One of the privileges of serving Redemption Seminary is getting out from behind the computer screen and meeting pastors, ministry leaders, students, and others who are serious about growing in their knowledge of Scripture.

This year, Redemption Seminary has had an unusually active conference schedule. Each conference has been different, but a common theme has emerged: people are looking for serious theological education that is affordable, flexible, relational, and compatible with ongoing ministry. That makes these conferences valuable opportunities not simply to tell people about Redemption, but to listen to what churches and Christian leaders need.

Bethlehem Conference for Pastors — Minneapolis, Minnesota

Dr. John Schwandt and wife, Tabithah at the Serious Joy Bethlehem Conference for Pastors 2026 by Desiring God — **John and Tabithah Schwandt at the Desire God Conference**

In February, my wife and I represented Redemption at the Bethlehem Conference for Pastors in partnership with Desiring God in Minneapolis.

There was considerable interest in Redemption's distinctive educational model: affordable online theological education built around guided workbooks, self-paced preparation, and personal interaction with qualified mentors.

One conversation came up repeatedly. A number of churches in the region had historically sent future ministry leaders to Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in the Chicago area. With that no longer an option, they are looking for other ways to provide rigorous theological training for emerging leaders.

Redemption offers an especially compelling alternative because students do not have to leave their churches and ministries to attend seminary. A church can identify someone for leadership, encourage that person to enroll at Redemption, and allow him or her to receive high-quality theological education while continuing to serve within the local church.

That combination generated significant interest, and we are already planning to return to the conference next year.

Pacific Northwest Men's Conference — Salem, Oregon

John Schwandt with Chris Harper, BetterMan CEO — **John with Dr. Chris Harper**

I especially enjoyed spending time with Dr. Chris Harper, BetterMan's CEO and Chief Storyteller. Chris has a remarkable ability to challenge and encourage men with biblical truth, whether through his speaking, devotionals, or regular posts.

Later in February, our friends at BetterMan invited me to represent Redemption alongside their booth at the Pacific Northwest Men's Conference in Salem, Oregon. More than 1,000 men gathered for biblical teaching and encouragement.

Redemption has an existing partnership with BetterMan, which connects formal theological education with their emphasis on developing men for faithful Christian leadership.

The conference reinforced something important to Redemption's mission: theological education should not be disconnected from discipleship and ministry. The goal is not simply to know more, but to become better equipped to serve Christ, our families, churches, and communities.

Ligonier National Conference — Orlando, Florida

**John with Vesta Sproul**

More than 30 years ago, while I was a student at Westminster Seminary, R.C. Sproul came as a visiting professor. During that week, his wife, Vesta, and I sat in the back row and had many fun conversations while R.C. was teaching.

Tabithah and I also represented Redemption at Ligonier Ministries' National Conference in Orlando.

It was a particular blessing to bump into Vesta again at this year's conference. We had the opportunity to reconnect, and she was very interested to hear about what Redemption Seminary is doing today.

Those kinds of encounters are one of the unexpected joys of conferences. Along with meeting prospective students and ministry partners, they provide opportunities to renew relationships with people who have influenced our lives and ministries over many years.

The Kerygma Summit — Nashville, Tennessee

John Schwandt with Michael Bird at the Kerygma Summit — **John with Michael Bird**

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

This was also my second year representing Redemption at the Kerygma Summit in the Nashville area. The conference is designed to help women deepen their understanding of Scripture, biblical interpretation, and theology.

What stood out to me was the serious desire among attendees to study the Bible in a more systematic and programmatic way. Many were not simply looking for another conference experience; they wanted to continue learning.

That is exactly the kind of student Redemption is designed to serve.

I also had several opportunities to catch up with my good friend Michael Bird. Years ago, when I directed Mobile Ed at Logos Bible Software, I recorded some of Michael’s teaching. He is an exceptional scholar—and anyone who has spent time with him knows that he brings an equally exceptional sense of humor.

The conference also gave me opportunities to reconnect with other scholars and ministry leaders, including Joel Muddamalle, Lynn Cohick, and Craig Keener. Lynn's presence was especially enjoyable for us since Redemption students can study New Testament through courses she teaches in our curriculum.

The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference — Indianapolis, Indiana

A collage of pictures of the Redemption Seminary booth and the audience at the Gospel Coalition Women's Contference

In June, my wife and I represented Redemption at The Gospel Coalition's Women's Conference in Indianapolis.

More than 9,000 women gathered around the theme of seeing Christ in the Psalms, and the conference provided another opportunity to meet women who desire deeper biblical and theological training. We bumped into two Redemption students there, Aaron Armstrong and Carol Stewart. It was fantastic to catch up with both of you.

We continue to encounter Christians who want something more substantial than occasional classes or conferences but for whom relocating, leaving a ministry, or reorganizing family life around a traditional residential seminary simply isn't realistic.

Redemption was designed with those students in mind.

Students can complete rigorous theological study wherever the Lord has already placed them, prepare at their own pace, and then work personally with a qualified mentor. Rather than separating theological education from ministry, our goal is to help students learn within the very contexts where they are already serving.

One More Stop in 2026: Divine Council Worldview Conference

There is one conference left on Redemption's 2026 schedule—and it is one I am particularly excited about.

Redemption Seminary will be exhibiting at the Divine Council Worldview Conference, hosted by the Michael S. Heiser Foundation, October 9–10 in Golden, Colorado, in the Denver area.

The conference will explore biblical theology related to the Divine Council worldview and continue the scholarly legacy of Dr. Michael Heiser.

I'm also delighted that the conference connects with the Redemption community in a very tangible way. Joel Muddamalle will be among those participating, as will Carey Griffel, a Redemption Seminary graduate.

If you are interested in the Divine Council worldview—or simply want an opportunity to spend a couple of days engaging serious biblical scholarship—we would enjoy seeing you there.

Learn more and register for the Divine Council Worldview Conference

Why Redemption Goes to Conferences

Traveling to conferences requires time and resources, but these events serve an important purpose for Redemption Seminary.

They allow us to meet people face-to-face and explain an educational model that is sometimes difficult to appreciate until you see how it works. They help us listen to pastors and ministry leaders about the challenges they face in training people. They create new partnerships and friendships. And they allow us to reconnect with scholars and ministries that share our commitment to helping Christians grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ.

Again and again this year, I have heard essentially the same need expressed in different ways:

How can we give people serious theological training without requiring them to leave the churches, families, jobs, and ministries where God has already placed them?

That is precisely the problem Redemption Seminary was created to address.

Our students don't have to leave ministry to prepare for ministry. They can grow in biblical and theological knowledge while continuing to serve—and apply what they are learning immediately within their own ministry context.

It has been encouraging to see how strongly that vision resonates wherever we go.

Continue the Connections

If you were at any of these conferences or have a conference that you would recommend for Redemption Seminary to attend, please comment below.
If you are interested in chatting with me or have any questions about Redemption Seminary, please let us know on our connect page. I will be sure to personally respond.

Taking Redemption Seminary on the Road: 2026 Conference Highlights