WELCOME
Welcome to the S.O.S. Conference, an empowering, one-day event focused on restoring and equipping church and ministry leaders in their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Date & Location:
📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026
📍 Ministry of Reconciliation Church | Clarksville, TN
🕘 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Click The Link For Your Tickets
About S.O.S.
The Sustaining Our Shepherds (S.O.S.) Mental Health and Wellness conference is powerful one-day conference created to support the mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of church and ministry leaders. In today’s fast-paced and ever-demanding ministry landscape, pastors and faith-based leaders are often stretched thin and called to pour into others while silently battling stress, burnout, isolation, and emotional fatigue.
Purpose
This conference was born out of a deep conviction: that those who care for the souls of others also need intentional spaces of care for themselves. Our mission is to provide that space offering practical tools, expert insights, and soul-nourishing connections that empower leaders to thrive, not just survive, in their calling.
The Need
Ministry leaders are facing a mental health crisis:
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According to a 2022 Barna Group study, 42% of pastors seriously considered quitting full-time ministry in the past year due to stress, isolation, and burnout.
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A 2021 Lifeway Research survey revealed that 63% of pastors say they are frequently concerned about the mental well-being of fellow clergy, but only 26% say they have someone they can confide in about their own struggles.
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The American Psychological Association has noted that helping professionals, including clergy, are at higher risk for compassion fatigue, depression, and emotional exhaustion, especially when consistent self-care and support are lacking.
Church leaders face unique pressures, such as carrying the weight of congregational expectations, navigating spiritual crises, and managing personal challenges, often without adequate support. Studies consistently show elevated rates of burnout, anxiety, depression, and compassion fatigue among clergy. Yet, conversations around mental health in ministry remain stigmatized or neglected.
The S.O.S. Conference aims to shift this narrative by breaking the silence and creating a safe, faith-affirming environment to address these critical issues head-on.
Why You Should Join Us
Whether you’re a senior pastor, ministry staff member, chaplain, or spiritual caregiver, this conference is for you. Step away from the pulpit, the planning, and the pressure and step into a space designed just for your renewal. Come to connect, to heal, to grow, and to be reminded: your well-being matters.
Let us help you reclaim your peace, refocus your purpose, and rediscover the joy of your calling.
Join us at the Sustaining Our Shepherds Mental Health and Wellness Conference on October 3rd, 2026 and let the healing begin.
Featured Speakers
Pastor Willie McLaurin
Pastor Willie McLaurin is the Executive Pastor of Mount Gilead Baptist Church in
Hermitage, Tennessee, and the President and CEO of McLaurin Coaching Consulting.
With 31 years of Gospel ministry and 20 years of experience as a denominational
executive for the Southern Baptist and Tennessee Baptist Conventions, he specializes
in church administration and leadership development. His diverse professional
background also features organizational development work for the Tennessee
Department of Military.
An author of three books, Pastor McLaurin is a PhD student at Luther Rice College and
Seminary. He holds an executive leadership master's degree from Liberty University,
where he also completed his undergraduate studies with honors, alongside a theology
degree from St. Thomas Theological Seminary. He lives in Tennessee with his wife,
Antonia, and their two daughters, where he remains actively enthusiastic about
coaching leaders to realize their God-given callings.
Camile Davis, B.S.
Camile Davis is a resilient ministry leader at Ministry of Reconciliation Church, where she serves as leader of the dance ministry and mentors women in ministry. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology. Passionate about women’s mental health and emotional wellness, Camile has facilitated mental health discussions within her workplace and is dedicated to increasing awareness and reducing stigma surrounding mental health within the church community.
Having overcome many personal life obstacles, she uses her testimony, leadership, and faith to encourage others toward healing, resilience, and spiritual growth. Through ministry and advocacy, Camile continues to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ while creating safe and empowering spaces for others to feel seen, supported, and encouraged.
