Meet the Keynote Speakers
01
Biblical Scholar
Reverend Dr. Janiece Renee Williams received a Ph.D. in Homiletics and Liturgics with a focus on African American preaching and ethics from the Graduate Department of Religion at Vanderbilt University. As a distinguished Theology and Practice Fellow, a Russell G. Hamilton Scholar, and a Louisville Institute Doctoral Fellow, she is dedicated to advancing
scholarship in her field. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, she was licensed to preach at Temple Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Sedric D. Veal Sr. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies from Nyack College and a Master of Divinity degree from Wake Forest University School of Divinity.
As a practitioner-scholar, Reverend Williams is a certified Homiletic Coach through the David G. Buttrick Homiletic Peer Coaching Program at Vanderbilt University. She is also the creator of Sermon Development: A Workbook for Preachers, which rapidly became a primary resource for hundreds of pastors and preachers nationwide and is now recognized as a key tool at
conferences across the country.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Reverend Williams has held various congregational roles, including digital ministry and executive ministerial leadership, most recently serving as the
Interim Executive Minister at Watson Grove Baptist Church in Nashville, TN, under Reverend Dr. John R. Faison Sr. She has had the privilege of preaching, lecturing, and speaking in
numerous churches, universities, and conferences, including The Hampton University Minister’s Conference Late Night Service. Furthermore, she made history as the first woman to serve on the
leadership cabinet of the Pastors and Ministers Division of the National Baptist Convention USA. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Reverend Williams is
committed to service efforts that uplift underserved members of the community.
REV. DR. JANIECE WILLIAMS
Bishop John Guns
02
Bishop John E. Guns is the Senior Pastor of St. Paul Church of Jacksonville, Inc., where he has transformed what was once a rigid, placid, traditional Southern Baptist church into an oasis of faith, fellowship, and fun. Through innovative leadership and an approachable spirit, Dr. Guns has modeled the true essence of koinonia, cultivating a vibrant and welcoming community of worshipers. His deep love for worship is evident whenever the St. Paul family gathers.
Bishop Guns received his formal education in the public and private school systems of Hampton Roads, Virginia. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Norfolk State University and later obtained both his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University.
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A visionary leader, Bishop Guns wears several proverbial hats. He is the Founder of Operation Save Our Sons, a national movement designed to work with at-risk boys and equip them to makepositive decisions regarding the law and authority. For well over twenty years, he has nurtured and advised senior pastors across the country and was established as the Presiding Prelate ofKingdom Fellowship International, a growing fellowship of bishops, pastors, and church leaders.Bishop Guns also serves as the Senior Vice Presider of the Global United Fellowship, under the leadership of Bishop Joel R. Peebles, Presiding Prelate. In addition, Dr. Guns proudly serves asDean of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. He is actively involved in several boards and community-based organizations and has been a dedicated member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, since 1982.Of all his accomplishments, Bishop Guns considers his greatest blessing to be his family. He is the proud husband and life partner of Co-Pastor Sonjanique L. Guns, M.Div. Together they are the loving parents of three amazing daughters: Alexis (Claude) Cheatham, Daijah S. Guns, and Tayler J. Guns. He is also a devoted grandfather to his grandsons, Zion John-Eric and Claude Douglas III, and his granddaughter, C’Zariah Alexis Michelle.
03
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Rev. Dr. William H. Curtis
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. William H. Curtis accepted the call to ministry at the age of 17. For seven years, he served as the Senior Pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church in York, PA; however, since1997, he has served as the Senior Pastor at Mount Ararat Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, PA.
Dr. Curtis has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards. In 2009, he was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College. In the spring of 2010, Dr. Curtis moved from the speaking arena into the publishing arena with his first book, “FAITH -- Learning to Live Without Fear,” which is currently in its fourth printing. His second book, “Dressed for Victory: Putting on the Full Armor of God” was released in April 2015 and is currently in its second printing. And, his third book “Mentor Shift” was published in May 2019. “One Day Closer” a compilation of his mediations during the Pandemic shut-in from March 2020 thru May 2021 was published in June 2021; and it was followed by “One Day Closer”–Volume 2 which was published in June 2022.
