Christian Leadership Summit Videos

Thursday, March 26, 2026 - 6:00 p.m.

Part I: Welcome, Scholarship and Dissertation Awards, and Introduction of Keynote Speaker

Timestamps with the Order of Events 

• 1:41 - Dr. Blake Killingsworth, Dean of the Cook School of Leadership, welcomes everyone and shares announcements
• 1:49 - Dr. Gary Cook, Chancellor, prays
• 1:54 - Dr. Adam Wright, President, shares opening remarks
• 2:01 - Dr. Mary Nelson, Director of the Ph.D. program, announces the inaugural recipient of the Gayle Miller Endowed Scholarships
• 2:06 - Lola Ricketts, recipient of the Gayle Miller Endowed Scholarships, shares an expression of gratitude
• 2:07 - Dr. Mary Nelson introduces Gayle Miller's parents, Clarence and Barbara Miller
• 2:08 - Clarence and Barbara Miller share gratitude and a few stories
• 2:12 - Dr. Nelson announces that Dr. Sue Kavli, Director, Academic Research Associate Dean, presents the Dissertation Awards
• 2:13 - Dr. Kavli explains the criteria and process for receiving the awards and announces Dr. Sarah Burt receives the Outstanding Doctor of Educational Leadership award
• 2:16 - Dr. Sarah Burt receives her award and shares an expression of gratitude
• 2:18 - Dr. Kavli announces Dr. Monica Comeaux receives the Outstanding Doctor of Philosophy Leadership award
• 2:21 - Dr. Monica Comeaux receives her award and shares an expression of gratitude
• 2:24 - Dr. Killingsworth shares closing remarks and introduces keynote speaker, Peter Greer

Part II: Keynote Speaker

Speaker: Peter Greer

In his messagem which begins at around the 2-hour and 27-minute mark in the recording, "What Do We Do to Stay Mission True," Peter Greer explained how people slowly drift from Biblical truth and the measures leaders can take to make sure that they stay on track. Greer reminded leaders that they need to remember their organization's story and expanded to say how it is not just an organization that can drift, but also people. He concluded his message by giving examples of the different ways leaders can ensure that they stay mission true, highlighting a few key topics, including awareness, identity, pace, and prayer.

Friday, March 27, 2026 - 8:00 a.m.

Speaker: Peter Greer

The message starts at the 1-hour and 17-minutes mark into the recording. Peter Greer, author of Lead With Prayer, discussed the benefits of incorporating prayer into life and leadership. He started his message by talking about how leaders drift away from prayer as their influence increases, and warns that this is detrimental for a Christian leader. Greer then shared about leaders across the globe who incorporate prayer into their lives, not as something to check off their list, but as a relationship with God. To conclude, Greer encourages us to grow in prayerfulness as leaders and engages in a short Q&A with the audience.

Friday, March 27, 2026 - 10:00 a.m. 

Speaker: Matt Perman

In "Making the Most of the Time as Essential Christian Discipleship," beginning at the 54-minute mark in the recording, theologian Matt Perman addressed time management from a Christian spiritual viewpoint. He explained that learning to manage time well is a key component of Christian discipleship and noted that great leaders make the most of their time by being productive and deliberate. He emphasized that both the spiritual and secular tasks people manage are important to God, and that the spiritual impact they have on leaders and others when they are well managed is significant. Perman ended his message by pointing out that through good time management, God can transform the world socially, economically, and spiritually. 

Friday, March 27, 2026 - 11:00 a.m.

Speaker: Drayton McClane

The message starts at the 58-minute mark in the recording. Drayton McClane sits with DBU's president, Dr. Adam Wright, and together they discuss McClane’s personal advice on leadership. McClane encourages the audience to reach out to old friends, but also to connect with people who might not be convenient to meet with. He also explains to Dr. Wright the importance of not doing things only when it benefits yourself, and stepping out of your comfort zone to serve others. In closing, McClane encourages the audience to dream, to operate from their imagination, and to seek adversity. 

