The new conference will be held biannually in the spring and will explore the full scope of 9Marks’ teaching on ecclesiology to equip pastors and seminary students for healthy church leadership.

“I am grateful for the new format of our 9Marks at Midwestern Conference,” said President Jason Allen. “It has been a joy to host these annual 9Marks conferences, each on a particular ‘mark,’ for the past several years. However, because our students are only with us for two to three years, they were only exposed to two or three marks during their time studying on campus. With this new model, our students will be exposed to all nine marks every other year. Ecclesiology is incredibly important for what we do, and this new model helps us further strengthen and equip our students and regional pastors to be for the Church.”

Mark Dever, president of 9Marks and senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., shared his encouragement in the partnership. “Midwestern Seminary has been a great partner for 9Marks in promoting gospel work in the heart of America. I look forward to this partnership continuing and even growing in the years to come. This conference is a crucial part of that partnership. I hope that pastors will come and be equipped and encouraged.”

Jonathan Leeman, who serves as editorial director for 9Marks, shared, “9Marks loves partnering with Midwestern Seminary. We share a common cause in the gospel as well as for building healthy churches in that gospel.” Sharing his hopes for the new conference structure, Leeman added, “The goal always is to help pastors build healthy churches.”

Led by Dever, who authored Nine Marks of a Healthy Church in 2000, 9Marks provides churches with books, resources, and training on nine biblical “marks” of a healthy church: expositional preaching, gospel doctrine, conversion and evangelism, church membership, church discipline, discipleship, church leadership, prayer, and missions.

“We have a lot of admiration for how 9Marks does things and how they view and practice ecclesiology,” said Tim Adams, director of Student Life and Events at Midwestern Seminary.

From 2018 to 2024, Midwestern Seminary and 9Marks have partnered to host six conferences at Midwestern Seminary for current and future ministry leaders. Each of the previous conferences has focused on a specific mark of healthy churches, covering the topics of expository preaching, biblical theology, the gospel, conversion, evangelism, and church membership.

Adams commended 9Marks for its work to support pastors with biblical and practical wisdom for church leadership. He said, “9Marks thinks very critically about the ecclesiology of the church—how the church is structured and how it functions,” adding, “9Marks helps people think through the aspects of what it is to guide, shepherd, and protect the church body.”

While past conferences focused on individual marks of local church ministry and mission, each conference under the new structure will explore all nine marks.

“In the past, we would take a topic and look at it from six or seven different angles through the plenary sessions,” Adams said. “But with this shift, each session will be unique.”

Sharing the vision for the new structure, Adams highlighted Midwestern Seminary’s mission to prepare students for faithful ministry in the church. “9Marks has really key information that’s helpful to setting up future pastors—our students—for success when they step into the role.” He added, “This setup gives them a great opportunity to have the full exposure to 9Marks and begin pursuing their own partnership and relationship with the 9Marks material to go deeper on the specifics.”

Adams also noted the continuing value of the conference for current pastors and ministry leaders, as they lead churches facing various needs and challenges depending on their context. He said, “The new structure allows us to platform 9Marks in a way that reaches everybody.”

The next 9Marks conference, and the first under the new structure, will be held in April 2026 on Midwestern Seminary’s campus in Kansas City. As with previous 9Marks at Midwestern conferences, the two-day event will feature plenary sessions followed by Q&A panel discussions where attendees can deepen their application of session content. Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman will continue to participate in teaching at each conference.

To be notified when registration opens for the 9Marks at Midwestern Conference in 2026, subscribe to Midwestern Seminary’s newsletter here.

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Williams delivered two lectures on March 4-5 and joined Midwestern Seminary President Jason Allen for a special Q&A luncheon with the seminary community. Williams’ lectures and Q&A focused on the depth and brilliance of Jesus’ storytelling as demonstrated in the story of the prodigal son.

