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 such as Westminster Theological Seminary, 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.
Full schedule and speaker lineup 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.
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.