March 11-12, 2021

Dr. Tim Allchin | Director, Biblical Counseling Center

Preventing Burnout by Sharing More Ministry

Dr. Tim Allchin leads the staff at the Biblical Counseling Center and counsels out several offices. He also speaks across the country teaching and equipping local churches in the areas of counseling. Tim holds a Doctor of Ministry with an emphasis in Biblical  Counseling from Central Baptist Theological Seminary, completed his Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and studied youth ministry in his undergraduate degree. Prior to coming to Biblical Counseling Center, Tim pastored for 12 years in a local church in Naperville where he served in a variety of roles working with students, families and adults. Tim loves the hope found in the gospel and loves helping other embrace the good news found in Christ. He enjoys walking alongside those who are hurting and struggling and helping them find hope and help in applying God’s word to the practical issues of life. He particularly enjoys working with youth, families and men.  Tim is married and has two teenage sons.

Dr. Joel Beeke | Pastor, President (PRTS), Author

Coping With Criticism in the Ministry

Joel R. Beeke (Ph.D., Westminster Seminary) is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, a pastor of the Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, editor of Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, board chairman of Reformation Heritage Books, and a prolific author.

Learn more about Joel by visiting his website and connecting with him on Instagram.

J.R. Briggs
Author, Speaker | Kairos Partnerships

The Fear of Failing & Leadership Burnout

For more than 15 years, J.R. served in pastoral roles in mega-churches, church plants and house church networks. Since starting Kairos Partnerships, he has served and invested in pastors and kingdom leaders in over 40 denominations throughout North America. He is affiliate faculty member in practical theology at Missio Seminary and guest instructor at Friends University in the Masters of Arts in Spiritual Formation program. He also serves as the Director of Leadership & Congregational Formation for The Ecclesia Network and as a National Trainer and Strategist for Fresh Expressions U.S. He has written, co-written or contributed to ten books on a wide variety of topics. His most recent book is The Sacred Overlap: Learning to Live Faithfully in the Space Between (Zondervan).

Learn more about J.R. by visiting his website and connecting with him on Twitter.

Dr. Lynelle Buchanan | Dean, Clarks Summit    University     

Marriage & Burnout 

Dr. Lynelle Buchanan is the Dean of Behavioral Sciences at Clarks Summit University. She is a pastor's wife and sought after speaker in the Northeast, PA region. 

Learn more about Clark Summit University by visiting their website.

Michael Cary | Director, Speaker, Counselor

Stress, Shame and Sexual Secrets

Michael, with his wife, Kristin have dedicated their work to transforming the lives of those struggling with sexual brokenness and restoring the shattered hearts of their partners. The founded Living Truth in 2013 out of God’s healing in their lives after the shattering pain of sexual brokenness! He and his wife provide video-curriculum based recovery groups for men’s sexual integrity and for women impacted by their partner’s sexual betrayal take a multi-dimensional approach to recovery.
Michael & Kristin are both Pastoral Christian Sex Addiction Specialists through Christian Sex Addiction Specialists International (C-SASI). They live in the Indianapolis area with their three children.

Learn more about Michael by visiting his website.

Fred Jacoby, MA | Pastor, Director, Foundations Christian Counseling

Our Personalities & Burnout

Fred Jacoby, MA is the Founder and Director of Foundations Christian Counseling Services and Pastor of Counseling at Cornerstone Community Church in Kunkletown, PA. Fred received his MA from Biblical Seminary and has counseled individuals and couples struggling in marriage, relationships, with anger, depression, anxiety, grief, and many other issues. As a speaker, Fred has given seminars on marriage, parenting, depression and anger. Fred is also the author of "The Black-and-White Thinking Christian." He has been married 24 years to Andrea and together have twin adult sons.

Learn more about Fred by visiting his website and connecting with him on Instagram and Twitter.

Dr. James Meyer | Pastor, Counselor, Speaker

Compassion Fatigue & Passion Fatigue

Jim has been working in the field of biblical counseling for many years. He has a Masters in Christian Counseling from Philadelphia College of Bible (Cairn University) and a Doctor of Education in Pastoral Community Counseling from the Univ. of Sarasota (Argosy University). He was an associate professor teaching in Cairn University’s Master of Science in Counseling program for 23 years (17 years full time). He has pastored with the Evangelical Free Church of America since 1984 and currently co-pastors Pocono Evangelical Free Church with his son JJ. He is the director of Biblical Counseling Resources (BCR) A Ministry of Pocono Evangelical Free Church. He has an extensive background in keynote speaking at conferences, seminars, and preaching at churches.

