secondary Education with a minor Youth and Family Ministry from Abilene Christian University. He holds a Masters in Education, Curriculum and Instruction from Southern California, and is currently working a Masters from ACU in Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT). Sam served a high school teacher and coach for many years before entering full-time ministry. He served at Figueroa Church of Christ in Los Angeles for 5 years with his father-in-law, Calvin Bowers. He currently serves as a minister at the Cedar Valley Church of Christ in Lancaster, Texas, where he has been for 15 years. He and wife Lori have 2 daughters.

• 

  Mitch Wilburn

  Sunday Morning, Mar 2

  Mitch Wilburn is a native Texan who has been blessed to live and work in Tulsa for the past 33 years. He is one of the many ministers at The Park Church of Christ in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mitch is part of a wonderful congregation of 2900 members who are wholeheartedly behind mission efforts to the tune of supporting more than 50 individuals across the world. Mitch, a graduate of Abilene Christian and Oklahoma Christian, has been blessed to preach the gospel in Honduras, Haiti, Africa, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic. He also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Abilene Christian University. He is an avid Dallas Cowboys fan as well as Texas Longhorns fan, much to the chagrin of his OU Sooner friends and co-workers. Mitch and wife Shannon have 2 children.

• 

  Dr. Steve Cloer

  Sunday Morning, Mar 2

  Steve Cloer is an Associate Professor of Ministry at Harding School of Theology. He teaches courses in ministry, mission, and leadership. He directs the Doctor of Ministry Program. Steve also is the Director of the new Harding University Center for Church and City Engagement, a center located in Memphis, Tennessee dedicated to helping students and church leaders gain skills, training, and resources to lead churches that engage the city. Previously, Steve has served in youth ministry, campus ministry, and preaching ministry. Most recently, Steve was the preacher for Southside Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas for 15 years. Steve and wife Lindsay have 3 children.