September 29, 2025
SES’s Steadfast Apologetics and Evangelism Conference equips Christians to defend Scripture’s design for marriage and family
On October 10-11, prominent thought leaders will inspire and encourage attendees to stand steadfast in the truth in a fallen culture
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a nation marked by political turmoil and cultural division, many Americans have drifted away from moral and biblical truth. A recent poll reveals that most of Gen Z no longer view marriage and children as important to their personal definition of success. The constant push from the Left to encourage women to pursue career goals rather than focus on marriage and motherhood is one of the major driving factors for this outcome. In the fight to point young Americans toward the Divine blueprint for family, conservative political activist Charlie Kirk emerged as one of the most influential voices urging young men and women to marry. Just two days prior to his assassination, Kirk stated, “Having children is more important than having a good career. … My kids matter more than how many social media followers I have.” As the nation mourns Kirk’s loss, his call to uphold marriage and family has never been more urgent.
On October 10-11, Southern Evangelical Seminary (SES, www.ses.edu) will host its highly regarded Steadfast Apologetics and Evangelism Conference, which guides Christians to return to the unchanging truth of God’s design.
Held at First Baptist Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina, this unique gathering promises to be a celebration of faith, thought and dialogue. For three decades, this conference has been at the forefront of apologetics and evangelism training, bringing together scholars, students and seekers of truth. This year’s theme, “Defining and Defending Marriage,” will challenge attendees to focus on the state of American marriage and how the Church should respond. In addition to marriage and family, other apologetics topics will be addressed at the conference.
“At this conference, we return to the source — the unchanging truth of God’s design,” said SES President Judge Phil Ginn. “This isn’t a marriage seminar or a parenting workshop. This is a call to think deeply, speak clearly, and stand confidently for what Scripture reveals about the family. Join pastors, scholars, and cultural commentators as we engage in an honest, hope-filled dialogue on one of the most contested issues of our time. We’ll set the table for real questions — and offer real answers grounded in truth.”
Americans have had an ever-evolving attitude towards marriage, but recent reports reveal that the current state of affairs is bleak. In 2024, U.S. adults were less likely to be married than at almost any point since the Census Bureau began tracking marital status in 1940. SES invites conference attendees to join pastors, scholars, and cultural commentators for an honest, hope-filled discussion on one of today’s most contested issues. Speakers include:
- Wayne Bray, pastor and author
- Dr. J. Thomas Bridges, academic dean, SES
- Alisa Childers, author, speaker
- Judge Phil Ginn, SES president
- Dr. Gary Habermas, author, professor
- Dr. Richard G. Howe, provost, SES
- Dr. Corey Miller, president, Ratio Christi
- Stacy Washington, author, radio host, political commentator
“The family isn’t a sociological experiment or a fading tradition. It’s a sacred space — designed for joy, built to last. And in a culture that seeks to redefine it, the Church must respond not with fear, but with clarity and conviction,” commented Ginn.
For more information about SES’s Steadfast Apologetics and Evangelism Conference, click here.
Judge Phil Ginn was appointed president of SES in April 2021 after a distinguished career as both a lawyer and a judge. Over the course of his 22-year judicial career, he was privileged to hold court in almost 50% of the county seats in North Carolina. He holds a B.A. from Appalachian State University, a J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Doctor of Ministry from Southern Evangelical Seminary. Prior to his appointment as SES president, Judge Ginn served as SES Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Southern Evangelical Seminary (SES, www.ses.edu) was established in 1992 to cultivate a strong level of discipleship needed to address the problems in a post-Christian culture and to strengthen the church well into the 21st century.
The mission of SES is to train men and women, based on the inerrant and infallible written Word of God, for the evangelization of the world and the defense of the historic Christian faith. SES offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees (along with several for-credit certificates) that uniquely integrate theology, philosophy, and apologetics to build a complete and systematic Christian worldview.
SES’s newTruth That Matters (TTM) training center is bridging the gaps between the current needs of individual Christian believers, churches, and organizations and the best available resources in apologetics, evangelism, and discipleship. Led by Dr. Stephen Cutchins, Truth That Matters aims to profoundly impact the Kingdom of God as an extension of the rich legacy and exciting vision of SES. The TTM center offers resources, training and networking opportunities to churches, leaders, families and other non-profit organizations committed to standing “Steadfast in the Truth.” To learn more about TTM, go to Truth That Matters.
For more information on SES, visit its website at www.ses.edu or its Facebook page, or follow the SES Twitter feed, @sesapologetics.
###
To interview a spokesperson for Southern Evangelical Seminary, contact Hamilton Strategies, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096 ext. 105, Dawn Foglein, ext. 100, or Kristen House, khouse@hamiltonstrategies.com.