Dr. Ashley McGowan, Ph.D., LPC-MHSP
Dr. Ashley McGowan is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Counselor Educator, and Behavioral Health Site Manager at the Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center. In her leadership role, she oversees behavioral health services, manages clinical staff, and ensures the delivery of comprehensive, integrated care to individuals and families from diverse backgrounds. In addition to her clinical leadership, Dr. McGowan serves as an adjunct professor, where she passionately trains and mentors future counselors, providing clinical supervision and guiding students through their practicum and internship experiences.
Driven by a deep commitment to mental health within faith-based communities, Dr. McGowan’s doctoral research focused on the factors that influence mental health service utilization among Protestant clergy in Tennessee. Her work sheds light on the unique challenges and stigmas ministry leaders often face as they balance their own well-being with the demands of pastoral care. This specialized focus reflects her broader mission: to bridge the gap between mental health services and ministry leadership, fostering holistic wellness for those who pour so much into others.
With a wealth of experience spanning clinical practice, counselor education, and leadership, Dr. McGowan brings both academic expertise and compassionate understanding to her work. Her passion for equipping and encouraging church and ministry leaders is central to her role in the S.O.S. Mental Health and Wellness Conference, where she seeks to create spaces for healing, education, and open dialogue within the faith community.
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2026 S.O.S. Conference Agenda (Tentative)
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Registration & Networking
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Check-in, receive conference materials, and enjoy coffee, tea, and light refreshments while connecting with other attendees.
9:30 AM – 9:45 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks
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Opening by Dr. Ashley McGowan and prayer by Pastor Reeves
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Overview of the day and the importance of mental health for church and ministry leaders.
9:45 AM – 10:30 AM | Speaker Session 1
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Speaker: Dr. Ashley McGowan
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM | Break & Raffle
10:45 AM – 11:30 AM | Speaker Session 2
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Speaker: Camile Davis, B.S.
11:30 AM – 11:45 AM | Break & Raffle
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM | Speaker Session 3
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Speaker: Pastor Willie McLaurin
12:35 PM – 1:45 PM | Lunch & Peer Panel Discussion
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Complimentary lunch provided
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Interactive peer-led panel with all speakers
1:45 PM – 2:00 PM | Closing Remarks & Prayer
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Led by Pastor Reeves
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Key takeaways, encouragement, and closing prayer
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the S.O.S. Mental Health and Wellness Conference?
The Sustaining Our Shepherds (S.O.S.) Conference is a one-day event dedicated to supporting the mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of current and aspiring church and ministry leaders. It offers a safe, empowering space to rest, refocus, and be restored.
Who should attend this conference?
Pastors, church staff, ministry leaders, seminary students, and anyone exploring leadership in faith-based communities are welcome.
What topics will be covered?
Attendees will gain practical tools and insight on:
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Mental health in ministry
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Burnout and secondary trauma
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Spiritual self-care
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Culturally responsive and trauma-informed strategies
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Navigating life transitions as a leader
Who are the featured speakers?
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Pastor Willie McLaurin – Pastor, and expert in Clergy Leadership
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Camile Davis – Ministry Leader and advocate
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Dr. Ashley McGowan – Licensed counselor and researcher focused on mental health service use among Protestant clergy
What’s included in registration?
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Full access to all sessions
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Live Q&A panel with featured speakers
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Complimentary lunch
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Goodie bag
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Entry into prize giveaways
Will I be able to ask questions?
Yes! A live Q&A panel discussion will give attendees the opportunity to engage directly with our expert speakers.
When and where is the event?
Saturday, October 3, 2026
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Ministry of Reconciliation Church
1110 Peachers Mill Rd
Clarksville TN 37042
How do I register?
Click on our registration link or QR code to sign up. Early bird and group discounts are available—act fast!
Are physical tickets available?
Yes! In addition to online registration, physical tickets are available. Please TEXT 931-244-1093 to request physical tickets.
© 2035 by Naomi Rhyme. Powered and secured by Wix