lPG 2026 speakers
Andy
Stanley
N. T.
WrighT
Josh
Crain
david
ashcraft
Joel
thomas
When | Tuesday, October 27–Thursday, October 29
Where | Buckhead Church
Check-In | 4:00 p.m. ET
EVENT DETAILS
agenda and details
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2:00–4:00 p.m. — Pre-Conference Session with David Ashcraft: A Conversation on Succession (Invite Only)
4:00–5:00 p.m. — Check-In
5:00–6:15 p.m. — Worship and Main Session 1 with David Ashcraft
6:30–8:00 p.m. — Dinner and Table Discussion
Atlanta Tech Village Roof, 3423 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305—walkable from Buckhead Church8:00 p.m. — Dessert and Hangout
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8:30–9:00 a.m. — Breakfast
9:00–10:30 a.m. — Main Session 2 with
Professor N. T. Wright, plus table discussion10:30–11:00 a.m. — Break
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Main Session 3 with
Professor N. T. Wright and Andy Stanley12:30–1:30 p.m. — Lunch and Table Discussion
1:30–3:00 p.m. — Main Session 4: Q&A with
Professor N. T. Wright and Andy Stanley3:00 p.m. — Dismissal to Hang Out with Call Groups
6:30 p.m. — Dinner and Fun (Spouses Welcome! Register Here)
THE ROOF at Ponce City Market—Parking at THE ROOF is limited and paid, so we recommend using Uber. -
8:30–9:00 a.m. — Breakfast
9:00–10:30 a.m. — Worship and Main Session 5 with Josh Crain
10:30–11:00 a.m. — Break
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Interview with Joel Thomas and Andy Stanley
12:30–1:00 p.m. — Lunch
1:00 p.m. — Dismissal
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The Rest Initiative exists to help leaders and teams thrive in life and ministry. Through counseling, spiritual direction, and story work, we offer a unique and holistic approach to caring for the whole person—delivered through workshops, retreats, and personal care that sustain health and strengthen mission.
Neal Salzman, a counselor from The Rest Initiative, will be available throughout our time together. Click here to find a time to talk with Neal about the everyday challenges we all face while in service to others.
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SpringHill Suites by Marriott Atlanta Buckhead | 3459 Buckhead Loop NE, Atlanta, GA, 30326
Room block rate of $135.00 per night (Reservation Link)
Walkable to Buckhead Church (5 minutes)
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The Southern Gentleman
Upscale Southern comfort food in a warm, welcoming dining room. It’s a great pick for a group dinner. Try the hushpuppies and pork belly.
📍 3035 Peachtree Rd. NE, Suite A208, Atlanta, GA 30305
🕐 Mon–Thu: 11:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., 4:00–10:00 p.m. | Fri: 11:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., 4:00–11:00 p.m. | Sat: 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., 5:00–11:00 p.m. | Sun: 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., 5:00–9:00 p.m.
📞 (404) 939-98455Church Buckhead
Elevated American dining in a chic, upscale setting. It’s a good fit for a conference dinner out or a night with your spouse.
📍 3379 Peachtree Rd. NE, Suite 125, Atlanta, GA 30326
🕐 Mon–Thu: 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. | Fri–Sat: 11:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. | Sun: 11:00 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
📞 (470) 819-4841Treehouse Restaurant
A laid-back neighborhood favorite with American fare and a big outdoor patio. It’s perfect for a relaxed group meal. Try the burgers or salmon.
📍 7 Kings Cir. NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
🕐 Mon–Tue: 5:00–11:00 p.m. | Wed–Thu: 11:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 5:00–11:00 p.m. | Fri: 11:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. | Sat: 10:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m. | Sun: 10:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
📞 (404) 266-2732 -
Mend Coffee & Goods
A spacious, beautifully designed coffee shop with an open floor plan and a warm feel. It’s great for informal hangouts between sessions. Closed on Sundays.
📍 3655 Roswell Rd. NE, Suite 106, Atlanta, GA 30342
🕐 Mon–Sat: 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
📞 (470) 458-2158The Postcard
A charming local coffee shop known for specialty drinks and a friendly team that makes every visit feel personal.
📍 3145 Peachtree Rd. NE, Suite 121, Atlanta, GA 30305
🕐 Mon–Fri: 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | Sat–Sun: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
📞 (404) 425-9474Foxtail Coffee Co.
A cozy coffee shop with great drinks, plenty of seating and a relaxed atmosphere, open every day. Parking validation is available in the garage.
📍 3699 Lenox Rd. NE, Suite 1, Atlanta, GA 30305
🕐 Daily: 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
📞 (404) 254-2040
ANDY STANLEY
Andy is a pastor, communicator, author, and the founder of North Point Ministries, Inc. Since its inception in 1995, NPM has grown from one church to eight in the Atlanta area and a network of 180 partner churches around the globe that collectively serve over 200,000 people weekly.
Andy is the host of The Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast as well as Your Move with Andy Stanley, which delivers over 10.5 million messages each month through television, digital platforms, and podcasts. He is the author of more than 20 books, including Not In It to Win It, Irresistible, Deep & Wide, Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets, and Parenting: Getting It Right, which he co-authored with his wife, Sandra.
Andy and Sandra live in Milton, Georgia near their adult children and grandchildren.
N. T. WRIGHT
Prof. N. T. (Tom) Wright is Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University. He is one of the world’s leading Bible scholars, with expertise in ancient Judaism and early Christianity, the New Testament, and Biblical studies.
He is also Emeritus Professor at the University of St. Andrews and the former Bishop of Durham. He has published over 90 books and is co-founder of N. T. Wright Online.
JOSH CRAIN
Josh Crain is the Lead Pastor of Verve City Church in Southern California. Over more than twenty years in ministry, he has led churches through complex transitions, including guiding one congregation through the aftermath of a pastoral tragedy and leading another through significant growth and multisite expansion.
Josh regularly coaches pastors and church leaders and has contributed articles and chapters to ministry resources. Josh and his wife, Emily, live just outside of Los Angeles with their two sons. Having experienced his own season of faith deconstruction in his twenties, Josh has a particular heart for skeptics, doubters, and people rebuilding their faith.
DAVID ASHCRAFT
David Ashcraft is president and CEO of the Global Leadership Network. He is also the founder and president of The Advantage, a leadership collaborative that mentors and encourages pastors across Pennsylvania.
As Senior Pastor of LCBC Church in Pennsylvania for 32 years, David helped grow weekly attendance from 150 people to a combined average of more than 22,000. He is the coauthor of What Was I Thinking? How to Make Better Decisions So You Can Live and Lead with Confidence. He also hosts The Global Leadership Podcast, featuring conversations with leaders from diverse fields about their leadership journey.
Joel Thomas
Joel Thomas is the director of North Point Ministries, providing point leadership for the NPM Directional Team. Joel began his ministry career as the first intern of North Point Ministries in 1998, then served in college, singles, and married adult ministries before becoming the Lead Pastor of North Point Community Church in 2011. In 2015, Joel and his family moved to Arizona where Joel served as Senior Pastor of Mission Community Church for almost seven years before returning to the Atlanta area to rejoin the North Point Ministries team.
Joel and his wife, Jenn, aspire to finish life together having experienced an abundance of faith, love, and fun along the way with their four amazing children: Talan, Gentry, Kason, and Nixon.