Forte Conference | Infusion Ministries

Forte Worship Conference (Landing Page) - Background.png

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace...

FAQs

Schedule

Speakers

Hotel

FAQs

What is the mission of this conference?

The Forte Worship Conference exists to strengthen a Christ-centered, Spirit led worship culture by equipping and unifying church leaders to lead first and shape hearts, practices, and congregations through intentional, Scripture rooted dialogue. We believe that healthy worship culture is formed through leadership and multiplied through faithful example.

Who is this conference intended to serve?

The Forte Worship Conference is for anyone who leads, plans, or participates in the gatherings of the church: worship leaders, preachers, shepherds, youth ministers, children’s ministry workers, sound and tech teams, ministry spouses, and church members who want to better understand the depth and purpose of worship and help cultivate that culture in their home congregation. There is something here for everyone!

Will we get to worship together?
Absolutely! We believe these moments will be some of the most meaningful of our time together. Throughout Friday and Saturday, we will gather to worship as one body, lifting our voices and hearts in a way that is both joyful and Spirit led. There is something deeply formative about not just talking about worship but entering into it together. As Scripture reminds us, worship is more than a moment...it is the offering of our whole selves to God: “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). When we gather, we are not only expressing praise but practicing a life of worship together. In these shared moments, we experience unity, encouragement, and the presence of God as His people seek Him with one heart, one voice, and Christ at the center.

REGISTRATION

Are there early bird rates or discount group rates?

Yes. For those who register by Oct 1st, 2026, the individual “early bird” rate is $97. After Oct 1st through registration close, the individual rate is $125 per person. Discounted groups rates are available and are detailed in the registration description. Group rates are automatically applied during the registration process.

Is there a minimum age required to attend?

Anyone is welcome, but the recommended age is 12 and up. Of course, if you think your child is ahead of the curve, younger ages are welcome, too! Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Unfortunately, we’re not able to provide childcare.

What is the registration cancellation policy?

Cancellation requests received before midnight on December 11, 2026, will receive a full refund. Due to the costs and nature of the event, requests submitted after December 11, 2026 are not guaranteed a refund and must be made in writing for review by Forte Worship Conference leadership. Event Purchase Protection insurance is available through our registration platform if so desired.

FOOD

Will food be provided during the conference?

We will provide coffee and light refreshments Saturday morning and will provide a catered lunch on Saturday for those who have registered for the event.

Will there be allergy options?

Just notify us on your registration and we’ll do our best to accommodate your dietary needs.

Do you have any food recommendations in Decatur or Huntsville?

Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q is a must-visit for its world-famous white sauce chicken.
Simp McGhee's on Bank Street offers fine dining with a Cajun twist near the river.
609 Social Market & Provisions provides an upscale atmosphere in a historic setting.
The Brick Deli in downtown is popular place for lunch with the family.
Kimmie's Kitchen & Social House offers a "glammy" atmosphere with popular wings.
Mother's Italian Kitchen, Francesco's Italian Restaurant and Alfonso's are popular options for pizza and Italian fare.

TRAVEL

Where is the conference located?

Beltline Church of Christ

2159 Beltline Rd SW, Decatur, AL 35601

Where should I stay during the conference?

There are several hotels located within a short driving distance from the conference location. We would recommend you check out any of the following options.

- Courtyard by Marriott Decatur

1209 Courtyard Cir, Decatur, AL 35603

(256) 355-4446

- Residence Inn by Marriott Decatur

1213 Courtyard Cir, Decatur, AL 35603

(256) 280-2666

- Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Decatur

1205 Courtyard Cir, Decatur, AL 35603

(256) 893-9988

- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Decatur by IHG

2407 Beltline Rd, Decatur, AL 35601

(256) 822-1042

- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Decatur Riverfront

1101 6th Ave NE, Decatur, AL 35601

(256) 355-3150

- Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Decatur

103 2nd Ave SE, Decatur, AL 35601

(256) 274-9040

Where should I fly into?

