Equip Youth Apologetics Conference
Saturday, September 6, 2025
Join us for our fourth EQUIP conference, intended to help students think more carefully about the Christian faith, to strengthen their own faith, and to share that faith with others. It is intended for mature middle schoolers, highschoolers, and recent high school graduates.
Challenges to Christian belief seem to come from all corners today, and students need to be able to respond faithfully. We are excited to partner with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board to provide an engaging and in-depth time of training and inspiration. We hope you will join us.
Chaperones are not required but may register for $15.
Register Now
Speakers
Flyer (.pdf)
Advertising Slide
Schedule
Registration Deadline: Aug. 25, 2025 | Cost: $25 (registration, lunch & t-shirt); $15 for chaperones
2025 Speakers
Joshua Chatraw is the Beeson Divinity School Billy Graham Chair for Evangelism and Cultural Engagement at Samford University. His recent books include The Augustine Way, Surprised by Doubt, and Telling a Better Story. He also serves as an inaugural fellow with The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics and a fellow at The Center for Pastor Theologians. Dr. Chatraw lives with his wife, Tracy, and his kids, Addison and Hudson in Birmingham, Alabama. When he's not in his study or in a lecture hall, you will likely find him on a soccer field, on running trails, or in his living room with family and friends.
Title 1: The Apologetic Task of Double Listening
Title 2: Gospel Persuasion in a Skeptical Age
Jay Barbier serves as the Harvest Field 3 Team Leader for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. He helps resource churches, networks with leaders, and equips the local church to reach their community with the Gospel. His passion is preaching and traveling.
Title: Is there such a thing as right and wrong?
Justin Barnard teaches, speaks, and writes about wisdom and human flourishing. As a student of the work of C.S. Lewis, he is captivated by truth, beauty, and goodness in all its forms.
Title: Three Lessons from Legion (Mark 5:1-15)
Ryan Keaton serves as the Strengthening Evangelistic Disciples Team Leader at the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. He helps churches create collaborative networks across the state that connect and resource them in different areas related to discipleship.
Breakout session for youth leaders & parents: Truth in the Trenches: Guiding Teens through Today's Toughest Topics
Schedule
Saturday, Sept. 6
- 9:30 a.m. — Check-in, Foyer of the Grant Events Center
- 10:00 a.m. — Worship
- 10:15 a.m. — Welcome and Prayer
- 10:30 a.m. — Session 1: Joshua Chatraw
- 11:15 a.m. — Break 1
- 11:30 a.m. — Session 2: Joshua Chatraw
- 12:15 p.m. — Lunch, Brewer Dining Hall, Barefoot Student Union Building
- 1:15 p.m. — Session 3: Jay Barbier
- 2:00 p.m. — Session 4: Justin Barnard
- 2:45 p.m. — Break 2 & Refreshments
- 3:00 p.m. — Session 5: Panel Q&A
- 3:45 p.m. — Session 6 : Union Students
- Concurrent breakout session for youth leaders & parents: Ryan Keaton
- 4:30–4:50 p.m. — Closing Remarks/Worship
Directions and Parking
Directions to Union's Carl Grant Events Center and campus maps are available below. The printable campus map is especially helpful. Enter campus via the west entrance (the main entrance) on Pleasant Plains. Follow the route marked with a blue line to Main Parking (PAC West Lot), which is just south of the Grant Center (marked with a star).