A Taste of Eden – Building Intimacy in Marriage
While we may understand the ideal of marriage laid out in Scripture, how do we develop that in the midst of sin around us and sin within us? Understanding how to build a gospel foundation allows us to become a safe place for our sin to be exposed, and to help each other grow. This, in turn, enables us to deepen our intimacy. We can’t return to paradise right now, but we CAN learn how our marriage can become a taste of Eden.
Registration for the 2026 Conference will opens December 1st. Purchase Tickets Here
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Brent Aucoin serves as the President and an instructor of Faith Bible Seminary (Lafayette, IN). He is also the Pastor of Seminary and Soul Care Ministries for Faith Church Lafayette. Janet is the Director of Women’s Ministry at Faith Church Lafayette and the Host of the Joyful Journey Podcast. They have been married since 1994 and have two grown children.
Breakout Speakers
Brad Chapman is currently a stay-at-home dad and oversees the homeschooling of his youngest son. He lives in Garrett Indiana with his wife and four sons. He is currently working on receiving his biblical counseling certification through the ACBC.
Scott Meinema serves as the Director of Counseling at Headwaters Church in Ft. Wayne, IN. Additionally, he serves as a missionary for Biblical Counseling Ministries Worldwide, a local police chaplain, an assistant supervisor for the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC), and an ACBC Training Center Director. Scott has been married to Janelle for 40 years. By God’s grace, they have 4 adult children and 5 lovely grandchildren.
Ben Sexton serves as the Senior Pastor of Burr Oak Church just south of Albion, IN. He received his undergraduate from Liberty University in Christian Ministries and Marriage and Family Studies and his Master of Divinity from Faith Bible Seminary. He is currently in Phase 2 of the ACBC certification process. Ben and his wife Corey have been married 18 years and have four children together.
Dr. Bill Moore, missionary at large, travels around the world, mainly to Brazil, training Christian leaders in biblical counseling/discipleship. Bill is a seasoned missionary with more than 50 years of missionary service. He actively disciples several men, pastors, missionaries, businessmen and college students each week in public places such as Starbucks, Panera Bread, and Dunkin Doughnuts. Bill is also a certified biblical counselor with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors and on the counseling team at Lakewood Park Ministries – Auburn – IN
Mike DiSanto began serving the Lord at First Christian Church in May of 2014 as the Associate Pastor of Youth and Evangelism. Mike earned a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. He also earned a Master’s of Divinity in biblical counseling at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Mike is also certified with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). Mike and his wife Anna have been married since 2009 and have two precious children.
David Beard was born and raised in Northeast Indiana. He is a Christian army veteran, married to his beautiful wife of 25 years, and has five wonderful children, and 2 very cool grandkids. Dave has a bachelor’s degree of education from Kansas State University, and a Masters of Arts in Counseling from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. Dave is currently serving as a county Jail Chaplain, a Pastor of a growing Biblical church, and is active in nursing home ministry, and in recovery half-way house ministry. His passion is in fulfilling the Great Commission by disciplining people who disciple others for Jesus Christ.
Pastor Tim Pasma has ministered at LaRue Baptist Church, LaRue, Ohio, since the Spring of 1985. He has been married to Rebecca since 1977, and God has blessed them with three sons and three daughters, three daughters-in-law, 2 sons-in-law, and seventeen quite active grandchildren. Pastor Tim earned the B.A. from Cedarville University (1977) and the M.Div. from Grace Theological Seminary (1981). He serves as a Fellow in the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) and serves on the ACBC Board of Trustees. He has contributed chapters to books on counseling, such as Legal Issues in Biblical Counseling, and authored Counsel for the Dying: Conversations at the Exit of Life for ACBC’s Truth in Love resources. He lectures frequently on counseling issues at counseling conferences and for several Christian organizations.
Dr. James Pettit is the Senior Pastor of Lakewood Park Baptist Church and Christian School located in Auburn, Indiana. He has been married to Kelly for 28 years and has six children, two of whom are married, and four grandchildren. James is actively involved in Dekalb County through his service as a board member of the YMCA and in missions as a board member of ABWE International. James has a passion for biblical counseling in the local church.
Brandon is the founder of The Lighthouse: A Biblical Life Recovery Center, a ministry focused on helping the hurting and broken come to know Christ as Savior, as well as re-establish life in the community through Christ-centered discipleship. Brandon is blessed to be living out this mission with his wife, Elizabeth, and their three beautiful children. Their family is united in sharing the love of Christ and striving to shine His light in all that they do. They currently reside near Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Kent Kloter and his wife Janell have been married 48 years. They have two married daughters, one married son and 14 grandchildren.
Kent and Janell sold their business in 1999 to pursue ministry in disciple-making, biblical counseling and teaching. Kent was founder and director of an ACBC-certified training and is retired Pastor of Biblical Counseling, conference speaker and teacher. Kent currently serves with Biblical Counseling Ministries, coaching and training pastors and biblical counselors. He and his wife Janell are covenant partners at Life Community Church in Bluffton, IN where they lead a weekly adult small group.
Breakout Topics
AM Breakout Sessions
Understanding Domestic Abuse in the Church (pt. 1) – Scott Meinema
Domestic abuse remains one of the most misunderstood and under-recognized crises within the local church. This session will provide a biblical and practical framework for identifying abusive dynamics. We will explore how Scripture speaks to oppression, injustice, and the misuse of power, and how these themes guide our response. Participants will learn how to discern patterns vs. “marital conflict,” understand common victim experiences, and avoid the common pastoral mistakes that unintentionally increase harm. Our goal is to equip God’s people with compassionate clarity so the vulnerable are protected and the church reflects the heart of Christ.