President Allen commented, “Beyond his academic credentials and expertise in the biblical languages, Dr. Williams is a dear brother, a lover of the church and of the gospel, mindful and devoted to the Great Commission, and just the type of person that we enjoy having on this campus. Most of all, he is a warm-hearted follower of Christ in whom the joy of the Lord is so very evident.”

The Genius of Jesus’ Storytelling

In his first lecture, Williams explored the genius of Jesus’ storytelling, focusing on His literary techniques illustrated in the story of the prodigal son.

He opened by saying, “What I want to show you is how brilliantly crafted this story is. There is no unnecessary detail—every word has a purpose. Jesus is the most brilliant storyteller ever.”

Williams highlighted several key aspects of Jesus’ storytelling, including His use of:

• Surprising literary reversals
• Intentional omissions
• Emotional intelligence
• Parallel connections with nearby stories
• Vivid mental imagery

Through these elements and more, Williams argued, “We build up a picture of who the speaker is here. This is not Luke’s inventing stories—this is someone from the land of Jesus, speaking as Jesus is elsewhere attested to speak, and who knows the Old Testament incredibly well. This could be no one other than Jesus Himself.”

He then reflected on the story’s message, saying, “The first 62% of this story emphasizes that if you’re an outsider, you are welcome. The Father welcomes you—whether you’re a tax collector or a sinner, you will be received immediately and fully. There is no probation.”

However, he also noted the challenge Jesus presented to those who “see themselves as insiders”: “The older son, like the scribes and Pharisees, must accept that tax collectors and sinners can be their brothers. Only then can they fully experience the celebration. This is how Jesus’ storytelling works—it invites and challenges us simultaneously.”

Biblical Parallels with a Purpose

In his second lecture, Williams continued his exposition of the story of the prodigal son, showing how Jesus’ storytelling was designed to engage different audiences.

He illustrated how the parable challenged the scribes and Pharisees, drawing direct parallels between this story and key figures in Genesis, including Jacob and Esau, Abraham, Judah and Tamar, and more. In demonstrating multiple connections, he said, “it is the same artistic mind behind both stories.”

He then revealed a warning from Jesus in the passage: “If you’re a scribe, you are thinking that if you despise your younger brother, you can lose your inheritance.”

Williams emphasized that biblical scholars and experts would recognize the subtle but profound intertextual references Jesus used:

“If you’re a Bible expert, you should notice the echoes—an old man running, a father with two sons, a great famine, a ring and a robe, years of service. All of these themes are deeply rooted in Genesis. And when you see them, you realize—this is truly amazing storytelling.”

As Williams concluded his lectures, he challenged the audience to see themselves in Jesus’ story:

“Each of us fits into one of the categories in the story of the two sons. If you are far from God, the message is clear—no matter how distant you feel, He is there, ready to receive you.”

He continued, “The first 62% of this story emphasizes the welcome of the Father to outsiders. That has long been the main takeaway—and rightly so. But in recent years, there’s been a shift to focus more on the end of the story. I believe we can strike a balance, recognizing both the deep beauty of God’s grace to the lost and the challenge this parable presents to those inside the church.”

Luncheon and Q&A

Following the lectures, President Allen hosted a luncheon and Q&A with Williams, giving faculty and students an opportunity to learn more about Williams’ background, his work at Tyndale House, and his insights on biblical studies.

Williams shared his faith journey, recounting how he grew up in a Christian home, experienced doubt during his years in university, and ultimately found confidence in biblical truth through the guidance of scholars like D.A. Carson and Mark Dever. His academic path led him to study Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and Aramaic, eventually bringing him to Tyndale House, where he now serves as principal and CEO.

He described Tyndale House as an evangelical research institute with a world-class biblical studies library, offering a scholarly community for Ph.D. students, faculty, and researchers. He highlighted its global impact, including supporting Bible translation efforts in Romania, Cuba, and Egypt.

