Elderlink Dallas Speakers

Mitch Wilburn graduated from ACU in 1990. One week after graduation he was blessed to begin a ministry position at The Park Church of Christ in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 32 years later—Mitch is still there. The Park church is an active, spirit-filled congregation of 2,900 members who love to connect others with the love of Jesus. Mitch is a proud husband, dad, and granddad. He is married to Shannon McKnight Wilburn. Together Mitch and Shannon have served on multiple university Board of Trustees, Mitch at York University and now at ACU, and Shannon at Oklahoma Christian.

Carson Reed is vice president for church relations, executive director of the Siburt Institute for Church Ministry, and the dean of the Graduate School of Theology at ACU. Through these roles, Carson also engages in interim preaching, advising, and consulting in the areas of transition, renewal, and leadership. His work places him in dozens of congregations across the United States. His research focuses on practical theology, preaching, faith and culture, and congregational renewal. Before coming to ACU in 2012, Carson served for 30 years as a senior minister in three congregations. He has a B.A. in English literature from Oklahoma Christian, an M.Div. from Harding School of Theology, and a D.Min. from ACU. Carson and his wife Vickie have been married over 40 years, have four grown children, and one grandson. They enjoy cooking and outdoor life together!

Chelsie Sargent is a licensed professional counselor and supervisor (LPC-S) specializing in self-care, depression, anxiety, grief, life-transitions, trauma, and the Enneagram. In addition to her therapy work, Chelsie meets regularly with corporate executives, nonprofit professionals, and church leaders. She teaches and consults on a variety of topics, including the Enneagram, healthy boundaries, and contemporary issues. She holds a B.A. from ACU, an M.Ed. from Hardin-Simmons University, and Doctorate of Professional Counseling from Houston Graduate School of Theology. Chelsie is certified in the Enneagram Spectrum Training with Dr. Jerry Wagner. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Steve, and their 11-year-old daughter. Chelsie has been in ministry alongside her husband for over 15 years.

Chris Flanders is professor of missions in the Graduate School of Theology at ACU. His wife, Cara, is the assistant director of the ACU Counseling Center. Chris spent 11 years in Thailand (Bangkok and Chiang Mai) where he worked with established churches and helped plant several new churches. Chris is the assistant editor of Missio Dei Journal and a member of the leadership team of the Honor-Shame Network. His publications include About Face: Rethinking Face for 21st Century Mission, Devoted to Christ: Missiological Reflections in Honor of Sherwood G. Lingenfelter (editor), and Honor, Shame, and the Gospel: Reframing Our Message and Ministry (editor with Werner Mischke).

Major Boglin is the executive director of Genesis Center for Christian Counseling, a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), and a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) consultant for churches and organizations throughout the United States. In addition to practicing mental and relational health for over 25 years, he is an adjunct professor in marriage and family therapy at ACU Dallas. Major holds a Ph.D. in family therapy from Texas Woman’s University and master’s degrees in marriage and family therapy and religious education from ACU. He and his wife, Bernadette, have been married since 1992, and they have two adult sons, Berkley and Alexander.

Randy Harris is a senior consultant and university fellow at Abilene Christian University. He recently retired from teaching in the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry at ACU, where he has earned numerous faculty awards, and previously taught at Lipscomb University. He holds degrees from Harding University, Harding Graduate School of Religion, and Syracuse University. His areas of expertise are modern theology and ethics. He was the preaching minister for 10 years at the Donelson Church of Christ in Nashville, and for two years at South 11th and Willis Church of Christ in Abilene. Randy authored five books, God Work, Soul Work, Living Jesus, Life Work, and Daring Faith. He is a spiritual director trained and certified by the Shalem Institute.