DECLARE
OUR VISION
The vision of the Upstate Missions Conference is to teach, train and equip churches with tools to more effectively take the Gospel to their community and beyond. Through dynamic speakers and relevant breakout session topics, churches of any size and any level of missions engagement will be able to sharpen the tip of their Gospel proclamation spear. The conference is designed for everyone. Whether you are a lay leader, mission trip participant or pastor, you’ll be able to engage and enjoy what we have in store for you.
speaker
Ryan Duerk
CEO and President of Miracle Hill Ministries
Examining the Church's call to the least of these in this modern age through the lens of domestic mercy ministry.
Ryan Duerk is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Miracle Hill Ministries in the Upstate of South Carolina. Since 2008, Ryan has served people experiencing homelessness, addiction, and trauma through a variety of roles within the ministry. Ryan is an ordained minister of the Gospel, a credentialed Christian counselor, and a published author. He holds an MBA from Anderson University and a BS in Psychology from the University of South Carolina Upstate. Ryan and his wife, Lauren, have two children, Lincoln and Rowan. They live on a small farm in rural Spartanburg County. Outside of ministry and writing, Ryan enjoys endurance sports, and spending time with his family, friends, and church family.
DECLARE his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
PSALM 96:3
Breakouts
Sharing the Gospel with Children
Andy Armstrong & Donna Gilmore
Sharing the Gospel with Children
Learn two key elements to sharing the gospel with children.
1. Presenting the Message of Salvation - What to say and how to say it.
2. Developing a Class Session - Make the most of your time.
Andy Armstrong
Children's Pastor at Church at The Mill
Pastor Andy has had the privilege of spending more than 25 years in NextGen Ministry. When he is not hanging out with leaders or leading kids, he enjoys playing board games with his wife and 2 daughters or watching a movie.
Donna Gilmore
Local Director at Child Evangelism Fellowship
For the past 12 years I have served as the Local Director of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF). CEF is the largest ministry to children, with established work in nearly every country in the world. The two main programs for children are the Good News Club, an afterschool Bible club, and 5-Day Club, a summer Bible club. The goal of CEF is to evangelize & disciple the children, by training and equipping people to share the gospel with children.
- Each week I serve in local missions in the Good News Club at Roebuck Elementary School. As with most children, they love to hear stories, sing and have fun.
- I can't think of a better story than the story of Jesus!
- I can't think of a better song than a song about Jesus!
Holding the Rope- how to live "on mission" even if you aren't a "Missionary."
Dan Byrd
Holding the Rope- how to live "on mission" even if you aren't a "Missionary."
Dan Byrd
IMB Church Planting Catalyst
Dan and Tara Byrd, along with two of their four daughters, serve in Manchester, England with the International Mission Board. They are currently on Stateside Assignment (STAS) and living near their adult daughters and their husbands on the North Shore of Boston. They have spent the last 27 years serving as missionaries around the United States and the United Kingdom.
Loving the Diaspora
Grant Clayton
Loving the Diaspora
Grant Clayton
Partnership Development Manager at World Relief Upstate
Grant Clayton is the Partnership Development Manager at World Relief Upstate SC and is one of the pastors of Redeemer City Church in Greenville, SC. He loves the local church and enjoys learning about history. He is the proud husband to a wonderful wife, and father of two amazing kids.
Living with Gospel Urgency
Steven Crittendon
Living with Gospel Urgency
Steven Crittendon
Reach Pastor at First Baptist Taylors in South Carolina
Steven is from Ninety Six, SC and is a graduate of Charleston Southern University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1990, he married his college sweetheart, Debbie, and they have been blessed with five children and six grandchildren. He currently serves as the Reach Pastor at Taylors FBC.
Prior to his current role, Steven and Debbie served 17 years as missionaries with the IMB in different parts of Asia. Steven desires to see every member of the local body equipped and involved in reaching others in their neighborhoods and among all nations.
Planting seeds of Gospel Hope among the chemically addicted
Dave Crooks
Planting seeds of Gospel Hope among the chemically addicted
Dave Crooks
Executive Director of Evans Training Center
Dave Crooks is the Executive Director of Evans Training Center, a residential discipleship program in Spartanburg county for men who struggle with chemical addiction.
From 2020-2025 Dave led ETC through a time of growth and expansion from a 6-bed program with 1 full time staff member and a budget of around 100k to a 22-bed facility with a 12-person staff and a budget approaching $2m. An ordained minister, Dave has worked in the field of recovery ministry for 18 of the last 22 years, ever since he checked into a recovery mission in Florida to get help for his own chemical addiction. He lives in Spartanburg County with his wife, Lacey and their 4 children, ages 10-15. The most common question, by far, that Dave is asked in our community is "Have you considered starting a program for women?"
Authentic Evangelism
Jeff Gautney
Authentic Evangelism
Jeff Gautney
Missions and Family Pastor at Gateway Baptist Church in Tennessee
I have my Masters in Missiology from MABTS and have served as the Missions and Family Pastor at Gateway Baptist Church in Atoka, TN for the past 9 years. I love finding innovative and creative ways to reach the nations, starting in my own backyard.
