Midwest Gospel Preaching Summit (GPS)—We Preach Christ
Thu 10.13.22 @ 12:00 PM - Sat 10.15.22 @ 1:00 PM CDT
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Three nationally known preachers with a passion for training pastors and ministers are headlining the first-ever Midwest Gospel Preaching Summit, co-hosted by Mt. Zion Baptist Church and Upper House in Madison, Wisconsin. Pastors and ministers in Madison and the surrounding region will receive seminary-level training that elevates their teaching, preaching, and service to their congregations and local communities. Together, these speakers will focus on the theme of “We Preach Christ,” highlighting Christ’s Life, Death, and Resurrection. With breakout session leaders, they will instruct attendees on the development, design, and delivery of inspirational preaching. They bring decades of experience in training seminarians, as well as years of service shepherding congregations.
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The Plenary Speakers
Rev. Dr. Jerry M. Carter, Jr.
Rev. Dr. Jerry M. Carter, Jr. is the 14th pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church of Morristown, NJ. Dr, Carter is a faithful theologian whose commitment to articulate the gospel in both written and oratory forms has transformed and shaped the lives of generations. He is a highly sought-after revivalist, keynote speaker, lecturer, mentor and teacher, who has been invited to share the gospel on numerous platforms throughout the country. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Denison University, in Granville, Ohio, a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Philosophy degree from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. He is president of the African-American Clergy Association of Morris County, founder and host of the How Shall They Hear Preaching conference, and distinguished visiting professor of the Transformational Preaching Doctorate of Ministry program at New Brunswick Theological Seminary in New Brunswick, NJ. Dr. Carter is also an author who has inspired through his published works in the New Interpreters Handbook of Preaching, Oxford Sermons Volume III, Evangelizing the Black Male in the 21st Century and the African American Pulpit. His latest work, “The Empowered Life: Living Well in the Spirit” was published in 2015. Dr. Carter is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and the proud father of three children, Jerry M. III, Zachary Daniel, and Camille.
Rev. Dr. Carolyn Ann Knight
Rev. Dr. Carolyn Ann Knight was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. She received the Bachelor of Arts degree from Bishop College in Dallas, Texas with a major concentration in English, philosophy, and religion. Her theological training began at Colgate Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, NY; she later transferred to Union Theological Seminary in New York City where she was awarded the Master of Divinity and Master of Sacred Theology degrees, respectively. Rev. Knight holds the Doctor of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Under the tutelage and influence of many treasured and prolific preachers throughout the country, Dr. Knight developed a love for preaching and the pulpit. She preached her trial sermon and was licensed for the gospel ministry at the Mount Gilead Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado under the leadership of The Reverend Acen L. Phillips. Dr. Knight has served in the pastoral ministry in pulpits in Denver, CO; Dallas, TX; Rochester, and Harlem, NY. She is the founder and president of “CAN DO!” Ministries; a progressive, preventive youth advocacy ministry dedicated to the cultural, social, intellectual, and spiritual wellbeing of youth and young adults. Dr. Knight serves on numerous boards and committees, and is cited as a sui generis, a one-of-a-kind preaching voice for this generation. Dr. Knight is a proud Golden Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The singular theme of her message and ministry is a better quality life for the poor and oppressed, particularly woman and children.
Rev. Dr. George Lewis Parks, Jr.
Rev. Dr. George Lewis Parks, Jr. is the pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in North Little Rock, AR. He pursued his undergraduate studies at the American Baptist College in Nashville, TN, where he was awarded the MLK Scholarship and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies/Pastoral Studies. Dr. Parks’ thirst for spiritual growth led him to return to school, and he earned his Masters of Divinity degree from Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, DC. There, he was awarded the prestigious J. H. Jackson Award for Promise in Pastoral Excellence. His sermon, “Black and Proud” has been published in the African American Pulpit journal. In May 2016, he earned his Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching from Union University School of Theology and Missions. God has given Dr. Parks a diversity of assignments throughout his ministerial career; God has shown His favor and anointing on Dr. Parks by allowing him to preach God’s word throughout the country, and by placing kind-hearted pastors in his path. In return, Dr. Parks opens doors for other ministers. Dr. Parks continues to build on the legacy and vision of the New Hope Baptist Church, and its future continues to shine as the church moves into a new season of Building Faith and Sharing Love.
The Hosts
Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Madison, Wisconsin, was founded in 1911 and is one of Wisconsin’s oldest predominantly African American congregations. Mt. Zion has a long history of community service and a deep commitment to equipping healthy pastors to grow healthy congregations and, in turn, advance healthy communities. Pastor Allen 
serves as the president of the African American Council of Churches; he is passionate about providing theological training to African American pastors who are bi-vocational or serving their congregation without seminary degrees.
Upper House is a nonprofit center for Christian gathering and learning committed to connecting faith, ideas, and communities in Madison and regionally. Located in the heart of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Upper House hosts programs and conferences, often in partnership with local ministries, to advance theological education and spiritual formation. A venue known for its space and hospitality, Upper House is delighted to champion this initiative with Mt. Zion.
Midwest GPS Schedule
Thursday, October 13
12:00 PM — Registration opens
1:00-2:15 PM — Welcome and Session 1
2:30-3:45 PM — Session 2
3:45 PM — Break for dinner off-site
6:30 PM — Evening Service at Mt. Zion (open to the public)
Friday, October 14
9:00-10:15 AM — Session 3
10:30-11:45 AM — Panel Discussion: Preaching Christ to All Generations
11:45 AM-1:00 PM — Lunch provided on-site
1:00-2:15 PM — Session 4
2:30-3:45 PM — Breakout Sessions
Saturday, October 15
8:30-9:45 AM — Session 5
10:00-11:15 AM — Breakout Sessions
11:30-12:45 PM — Session 6
1:00 PM — Midwest GPS concludes
Registration Rates
- $120.00 – Regular Rate
- $50.00 – Online Only Rate
- $65.00 – Senior Rate
- $50.00 – Student Rate
Hotel Reservations
The conference has reserved a block of rooms at the Radisson Hotel Madison. We also include the Holiday Inn Express & Suites as an option to consider, because of their location and shuttle service.
Note that the conference weekend falls on a UW-Madison Parent and Family weekend, so we recommend making reservations as soon as you are able.
Radisson Hotel Madison
517 Grand Canyon Dr, Madison, WI 53719 | 608-716-5842
Rate is $120/night. To reserve a room, call Radisson Hotel Madison at 608-716-5842 and ask for Midwest Gospel Preaching Summit or Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Radisson Hotel Madison has free parking and is a 20-minute drive to the Midwest GPS at Upper House.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Madison Central
610 John Nolen Dr, Madison, WI 53713 | 608-709-5050
Rates vary. To reserve a room, either follow this link, or call 608-709-5050. The Holiday Inn Express has free parking and is a 10-minute drive to the Midwest GPS at Upper House. The hotel also offers a shuttle service, for which guests can individually sign-up. We recommend Midwest GPS guests who use this service to request the following times.
Midwest GPS Sponsors
