Breakouts
Large BreakOut
1:00-2:45pm | Middle School Students
4:15-5:45pm | High School Students
Small BreakOuts
1:00-2:45pm | High School Students
4:15-5:45pm | Middle School Students
For Leaders
1:00-2:30pm | Transformed to Lead
4:15-5:45pm | Coffee and Connecting | Transformed to Lead Pt. 2
Breakouts for Students
Large Breakout
Rachel Gardner (First Priority) | Dr. Scott Pace (SEBTS)
Session 1 | Apologetics 101 (45mins) | Session 2 | Live Q & R (45 mins)
Location: Worship Center | Map Below
In a world full of questions and skepticism, how can you confidently share your faith? This breakout will equip students to understand why the gospel is still good news today and how to respond to common objections about God, the Bible, and suffering. Through practical teaching, real-life examples, and interactive discussion, students will gain simple, clear tools to talk about Jesus with their friends.
Application Steps:
Students will walk away with a clear action plan for engaging their schools with prayer and evangelism.
Equip students to connect and gather with peers in their schools or communities, fostering strength, encouragement, and unity around a shared vision.
Small Breakouts
Small Breakout ONE | Help! I’m Anxious
Speaker: Ashley McIlwain M.A., LMFT | Ashley McIlwain is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, the Founder and CEO of Foundation Restoration, a nonprofit ministry celebrating 15 years of saving lives, marriages, and families with clinical expertise and a biblical perspective through professional therapy, workshops, seminars, and other resources. Ashley is also the host of the Real Talk Podcast. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University, has worked with Moody Publishers and Dr. Gary Chapman, and has a wide experience with speaking and writing. She and her husband, Steve, reside in Raleigh, NC with their sweet son Grayson.
Location: Room 1 | Map Below
Summary: 40 million Americans struggle with some form of chronic anxiety. Every generation is 3x more likely to struggle with anxiety than their parents. Life is anxious for us all at different degrees. Life’s uncertainties—whether school, jobs, or the future—can feel overwhelming, leaving many feeling lost in a sea of stress. Do you wrestle with anxiety or struggle to take your next step with confidence? This session will equip middle and high school students with practical tools to manage anxiety, navigate life’s transitions, and find hope amid uncertainty.
Application & Next Steps:
Help students to learn and understand the complex nature and feelings of anxiety
Help students to learn the practice of renewing the mind when anxious thoughts happen.
Help students to navigate anxiety when faced with future uncertainties and decisions
Small Breakout TWO | Wisdom in the Age of AI
Speaker: John Erwin | John is a native of Virginia, John graduated from Virginia Tech in 1996 with a degree in civil/structural engineering. He practiced structural engineering until 2003, when he made a career change into the business realm, joining Genworth Financial. While at Genworth, John held several leadership roles in quality, strategic development, and international operations. John has been married to his wife, Sarah, since 1999 and they have two sons, Caleb and Samuel.
Location: Room 2 | Map Below)
Summary: Artificial Intelligence is shaping how we learn, create, and connect — but how should followers of Jesus think about it? In this breakout, students will explore what AI is, what they need to understand about its influence, how to use it wisely and ethically, and how to engage the future without compromising their faith.
Application & Next Steps:
Practical, thoughtful, and forward-looking, this session will help students navigate technology with discernment and confidence.
Small Breakout THREE | The Real Battle: How to Stand Firm in a Spiritual World
Speaker: Jeff Foster | Jeff Foster serves as an Adjunct Professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he completed his PhD. He has spent over a decade researching and teaching on spiritual warfare from a biblical perspective. Jeff equips students to recognize spiritual deception and stand firm in the truth of God’s Word.
Location: Room 3 | Map Below
Summary: The Bible tells us we have a real enemy — but we don’t have to live in fear. This breakout will uncover what spiritual warfare actually is (and isn’t), how the Enemy tries to deceive and distract us, and how to fight back with God’s truth.
Application & Next Steps:
Students will leave knowing three practical steps to resist temptation and stay grounded in who they are in Christ.
Small Breakout FOUR | No More Christian “Game”: Living What You Believe
Speaker: TJ Wallace | TJ is the Student Pastor at Temple City Church - is a husband to Mindy, dad to Zeek and Covee, and the student pastor at Temple City Church. He is passionate about preaching the Word of God and developing people to be spiritually and emotionally healthy. When He's not leading ministry, you can find him eating chipotle, playing pickleball, being a Duke Blue Devil super-fan, or making memories with his family.
