Join us for the MARKINC Ministries Help & Hope Conference on Opioid Abuse, a two-day gathering focused on equipping the local church to address substance use disorders through a reformed biblical lens.

Partnering with leading voices and seminaries, this conference will provide theological clarity, practical tools, and long-term resources for churches seeking to respond faithfully to the opioid crisis.

Event Details

Dates: February 25–26, 2027
Location: Good Shepherd Chapel, Lancaster Bible College, 901 Eden Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601

What to Expect

• Theologically grounded teaching

• Practical ministry application

• Collaboration between churches and seminaries

• Resource launches and long-term ministry vision

• Meaningful networking opportunities

This event is designed to educate, equip, and mobilize church leaders to respond faithfully to the opioid crisis.

Featured Speakers

Dr. Mike Emlet
Faculty Member & Counselor, CCEF

Dr. Mike Emlet has served on the faculty of the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) since 2001. He holds a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary.

Before joining CCEF, Mike practiced family medicine for eleven years. His work now focuses particularly on supporting ministry leaders and those struggling with anxiety, depression, and OCD.

He is the author of several books, including CrossTalk, Descriptions and Prescriptions, and Saints, Sufferers, and Sinners.

Mike and his wife, Jody, live in the Philadelphia area and have two children.

Pastor Heath Lambert
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Jacksonville

Pastor Heath Lambert has been serving at First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida since January 2016 and became Senior Pastor in September 2017. Serving First Baptist is the joy of Pastor Heath’s life, and he is grateful to minister alongside the church’s members and staff.

Before coming to Jacksonville, Heath served as Executive Director of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) and as a professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

He is the author of several books, including The Biblical Counseling Movement After Adams, Finally Free: Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace, Transforming Homosexuality, A Theology of Biblical Counseling, The Great Love of God, and The Ten Commandments.

Heath earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies and Political Science from Gordon College, a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Biblical Counseling and Systematic Theology from Southern Seminary.

Heath and his wife, Lauren, have two sons, a daughter, a son-in-law, and a beautiful granddaughter.

Dr. Greg Gifford
Assistant Professor of Biblical Counseling, The Master’s University

Dr. Greg Gifford serves as Assistant Professor of Biblical Counseling at The Master’s University. Before joining the faculty, he served as both a full-time biblical counselor and an associate pastor, counseling in nonprofit ministries and local church settings.

Greg also served as a Captain in the United States Army from 2008 to 2012 before transitioning into counseling ministry. His research interests include the relationship between habits and desires as well as the impact of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

He is the author of several books, including Lies My Therapist Told Me, Heart and Habits, and Helping Your Family Through PTSD.

Greg earned a Ph.D. in Biblical Counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling from The Master’s University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Baptist Bible College.

He is a certified fellow and counselor with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) and an ordained pastor. Greg also serves as an Associate Pastor at Faith Community Church in Newhall, California and hosts the podcast Transformed. He and his wife, Amber, have three sons.

Tyson Lott
Biblical Counselor, Anchored Virtual
Biblical Counseling Pastor, Christ Covenant Church (Atlanta, GA)

Tyson Lott serves as a Biblical Counselor with Anchored Virtual and as the Biblical Counseling Pastor at Christ Covenant Church in Atlanta, Georgia.

He holds a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is passionate about equipping the Church to apply biblical truth to the challenges people face in everyday life.

Tyson is married to Anna and they have two children, Nell and Jude. When he is not counseling or teaching, he enjoys spending time outside with his kids and going for a long run.

Full schedule coming soon.

Interested in sponsoring?

Sponsorships help make this conference possible and directly support MARKINC’s mission to bring help, hope, and light to those affected by addiction.

IN-KIND SPONSORSHIPS

MARKINC welcomes in-kind partnerships that support the success of the conference. Recognition may reflect the estimated value of the contribution.

Common opportunities include:
• Coffee or refreshments
• Printing of programs or signage
• Attendee materials
• A/V support

Conference Registration

Registration is required for all attendees.

Please select the registration category that best applies to you.

If you qualify for a discounted rate, choose that section below. Otherwise, register under General Registration.

Pricing will increase after December 1, 2026

General Registration

Pastor Registration

Student Registration

Certified Biblical Counselor Registration

Faith-Based Discipleship Program Registration

Traveling In?

Scroll down for discounted hotel options near the venue.

Eden Resort

Rate: $139/night

• How to book: Call 866-801-6430 or 717-569-6444 and say “LBC” (corporate wing)

• Perks: $10 food voucher/day

• Distance: 4-minute drive to LBC

• Eligibility: Anyone affiliated with LBC (Sun–Thurs)
  

Hampton Inn by Hilton Lancaster

• Discount: 15% off best-selling rate

• Phone:717-299-1200

• Distance: 9-minute drive to LBC

Courtyard by Marriott Lancaster

• Discount: 15% off best-selling rate (at time of booking)

• Phone:717-393-3600

• Distance: 9-minute drive to LBC

• Eligibility: Anyone affiliated with LBC

• Book with LBC link: Button: “Book Now”

Hawthorne Suites by Wyndham Lancaster

• Phone: 717-290-7100

• Distance: 12-minute drive to LBC

Extended Stay America (Mountville)

• Rate: $80–$100/night

• How to book: Call 1-800-4CHOICE and say “LBC”

• Includes: Continental breakfast

• Distance: 13-minute drive to LBC

• Eligibility: Anyone affiliated with LBC

Want to volunteer?

This conference runs on people who are willing to serve.

Volunteers help create a welcoming, organized, and supportive environment for every attendee. From registration and hospitality to room support and general assistance, your time can make a meaningful difference.

If you’re interested in serving at Help & Hope Conference, fill out the form below and a member of our team will follow up with next steps.