Dr. Curtis is an instructor at the United Theological Seminary and has graduated several groups of doctoral students at the institution. He also serves at Virginia Union University. Aside from pastoral instruction, he is Co-Owner of The Church Online, a successful technology and full-service marketing firm that provides top of the line services to ministries all over the world.
Dr. Curtis holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Studies and Philosophy from Morgan State University, a Master of Divinity Degree from Howard University School of Divinity, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
Dr. Curtis is married to the former Christine Y. Richardson, and they are the proud parents of one lovely daughter, Dr. Houston M. Curtis.
Agenda
WEDNESDAY, OCT 7
6:30 PM
Worship Service - Rev. Dr. William Curtis
Mt. Zion Baptist Church (2019 Fisher St., Madison, WI)
Agenda
THURSDAY, OCT 8
9:00 AM
Registration
Upper House (365 E Campus Mall Suite 200, Madison, WI)
10:10 AM
Opening, Welcome & Worship Service - Rev. Dr. Marcus Allen
Upper House (365 E Campus Mall Suite 200, Madison, WI)
11:00 AM
Break
11:12 AM
Chris Dolson
11:15 AM
Keynote 1: Rev. Dr. William Curtis, The Enduring Power of Biblical Preaching in a Changing World
Upper House (365 E Campus Mall Suite 200, Madison, WI)
12:30 PM
Lunch (Provided by Chick-Fil-A)
1:35 PM
Keynote 2: Bishop John Guns, Building Healthy Churches Through Biblical Preaching and Visionary Leadership
Upper House (365 E Campus Mall Suite 200, Madison, WI)
2:40 PM
Break
2:55 PM
Role & Life of the Associate Minister Panel
Upper House (365 E Campus Mall Suite 200, Madison, WI)
3:45 PM
Break
4:00 PM
Breakout Sessions
From Financial Clarity to Lasting Legacy: Thrivent
The Intersection of Faith & Mental Health: Pastor William Badger
Biblical Preaching: Pastor Julius Malone
Prayer and Spiritual Formation: Pastor Tom Flaherty
Upper House (365 E Campus Mall Suite 200, Madison, WI)
7:00 PM
Worship Service: Rev. Dr. John Guns
Mt. Zion Baptist Church (2019 Fisher St., Madison, WI)
Agenda
FRIDAY, OCT 9
9:00 AM
Opening & Welcome
9:10 AM
Keynote 3: Rev. Dr. Janiece Williams, Preaching for Transformation
Upper House (365 E Campus Mall Suite 200, Madison, WI)
10:25 AM
Break
10:40 AM
Breakout Sessions
The Woman Behind the Ministry: First Lady Terra Allen and First Lady Dianne Jolly
Preaching With(out) AI: Pastor Isaiah Oby
Engaging Today's Youth and Young Adults: Rev. Jeremiah Covington & Min. Richard Jones, Jr.
Entering to Worship and Exiting to Serve: Turning Ministry into Community Impact: Rev. Dr. Alexander Gee
Upper House (365 E Campus Mall Suite 200, Madison, WI)
11:55 AM
Lunch (provided by Blue Plate Catering)
1:00 PM
Worship Service: Rev. Dr. Janiece Williams
Upper House (365 E Campus Mall Suite 200, Madison, WI)
2:00 PM
Closing Remarks
2:10 PM
Break
2:25 PM
Preaching Practicum: Pastor Raymond Monk
Upper House (365 E Campus Mall Suite 200, Madison, WI)
Meet the Panelists
Role & Life of the Associate Minister Panel
Moderator
Rev. Rodney Bailey
Reverend Rodney Dale Bailey serves as Associate Pastor of Mount Horeb Baptist Church in Milwaukee, WI, his church home for 38 years, where he has served in nearly every area of ministry. A Clarksdale, MS native, he answered the call at 13, preached his initial sermon in 1996, and was ordained in 2003 under Pastor Roy Hopgood Jr. He is a graduate of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a second diploma in Christian Ministries & Biblical Studies and serves bivocationally with Milwaukee Public Schools. He and his wife Leslie have been married since 2016. Read Full Bio
Panelist
Rev. Dr. Treyvon J. Sinclair, Sr.
