SCBA Leadership Podcast

In this episode our SCBA Director, Matt Singleton, interviews Dr. Jason Thacker, who serves as assistant professor of philosophy and ethics at Boyce College and a senior fellow at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. He is the author or editor of several books, including “The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity”, “Following Jesus in a Digital Age” and “The Digital Public Square”. He also is the co-editor of Baptist Social Ethics and the Essentials in Christian Ethics series.
 
You can learn more about Dr. Thacker’s work at https://jasonthacker.com/ and you can read the Brentwood Statement on Artificial Intelligence and Christian Ministry at https://brentwoodstatement.lifeway.com

In this series you will get to listen in on conversations with expert practitioners in the field of preaching. These conversations were recorded over the summer of 2026 as part of our Summer Preaching Cohort.
 
In this particular episode, you’ll hear from Dr. Joel Gregory, a renowned preacher and master teacher of expository preaching. Dr. Gregory serves as Baylor University’s George W. Truett Endowed Chair of Preaching and Evangelism. A former pastor of prominent Texas churches, he has spent decades preaching nationwide and internationally and has been recognized among the most effective preachers in the English-speaking world. Through his teaching and ministries like Proclaimers Place, he has helped shape and equip generations of preachers.

In this series you will get to listen in on conversations with expert practitioners in the field of preaching. These conversations were recorded over the summer of 2026 as part of our Summer Preaching Cohort.
 
In this particular episode, you’ll hear from Dr. Daniel L. Akin, the sixth president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Akin earned a BA from Criswell College; a MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; and a PhD from University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Akin is known as an advocate for international missions and expository preaching, he also has written several books, including "Pastoral Theology: Theological Foundations for Who a Pastor is and What He Does."

In this episode our SCBA Director, Matt Singleton, shares the great plans we have developed for this year’s Annual Meetings + Church Conference, to be held on Saturday, October 17th, 2026 at FBC Gonzales, starting at 8:30 a.m. The full schedule, overview of breakouts, promo material, and registration are available at www.southcentralarea.net/2026.

In this episode our SCBA Director, Matt Singleton, interviews Dr. Todd Still, the Dean of Baylor University’s Truett Seminary in Waco, Texas. Dr. Still is a known expert in all things Pauline. His doctoral work focused on Paul’s writing on the subject of suffering in the letter to the Thessalonians. But our conversation focused on his life and call to ministry.
 
Dr. Still’s call to ministry did not have a clear direction in his teenage years. He began working in the church as a janitor and then as a youth minister. In seminary his call was refined and academia became the direction of his life.
 
You can learn more about Truett Seminary at https://truettseminary.baylor.edu/

How can churches find a good fit when it comes to developing a partnership with missionaries near and far?
 
In this episode our SCBA Director, Matt Singleton, interviews Dr. Colin Rayburn, Missions Mobilization Associate with the SBTC. Colin, a former pastor and missionary in Western Europe for five years, is passionate about helping churches build sustainable partnerships with church planters and missionaries around the world. He also develops and collaborates with compassion ministries to mobilize churches to meet needs around Texas.
 
Learn more about the work SBTC is doing in the way of missions at https://sbtexas.com/advancing-mission/missions-mobilization/

Do churches really need a constitution?
 
What are the initial steps to start a church in the eyes of the state?
 
How can churches hedge against the possibility of a hostile takeover?
 
In this episode our SCBA Director, Matt Singleton, interviews John R. Lane, a lawyer who knows Baptist polity and has helped many churches get started and navigate serious and threatening legal situations.
 
Disclaimer!  The information in this podcast is not intended to be legal counsel! If you are needing such help, please reach out to a lawyer. You can contact the SCBA for options.

What role did religion play in the founding of America?
 
What is (or should be) George Washington's legacy?
 
What might George Washington say about the state of the United States today?
 
In this episode, SCBA Director, Matt Singleton, interviews one of our pastors, Mark Collins. He travels the world to give performances as George Washington. He has a unique perspective on the first president, his impact on history, and the role religion played not only in his life, but in the founding of our country. Mark has portrayed President Washington in multiple films, including a 13-part miniseries, The Revolution, on the History Channel.

What does it look like to worship in the sermon writing process?
How can pastors and leaders build trust with those they lead?
What contributes most to a healthy church?
 
In this episode Matt Singleton, Director of Missions for the South Central Baptist Area, interviews Marcus Honeysett, founding director of Living Leadership. Marcus is a well-known speaker and writer, and there is nothing he enjoys more than encouraging and nurturing Christian leaders. He has written two books, which were the subject of the interview:
Powerful Leaders?: When Christian Leadership Goes Wrong
Gospel Centered Preaching: Becoming the Preacher God wants you to be

In this unique episode, Dr. Matthew Singleton (Director of Missions for the SCBA) interviews Pastor David Segura.
In the first episode David tells about his life growing up, joining a gang, selling drugs on the street and ending up in prison.
In the second episode David shared what life was like in prison after he became a Christian and the challenges he faced when he got out.
In this final episode David shares how God called him into the pastorate, his initial resistance, and how God has been on the move in his church (FBC Ganado) ever since he gave God his YES.