John Piper, Matt Chandler, Phil Wickham, Shane and Shane to Lead Linger Conference

By Lauren Leigh Noske

Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas will host Linger Conference, a time of extensive worship, prayer, reflection, and meditation on Scripture on February 14-15 of next year. Scheduled conference speakers include John Piper, Matt Chandler, Todd Wagner, and Tullian Tchividjian, and several well-known Christian artists including Shane and Shane, Phil Wickham, Bethany Dillon, and Jimmy Needham will perform at the seminar as well.

In light of today’s tendency to move quickly from task to task, leaders of the Linger Conference hope to “spark a hunger for the presence of God and a lifelong pursuit of beholding His Glory” through nearly 24 hours of reflection on the Lord during the two-day seminar. Nationally renowned speakers, artists, and authors will lead both laymen and pastors in this extended weekend of worship.

John Piper, who recently retired from his pastoral position at Bethlehem Baptist Church after 30 years of shepherding, will speak at the conference. The passionate poet is widely known for his belief in Christian Hedonism - he has proclaimed fervently for decades that “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” Piper has written over 50 books, and has also founded Bethlehem College and Seminary. A host of free sermon downloads, Q-and-A’s, and other resources from the pastor are available at his website, DesiringGod.org.

Matt Chandler will also speak at the conference, a gifted communicator and well-known pastor. Many have come to know the Lord at The Village Church under Chandler, who is ferocious for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is also the president of the Acts 29 Network church planting organization.

Todd Wagner’s Dallas-based church also shepherds thousands of young adults, and his ministry has a passion for evangelism and for service. Tullian Tchividjian is the grandson of Billy Graham, and is an author, a speaker, and a pastor in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Christian artists at the conference include Shane and Shane, Phil Wickham, Jimmy Needham, and Bethany Dillon. Shane Barnard and Shane Everett have won multiple Dove awards for their harmonious Gospel-centered songs, and they attend Wagner’s church where the conference will be hosted. Shane Barnard’s wife, Bethany Dillon, is also a well-known Christian artist who released her first album at the age of 15. Jimmy Needham is known for his Christ-exalting blues and pop-style music, and Phil Wickham has released several critically acclaimed worship albums.

There will also be a separate training workshop available for writers, teachers, and songwriters on February 13. Early Bird registration for the event ends on July 30.

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