Finishing Strong! What should retirement look like for the Christian?
Johnye & Bit Horton
Finishing Strong! What should retirement look like for the Christian?
Johnye & Bit Horton
Missions Pastor at Grace Life Baptist Church in Alabama
Johnye Horton is a retired teacher & coach with 39 years of experience with serving in volunteer missions. He served as a bi-vocational Pastor for 28 years and is now serving as the Missions Pastor at Grace Life Baptist Church.
Bit Horton is a retired hospice nurse who has 38 years of experience serving as a mission volunteer. She has also served as a parish nurse and as a medical mission team leader.
Hinduism - Sharing the gospel with Hindus
Suresh Jonnalagadda
Hinduism - Sharing the gospel with Hindus
Suresh Jonnalagadda
Pastor of Indian Upstate Fellowship in Greenville, SC
Suresh Jonnalagadda has been married to Suseela Jonnalagadda for 37 years. Blessed with two sons, Moses & Francis, both are married. Blessed to have a grandson, Simon Alexander. Pastoring Indian Upstate Fellowship for the last 13 years in Greenville, South Carolina.
Beyond the Hobby: Connecting For Christ
Steve Leitch
Beyond the Hobby: Connecting For Christ
Steve Leitch
Founder & Director, Rising Tides Ministry
Steve "Moby" Leitch is a mentor, endurance athlete, and speaker whose life is dedicated to serving others through faith, recovery, and relentless pursuit of purpose. As the Founder & Director of Rising Tides Ministry, he leads a movement that provides mentorship housing and spiritual guidance for men transitioning from recovery into independent, purpose-driven lives. Through his work, he has helped countless individuals break free from addiction, embrace their faith, and step into the life they were created for.
An accomplished ultra-marathon swimmer, Steve has conquered some of the world’s toughest open-water challenges, including the English Channel and Kaiwi Channel, using these feats to raise awareness and funds for addiction recovery and mentorship programs. His vision extends beyond the water—he is the Executive Producer of Beyond the Shoreline Media, a media platform that creates gospel-centered documentaries and content focused on Jesus, recovery, and redemption. His award-winning film, Channel of Bones, has inspired audiences worldwide to believe in the impossible through faith and perseverance.
Steve also brings a wealth of experience as a business coach and sales leader, helping professionals make transformational shifts in their personal and professional lives. With a background in real estate investment and mentorship housing, he is actively building communities that provide long-term solutions for men and women seeking a new path after recovery. His expertise in business development, talent acquisition, and leadership coaching allows him to guide others in creating habits that foster lasting success in faith, family, fitness, and finances.
At the heart of it all, Steve is a man of faith who has been clean and sober for over 14 years. He understands the power of redemption and resilience and is committed to sharing the hope and truth of Jesus through every platform he touches. Whether through public speaking, coaching, endurance swimming, or filmmaking, his mission remains the same: to leave no doubt that God restores, redeems, and has a purpose for every life.
Equipping Gospel Risk-Takers
Ronny Marmol
Equipping Gospel Risk-Takers
Ronny Marmol
Director of Church and Constituent Relations at Frontline Missions International
Ronny Marmol serves the Director of Relations at Frontline Missions International. He previously served as a Missions Pastor where the Lord allowed his eyes to see and his heart to grieve for those that have never heard. Ronny and his wife live in Moore, SC and have 3 kiddos.
Pathways to Impacting the Nations
Greg Queen & Kris Kuriger
Pathways to Impacting the Nations
Greg Queen
Church Mobilization Strategist at IMB
Greg serves on the IMB church mobilization team assisting churches in the Southeast in overseas mission engagement and strategy. He and his wife of 32 years, Angela, have two daughters, Meredith and Hope. Shortly after a move to Greenville SC in 2000, the Queens were called into full time ministry as missionaries and served in Senegal, Africa until 2007. While serving in Senegal, their primary responsibilities were locating and identifying the unreached people groups in four West African Countries – Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau.
Kris Kuriger
Young Adults Pastor at Church at The Mill
Equipping the Next Generation to Share the Gospel
Zakk Rorhlack & Sam Arp
Equipping Gospel Risk-Takers
Zakk Ror
Student Pastor at Church at The Mill
I am one of the Student Pastors at the Central Campus of Church at the Mill. I have been in student ministry for 15 years. I am married to Lindsay and we have 3 children: Jackson (15), Kylie (13), and Cash (10).
Sam Arp
Girl's Ministry and Curriculum Coordinator
I started working at Church at the Mill in student ministry in May of last year immediately after graduating from Charleston Southern University. In college I was a part of Palmetto Collective, a state-wide cohort of college students answering a call to ministry and missions and through that program was able to participate in many international and domestic missions opportunities!
