All Pastors Conference 2025

Keynote Speaker

Rev. Dr. David Schmitt

The Rev. Dr. David Schmitt holds the Gregg H. Benidt Memorial Endowed Chair in Homiletics and Literature at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo. He joined the faculty in 1995 and serves as professor of Practical Theology, teaching courses in preaching, evangelism, pastoral ministry, Christianity and literature, and the devotional life. Before coming to the seminary, Dr. Schmitt served as pastor of St. John the Divine in Chicago, Ill. He earned a B.A. from Concordia College, Ann Arbor (1984), an M.Div. from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis (1988), an M.A. in English from the University of Illinois (1990) and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in English from Washington University in St. Louis (2005).

Keynote Speaker

Rev. Dr. Joel Lawrence

Dr. Joel Lawrence serves as the President of the Center for Pastor Theologians. Prior to this role, he served as the Senior Pastor of Central Baptist Church in St. Paul, Minn., Teaching Pastor at Calvary Church in White Bear, Minn., and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and Ethics at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. Dr. Lawrence holds degrees from Texas A&M University (B.A.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.), and Cambridge University (M.Phil. and Ph.D.). He is the author of several books and has an active ministry speaking in churches, seminaries, and conferences worldwide.

Counselor

Mr. Rob Boothroyd, LPC, CSAT

Licensed Professional Counselor | Certified Sexual Addiction Therapist | EMDR Trained | EFT Trained | IFS Level 1 Trained

Rob has a B.A. from the University of Delaware and a Professional Counseling Degree from Liberty University. He previously spent 10 years with Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru) and 20 years in the staffing industry. In 2014, he and his wife Carol co-founded Still Water Professional Counseling, LLC in Midland, Mich., where they now lead a team of eight therapists and four administrative staff.

Counselor

Mrs. Mandy Vergin

Mandy Vergin is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over a decade of experience in the mental health field. She has a B.A. in Theological Studies from Concordia University Chicago and an M.A. in Professional Counseling from Grand Canyon University, as well as a Level 2 Certification in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. She utilizes all of this to offer faith-based counseling to individuals and couples. Mandy owns a practice (New Mercies Counseling Services, LLC) and works in the Grand Haven, Mich. area, where her husband serves as an LCMS pastor.