Learn more about James by visiting his website.

Bethann Miller | Safe Place Ministry

Serving With Margin

Bethann had worked in the nonprofit sector for over 25 years in various positions. She “cut her teeth" serving in a full-time Urban Ministry on the Lower East Side of NYC serving the homeless, mainline heroin users, squatters, and the marginalized populations of the inner city. She then went onto serve in Central America and then Africa after completing a training program for missionaries. She attended a School of Worship in Denver Co and then went on to achieve her Board Certification as a Biblical Counselor. She holds her Chaplains licensure and Ordination through CFM

Learn more about Bethann by visiting her website and connecting with her on Facebook.

Dr. Philip Monroe | Director of Trauma   Healing Institute, Counselor  

 Navigating Trauma and Burnout

Dr. Philip Monroe is director of the Trauma Healing Institute at American Bible Society. He is adjunct professor of counseling and psychology at Missio Seminary where he leads the Global Trauma Recovery Institute and where he led the Graduate School of Counseling for 18 years. He maintains a small private practice with Diane Langberg & Associates and meets with clergy and ministry leaders to help them maintain resilience in ministry.

Learn more about Phillip by visiting his website.

Dr. Jim Newheiser Director of IBCD, Author, Assoc Professor RTS

Grace When it Gets Tough

Dr. James (Jim) Newheiser, Jr., is the Director of the Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship (IBCD) and the Director of the Christian Counseling Program at RTS Charlotte. He is also the Associate Professor of Christian Counseling and Practical Theology at RTS Charlotte and an Adjunct Professor of Biblical Counseling at The Master’s College. Furthermore, Dr. Newheiser serves as a board member at both the Biblical Counseling Coalition (BCC) and the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). For 25 years, Dr. Newheiser served as the Preaching Pastor at Grace Bible Church in Escondido, California before taking over the Christian Counseling Program at RTS Charlotte in 2016. He now oversees all the counseling degree options, including the 66 credit-hour MA in Christian Counseling (MACC). Dr. Newheiser teaches many of the counseling courses as well as some practical theology courses. Jim has been married to his wife Caroline for 36 years and they have 3 adult children.

Learn more about Jim and RTS by visiting their website.

Daniel Nichols, MS | Director of Northeast Collaborative, Pastor

How to Burn Out in 5 Easy Steps

Dan Nichols is a former church planter and the Executive Director of The Northeast Collaborative (NEC), a resourcing network of churches that empowers pastors to lead and launch healthy churches in Northeast America. Dan has preached to thousands of people across the U.S. since 2010 when he became a traveling Christian speaker. He is married with two children.

Learn more about Daniel by visiting his website.

Jamie Overholser | Pastoral Mentor, Chaplain

The Burden of Perpetual Grief

Jamie and Julie Overholser have been married for almost 33 years with 4 grown children. Jamie spent over 31 of those years in church ministry in various pastoral capacities including worship, church planter, and lead. They’ve lived in northeastern Pennsylvania for the last 20 years.

Learn more about Jamie by visiting his website and connecting with him on Facebook.

 Dr. Mark Shaw |Director of Counseling, Pastor, Author   

Diagnosing the Heart of Burnout

Mark E. Shaw, DMin, is the Director of Counseling at Grace Fellowship Church in Florence, KY, and has been ACBC certified since 2002. He is the Founder of The Addiction Connection, a network of Commissioned Addictions Biblical Counselors (CABC) who offer the “Hope of the Gospel for the Heart of Addiction.” He has authored over twenty publications, including The Heart of Addiction and Understanding Temptation: The War Within Your Heart.

Learn more about Mark by visiting his website.

Bob Shull, MDiv   Counselor, Center for Shepherd Care

Rekindling the Flame

Bob has been an ordained pastor since 1989. He has enjoyed people of all ages and the privilege of preaching, teaching, and counseling from the Word of God. After graduating with a B.S. degree from Miami University (Ohio) and a M.S. degree from Penn State University, Bob had several different careers (including teaching, graphic design, and advertising) before going to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and graduating with a Master of Divinity degree in 1989. From there he served as an associate pastor, church planter, interim pastor, and head of staff. His goal in counseling is to help people experience the fullness of life God intends for them in Jesus Christ, who said “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). This means learning to apply the Gospel to our lives, particularly in the struggles and challenges we all face at times.  Bob and his wife, Linda, a Christian life coach, were married in 1977. They raised three sons and now enjoy three daughters-in-law and three grandchildren in their family circle. 

