FTL Annual Summit 2027

Identity and transformation: becoming who you are in Christ.

Whether you lead a ministry, counsel the broken, or are walking through the hardest chapter of your own story — this summit is for you.

The 2027 FTL Annual Summit brings together pastors, directors, biblical counselors, and people in the trenches of recovery around one transforming question:

Who are you becoming in Christ?

Real freedom goes deeper than behavior or willpower. Scripture doesn't just call us to stop — it calls us to become: new creation, new identity, new life rooted in the One who makes all things new.

Over three days, you'll be equipped and challenged to move from the surface to the heart — whether you're leading others toward freedom, walking beside them, or pursuing it yourself.

  • For ministry leaders and pastors — you'll leave with sharper tools, renewed vision, and a deeper theological foundation for the discipleship work you're already doing.
  • For counselors and those called to this work — you'll find a community of practitioners who take both Scripture and suffering seriously, and who believe the local church is the best place for lasting change to happen.
  • For those in recovery — you are not an afterthought here. You are the reason we gather. And this summit will remind you that your story isn't over — it's being rewritten by a God who specializes in transformation.


Come as you are. Leave closer to who you were made to be.

April 8-10, 2027
Faith Baptist Church - Taylors, SC

Equipped

Be equipped to return to your church and disciple your church through addiction.

Encouraged

Ministry and discipleship can be exhausting at times. Leave the FTL Annual Summit encouraged to continue discipling your church!

Emboldened

Reach the hurting and addicted in your communities with the love and transformational power of the Gospel. 

Equip your counseling conversations

By registering for the FTL Annual Summit you'll be empowered with:

Comprehensive Understanding

Learn how addiction affects every facet of life and how to address these areas effectively.

Discipleship Techniques

Application of Scripture and prayer to provide spiritual support and guidance.

Entire-Person Approach

Entire-Person Approach that encompasses all of life—the inner-man as well as the outer-man.

Community Support

Build a strong, supportive community that encourages daily, weekly, and monthly engagement.

SPEAKERS

Dr. Jim Berg

Professor of Biblical Counseling
BJU Seminary

Founder
Freedom That Lasts

Dr. Mark Shaw

D.Min, Biblical Counseling, CADAC II, ACBC

Founder & President
The Addiction Connection

Dr. Bruce Meyer

D.Min, Calvary Baptist
Theological Seminary

Professor, Graduate Studies
BJU Seminary

Dr. Ben Marshall

D.Ed.Min, ACBC Fellow

Executive Director
Freedom That Lasts

Caleb Phelps

Senior Pastor
Faith Baptist Church, Taylors, SC

Sam Horn

Pastor for Preaching & Vision
Palmetto Baptist Church, Powdersville, SC

Pat Berg

M.A., Biblical Counseling

ACBC Certified

Melissa Lennox

D.Min, Biblical Counseling, ACBC Certified

Biblical Counselor
Transformed Biblical Counseling Center

Aaron Jasper

Bothell, WA

Paul Christensen

Greenville Biblical Counseling Director

Lee Lennox

D.min, ACBC Certified

Director of Chapter Development
Freedom That Lasts


SCHEDULE

Thursday, April 8

5:30-7pm ET // Registration & Check-In

7-7:45pm ET // Opening and General Session 1 - 

7:45-8pm ET // Break

8-8:45pm ET // General Session 2 - 

8:45pm ET // Dessert & Mingle

Friday, April 9

9-9:30am ET // Opening Worship

9:30-10:15am ET // General Session 3

10:15-10:45am ET // Break

10:45-11:45am ET // Brekout Session 1

  • TBD
  • TBD
  • TBD

11:45am-1:15pm ET // Lunch

  • Option 1: Register for Chick-fil-A on campus using the registration form
  • Option 2: Enjoy lunch off-campus at a nearby location

1:15-2:15pm ET // General Session 4 - 

2:15-2:30pm ET // Break

2:30-3pm ET // Worship

3-3:45pm ET // General Session 5 - 

3:45-4:15pm ET // Break

4:15-5:15pm ET // Breakout Session 2

  • TBD
  • TBD
  • TBD

5-6:30pm ET // Dinner On Campus (free!)

6:30-9pm ET // Experience A Live FTL Meeting

Saturday, April 10

9-10am ET // Q&A

  • Ben Marshall and Aaron Jasper

10-10:30am ET // Break

10:30-11:15am ET // General Session 6 - 

11:15-11:30am ET // Conclusion & Next Year's Theme

Hotel Information 

Coming Soon