Nexus | Ministry Leadership Conference
Christian Leadership in Times of Crisis
Monday, February 8, 2027 | 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Pilgrim Chapel, DBU Campus
Crisis moments refuse to wait to abide by our calendars. Instead, they show up seemingly out of nowhere, ready to disrupt your goals, your plans, and your every day schedule. Whether it is a tragedy in the organization, a scandal that you have to navigate, or an attack from an outside voice, the crisis hits, and we have to react.
But how can you respond in the midst of the crisis in a way that not only maintains your vision and mission, but also reflects the character and person of Christ? How can you lead like Jesus through the storm?
Join us on Monday, February 8, 2027, as we will hear from representatives of Pinkston, a nationally recognized communications strategy organization that specializes in navigating crisis moments for non-profit and faith-based organizations. In addition, we will hear from other Christian leaders who will discuss the intricacies of crisis leadership, including how to spiritually engage the storm, how to handle all of the other practical responsibilities in the midst of the storm, and how to lead others through the storm, all while pointing to Jesus.
Christian Pinkston is a leader in the field of communication strategies and crisis management. In 2001, after several years serving in various communication roles, he founded Pinkston and continues to serve as its President and CEO. Pinkston is a strategic communications firm that specializes in individualized solutions for a variety of clients, both in larger corporate America as well as smaller non-profit Christian organizations.
Nathan Burchfiel serves as Senior Vice President at Pinkston, where he helps to guide communication strategies and crisis management for Pinkston’s wide array of clients. A noted writer, researcher, and editor, Nathan provides his insight for a number of news outlets, as well non-profit, Chrisitan organizations.
Leading from Rest: Caring for Your Soul while Serving
Monday, February 2, 2026 | 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Barry Jones
Location: Pilgrim Chapel, DBU Campus
Watch Recordings for our 2026 Nexus Conference
There is a burden that comes with leadership - budgets, deadlines, conflicts, misunderstandings, competing priorities, new directions, personnel issues, communication miscues, and the list goes on and on. In the midst of the onslaught of demands, it can seem impossible to prioritize your own needs.
How can someone lead like Jesus and maintain their calling without becoming a casualty of the chaos?
For our 2026 Nexus Ministry Leadership Conference, we explored what it means to be a Christ-centered, others-focused leader while still caring for our soul.
Our keynote speaker was Dr. Barry Jones, senior pastor of Irving Bible Church and author of Dwell: Life with God for the World. Dr. Jones is a former professor of spiritual formation and pastoral theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. His background provides a unique perspective of someone who has both studied deeply the concepts of spiritual health and well-being while practically living out these concepts within in the local church.