EFCA Southeast District Conference


OUR SPEAKERS

With over 46 years of pastoral experience, Larry has served churches across the country and has led Christ Community Church in Daytona Beach, a church he and his wife, Connie, planted in 1985.

Larry is known for his gospel-centered preaching and has taught preaching for over two decades at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. His ministry reflects a deep commitment to discipleship, church planting, and leadership development.

Theme: Christ-Centered Life & Ministry

Session 1: Living life with Christ

Session 2: Finding Life in Christ

Session 3: Living Life for Christ

Session 4: Living Life like Christ

Dr. Tweeddale (PhD, University of Edinburgh) serves as vice president of academics and professor of theology at Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida. A respected theologian and churchman, John is committed to equipping the next generation for faithful ministry through theological education rooted in the historic Christian faith.

Preconference Theme: “The Ministry of Christ and Pastoral Calling"

This two-part preconference will explore how the resurrected and ascended Lord Jesus Christ calls and equips pastors for gospel ministry. Rooted in Matthew 28 and Ephesians 4, these sessions consider the theological foundation and practical application of pastoral ministry in relation to the ongoing work of Christ in his church.

Session 1: “Christ Gives Shepherds and Teachers: A Theology of Pastoral Calling”

This session offers a biblical theology of pastoral ministry anchored in Christ’s promise, “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18), and his charge, “Make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). Drawing from Ephesians 4:11–12, we’ll reflect on how Christ calls and gives shepherd-teachers to the church to equip the saints, build up the body, and glorify God. Emphasis will be given to pastoral identity as participation in the ongoing ministry of the ascended Christ. Pastoral ministry is applied Christology for the local church.

 Session 2: “Equipping the Saints: The Practice of Pastoral Ministry”

This session builds on the first by considering how pastors fulfill their calling in the life of the church. We’ll examine the practical dimensions of gospel ministry—preaching, shepherding, prayer, and equipping—in light of Christ’s priestly intercession. By situating pastoral practice in the present work of Christ, we’ll explore how faithful ministry flows not from novelty or personality but from our union with Christ and our communion with his people.

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.