Declaring hope to the homeless or those in poverty
Roy Williams
Declaring hope to the homeless or those in poverty
Roy Williams
Director of Miracle Hill Ministries Spartanburg Rescue Mission
Reverend Dr. Leroy (Roy) Williams Jr. is the former Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Clemson S.C. where he served faithfully for 11 years. He formerly served as a Hospice Chaplain for 10 years where he provided comfort & support to patients & families as they transitioned through to the end of life.
He currently serves as the Director with Miracle Hill Ministry in Spartanburg, S.C. He serves homeless men, women and children at the Spartanburg Rescue Mission.
Dr. Leroy (Roy) Williams is a 1980 Graduate of Swainsboro High School in Swainsboro, Georgia. In 1984 he received a B.A. Degree in Business Administration from Albany State University in Albany, Georgia. He is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. He attended Martin-Webb Theological Seminary in Greenville, South Carolina where he is currently a Professor in the degree program. He also received an honorary doctorate degree in 2014 from Martin-Webb Theological Seminary. He received a Master of Divinity at Erskine Theological Seminary 2007 in Due West South Carolina. He also pursued his Doctor of Ministry Degree at Erskine Theological Seminary. He is a member of AACC (American Association of Christian Counselors) and a Board Certified Pastoral Counselor.
Dr. Williams was licensed to preach the gospel on November 14, 1999. He was the former Assistant Pastor at Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Terry A. King. He is currently serving as an Associate Minister at Long Branch Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina under Pastor Dr. Sean Dogan.
Dr. Williams is married to Dr. Mildred Williams where they have been married 31 years. They are also the proud parents of 29-year-old twins- Minister Kira Williams & Khalil Williams
Dr. Williams is dedicated to his calling. His favorite scripture is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. His desire is to see men and women saved at any cost. That means going into the hedges and highways compelling men and women, boys, and girls, to come on the Lord’s side and live a righteous and just life. Dr. Williams believes in going out in the community and reaching out to those outside of the church walls. He is only a voice in the wilderness telling people about Jesus and all He’s done for him.
Sharing the love of Christ to those who have been traumatized
Melanie Watt
Sharing the love of Christ to those who have been traumatized
Join me as we discover together the powerful healing touch of Christ for those who have faced trauma.
Melanie Watt
Director of Miracle Hill Ministries Spartanburg Rescue Mission
Melanie Watt was born and raised in Anderson, South Carolina, where her love for the Lord grew through her involvement at church, the use of horses and sports. Melanie accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior in 1967. At an early age, Melanie had three wishes, teach school, become a missionary and own a ranch. Over the years, the Lord has allowed her to do all three careers. In 1973, at the age of 12 while grooming her horse Princess, the Lord impressed Melanie's heart to one day start a ministry for hurting and traumatized children. In 2007, the ministry of Hope Remains Ranch was established as a 501 c 3, non-profit, where Melanie faithfully serves as the Founder and the CEO. Over the years, Hope Remains Ranch saw the need to expand the ministry's reach to include families and adults. Each year the ministry of Hope Remains Ranch serves several thousand individuals and families who have been traumatized in some way. The ranch shares the love of Christ through the Word of God and the use of horses.
Before starting the ministry of Hope Remains Ranch, Melanie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1986. Melanie spent fourteen years in distribution management. In 2005, Melanie earned a Master's in Special Education and taught school for a number of years. In 2009, Melanie was commissioned as a North American Corp Missionary. In the years to follow Melanie earned additional certifications that included 2010 - Certified Grassroots Leadership, 2012 - Certified Equine Specialist, 2015 - Certified Healthy Organization Institute, 2019 - Certified HOPE (equine ministry), 2022 - Certified as a Biblical Counselor.
In addition to Melanie's educational degrees and certification, Melanie has served in the areas of children's ministry at Homeland Park Baptist, First North and Church At the Mill. Melanie has also served in the choir at First North and Church At the Mill and currently serves as one of the Biblical Counselors at Church At the Mill and Hope Remains Ranch. Melanie has served on the Spartanburg Youth Council. Melanie has been awarded multiple community and service awards that include All Conference Softball Player – (1983), All District Softball Player (1985), Teacher of the year at the SC School for the Deaf and Blind (2002), Sylvia Stahley Outstanding Speaker’s Award (2012), and Spartanburg Methodist College Pioneering Women on Missions Award (2015).
For the last 20 years Melanie has focused on serving the Lord at Hope Remains Ranch and at Church At the Mill. These ministries allow Melanie and the staff at the ranch to specialize in guiding others to find the true hope that is only found in Christ.
Agenda
Saturday
Night of Worship & Prayer
Friday 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Time of prayer for the nations & local ministry partners
REGISTRATION
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Worship & Welcome
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Keynote Session 1
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Breakout Session 1
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Breakout Session 2
11:25 AM - 12:10 PM
Lunch & Learn
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM
Grab lunch in the Concourse & meet Local Ministry Partners
Breakout Session 3
1:30 - 2:15 PM