The conversation also touched on his upcoming book, Can We Trust the Old Testament?, scheduled for 2028, which aims to demonstrate the historical reliability of the Old Testament. Williams emphasized the need for strong biblical scholarship, global pastoral training, and engaging academia with a faithful, intellectual witness.

To listen to the 2025 Sizemore Lectures with Peter Williams, visit mbts.edu/chapel.

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The regional championship victory came against Kansas Christian College with a final score of 90-81.

“I want to say a hearty congratulations to our Spurgeon Knights Men’s basketball team as they won our first ever regional championship,” said President Jason Allen. “I could not be more proud of our coach and team for the incredible season they have had. To go from starting our program just a few years ago to already winning the regional championship is quite a feat. We are looking forward to rooting on our guys at the national tournament next week.”

The Knights’ upcoming national tournament appearance will mark the second by a Spurgeon College team in the 2024–25 year and the third national tournament appearance overall since Spurgeon College launched its athletics program in 2019. The men’s basketball team made the school’s first national tournament appearance in the historic 2023–24 season, placing third.

Matt Risher, director of athletics at Spurgeon College, reflected on Friday’s regional championship win, saying, “We are beginning to reach the potential of what our athletic program can be. When I became the director of athletics in 2020, I set the vision that we would produce top-level teams in the NCCAA while maintaining a faithful Christian testimony. The win Friday night to capture our first regional tournament championship is the beginning of what we hope will be many more to come.”

Sharing Spurgeon College’s vision to develop Kingdom-minded student-athletes who excel on the court and in discipleship, he went on to say, “We work hard, we discipline our bodies, and we compete with a higher purpose in mind. The men’s basketball program is a great picture of that.”

He expressed his gratitude for men’s basketball head coach Billy Livezey in bringing this vision to fruition. “Since day one, Coach Livezey has sought to build a program that honors our Savior,” Risher said.

He continued, “Coach Livezey has created something special in our basketball program. We have back-to-back national tournament appearances. We have once again led the NCCAA in points per game. We play a fun and exciting brand of basketball. Most importantly, we have great young men. Coach Livezey recruits young men of God and disciples them, growing them in their walk and passion for the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Knights played an impressive 2024–25 season, becoming the nation’s highest-scoring team and earning the top position in the power rankings for the second consecutive season. Friday’s win extended the Knights’ historic winning streak to 13 games.

Livezey shared how the players’ Kingdom-mindset has contributed to making the 2024–25 season special, saying, “There are a lot of God-honoring teams and a lot of winning teams out there, but there are not a lot of teams that are doing both. And these men have done that. They love Jesus, they compete hard, and they give Him all the glory in the ups and downs.”

Celebrating the accomplishments of his players, Livezey noted, “Captain Drew Middleton scored his 1,000th point this season while earning 1st Team All-Region. Joseph Allen earned 1st Team All-Region as well, while Jack Chamberlin earned 2nd Team All-Region this year. We have had eight different guys averaging above 10 points per game at different parts of this season.”

Livezey shared what Friday’s historic win meant to the team. “We were all just so thankful in the moment for all God has done through this program. We spontaneously started singing ‘10,000 Reasons’ in the locker room after the game.”

Reflecting on the upcoming tournament, Livezey shared, “We look forward to competing again in back-to-back years and pursuing a national championship this time. The guys have set their goals high this season, and I am excited to see them continue to work for it these last couple of weeks.”

Livezey also commended the Spurgeon College campus community for their support, recalling the 2024 national tournament in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where many students, faculty, and staff traveled to cheer on the Knights.

He added, “Be praying this year that God is glorified through this wonderful game and that we honor Christ in all our ways as we compete for another championship run.”

The 2025 NCCAA DII National Championship will be held on March 13–15 at Crown College in Minneapolis.

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Elder joins the team with an impressive coaching resume, bringing a wealth of experience in both collegiate and club soccer as well as international coaching experience.