Friday, March 27, 2026 - 3:00 p.m.

Speaker: Matt Perman

In his final message, which begins at the 1-hour and 10-minute mark in the recording, "What's Best Next: A Gospel-Driven Approach to Life Management," Matt Perman focused on how people can transform the way they get things accomplished. He explained that there is a specific system for managing time properly and points out that the Bible tells people to be intentional and deliberate. By breaking down his process, he encouraged others to adjust the system to their own lifestyle, and that it is an application of Biblical principles. Perman concluded his message by addressing the importance of role clarity and categorizing areas of life, enabling people to manage better and prioritize their time.

Thursday, March 20, 2025 - 6:30 p.m.

Speaker: Coach Dan Heefner

The message starts at the 48:52 mark in the recording. After the awards were presented for dissertations, DBU Baseball Coach Dan Heefner spoke about leadership through what God has taught him during his life, and what DBU continues to teach to the baseball players. He stressed the importance of first knowing the Gospel before anything else in leadership. Heefner shared that identity is the most important thing as a player and a coach, and that when you are solid in your foundation as a child of God, living to glorify Him becomes easier. Heefner ended his message by emphasizing that we are to become better leaders by listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Speaker: Christian Pinkston

The message starts at the 22-minute mark in the recording. In his message, Christian Pinkston speaks about how to glorify God through your work in everyday life. He explains that the most impactful ways you can glorify God are through simple interactions with colleagues or clients that show the love of Jesus. Pinkston advises creating space in your life for connecting with others, even if it means giving up time you could use for another goal. He ends his message by giving the audience a call to action for being intentional about finding ways to share the Gospel with others.

Friday, March 21, 2025 - 2:40 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Rick Martinez

The message starts at the 13-minute mark in the recording. In his message, Dr. Rick Martinez discusses what makes a strong leader. He explains what it means to be a transactional, transformational, and transcendent leader and how to lead through a world that is volatile. He explains the importance of each type of leader and how they are all beneficial, despite the typical emphasis on transformational leadership. To conclude his message, Dr. Martinez reminded the audience to keep their eyes on Jesus even while the world is constantly changing around us.

Thursday, April 18, 2024 - 6:30 p.m.

Speaker: Raymond Harris

In his keynote, which begins at about the 36-minute mark in the recording, "Picking the Jockeys," Raymond Harris explored leadership through a biblical lens, arguing that effective leaders focus on selecting and developing people of character rather than merely pursuing results. Harris emphasized that righteousness, justice, and servant-hearted leadership are essential for lasting success. He concluded by encouraging leaders to apply the Golden Rule in business and leadership, putting others' interests first and seeking God's righteousness as the foundation for wise decision-making.

Friday, April 19, 2024 - 9:00 a.m.

Speaker: Dr. Randel Everett

In "Apostolic Leaders for Chaotic Times," which begins around the 9-minute mark in the recording, Dr. Randel Everett addressed how Christian leaders can faithfully navigate a world marked by both chaos and order. He encouraged leaders to remember that their ultimate citizenship is in heaven and challenged them to become apostolic leaders who engage globally, take risks, live with simplicity, persevere through challenges, and remain focused on Christ. Dr. Everett emphasized that effective leadership depends not on material success or institutional achievements but on the transforming grace of Christ working through believers.

Friday, April 19, 2024 - 3:00 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Mary Nelson

In her message, which begins around the 11-minute mark in the recording, "The Role of Empathy in Leadership," Dr. Mary Nelson argued that empathy is a critical leadership skill that has declined in modern society due to factors such as social media, compassion fatigue, and psychic numbing. She highlighted research showing that empathetic leaders foster stronger workplace performance and deeper human connections. Dr. Nelson proposed that reading literature can help restore empathy by allowing people to experience diverse perspectives, expand their imagination, and better understand others, ultimately equipping them to lead with greater compassion and Christ-centered influence.