Huntsville, Alabama does have a nice and easily accessible international airport (HSV) however direct flights may be limited from your area and pricing can vary. Nashville International Airport (BNA) in Nashville Tennessee AND Birmingham-Shuttlesworth (BHM) in Birmingham, Alabama are both just under two hour via car from Decatur Alabama.

MEDIA

Will you be posting recorded content from the worship, keynotes or breakout sessions from this event?

At present time, we do not plan to broadcast or livestream any section of this event though this may change if technology permits. No guarantees are implied that the content will be available following the event.

NURSING MOTHERS ROOM

Is there a nursing mothers room available to use?

Yes! Beltline Church of Christ has a nursing mothers room located near the auditorium and is available to use during any portion of the event. Unfortunately, audio/video streaming into this room may be limited during some of the sessions.

BREAKOUT TRACKS

How do I pick or register for a specific breakout session or track?

No registration is required for a specific breakout track. Each session is open, first come first served. Details on breakout session options and locations are provided in your welcome packet.

WIFI

Is WIFI available during the conference?

Yes, Beltline has a guest network that will be available for attendees to use details will be provided at the event.

Schedule

Forte Worship Conference Schedule

Friday Evening - January 8th 2027

6:00pm - Doors Open for Registration/Lanyards

7:30pm – Worship in Song – Led by Infusion Ministries

8:15PM - Keynote – Steve Smith (Beltline Church of Christ)

9:30pm – Benediction

Saturday Morning - January 9th 2027

8:00am – Doors Open/Coffee

9:00am – Worship in Song – Led by Infusion Ministries

9:45am – Keynote – Alan Baggett, MD (Infusion Ministries)

10:30am – Worship in Song - Led by Infusion Ministries

11:00am - Keynote - Sam Welsh (Beltline Church of Christ)

12:00pm – 1:00pm - Catered Lunch for Registered Participants

Saturday Afternoon

BREAKOUT SESSION #1 (1:00pm – 2:00pm)

Shepherds Track

Blake McAnally/David Farris (Beltline Church of Christ)
Room 1

Ministers Track

Kevin Peters (The Park Church of Christ in Tulsa OK, Infusion Ministries)
Room 2

Worship Leaders Track

Matt Suggs (Collegeside Church of Christ in Cookeville TN, Worship Leader Institute)
Room 3

Women/Spouses in Ministry Track

Meredith Baggett (Owens Cross Roads Church of Christ, Infusion Ministries)
Room 4

BREAKOUT SESSION #2 (2:15pm – 3:15pm)

Shepherds Track

Wes McKinzie (The Springs Church of Christ in Edmond OK, Acappella/AVB, Infusion Ministries)
Room 1

Ministers Track

Steve Smith (Beltline Church of Christ)
Room 2

Worship Leaders Track

Kevin Schaffer (Central Church of Christ in Amarillo TX, Acappella)
Room 3

Women/Spouses in Ministry Track

Hannah Bradford (Highland Park Church of Christ in Muscle Shoals, AL)
Room 4

3:30pm – 4:30pm - Keynote – John Nichols (Collegeside Church of Christ in Cookeville TN)

4:30pm – Worship and Commissioning

5:00pm – 7:00pm – Dinner On Your Own

Saturday Evening

6:30pm – Doors Open

7:00pm – 8:30pm – WorshipFest – Led by Infusion Ministries

8:30pm – Closing Benediction

Sunday Morning

9:00am – Bible Class

10:00am – Worship

Meet Our Speakers

Steve Smith

Keynote & Breakout Leader

ChatGPT Image May 24, 2026, 08_12_48 PM_

Steve and his wife Cindy have two children, Clay and Julie. Steve has an undergraduate degree in Marketing from the University of North Alabama and a master’s degree in Bible and Ministry from Lubbock Christian University. He has been preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ for over 25 years, primarily in the western United States (Arizona and California), until he joined Beltline in 2013. He has a passion for the word of God and a desire to introduce everyone to Jesus! He is a sports enthusiast and is actively involved in our community. Steve is a man of great zeal and passion for the Lord and believes that we should love people into a deeper relationship with Jesus. His favorite verse is Romans 8:37, “We are MORE than conquerors through Christ who loved us.”

