2026 Boots on the Ground Retreat: Men’s Sessions
Schedule - October 30, 2026
7:00 PM - Black and White Night
featuring Northeast Baptist Church Praise Team
and a Spiritual Skit
Rev. Dr. Michael Heath, Evening Preacher
Schedule - October 31, 2026
BREAKFAST: 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Introduction: 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Session 1: Spiritual Discipline: 9:30 AM - 10:20 AM
Facilitators: Pastor Spencer T. Clayton, Ph.D. and Deacon Earl Joyner
Session 2: Physical and Mental Discipline: 10:30 AM - 11:20 AM
Facilitators: Pastor Benjamin Nelson and Deacon John Byrd
Session 3: Mission Context 1: Family: 11:30 AM - 12:20 PM
Facilitators: Minister Tyrell Brown and Bro. Jessie Wilson
Session 4: Mission Context 2: Community 12:30 - 1:20 PM
Facilitators: Pastor George Nelson, Jr. and Rev. Larry King
LUNCH: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Session 5: Graduation: 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM
Keynote Speaker: Pastor James Garvin
Couples Session: 3:45 PM - 5:30 PM
Camouflage Attire Night
Buffet Dinner and Christian Entertainment 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
featuring Colby Jackk, Comedian; Amelia Lewis, Line Dance; and Clay Jackson, Jazz Musician
CLICK HERE for details about the Women’s Sessions.
Schedule - November 1, 2026
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM - Breakfast
9:45 AM - Sunday Best
Rev. Dr. Lisa Coleman, Morning Preacher
Registration Information
Registration for the full 3-day Boots on the Ground Conference is $280.
To register, contact Pastor Michelle Garvin
267-598-4680
or Sister Gloria Washington
267-254-3546
Conference Location
Radisson Hotel: Trevose, PA
2400 Old Lincoln Highway
Trevose, PA 19053
Our Team
Pastor
James Garvin, United in Christ Baptist Church, Conference Chair
James D. Garvin is Co-Pastor of United In Christ Baptist Church in West Philadelphia which he helped plant in September 18, 2024 along with his wife and Co-Pastor Michelle R. Garvin and Co-Pastor Benjamin Nelson.
He was licensed to preach the gospel at Star of Hope Baptist Church in Northeast Philadelphia in 1994 and was ordained in 2003. His ministry experience includes serving as a Trustee.Deacon, choir member, servant leader of couples ministry, teen drop-in-center, men’s ministry, food cupboard ministry, and Christian education.
He is a a graduate of Boston University and a retired teacher who taught for 41 years in public schools in Boston Mass., Norristown, Pa., Trenton, NJ, and Lawrenceville, NJ. He attended Faith Theological Seminary where he earned a master's degree in 2008 in biblical literature.
His personal testimony is presented in Psalm 116:1-2 which states:“I love the LORD, because He hears my voice and my supplications.
Because He hasinclined His ear to me, Therefore, I shall call upon Him as long as I live.”
Pastor
Spencer T. Clayton, Ph.D., Pivot Point Gathering, Curriculum Director
The Reverend Spencer T. Clayton, Ph.D. serves as the Senior Pastor of Pivot Point Gathering, where he is dedicated to spiritual leadership and community transformation. An ordained minister, Dr. Clayton uniquely bridges faith, public service, and academic scholarship. Alongside his pastoral ministry, he serves as a Research Economist for the State of New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs, leveraging technology, AI integration, and data management to modernize public systems. Dr. Clayton holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Yale College, a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, and both a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in Public Affairs from Rutgers University–Camden. His life and work reflect a profound commitment to stewardship, community empowerment, and the intersection of faith and public life.
Dr. Clayton has been married to his wife Tia for 8 years. They have one son (Sawyer).
Minister Tyrell Brown, Star of Hope Baptist Church
Minister Tyrell Brown is a dedicated servant of Yahweh and a minister at Star of Hope Baptist Church. He has been serving in ministry since October 2025, with a heart for encouraging others, strengthening families, and helping people grow in their relationship with Yahweh.
Minister Brown is passionate about serving God and His people and believes that ministry is not simply a title, but a calling to live a life that reflects the love, truth, and character of Yahweh.
He is married to Minister Shardae Brown, and together they are blessed with six children: Tyrell Brown Jr., Yolanda Brown, Joshua Brown, Kaden Shy, Kamyra Shy, and Kaliyah Shy.
A scripture that reflects Minister Brown’s heart for his family and his commitment to serving Yahweh is Joshua 24:15:
“But as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”
His desire is to continue growing in his calling, serving faithfully, and encouraging others to make the same declaration: “As for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.”
Deacon
John Byrd, United in Christ Baptist Church
Deacon Troy Dangerfield
Troy Dangerfield, MAN of GOD,
Walking Deacon of Star of Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia is married to Stephanie Dangerfield for 30 years. They have 1 Son and 6 grandchildren. Business Owner of Dangerfield Trucking, LLC, Entrepreneur and Property Manager. Brother Troy found Christ in 2014 and has been singing and praising the Lord ever since! Favorite Scripture 1 TIM: 6: 11 MAN OF GOD.
Bro. John Hendricks,
Star of Hope Baptist Church
Brother John Richard Hendricks
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psalms 23:1
A member since 2009 at Star of Hope Baptist Church. Bro. John R. Hendricks, serves as a member of the Security Ministry and serves on the Men's Breakfast Ministry.
