Yesterday I promised to post a brief blurb on the speakers slated for next weeks Together for the Gospel conference. Each of these men deserve so much more than a quick mention, but I would like to at least note a few things and point people in their direction.

Mark Dever: I first heard Mark Dever a few years ago at a Baptist Distinctives conference hosted by NOBTS. He presented a paper on “Baptists and Elders.” His presentation convinced me of the Biblical model of congregational church polity led by a plurality of elders. Our church began moving in that direction. We have a ways to go, but we desire to be a deliberate church exhibiting the 9 marks of a Healthy Church for the glory of God. The Nine Marks web site provides a wonderful wealth of resources. Especially, don’t miss the interview series.

I would love to see Mark Dever serve as the next president of the Southern Baptist Convention. I do not know if anyone plans to nominate him or if he would accept, but I’ve heard rumors. If his name does appear on the ticket, I may be prompted to attend Greensboro for no other reason but to cast my vote; well… and to hear Dever speak on “Election, the Gospel and Evangelism” at the Founders Fellowship Breakfast … and to hear the Al Mohler / Paige Patterson debate at the Pastor’s Conference… and… well on second thought, I guess this years SBC boasts several reasons to attend.

Ligon Duncan: I’ve listened to several of Ligon Duncan’s sermons preached at a Founder’s Ministry conference. I can’t seem to find where I downloaded the mp3’s. I thought I found them at the South Woods Baptist Church web site, but I do not see them there this morning. What you can find there is a host of excellent sermons by Phil Newton… but I digress. :)

C.J. Mahaney: I first heard C.J. Mahaney via mp3 at the Desiring God Conference, Sex and the Supremacy of Christ. Awsome. His book, The Cross Centered Life still sits on my “must read” list. Check out his Sovereign Grace Ministries web site.

Albert Mohler: Just the other day I heard someone accusing Albert Mohler of single handedly spreading Calvinism throughout the Southern Baptist Convention. I do not know if we ought to give him complete credit, but we do owe Dr. Mohler a great debt of gratitude for his work at Southern Seminary, his upholding a high view of scripture, championing conservative causes in a leftward drifting culture, and his rekindling a love for the doctrines of grace among the next generation of Southern Baptist leaders.

John MacArthur: Several years ago, my friend Phil Johnson mailed me a stack of John MacArthur’s books including The Gospel According to Jesus and The Gospel According to the Apostles. These books, along with other God directed influences, drastically transformed my understanding of salvation over the course of a few years. Bookmark the Grace to you web site, buy his books, and subscribe to the GTY podcast.

John Piper: God has used John Piper’s ministry to ignite in my soul an unquenchable desire to spread a passion for the supremacy of Christ over all things for the joy of all peoples. Piper has influenced my thinking probably more than any other person over the last few years. Before the storm, I used to listen to several Piper sermons a week. His Desiring God web site offers a deep well of God besotted material to wet your apatite for an ever increasing all satisfying knowledge of Christ’s magnificent fullness. It will be a joy to hear him in person at T4G..

R.C. Sproul: Theologian and teacher par excellence. Go to Ligonier Ministries.