Location: Room 4 | Map Below
It’s easy to play the part — say the right things at church but live differently everywhere else. In this breakout, we’ll talk about what authentic faith looks like, why God calls us to more than just “acting Christian,” and how to take small steps toward a life that’s real and consistent.
Application & Next Steps:
Students will identify one area where they’ve been “faking it” and make a concrete decision toward honesty and faithfulness.
Small Breakout FIVE | Finding God’s Will When You Feel Stuck
Speaker: Ronjour Locke | Ronjour serves as lead pastor of MVBC Raleigh. He also teaches at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he has served since 2018. He is a graduate of Washington Bible College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is happily married to Annie, and they have four children.
Location: Room 5 | Map Below
Summary: Big choices can feel scary: What if I mess it all up? What if I can’t hear God clearly? In this breakout, we’ll talk about how to make decisions with wisdom, trust God with the unknown, and move forward even when life feels unclear.
Application & Next Steps:
Students will learn three questions to ask before making decisions and practice surrendering their “next step” to God.
Small Breakout SIX | Faith That Sticks & Shares: Growing Deep and Living Out Loud
Speaker: Sharlene Provilus | Sharlene is a dynamic communicator, spoken word poet, author, and recording artist who’s on a mission to use her words to change the world. She has been a part of UNITED since the very beginning, and her voice and leadership have helped shape who we are today. Currently living in New York, she serves at a local university while continuing to invest deeply in students and young leaders. Sharlene has a deep heart for the Gospel and a passion for helping people see just how creative, powerful, and amazing our God truly is.
Location: Room 6
Summary: In a world that never slows down, how can students find true rest without falling behind? This breakout session will help middle and high school students learn how to balance school, sports, social life, and responsibilities while prioritizing spiritual and mental well-being. Through practical strategies, biblical wisdom, and real-life discussions, students will discover how to set healthy boundaries, manage their time effectively, and embrace rest as a gift—not a weakness. They’ll walk away with tools to navigate the fast pace of life without feeling overwhelmed or burned out.
Application & Next Steps:
Students will leave with a memorable framework for spiritual growth and conversations and a challenge to pray for one specific friend.
Small Breakout SEVEN | Real Life. Real Relationships
Speakers: Mike and Candi Powers | Mike and Candi Powers have been married for over 20 years and have three children. They met while studying at Southeastern and share a passion for serving the local church, discipling believers, and helping others grow in their love for Christ.
Mike is the Lead Pastor and Elder of Richland Creek Community Church, where he provides preaching and pastoral leadership. He holds a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University, a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Candi serves as Women’s Life Coordinator at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where she encourages and disciples women preparing for ministry. She earned a nursing degree from University of Oklahoma and later completed a Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages at Southeastern.
Location: Room 7 | Map Below
Summary: Friends. Parents. Group chats. Teammates. Crushes. Drama. Relationships can be some of the best parts of your life — and some of the hardest. In this breakout, we’ll talk honestly about what it looks like to follow Jesus in the middle of real-life relationships. We’ll cover communication, conflict, boundaries, and how to build friendships and dating relationships that actually honor Christ and bring joy instead of regret.
Application & Next Steps:
Students will walk away with biblical and practical wisdom for how to approach relationships.
Leader Breakout
Small Breakout EIGHT | Dr. Jason Tovey | Crosspointe Biblical Counseling
Speaker: Dr. Jason Tovey | Jason is a pastoral/biblical clinical counselor at Crosspointe Biblical Counseling Center in Raleigh, NC. He holds a PhD in Clinical Christian Counseling with advanced certifications in sexual therapy; death and grief therapy; crisis and abuse therapy; and integrated marriage and family therapy. He is an ordained minister and has been in pastoral ministry since 2001. He and his wife have five children (ages 14-20). Hear more from Jason at: The Living Rooted Podcast
Location: Room 8 | Map Below
Summary: This breakout encourages leaders to deepen their relationship with God by embracing His truth about who they are and walking closely with Jesus each day. By doing so, they become better equipped to serve others, providing support, guidance, and love in their leadership roles with students. The goal is to cultivate leaders who are passionate about Jesus, filled with compassion, and committed to investing in the lives of others.
Application Steps:
Reflect on the key moments in your life that have shaped your understanding of your identity.
Explore how God's view of you as His beloved child compares to your own self-perception.
What would it look like to lead others from that place of secure, unwavering identity?
Consider the students you serve: How can you create a space where they, too, can discover and embrace their identity in Christ?