The theme of the 2026 Bible Conference at Pensacola Christian College inspired an uplifting congregational and special song selection, focusing on the Church and how it proclaims Christ in the local gathering, global ministry, and eternal destiny. Over three days, services, music, and intentional times for rest provided students with physical and spiritual refreshment in the midst of a busy spring semester.
The Local Gathering
“The best part of Bible Conference was attending services with friends,” said Jefferson Schoonover (Jr., MN). “It is a blessing to learn from the preaching with other believers. Every year the messages are always so eye-opening and practical. I came away from the conference with a new understanding of how to grow a relationship with my God.”
On Wednesday morning student leaders opened the praise and prayer service. Guest speakers joined them on the stage to share personal testimonies and to encourage hearts to be open to God’s Word in the days ahead.
“It is a blessing to learn from the preaching with other believers.”
“I’ve learned there are two key parts to each Bible Conference,” Cammie Spicer (Jr., WV) shared during her brief testimonial. “The first is worship through beautiful specials, choirs, and congregationals and the second is the work of the Holy Spirit. We hear from multiple speakers who have dedicated their lives to the preaching and the teaching of the Bible; however, we are not convicted by the speaker’s words in the sermons but by the Word of God in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit works individually.”
Following the closing prayer, students filed back to their rooms to change into picnic attire and enjoy some Florida sunshine. This year, Eagle Field boasted a Renaissance Faire. There was feasting and merriment which included jousting, archery, axe-throwing, and more. Special skits were performed by minstrels, inviting mirth across the green.
For music education senior, Emilee Rickard (KS), the pivot from her usually busy schedule was welcomed. “The break allows me to take greater time than usual for rest, making memories, and building relationships,” she said. “Not only did I thoroughly enjoy time with friends, I also enjoyed the spiritual encouragement I received from the messages. The conference came immediately after an academically stressful time for me, and the spiritual, social, and mental refresh was a blessing.”
Global Reach
For morning and evening services and afternoon sessions, the Crowne Centre welcomed a wide variety of attendees: faculty, staff, Campus Church members, guests, and a student body representing all 50 states and 48 countries. All were gathered to hear the Word of God preached and to worship along with a thoughtfully curated special music. This year’s speaker lineup included Dr. Marc Monte from Faith Baptist Church, Danville, IN; Dr. Kurt Skelly from Faith Baptist Church, Fredericksburg, VA; Dr. Johnny Pope from Christchurch Baptist Fellowship, Houston, TX; and Dr. David Teis from Liberty Baptist Church, Las Vegas, NV.
After the Thursday morning services, a seminary luncheon was held for Pensacola Theological Seminary (PTS) students and their spouses, senior Bible students, and Bible faculty. This has been a highlight during Bible Conference for those in attendance to hear from the guest speakers’ hearts. The meal preceded a Q&A led by the dean of biblical studies and PTS, Dr. Dan Rushing. Topics directed toward the guest speakers ranged from their experience being called to preach, stories from their early days of pastoring, favorite passages of Scripture to preach from, and what they were not expecting to face in the pastoral ministry.
Breakout sessions on Friday afternoon were led by Chris and Dawn Phillips from Selah International Counseling Ministries, sharing from their mission to encourage ministry leaders and their families through the various challenges they face in serving. While Chris explored what the Bible says about masculinity, Dawn encouraged the women to pursue faithfulness over perfection.
Eternal Destiny
As the Bride, the Church as a whole can look forward to an eternity with Christ. This aspect of the conference theme stood out to Cody Sears (Jr., HI). “We are often worried about what will happen to the Church in the next few years,” he said. “But God will protect His Bride until He comes back for us, and that is a promise we can claim from Scripture.”
Summing up the conference, Dr. Greg Mutsch, vice president of institutional advancement, said, “These gatherings may seem small and ordinary, yet they stand on an unshakable foundation. Through every storm and every season, the Church will stand—not by human strength, but because it is established by Christ Himself. Kingdoms rise and fall, cultures shift, and generations change, yet the Church remains, advancing God’s purposes and shining the light of the gospel.”
“I pray that You will use us collectively to make a lasting and eternal difference in the generation You’ve inserted us in.”
“Lord Jesus, my earnest and sincere prayer is for these college students and others,” said Dr. Kurt Skelly as he prayed, concluding the final service. “I pray that You will use us collectively to make a lasting and eternal difference in the generation You’ve inserted us in.”
The powerful messages and stirring music from Bible Conference 2026 can be revisited on the PCC Chapel Podcast and Watch PCC.