Last summer, Mars Hill Church started an annual tradition of bringing in guest speakers to teach at Mars Hill for five weeks. This, our second year, is shaping up to be just as exciting. Five speakers with extraordinary qualifications and experience in their fields will present their own personal Best Sermon Ever.
This year’s lineup includes:
Dr. Bryan Chapell
Dr. Bryan Chapell has been married to his wife, Kathy, for 24 years. They have four grown children. He has his M.Div. in pastor studies and a PhD in speech communication. His preaching and pastoral ministry began in 1976. He served for nearly two decades as president of Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, and today is the senior pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria, IL. Dr. Chapell has had a rich impact on Mars Hill over the years. He wrote the book Christ-Centered Preaching, which is used in seminaries worldwide and has been an important text to equip and train our pastors in preaching. He also taught at ReTrain for a number of years.
Dr. Daniel Wallace
Dr. Daniel Wallace married his wife, Pati, 40 years ago. They have four sons and two granddaughters. He is a native Californian, a pastor, and a former surfer. Dr. Wallace was transplanted to Texas and has taught for more than 28 years at Dallas Theological Seminary, where he is professor of New Testament Studies. One of his students over the years was Dave Bruskas, now a pastor and Executive Elder at Mars Hill. Dr. Wallace is also the Executive Director of the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts. He earned his BA at Biola University and went on to earn his master’s degree and a PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary. His postdoctoral studies have taken him around the world from Australia to Africa. He has been part of writing, editing, or contributing to more than 24 books and Pastor Mark Driscoll respects him as one of the foremost New Testament scholars in the world today.
Tope Koleoso
Tope Koleoso has been married to his wife, Kemi, for 26 years and they have two teenage boys. He grew up in Nigeria and moved to London in 1990. He’s the lead pastor of Jubilee Church London, which he helped plant in 1995 and began leading in 2004. Tope is also involved in planting and supporting other churches internationally with New Frontiers, a church-planting network with a strong affinity to the Acts 29 network and Mars Hill Church. Pastor Mark met Tope at a New Frontiers event in London in 2008.
Dr. Jack Graham
Dr. Jack Graham and his wife, Deb, have been married 44 years. They have three married children and three grandchildren. Dr. Graham has served for 25 years as the lead pastor of one of the largest churches in the country: Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas (37,000 members). He has served two terms as the president of the Southern Baptist Convention, leading the largest Protestant denomination in America. He has a master of divinity degree and doctor of ministry degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of numerous books and his preaching ministry, PowerPoint Ministries, reaches a national audience through TV, radio, and online distribution. Pastor Mark and Dr. Graham appeared together on the Elephant Room 2 event, hosted by their mutual friend, James MacDonald.
Dr. Larry Osborne
Dr. Larry Osborne has been married to Nancy for 35 years. They have three grown children and three grandchildren. Dr. Osborne is the Senior and Teaching Pastor at North Coast Church, which he founded in 1980. Their church launched with 120 people in a rented school building and is now a multi-site congregation of more than 10,000 members. Pastor Larry is a prolific author and conference speaker, and he mentors many pastors. He earned his M.Div. and doctorate from Talbot Theological Seminary. Mars Hill Church is grateful for Dr. Osborne’s work as a member of our Board of Advisors and Accountability.