I was born in Virginia. As a child, I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. I remember going to church every Sunday with my family.
I attended school in Virginia, then we move from Virginia to Philadelphia, because my father wanted a better life for his family.
I continue my education in Philadelphia public school system and Graduate from Edison High School.
My first job was as a counselor working with children and I had many positions as I strived to climb the ladder of success. I started working for Wonder Bread Company in the Northeast 1989, retired in 2021.
I started going fishing with my friends, and you can say that's my hobby, I'm a “Fish man” because I fish every change i get.
I met my childhood sweetheart in 1971 and later got marriage 1984 and father four children. The years came and so did eleven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Deacon Earl Joyner, Star of Hope Baptist Church
Rev.
Larry King, Second Baptist Church of Frankford
Reverend, Dr. Larry King, Sr., is a husband, father, grandfather, and a Theologian. Dr King it’s also a retired Deputy Sheriff , and retired Army Veteran.
Rev. King Sr., was born in Augusta, Georgia. At an early age He and his family moved north to Philadelphia, where he was educated in the Philadelphia school system after attending Community College of Philadelphia , He enlisted in the United States Army Reserve and served 21 years. While serving in the Army Reserve he began working for the City of Philadelphia for the Philadelphia Prison System, and later transferred to the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office where he retired with many citations, awards and accommodations after 26 years of service
In 2008, Dr King two years away from retirement, decided to change the chapter of his life and enrolled in Holy Family University , Philadelphia campus, where he major in religious studies, in 2010 he transferred to Jameson Seminary, Philadelphia campus. In 2012 while there he began his undergrad with International Christian University of Chesapeake, Virginia, in 2017 at the age of sixty two he received his Doctorate Degree in Theological Studies and Research.
Dr. King has been married to his lovely wife, Margaret for 42 years but together for 49 years, and together they have a blended family of three adult children, Michael and his fiancé Angela, Larry 2nd and his wife Shadiasha and Adina and her husband John. They have been blessed with five beautiful grandchildren Kendi , Larry 3rd, Mikel, Gabrielle, and Dallas.
His favorite scripture is, Philippians 4: 13, “ I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me. “
And his greatest accomplishment in life is the ability to serve unconditionally.
Pastor
Benjamin Nelson,
United in Christ Baptist Church
Pastor
George Nelson, Northeast Baptist Church
Rev. George Nelson Jr. was licensed as a minister of the gospel on July 11, 1992 when he preached his first sermon entitled: “What About God’s Time” from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 at the Star of Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA. He graduated from a certificate program at the Eastern School of Christian Ministry at the Palmer Theological Seminary in 1994. On February 22, 1999, he was ordained as a minister by his father in the ministry, Rev. Hubert B. Barnes, Pastor of the Star of Hope Baptist Church.
In the summer of 2008, Rev. Nelson yielded to the call to plant a church where he became the Founder and Senior Pastor serving for 10 years.
On January 28, 2024 after 3 years of listening to God, Rev. Nelson joined, Northeast Baptist Church/ Frankford under the pastorship of Rev. Jonathan A. Mason Sr., and on June 1, 2025, he was appointed the position of Associate Pastor of Evangelism.
Rev. George Nelson married the love of his life, Royce K. Robinson on April 5, 1997. He has a daughter (Jennifer) and a grand-daughter (Jaelynn).
What Rev. Nelson desires as a minister is, to do the “Lord’s Will” – living out the “Great Commission”. Matthew 28:16 -20.
Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Inspirational Song: “My Soul has Been Anchored in the Lord”
Brother Jessie Wilson
Jessie Timothy Wilson
Born in Philadelphia in the 1980’s, I came into this world and was embraced by my loving and caring family. I was taught values and principles that I incorporate in my life still to this day. I started my education in the Philadelphia school system in the North Philadelphia area, where I started to learn how to stay the course through the difficult times. My environment in North Philadelphia may not have been the best but my Mother(Betty) always kept me on track and stayed on me about my grades, my behavior and most importantly my relationship with God.
My relationship with God started at a young age as well because my Mother had the title of Head Deaconess of the Mizpah Seven day Adventist Church located in the germantown area of the city at the time. I grew up watching my mother dedicating her life to God and showing me what serving the Lord looks like. Through different ministries my mother was apart of, I would see how much she loved the lord and all he had done for her. As I became older I was able to start my own spiritual journey at the age of thirteen and I joined Christian Tabernacle C.O.G.I.C and joined the Lil Men’s choir. I loved being on the choir and being apart of the the music ministry . I was baptized at the age of fourteen and officially gave my life to Christ while being a member of Christian Tabernacle.
Growing up I wanted to serve the lord and give back just as my mother did. Once I became an adult I finally realized I wanted to give back with acts of service to my community. In my 20’s I worked with individuals with Mental Illness and later transitioned into law enforcement. I became a Correctional Officer for the city of Philadelphia for nearly a decade and transferred over to the Philadelphia Police Department where I can truly embrace the calling God has for me. I am a husband, step-father, close relative to those in my family and friend to those in my circle. I’m grateful for where God has place me today and all he has gotten me through. I’m beyond blessed and all glory to God.