Reverend Dr. Treyvon J. Sinclair, Sr. is Pastor of Christ The King Baptist Church in Milwaukee, WI, where in April 2025 he became the first Pastor Elect in the church's 40-year history. A Milwaukee native, he holds degrees from American Baptist College (Cum Laude), Duke University (M.Div.), and United Theological Seminary (D.Min.). He served as Young Adult Pastor at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church and Youth and Young Adult Pastor at First Calvary Baptist Church in Durham, NC. A member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., he is the proud father of Treyvon Jamar Sinclair II. Read Full Bio
Panelist
Rev. Tyler Nylen
Reverend Tyler Nylen serves as Associate Pastor at Fountain of Life Covenant Church in Madison, WI, a Black-led, multicultural congregation, where he has served under Rev. Dr. Alexander Gee, Jr. since 2016. Nylen began as a pastoral intern, joined the pastoral staff in 2017, and now serves in preaching, teaching, discipleship, pastoral care, and leadership development. He is also the Faith Community Liaison at the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development, building partnerships between local churches and its ministry to men returning home after incarceration. He earned his Master of Divinity from North Park Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Halie, are the proud parents of their son, Ira. Read Full Bio
Panelist
Rev. Eric J. Smith
Reverend Eric J. Smith is an active member of Canaan Baptist Church under Rev. Dr. Fredrick E. Jones, serving in various capacities. Smith preached his trial sermon on December 20, 2009, at True Love Missionary Baptist Church under the late Rev. Dr. Garry B. Levy and was ordained on July 30, 2017. He has proclaimed the Gospel nationally and in numerous Milwaukee churches. He served eight years as General Secretary of the General Baptist State Convention of Wisconsin and five years as Executive Secretary of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Greater Milwaukee, where he remains on the executive board. He is a nationally certified instructor for the Congress of Christian Education and a state-certified instructor. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from East Texas Theological Seminary (Houston, TX) and an associate degree in Criminal Justice, and is now studying at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (Rochester, NY). Above all, he is a loving husband and father. Read Full Bio
Panelist
Min. Stephanie Harris
Minister Stephanie M. Harris has served as a minister at Mt. Zion Baptist Church for almost 20 years, where she is currently the Director of Ministers. A lifelong learner, Harris believes that success in this Christian walk is linked to growing in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). She has served as a trustee and taught in the Children's Ministry, Discipleship Class, Vacation Bible School, and Sunday School. She holds a Certificate of Bible & Ministry from Dubuque Theological Seminary and is bivocational, working full-time as a librarian at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is the proud parent of one child and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Read Full Bio
Panelist
Pastor Lloyd Biddle
Pastor Lloyd Biddle, Lead Pastor of Connection Church of Libertyville, centers his ministry on teaching God’s Word, making disciples, and preparing people to live out their faith. In more than 20 years of ministry, he has served as Interim Senior Pastor of Compassion Baptist Church in Chicago, leading it through a pastoral transition; Senior Pastor of River Valley Community Church in Aurora, IL; and Senior Associate Pastor of High Point Church in Madison, WI. Before full-time ministry, he spent over 20 years in corporate leadership as a Fortune 500 sales executive and top-producing sales manager with American Family Insurance.
He holds an M.A. in Theology (Wheaton College), an MBA (Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management), and a B.S. in Finance (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign). He is the author of Live on Purpose: Learn. Do. Teach. He and his wife, Deborah, married 37 years, have two adult sons, Jason and Jared. Read Full Bio
Meet the Breakout Session Leaders
Pastor Tom Flaherty
Oct. 8, 4:00 PM
Prayer and Spiritual Formation
Bio soon to come
Previous MGPS Videos
The Venue
UPPER HOUSE
MADISON, WI
The summit will take place at Upper House and Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Madison, WI
Parking
Free parking is available to MGPS guests in the University Square Parking Garage (324 N Lake St, Madison, WI 53715), directly below Upper House. After parking in the one-level ramp, look for the white "Upper House" sign on the far side from the entrance, then take the elevator up to the 2nd floor. Four other nearby ramps are within a 3-block walk, but free parking is not available at those lots. For more details and map links, see our parking guide.
