Close the Bible Gap - First Bible Access for God’s Advancing Church

MARCH 5-8, 2026 | DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA

We hope you’ll join us at the award-winning Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club in Dana Point, California for an unforgettable weekend of inspiration, innovation, and action.

Close the Bible Gap is a growing alliance of marketplace leaders and ministries reimagining the delivery of God’s Word to God’s Church in the world’s hardest places. During our weekend together, you’ll meet heroes from the frontlines of global Bible ministry while enjoying worship, fellowship, and rest in a beautiful setting. Come and discover your place in this exciting new chapter of the Great Commission!

Special Guests & Speakers

JJ Alderman

JJ Alderman grew up in Togo, Africa, from kindergarten through college as a missionary kid. He later returned with his wife, Melissa, serving 13 years in the voodoo capital of the world with a vision for gospel saturation and church planting through leadership development. Today, JJ serves the Coalition of the Willing, a global and national coalition of church-planting ministries, as well as ACHIEVE Alliance, a collective impact effort uniting kingdom investors toward a church in every village everywhere. JJ and Melissa now reside in Raleigh, North Carolina, with their three daughters.

Mark Batterson

Mark Batterson serves as the Lead Visionary of National Community Church (NCC) in Washington, DC, and of the Dream Collective. NCC owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, the Miracle Theatre, the DC Dream Center, the Capital Turnaround, and Culture House. Mark holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University and is the New York Times best-selling author of 26 books. His newest works include Gradually Then Suddenly, A Million Little Miracles, and The Best Worst Day Ever, a children’s book co-written with his daughter, Summer. Mark and his wife, Lora, have three adult children and reside in Washington, DC.

Bessie Barker

Bessie Barker is an Australian best-selling author, international speaker, and ordained chaplain. She serves on staff at Dallas Theological Seminary while completing a dual master’s in biblical and theological studies and counseling. Her early career as an Australian entrepreneur and speaker included serving as brand ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, ambassador and speaker for Australia Day, touring Middle East warzones as emcee for the Australian and U.S. militaries, and sharing the stage with Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton. After global success, a seven-year spiritual journey through thirty-three countries led Bessie, her husband, and their newborn to a renewed, wholehearted faith in Christ.

Naeem Fazal

Naeem Fazal is the founding and lead pastor of Mosaic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Born in Kuwait to a Pakistani Muslim family, he came to the United States shortly after the Gulf War and experienced a supernatural encounter with Jesus that changed the course of his life. He was ordained at Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Naeem is the author of Ex-Muslim and his latest book, Tomorrow Needs You. He and his wife, Ashley, have two college-age children.

Jarrell Flowers

Jarrell Flowers is a dynamic hip-hop and spoken word artist rooted in San Antonio’s creative culture. His passion for hip-hop began early, leading to global performances and the release of multiple musical projects, including four EPs and a full-length album. In 2018, Jarrell and his wife, Jeneil, founded The RISE Movement, a nonprofit equipping creatives to transform communities through art and the gospel. RISE has since grown into a nationwide network of artist-led communities, fostering creativity for the glory of God and the good of cities. Jarrell lives in San Antonio with Jeneil and their three daughters.

Mart Green

Mart Green is the Ministry Investment Officer for Hobby Lobby and the founder of Mardel Christian and Education Supply stores. His retail career began with his parents, founders of Hobby Lobby, which has grown to more than 1,000 stores in 48 states. Mart is the Board Chair of Come and See, working to expand The Chosen into the world’s largest 600 languages, and also serves on the Board of Come Near. He and his wife, Diana, are leading champions of illumiNations, an alliance committed to eradicating Bible poverty by 2033. In 2024, Mart and David Bowden co-authored Learning to Be Loved. Mart and Diana live in Oklahoma and have four children and thirteen grandchildren.

David Leonard

David Leonard is a songwriter, worship leader, producer, artist, husband, and father. After honing his craft with Jackson Waters and touring with NEEDTOBREATHE, he became one-half of the GRAMMY–nominated duo All Sons & Daughters. A GMA Dove Award–winning producer and co-founder of The Creak Music, David has crafted beloved songs including “Great Are You Lord,” “Christ Be All Around,” and “All the Poor and Powerless.” His solo projects The Wait and Silence the Noise reflect his personal journey with God. His worship anthems “Good Lord” and “Every Hour” continue his passion for creating spaces where people encounter God anew.

Stephen McWhirter

Stephen McWhirter is a Dove Award–winning and GRAMMY–nominated worship artist, songwriter, speaker, and author whose life and music testify to the redemptive power of Jesus. Once a drug addict who hated Jesus and Christians, he encountered Christ in a way that radically restored his heart and life. His breakout anthem “Come Jesus Come” has become a global prayer of revival, earning GRAMMY nominations alongside CeCe Winans and the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Stephen now travels worldwide sharing his story and leading many to Jesus. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife, Tara, and their three sons, and is signed with Capital Christian Music Group and Zondervan Books.

Ed Stetzer

Ed Stetzer, Ph.D., is the Dean and Professor of Leadership and Christian Ministry at the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He also serves as Distinguished Visiting Scholar at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University. Ed has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches; trained pastors and church planters on six continents; earned two master’s degrees and two doctorates; and written hundreds of articles and a dozen books. He is the Regional Director for Lausanne North America and the Editor-in-Chief of Outreach Magazine, and regularly writes for outlets such as USA Today and CNN. His national radio show, Ed Stetzer Live, airs on Moody Radio. Ed serves Mariners Church as Scholar in Residence & Teaching Pastor.

For any questions, please email [email protected]