District Conference Speakers

James Armstrong has been the Lead Pastor at Live Oaks Community Church since 2022. A decorated U.S. Air Force veteran, he served in ministry to military members both in the U.S. and overseas, including Afghanistan and Iraq. James has served as an associate and senior pastor, college professor, crisis chaplain, and retreat leader throughout his 30-year ministry career. In 2019, he founded Becoming Missional to equip church leaders around the world. He holds degrees from East Texas Baptist University (BA), Southwestern Seminary (MDiv), and George Fox University (DMin), and is completing a PhD in Systematic Theology from Midwestern Seminary. James and his wife, Wendy, have three grown children.

Allen Cagle has been the Lead Pastor at Sunrise Community Church in Atlantic Beach, FL since 2013. Before that, he served in associate pastor roles in Alabama and California. He has degrees from the University of Mobile (BS), The Master’s Seminary (Mdiv), and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (DMin). Allen has been married to his wife Mindy for 26 years, and they have 3 wonderful children. In his down time, Allen loves to fish and read great books.

Aaron Martin has served as Senior Pastor at Community Bible, Highpoint, NC for the past ten years. He holds a Master of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and a Doctor of Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Aaron and his wife, Emily, have been married for 25 years and are the proud parents of four children: Emeline, Cameron, Elijah, and Josie. When busy family life allows for a little free time, Aaron enjoys college football, golf, and discovering the best local food a town has to offer.

Carlton began his ministry in 1981 as a pastoral intern at First Evangelical Free Church in Wichita, Kansas, and has spent over 40 years in church leadership.

In September 2021, he joined the EFCA national office as the leader of the ReachNational division and was named acting president of the EFCA in April 2024. Carlton’s ministry reflects a lifelong commitment to gospel-centered leadership, spiritual formation, and building unity within the church for mission.