“Finding the right coach for any team can be hard, but finding the right coach with the right Christian convictions is harder still,” said President Jason Allen. “That is why I am excited that Brooklynn Elder has decided to lead our women’s soccer team at Spurgeon College. She brings passion, conviction, and expertise, and I am grateful she will be leading and mentoring our girls. I also want to say thank you to Jenn Will for her leadership over the past couple of years as she established our soccer program.”

For the past three years, Elder has served as an assistant coach at Avila University, where she contributed to the development of the women’s soccer program. Additionally, Elder is actively involved in coaching at Christ Prep Academy in Lenexa, Kansas, where she works with young Christian athletes, further demonstrating her commitment to fostering talent and creating a positive impact on the soccer community.

Sharing her excitement for her new role, Elder said, “I truly believe God called me here at this time to invest into Spurgeon College Athletics and the young women who are, and will be, a part of our team.”

Elder’s coaching experience extends beyond the United States as she spent the 2018–2020 seasons working with the Derby County Futsal Club in the United Kingdom, where she honed her skills and brought a global perspective to her coaching approach. Before her time at Derby County, Elder was an assistant coach at Missouri Southern State University, where she helped lead the women’s soccer program for two seasons.

A former player herself, Elder’s athletic career has been nothing short of remarkable. She played collegiate soccer at several institutions, including the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, Bethany College in Kansas, Colorado Mesa University, and Johnson County Community College. While at Bethany, Elder was not only a standout soccer player but also a member of the school’s basketball and track programs, showcasing her versatility as an athlete. Her experience as a multi-sport athlete has played a key role in shaping her coaching philosophy, emphasizing discipline, teamwork, and resilience.

Currently, Elder is working on her USSF “D” License, continuing to expand her coaching knowledge and qualifications. Her dedication to professional development and her passion for the game make her a perfect fit for the head women’s soccer coach position at Spurgeon College.

“We are thrilled to welcomeÌęBrooklynn ElderÌęto Spurgeon College,” said Matt Risher, director of athletics. “Her diverse coaching experience, combined with her leadership skills and her commitment to disciple student-athletes, will be invaluable as we continue to grow and develop our women’s soccer program. We are confident that under her guidance, our program will reach new heights.”

The culture and community of Spurgeon College were key factors in drawing Elder to coach for the Knights.

“It took one phone call with Matt Risher for me to know this was the place I needed to be,” she said. “The culture that the school and Coach Risher have created here at Spurgeon College is truly like a family, and there is a tremendous amount of support and potential for the women’s soccer program here.”

Elder shared her top priorities as she steps into the role, focusing on the importance of investing in students and the Spurgeon College community. “Top three priorities would include building a relationship with the current members of the team and building a strong foundation together over the spring, as well as recruiting for the 2025 class and learning more and getting thoroughly involved in all that Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College have to offer in the community.”

Elder’s hiring marks an exciting new chapter for the Spurgeon College women’s soccer team, and the Spurgeon College community is looking forward to seeing her leadership and vision take the program to the next level.

“I’m excited to grow in this upward step in my career as a collegiate head coach, and I’m especially grateful to be doing it in a Christ-centered environment,” Elder said.

To learn more about Spurgeon College, visit .

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Held at The Trails Church in Celina, Texas, the workshop was the first in a series of regional workshops to be offered by the Midwestern Institute for Preaching and Preachers.

“As most people know, Midwestern Seminary exists “For the Church,” said President Jason Allen. “And one of the ways we seek to demonstrate this reality is seeking to further equip and encourage those already in local church ministry. That is why I am very thankful for the Midwestern Institute for Preaching and Preachers. I am grateful for Matt, Jared, and Afshin for leading our very first one, and I am excited about all of the future workshops we will hold to further bless the Church.”

Led by Matt Boswell, Jared C. Wilson, and Afshin Ziafat, workshop sessions focused on equipping participants to lead their congregations through challenging passages of Scripture.

Boswell, who serves as pastor of The Trails Church and was recently named professor of worship ministries at Midwestern Seminary, opened with an example sermon on a “tough text.” Preaching on the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1–11, he showed how it warns against hypocrisy and calls Christians to walk in the light through repentance and fear of God.