Learn more about Bob by visiting his website.

Jillian Sirriani, LSW | Safe Place Ministry

Serving With Margin

Jillian Sirianni is a licensed, master level social worker and serves as Vice President at Safe Place Ministry where she seeks to carry out the simple mission of Philemon 1:7 ’to refresh the hearts of the saints’. In her role as Vice President Jillian provides trainings, debriefings, consultation, field visits, and retreat facilitation to those serving in any missions/ministry context both internationally and domestically. In addition to her role with Safe Place, Jillian also serves as a mental health counselor providing Telehealth to adolescent and adult individuals through a private practice in PA.

Learn more about Jillian by visiting her website and connecting with her on Instagram.

    Esther Smith, MA | Author, Counselor

Stewarding Your Body in Burnout

Esther Smith, MA is a biblical counselor at Life Counseling Center Ministries and a licensed clinical professional counselor in the state of Maryland. She is the author of Chronic Illness: Walking by Faith and coauthor of The Whole Life.

Learn more about Esther by visiting her website and instagram. 

Jocelyn Wallace, MS | Counselor, Speaker

The Cycle & Causes of Burnout

Jocelyn Wallace is a full-time homemaker for her husband of 24 years, Brian, and their two children, Hailey (age 18) and Shelby (age 15). Jocelyn has been certified by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors since 2006 and has previously worked with women suffering from addictions, eating disorders, self-harm, unplanned pregnancies, and homelessness at both Vision of Hope Residential Treatment Center, Rainbow Haven, and Healthy Families. Jocelyn loves Jesus and is committed to teaching and counseling women to live according to God’s purpose and plan in a way that shines His glory in a dark and weary land. Jocelyn is a member of Faith Church in Lafayette, Indiana and serves in the counseling and women’s ministries there. The Wallace’s serve together in Mom2Mom and Children’s Ministries.

Clay Werner | Pastor, Author

Wandering the Wilderness of Burnout

Clay Werner (M.Div. Westminster Seminary in California) is a church planter near Athens, GA where he lives with his wife, Liz, and five children. He is also the author of Gospel Brokenness: The Unexpected Path to Deep Joy (Wipf&Stock, 2019) and On the Brink: Grace for Burned-Out Pastor (P&R, 2014). Having experienced burnout early in ministry, he has a heart to help bring healing and hope to those in ministry who might be walking through that same path.

Learn more about Clay and purchase his book here.

Dave Wiedis, JD MSCC | Founder & Director, ServingLeaders

Image Management & Burnout

Dave also has a Master’s degree in Christian Counseling from Cairn University, where he earned a Certificate of Advanced Specialization in Christian Counseling. In addition to providing personal and marriage counseling at ServingLeaders Ministries, Dave serves as an adjunct professor at Cairn where he teaches Professional Orientation to Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling in the Graduate School of Counseling. He is also an adjunct professor at Missio Seminary serving as a cohort leader for the PULPIT Program. Dave also served as Director of Development for the Alliance Defense Fund from 2001 to 2007. Having witnessed the pressures of ministry, and the devastation that results from a lack of pastoral care for Ministry Leaders, Dave Wiedis felt compelled to found ServingLeaders Ministries. In addition to his full time counseling practice, he regularly speaks at churches, pastors’ conferences and retreats. He has appeared as the host of the TV show, “Joy In Our Town” on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, WGTW. He also produced and guest hosted “PTL” specials on providing pastoral care to pastors, handling grief, and the necessity and challenges of taking a pastoral sabbatical.

Learn more about Dave by visiting his website and connecting with him on Instagram.

Jeremy Yeckley, MS | Director of New Initiatives (FCCS), Counselor  

Evaluation Burnout Risk in Leadership

Jeremy Yeckley is the Director of New Initiatives for Foundations Christian Counseling Services. Jeremy has been providing Christ-centersd counseling to men, couples, and teens for over ten years and speaks on various topics, including addictions, stress, anxiety, and marriage. He is married to Kara and has 3 children.

Learn more about Jeremy by visiting his website.