The Battle Belongs to the Lord Ministry Couples Retreat

Senior, executive, and associate pastors and their wives are invited to a Ministry Couples Retreat set against the historic backdrop of Gettysburg, Pa. Step away from the chaos of everyday life and ministry and find renewed strength, faith, and clarity for the battles you face together.

What to Expect:

Engage in inspiring talks and worship designed to deepen your spiritual connection with God and strengthen your relationship with each other. Explore the rich history of Gettysburg and draw parallels to the battles and victories in your own life and marriage. Enjoy peaceful moments of reflection, prayer, and relaxation in a serene, supportive environment. Build lasting relationships with other couples who share your faith and understand the unique challenges of ministry.

Presenter: Dr. Hance Dilbeck, President and Chief Executive Officer of GuideStone

Hance Dilbeck is President and Chief Executive Officer of GuideStone. He joined GuideStone in July 2021 as President-elect, and became President on March 1, 2022. Dr. Dilbeck came to GuideStone from the position of executive director-treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists since 2018. Prior to that, he had served as a pastor in Oklahoma churches for 30 years, 15 of which were at the Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. During that time, the church tripled in size even as it took part in planting 32 churches.

He has been an active participant in denominational life, having served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Oklahoma Baptist University, Southwestern Seminary, and the International Mission Board through the years. He is a prior Second Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Dilbeck holds his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and both his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

He and his wife Julie have three married sons and ten grandchildren.

Presenter: Dr. Barry Whitworth, Executive Director, Baptist Resource Network

Barry has been in ministry for over 30 years, serving as a mission pastor, associate pastor, church planter, pastor, interim pastor, transitional pastor and planter, church planting strategist, lead church planting catalyst, church planting director, and now executive director. Before his calling as executive director of the Baptist Resource Network in February 2017, he was a church planting missionary and served the Multiplying Churches team leader for the BRN.

Barry, who has planted churches and served on church staffs in Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland, says his passion is the local church — to assist and encourage the churches in “reaching the lost [and] discipling the saved.” He seeks to help Pennsylvania/South Jersey Baptists “decrease lostness,” “push back darkness” and “have an impact in our generation for such a time as this.”

In May 2017, Barry received an honorary doctorate degree from Davis College. The Doctor of Divinity degree is conferred on individuals who have distinguished themselves in Christian ministry and leadership. Barry’s life and service in ministry exemplifies the college’s mission of impacting the world for Jesus Christ. Barry was specifically chosen because of his dedication and leadership with the Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania/South Jersey, resulting in many churches planted. Davis College concurs with Barry’s vision for the local church and encouraging of local congregations, something the college is also passionate about. Prior to ministry, he was employed by the USPS for 12 years, working as a maintenance mechanic and supervisor.

He and his wife Beth have two daughters and six grandchildren.

Presenter: Dr. W. Thomas Hammond, Jr., Executive Director, Georgia Baptist Mission Board

On January 1, 2019, W. Thomas Hammond, Jr. became the executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. Previously, he served as the lead pastor of Alpharetta First Baptist Church from 2013-2018. Rev. Hammond served as vice president for Convention Advancement with the SBC Executive Committee; senior director of Church Evangelism with the North American Mission Board; director of missions at the Metrolina Baptist Association in Charlotte, North Carolina; minister of evangelism at Hebron Baptist Church, Dacula, Georgia; and evangelism associate at the Ohio Baptist Convention.

Rev. Hammond has also served as president of the Georgia Baptist Convention (2015-2017). Because of his passion for those who are without Christ, Rev. Hammond, as Georgia Baptist Convention president, led the Convention to implement The Big Invite campaign, which encouraged Georgia Baptists to invite their lost family and friends to church on Easter Sunday. The goal was to have 1 million Georgians in church on Easter Sunday in 2017. He is also the creator/originator of The NET, Evangelism Planter Software, TheBigDay.org, Praying your Neighbors to Christ, The Visitor Friendly Church, 316 Prayer Card, and One Hour Witness Training.

In addition to reaching the lost, Rev. Hammond loves pastors. He encouraged Georgia Baptist pastors to begin praying for one another through the Pastor Prayer Network during his time as the president of the Convention. Rev. Hammond is a graduate of Augusta State University in Augusta, Georgia, as well as Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee.

He is married to Kerri Russ Hammond, and they have two daughters, Katie Elisabeth and Karley Marie.

Other presenters include Beth Whitworth, BRN Ministry Wives Consultant; Jeff Gongwer, Pastor Wellness Catalyst, Georgia Baptist Mission Board; and Chris Reynolds, Lead Strategist for Pastor Wellness with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.

Retreat Schedule:

Optional Excursion:

In addition to the retreat programming, participants have the opportunity to sign up for a free two-hour, bus-led tour of the Gettysburg Battlefields. Space is limited to the first 20 couples, so sign up today!

Registration:

REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED. THANK YOU!

This retreat is generously sponsored and led by our friends at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.