Addressing the preachers in the room, Boswell emphasized the importance of fleeing hypocrisy and pursuing integrity to protect their ministries. “The reason I chose this text was to call us, men who stand on this side of the pulpit week in and week out, to deal with seriously with it,” he said.

He concluded, “Look to Christ, who in our place stood condemned for our sin, including the sin of hypocrisy.”

The second session was given by Jared C. Wilson, assistant professor of pastoral ministry and author in residence at Midwestern Seminary. Wilson addressed the challenges of preaching Christ in every text.

Wilson noted three reasons preachers do not preach Christ in every sermon: They lack vision to see Christ in the text, they lack spiritual vibrancy in their own walk with Christ, and they lack versatility to connect the gospel to the text at hand. To help participants overcome these challenges, Wilson noted New Testament examples of Christ-centered interpretation and offered several hermeneutical tools for seeing Christ in every passage.

Encouraging preachers to pursue spiritual vibrancy, Wilson said, “If we are regularly communing with Christ, reading the Scriptures in a devotional sense in a daily, disciplined way, the instinct is there to preach Christ.”

The final session was led by Afshin Ziafat, lead pastor of Providence Church in Frisco, Texas. Ziafat preached from Romans 9, offering another example of how to preach a challenging text.

Noting the debated interpretations of Romans 9, Ziafat said, “This is a very difficult passage to preach, but I believe that we can preach it in a way that is humble and yet holds God’s Word up as the ultimate authority.”

He concluded by offering five principles for preaching difficult texts: Avoid apologizing for the text, specify what an interpretation does not mean, “be charitable with the opposing views,” “be compassionate and patient,” and avoid preaching secondary and tertiary doctrines as primary for faith.

Following the sessions, participants in the workshop experienced a panel discussion led by the three speakers and had an opportunity to apply the teaching during a group work session.

Participants expressed their encouragement from the teaching sessions and the fellowship with other preachers.

Sean Collins, a senior pastor from Bogata, Texas, shared, “At this workshop, we’ve been sitting under men who have faithfully modeled by example what it means to preach hard texts, and it’s been truly for the Church. As I go back and shepherd my people, I’ve been encouraged to continue putting in the hard work of digging into the text and seeking to faithfully preach and shepherd well.”

Caleb Fleming, who pastors in Sherman, Texas, added, “My biggest takeaway of today’s event is knowing there are brothers like me in my area who are trying to think through how to preach well and how to shepherd the flock they’ve been entrusted with. It’s been really encouraging to me.”

Jordan Wilbanks, Midwestern Seminary’s vice president of church partnerships and director of the Midwestern Institute for Preaching and Preachers, shared, “It was a wonderful day. The engagement of those in attendance was remarkable. Fresh off their own Sunday services, pastors were dialed in to consider some practical preaching-specific matters in a concentrated format that isn’t often available to them.”

Expressing his gratitude for the speakers, Wilbanks added, “Jared Wilson, Matt Boswell, and Afshin Ziafat were exemplary in the way they loved on these pastors with their session content.”

Wilbanks shared the institute’s vision for regional workshops to support the Great Commission by equipping preachers for faithful exposition with mutual encouragement. “These are community-focused workshops aimed to care for the hearts of the preachers themselves and to make isolation more difficult.”

He added, “We want to provide additional training for a given preacher to immerse himself in the preaching ministry so that all may see his progress, as 1 Timothy 4:15 says.”

The Midwestern Institute for Preaching and Preachers will host three workshops each fall and spring, including one on campus and two regionally. Upcoming spring 2025 workshops will be held on March 11 at First Baptist Church O’Fallon in the St. Louis area, and on March 27 on Midwestern Seminary’s campus in Kansas City.

To learn more about the Midwestern Institute for Preaching and Preachers and to register for an upcoming workshop, visit .

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