Sam Welsh

Keynote

Sam is married to his wonderful wife Brooke, and they have two children, Wiley and Palmer. Sam graduated from Faulkner University in 2017 with a Youth and Family degree and has been in youth ministry ever since. He is currently getting an M.A in New Testament from Freed Hardeman University. Sam works with Beltline's middle and high school families. He has a passion for working with teenagers and their parents and helping them develop and cultivate a relationship with King Jesus that will last a lifetime. He loves the outdoors and especially enjoys duck hunting. He loves to play golf with his wife, though he has yet to beat her. More than anything, Sam and his family love spending time and worshipping with God’s people.

Dr. Alan Baggett

Keynote

Alan is a physician, worship leader, and speaker with a passion for helping churches cultivate meaningful, joy-filled worship through song. He serves as both a hospice and academic internal medicine physician, bringing a unique perspective that blends medicine, ministry, and human experience. He attends Owens Cross Roads Church of Christ and serves as deacon over Medical Ministry and Small Group Ministries. In 2024, Alan helped launch Infusion Ministries with a vision to encourage and equip churches through worship and spiritual formation. His speaking explores the intersection of faith, science, and congregational singing, emphasizing how God designed worship and song to shape memory, community, encouragement, and discipleship. Alan is married to Meredith, and they have three daughters: Allyson, Amelia, and Annie.

Dr. John Nichols

Keynote

John serves as the Senior Minister for the Collegeside Church of Christ in Cookeville. He and his wife, Kasey, have three sons. John earned his doctorate in Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University. John is deeply passionate about worship and preaching because he believes leading others to the throne of God is both a sacred opportunity and an incredible privilege. His ministry is centered on helping people know the Gospel, walk with Jesus through His Word, and grow together in worship and discipleship.

Blake McAnally

Breakout Session Leader

ChatGPT Image May 24, 2026, 08_24_10 PM_

Blake has devoted much of his life to serving the people and churches of North Alabama. He and his wife, Patty, have been married nearly 45 years and are grateful for their close-knit family, including two children and three granddaughters. Their daughter, Cara Elliott, and her husband, Judge Charles Elliott, live in Decatur, while their son, Patrick, resides in New York City.

A 1985 graduate of University of Tennessee at Martin with a degree in Civil Engineering Technology, Blake serves as Owner and President of Pugh Wright McAnally, Inc.Throughout his life, Blake has remained deeply committed to shepherding and encouraging others in their walk with Christ. A longtime member of Beltline Church of Christ, he has served as both Deacon and Shepherd, with a passion for helping church leaders embrace biblical, servant-hearted leadership. He has also served with the Alabama Community College System, Decatur-Morgan Hospital Foundation, and Lads to Leaders.

David Farris

Breakout Session Leader

ChatGPT Image May 24, 2026, 08_16_40 PM_

David is a lifelong member of the church of Christ with extensive experience in church leadership. He grew up at Graymere Church of Christ, where his father served as an elder for 19 years. He earned a Bible degree from David Lipscomb College in 1984 and has served in church leadership throughout his adult life. He spent 15 years in full-time ministry and has since served as an adult Bible class teacher. Since 2011, he has served as a shepherd at Beltline Church of Christ. David and his wife, Kim, married in 1985. Their two children married godly spouses and have blessed them with three young grandchildren. David is especially passionate about worship, which is his primary shepherding responsibility. He believes that a weekly encounter with the Creator of the Universe is both life-giving and life-changing. He also believes worship can unite all generations in bringing glory to God.

Kevin Peters

Breakout Session Leader

Kevin has spent the past 20 years in full-time ministry working in missions, youth ministry, worship ministry, small groups, adult education, and spiritual formation. He grew up in Clinton, OK, then graduated from Oklahoma Christian University in 2005 with a degree in Bible. Out of college he spent two years on the mission field in Dundee, Scotland before returning to the Oklahoma City area to join the youth ministry staff at the Memorial Road church of Christ. In 2016 Kevin moved to Tulsa to join the staff at The Park church of Christ serving adults in multiple capacities. In 2026, he stepped away from full-time ministry to launch Clear Well Media, a media agency serving local business, schools, churches, and non-profits. He and his two children will remain active members at The Park volunteering with the children’s, youth, and worship ministries. Kevin hopes to encourage an authentic worship culture in our churches.

