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BREAKOUT
SESSIONS
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BREAKOUT #1
Men and Friendships: Finding Brothers, Not Just Buddies
Speakers: John Reilly, Greg Burdine, and Richard Smith
Most men have acquaintances, but very few have true brothers who will walk with them through life’s highs and lows. In this session, we’ll talk
honestly about why men often struggle with isolation and surface-level relationships. You’ll learn how to cultivate friendships that sharpen,
strengthen, and support you in your walk with Christ.
BREAKOUT #2
The Courage to Share Your Story
Speaker: Walt Yeomans
Every man has a story — and God can use yours to impact others. Whether it’s sharing your testimony, struggles, or victories, opening up takes courage but brings freedom and connection. This session will equip you with practical tools and boldness to share your story in a way that points others to Christ.
BREAKOUT #3
Finding God in Seasons of Suffering
Speaker: Ryan Bettinger
Pain, loss, and disappointment are part of every man’s journey — but God meets us in the valleys. In this session, we’ll look at biblical truths that bring hope in suffering and discover how trials can deepen our faith rather than destroy it. You’ll walk away encouraged that even in the hardest seasons, God is present, working, and faithful.
BREAKOUT #4
Health and Fitness as Stewardship
Speaker: Coleman Geraci
Our bodies are a gift from God, and caring for them is part of honoring Him. This session will explore practical ways to pursue physical health through exercise, nutrition, and rest — not for vanity, but for strength to serve God and others. Learn how to see health and fitness as an act of stewardship that supports your spiritual growth and everyday mission.
John Reilly
breakout speaker for
Men and Friendships: Finding Brothers, Not Just Buddies
John was born and raised in Michigan, except for four years living in Springfield, Mo during college. A graduate of Mission University (BA in Theology) and Liberty University (MA in Pastoral Counseling). In his younger year he was a member of Ryan Road Baptist Church in Warren, Mi, where at the age of 13 he accepted Jesus as his Savior. In 1981, John became the Youth and Music Director at Beacon Baptist Church in Taylor, MI. His entire ministry has been at Beacon where he now serves as Senior Pastor since 2018. In addition to pastoring, he currently serves as chairman of trustees for Boston Baptist College, and chairman of the Michigan Baptist Bible Fellowship. He has been married to his wife and ministry partner, Rhonda, for 43 years. God has blessed them with 4 adult children and 8 grandchildren.
Richard Smith
breakout speaker for
Men and Friendships: Finding Brothers, Not Just Buddies
Richard Smith was born in a missionary family, the 6th of 10 kids. He was saved as a child when his older sister Janet led him to the Lord after he had heard an impactful Sunday school lesson earlier that day.
Trained at Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College in San Dimas, CA, he went on to work at Ryan Road Baptist Church on the east side of the Detroit metro area for five years, from 1979 to 1984. He met and married Valerie during that time. In 1984 they became missionaries to Mexico through the BBFI, where they served for the next 27 years as church planters.
In 2011 they returned to the Detroit area, this time on the west side, where he pastored Bethel Baptist Temple for 7 years. Another pastorate in the UP of Michigan lasted only 2 years, and currently he is a hospice chaplain where most of his patients live in the downriver area of Detroit.
Greg Burdine
breakout speaker for
Men and Friendships: Finding Brothers, Not Just Buddies
Greg Burdine has been the senior pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Adrian, Michigan since 1994. He has been married to Judy since 1981. They have four children and ten grandchildren.
Greg's passion is teaching the Word of God. He received his Bachelor's degree from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri and his Master's degree and Doctorate degree from Louisiana Baptist University in Shreveport, Louisiana.
He has been in full-time Christian ministry since 1982, serving churches in Iowa, Ohio, and Michigan. He likes to read, run and play with his grandchildren.
Walt Yeoman
breakout speaker for
The Courage to Share Your Story
Walt has been the senior pastor of Chesaning Bible Baptist Church in Chesaning, MI, since April 2012. Pastor Walt has been in ministry for 49 years. He graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO, in May of 1976. He met his wife Susan there, and they have been married a little over 47 years and have enjoyed serving the Lord together all these years. They raised four children and now have seven grand children. All of them are serving the Lord in their respective churches!
Through the past almost five decades, Walt has served in several capacities as a children's pastor, youth pastor, and lead pastor in several states. He has also led music, choirs, and sang special music with his wife and family. He has assisted as a vice director of youth camps and as a speaker. He has loved working with young people, especially the junior age. Walt has been passionate in two areas during his years in ministry: leading folks to Christ and Faith Promise Missions. Some of our sweetest memories in Chesaning have been leading three football coach's at the local high school to Christ and leading several students to the Savior in our Rural Bible Ministries with the public school children. Pastor Walt will tell you it has been a real joy to serve Jesus all these years and to see people get saved! He desires to end the journey well and hear the Savior say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord."
Ryan Bettinger
breakout speaker for
Finding God in Seasons of Suffering
“I’ve had the joy (and scars!) of serving at Northline Church for 25 years—21 of those as Lead Pastor. I’m all about transformation—the kind for which only God gets credit. I’m a big believer in the local church and how God uses ordinary people to do eternally significant things. My passion? Helping people explore, experience, and express Jesus until they become fully devoted followers of Him.
I’ve been married to my hot and holy wife, Amy, for 25 years (she’s the real MVP). Together, we’ve raised 5 awesome kids: Lexi (22), Ali (21), Asher (17), Judah (14), and our son Caden, who’s already with Jesus and makes Heaven feel even closer.
Now, confession time: I’m only a dog liker, but because I deeply love my wife and kids… we have FOUR dogs. Pray for me.
When I’m not preaching, leading, or refereeing sibling disputes, I’m probably watching Michigan football (Go Blue!), hitting the golf course, or cheering on my kids as they pursue their passions—in the Church or on the court.”
Coleman Geraci
breakout speaker for
Health and Fitness as Stewardship
CH (CPT)/Rev. Coleman Geraci currently serves as a Chaplain in the US Army Reserves and as a pastor for two congregations: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Milan, MI and St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Ann Arbor, MI. He completed his Master of Divinity in 2019 at Concordia Seminary St. Louis. Prior to becoming a pastor, Coleman served on active duty in the US Army as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant.
God has blessed Coleman with a wonderful, faithful wife, and four beautiful, faithful children: Augustana “Ana” (7), Simeon (5), Magdalena (3), and Titus (8 months).