Rev. Dr. Scott Cormode is the Hugh De Pree Professor of Leadership Development at Fuller Seminary. He founded the Academy of Religious Leadership, an organization for professors who teach leadership in seminaries, and its Journal of Religious Leadership. Author of the book “Making Spiritual Sense: Theological Interpretation as Christian Leadership,” Scott has also published numerous articles on leadership, organization and technology. He maintains case studies and other resources on leadership.fuller.edu, a website for developing Christian leaders.

Scott will be the keynote speaker at the Leadership Forum, the professional/spiritual development seminar on Thursday, March 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Rev. Dr. Larry Hovis has been the executive coordinator of CBFNC since 2004. His responsibilities include bringing together the diverse parts of CBFNC (including individual Christians, churches, staff, councils, other volunteer leadership and ministry partners) into a coherent and efficient whole to accomplish our purpose of “bringing Baptists of North Carolina together for Christ-centered ministry.” Before his tenure with CBFNC, Larry served as pastor at churches in North Carolina and Virginia. While Larry’s particular strengths focus on leadership, stewardship, strategic planning, governance and organizational development, his passion is preaching and relating to Baptist congregations. He has been privileged to preach or speak in hundreds of churches and organizations in North Carolina and beyond.

Larry will be preaching in the Opening Worship Session on Thursday, March 14 from 3:45 to 5:00 p.m.

Taylor Long is a current CBFNC Lolley Scholar pursuing her Master of Divinity from Campbell University Divinity School. Originally from Clayton, she is a member of Benson Baptist in Benson and a proud of alumnus of Campbell University (’22). Taylor feels called to be with others as they explore who they are becoming and how God is at work in the world.

Taylor will be leading the devotion during the Morning Gathering Session on Friday, March 15 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Rev. Stacy Nowell was elected as CBFNC moderator in March 2023. She is the senior pastor of First Baptist in Huntersville, where she has served since 2015. Now in the midst of doctoral studies at Duke Divinity School, Stacy is writing her thesis on evangelism and the 21^st century American church. Stacy has previously served at churches in Georgia and Virginia. She also served as a hospital chaplain.  Her service in the larger Baptist community includes tenures on the national Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Coordinating Council, the CBF Nominating Committee, the Virginia CBF Coordinating Council, the Board of Trustees for the Religious Herald, the Board of Directors for Baptist News Global and the Board of Visitors for McAfee School of Theology.

Stacy will be preaching in the Closing Worship Session on Friday, March 15 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.