Matt Suggs

Breakout Session Leader

Matt serves as the Worship Minister for the Collegeside Church of Christ in Cookeville. Since 2024, he has also served as Director of the Acappella Ministries Worship Leader Institute. Matt and his wife, Angela, have been together since the fourth grade and have been married for 23 years. Together they have three sons: Ethan, Eli, and Micah. Matt is deeply passionate about equipping and encouraging the next generation of worship leaders. Known for his joyful spirit and engaging leadership, he has a unique gift for guiding people toward a deeper awe of God through worship, discipleship, and authentic praise.

Kevin Schaffer

Breakout Session Leader

Kevin has served as the Worship Minister at Central Church of Christ since 2008, leading with a deep passion for helping people encounter God through worship. With a degree in Music Education and experience teaching in public schools, Kevin brings both musical excellence and a shepherd’s heart to ministry. Kevin began singing professionally with Acappella early in his career, an experience that helped shape his love for a cappella worship and vocal harmony. While he values music and training, his true calling is creating meaningful, Spirit-led worship experiences that invite participation and transformation. Kevin and his wife, Michele, have been married for 29 years and met on a cruise shortly after he began singing with Acappella. Together they have three children and one grandchild. Whether leading from the front or equipping others behind the scenes, Kevin’s lifelong passion is guiding people into authentic worship.

Dr. Wes McKinzie

Breakout Session Leader

Wes has traveled the world as a longtime bass vocalist with both Acappella and AVB (Acappella Vocal Band). He is a business and sports management professor at Oklahoma Christian University; he also teaches online classes at Rochester Christian University. Wes and his wife Delisa have been married for 34 years; they’re blessed with two children, Mikayla and Schad. They worship in the Oklahoma City area at The Springs Church of Christ, where Wes serves as an elder and worship team member. Turning to Philippians 2 as part of our shepherds’ track, Wes will encourage us to be servant leaders who humbly look to the interests of others.

Meredith Baggett

Breakout Session Leader

Meredith is from Madison, Alabama. She attended Auburn University where she met her husband Alan. In 2017, Alan and Meredith moved to Huntsville and joined the Owens Cross Roads Church of Christ. Despite having bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biological sciences, Meredith is currently a stay-at-home mom to three girls. She is involved in school events, teaches preschool music classes through Rocket City Music Together, and is active in women’s ministry. Her passions include mentorship, intergenerational discipleship, and equipping women to dig deeper into Bible study. She created the Lois and Eunice Mentorship Brunch to encourage lasting relationships among women at her church. She leads singing at OCRCOC’s annual women’s workshop, “Flourish.” Meredith and Alan also lead their church small group, their second family. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, dancing, reading, planning events, good food, and loving her family.

Hannah Bradford

Breakout Session Leader

Hannah grew up in Hazel Green, Alabama, right outside of Huntsville. She attends the Highland Park Church of Christ in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. She has spoken and led singing for many ladies' days throughout the years including leading songs of praise at the annual Transform Women’s Conference in Pigeon Forge, TN. She received the Founder’s award from Heritage Christian University in 2026. She is the founder of Clothed, a Girl’s Day event in the Shoals. Hannah is also the author of several Christian books, blogs, and hosts two podcasts while managing www.hcbministries.com. Aside from ministry, she is the performing arts director at Muscle Shoals High School where she directs the choir, show choir, and musicals. She lives in Muscle Shoals with her husband Ben, Ellie and Peyton.

Please check out any of the following hotels for a convenient place to stay near the conference site.

Courtyard by Marriott Decatur

1209 Courtyard Cir, Decatur, AL 35603

(256) 355-4446

Residence Inn by Marriott Decatur

1213 Courtyard Cir, Decatur, AL 35603

(256) 280-2666

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Decatur

1205 Courtyard Cir, Decatur, AL 35603

(256) 893-9988

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Decatur by IHG

2407 Beltline Rd, Decatur, AL 35601

(256) 822-1042