Are you Dressed for Marriage pt. 1 – Bill Moore
When considering marriage, it’s important to ask: “Are you properly dressed for marriage?” This question goes beyond attire and appearance—it’s about spiritual preparation. In the context of Ephesians 6, being “dressed” means being spiritually prepared and equipped with the armor of God. As you journey together, let this armor be your protection, your strength, and your guide. By putting on the whole armor of God, you can build a marriage that withstands the tests of time and glorifies Him.
Intro to Biblical Counseling – Brad Chapman
In this breakout session we will look at the foundational aspects of Biblical Counseling. We will consider how any time we give someone advice we are counseling them. The question is whether it is good counsel or bad counsel. In this way we will be striving to live according to Ephesians 1:15-21 and Romans 15:14.
Unfulfilled Longings (Women Only) – Janet Aucoin
How do we deal with unfulfilled longings? As believers, should we even have unfulfilled longings? This session looks at common unfulfilled longings primarily in women, including the longing to “fit in” and “belong”: The “nerd” who thinks she isn’t cool enough, the “brainiac” who says others don’t like her, the “plain” girl who is sure she’s not pretty enough, the “athlete” who thinks he has to perform to be liked, the “cheerleader” who has an eating disorder to look a certain way. We will discuss why women seem to struggle with this more and how to live a joyful, victorious life by changing our expectations and learning how to find real satisfaction in the midst of a sin cursed and lonely world.
A Man After God’s Heart (Men Only) – James Pettit
Men, you are invited to explore the characteristics of David that made him a man after God’s own heart: Devotion, Boldness, Friendship, Repentance and Legacy. These characteristics are issues of the heart for men which makes them the heart of the issue for biblical manhood.
Transforming an Angry Spirit – Brandon Bower
This breakout on Transforming an Angry Spirit will help you lead others to biblically handle anger. We will emphasize being slow to anger, exercising self-control, and choosing forgiveness over wrath. Scripture advises a measured response, as uncontrolled anger leads to foolishness and strife, while a gentle answer can de-escalate conflict. By being quick to listen, slow to speak, and mindful of God’s instruction to put away rage and malice, believers can replace anger with patience, kindness, and compassion.
Moving From Conflict to Problem Solving – Brent Aucoin
Learn the difference between conflicts and problem solving, how conflicts actually prevent problem solving, and God’s superior way.
PM Breakout Sessions
Responding Wisely to Domestic Abuse in Ministry (pt. 2) – Scott Meinema
This session will focus on how the church can respond with both courage and competence when abuse comes to light. We will discuss the roles of pastors, counselors, small-group leaders, and friends—including when to involve civil authorities, how to provide care pathways for victims, and how to address abusive individuals with accountability and hope for repentance. Participants will receive practical tools for safety planning, documentation, communication, and church-wide culture shaping. By the end, attendees will feel more confident shepherding those caught in the darkness of domestic abuse with truth, compassion, and wisdom.
Are you Dressed for Marriage pt. 2 – Bill Moore
This will be a continuation of the discussion in part 1.
Communication – Dave Beard
Every strong marriage is built on the quiet, daily choice to care well for one another. Effective systematic communication gives couples a simple path to practice conversation with consistency and purpose. It invites husbands and wives to slow down, listen, include one another, and respond with grace instead of pressure. When couples embrace these habits, small moments become sacred opportunities for connection. Over time, these choices build trust, tenderness, and a love that endures.
A Biblical Overview of the Husband’s Role in the Home – Kent Kloter
American culture has long rejected God’s design for marriage and the complimentary roles of husband and wife. However, from the beginning, God ordained the family unit as the foundation of civil society and the local church. Scripture clearly defines marriage and proclaims the roles and responsibilities within the family. God sovereignly placed the husband as the leader, lover, provider, protector and ultimately as the “high priest” of the home. This session will seek to unpack a few aspects of the husband’s position of authority and leadership in the home through humble, self-sacrificing love and service.
Marriage to an Unbeliever – Mike DiSanto
WHEN TWO BECOME ONE . . . BUT NOT IN FAITH: HOPE FOR THOSE MARRIED TO AN UNBELIEVER Marriage is an incredible blessing from the Lord. Yet when one is married to an unbeliever, it can present some very unique challenges. How can someone navigate these challenges with Gospel Hope? In this breakout session, we will discuss how God’s Sufficient Word offers practical, hope filled counsel to those married to an unbeliever so that they can face these unique challenges with Christ Centered love, joy, and peace.
Intoxicated by Design: A Theology of Sex – Ben Sexton
Sex is more than physical—it’s an act of worship that unites two people mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. This session helps believers rediscover God’s purpose for sexuality and learn how to reflect His glory in a culture that has forgotten its sacred design.
Biblical Counseling & A Biblical View of Man – Tim Pasma
Every system of counseling operates with a particular view of man and all counseling theory and practice inevitably flows from that view. How do you arrive at an understanding of a human being? How does the Bible describe a human being? This session will help you develop a biblical view of the person and how that affects your counseling.
Tri-State Coalition of Biblical Counseling 