2026 Boots on the Ground Retreat: Men’s Sessions
Schedule
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 Trustee Robert Brown
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
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
Trustee Robert Brown, Star of Hope Baptist Church
Deacon
John Byrd, United in Christ Baptist Church
Bro. John Hendricks,
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”