Thriving in Ministry Conference
As part of Presbyterian College’s Ecology of Calling Initiative (funded by a grant from the Lilly Endowment) we are excited to sponsor a conference for clergy and other church professionals entitled Thriving in Ministry. The conference will be held on our campus April 27th and 28th. PC alumni will serve as the featured speakers, including Dr. Lissa Long ’98, David Powers ’04, Foothill Presbytery Leaders, Dr. Bob Brearley ’74, and Dr. John Brearley ’81.
There is no cost to attend the conference, and hotel expenses will be covered for the first 20 participants to register!
Event Details
April 27th & 28th, 2026
Mon. at 9AM
through Tue. at 1PM
Harper Center
360 5th Ave., Clinton, SC
Featured Speakers
Rev. Dr. Lissa Sumner Long ’93
Rev. Dr. Lissa Sumner Long ’93 serves as the General Presbytery for the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia. She will lead a presentation on different approaches to “Influential Leadership”
Rev. David Powers ’04
Rev. David Powers ’04 is the senior pastor of Idlewild Presbyterian Church in Memphis, TN. His presentation will focus on “Cultivating Generosity” within congregations.
Foothills Presbytery
Rev. Debbie Foster ‘85 and Rev. Pressley Neal Cox ‘98 both serve together on the staff of Foothills Presbytery in the Upstate of South Carolina. They will be joined by members of the presbytery’s Antiracism Ministry Team to share about their important work in creating the “Critical Conversations” program.
Rev. Dr. Bob Brearley ‘74 and Rev. Dr. John Brearley ‘81
Rev. Dr. Bob Brearley ‘74 is a retired Presbyterian pastor, and Rev. Dr. John Brearley ‘81 serves as the senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Myrtle Beach. They will share a dialogue about “What Sustains Your Ministry” through the years.
