What is the Soul Care Summit?
The Soul Care Summit is a one-day event created specifically for pastors and faith leaders who are navigating the pressures of ministry in a demanding world. Born out of a desire to support the emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being of those who serve others, the summit offers a sacred space for rest, reflection, and renewal. Our vision is to create a refuge where leaders can be poured into—where conversations about mental health are welcomed, burnout is addressed with grace, and healing becomes possible. Through shared learning and honest dialogue we believe this summit will help cultivate longevity, joy, and wholeness in ministry.
What to Expect at the Summit
At the Soul Care Summit, faith leaders will experience a full day of meaningful connection, spiritual refreshment, and practical equipping. The day includes dynamic keynote talks, interactive workshops, restorative practices like guided prayer, breathwork, and massage, as well as opportunities to network with like-minded leaders across denominations. Attendees will receive tools to support mental health in their congregations, explore ways to prevent burnout, and engage in honest conversations about the challenges of ministry. With intentional space carved out for rest and nourishment—both physical and spiritual—this summit is designed to leave leaders feeling seen, supported, and renewed.
Soul Care Summit Itinerary
7:45 AM - Doors Open and Breakfast
8:30 AM – Welcome Opening & Prayer
Kaylee Bynum and Keiko Chibana-Shinn set the tone and help participants reflect on their hopes for the day.
8:45 AM – 9:15 AM – Praise & Worship – Forest Park Church Worship Team
A time of musical worship to recenter and reconnect with God's presence.
9:15 AM – 10:15 AM – Keynote: Abel Sutton
A powerful message on soul care from a pastor, hospice consultant, and community leader.
10:15 AM – 10:25 AM – Break and Vendor Visits
10:25 AM – 10:55 AM – Getting to Know You: Mary Frances McClure
A fun, interactive session focused on finding unity in shared experiences.
10:55 AM – 11:45 AM – Mental Health in the Church: Dr. Merrill T. Reese
Learn how to create emotionally safe and trauma-informed congregations.
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM – Networking Lunch & Roundtable Discussions
Enjoy a catered lunch and meaningful conversations around leadership, faith, and support.
1:00 PM – 1:35 PM – Movement, Breathwork, & Sound Bath: Alyssa Archer
Experience deep rest and reflection through guided movement, breath, and sound.
1:35 PM – 1:45 PM – Break and Vendor Visits
1:45 PM – 2:35 PM – Compassion Fatigue & Burnout: Scott Neal
Recognize signs of burnout and discover healthy rhythms for sustainable care.
2:35 PM – 3:25 PM – Resilience in Ministry: Jesse Stalnaker
Practical tools for navigating conflict, criticism, and discouragement in leadership.
3:25 PM – 3:35 PM – Break and Vendor Visits
3:35 PM – 4:25 PM – Grace Filled Marriage: Dr. Cyrus R. Williams III
Creating a Resilient Marriage Rooted in Scripture, Mental Wellness, and Mutual Respect
4:25 PM – 4:30 PM – Closing Prayer: Keiko Chibana-Shinn
Abel Sutton
Pastor Abel Sutton serves as the lead pastor of Faithway Church of Jesus in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. He brings a powerful blend of spiritual leadership, community care, and creative expression to everything he does.
In addition to his pastoral role, Abel works as a hospice care consultant and a licensed realtor, using his gifts to serve people in some of life’s most important moments. He is also a gifted speaker, singer, and actor, known for bringing passion and authenticity to every message he shares.
Abel and his wife Ganelle are raising five children and are deeply committed to both faith and family. Ganelle is an English teacher, author, and founder of The Young Author’s Club. Together, they create a home filled with learning, creativity, and purpose.
Pastor Sutton’s voice carries wisdom, compassion, and conviction. Whether he is preaching, performing, or caring for someone one-on-one, his mission is always the same: to reflect the love of Christ and lead others toward hope and healing.
Mary Frances McClure
Pastor Mary Frances McClure leads Moyock United Methodist Church, a growing and community-centered congregation in northeastern North Carolina. Since beginning her appointment in July 2023, she has brought vision, warmth, and steady leadership to a church committed to spiritual growth, local outreach, and authentic connection.
Beyond her local role, Pastor Mary Frances is an active voice in broader conversations about church renewal, leadership, and creative ministry. She regularly contributes to conferences and workshops focused on strengthening faith communities and navigating the evolving landscape of church life.
With a deep heart for pastoral care and a thoughtful approach to ministry, Pastor Mary Frances brings both wisdom and practicality to every space she enters. At the Soul Care Summit, she’ll help bring faith leaders together across denominations.
Scott Neal
Pastor Scott Neal has served as the Lead Pastor of Forest Park Church in Elizabeth City, North Carolina since 2001. With over two decades of leadership experience, Scott is known for his honest, thoughtful teaching and his deep commitment to helping people experience grace and spiritual renewal no matter where they are in life.
He is a graduate of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and leads with a passion for making faith practical, accessible, and rooted in love. Scott and his wife Lana, have been married for more than thirty years. Together they are raising three children - Evan, Ashlyn, and Camryn with a combined six grandbabies - and share a heart for building a church that welcomes the broken, supports the searching, and invites people to follow Jesus with authenticity.
Outside of ministry, Scott enjoys reading, cooking, strong coffee, and spending time with friends. At the Soul Care Summit, Scott will speak to the challenges of spiritual leadership, the importance of soul renewal, and how to stay rooted in God's grace through every season.
Dr. Merrill T. Reese, Ph.D.
Dr. Merrill T. Reese is a highly respected clinician, educator, and Associate Professor in the School of Psychology & Counseling at Regent University. With decades of experience in counseling and mental health, he specializes in psychopathology, group therapy dynamics, treatment planning, and building strong therapeutic relationships. His work is centered on equipping professionals and caregivers with tools to support healing, resilience, and emotional well-being.
In both the classroom and clinical settings, Dr. Reese integrates psychological insight with a deep understanding of faith and soul care. His teaching is known for being practical, compassionate, and grounded in evidence-based practice. He has shaped the lives of countless students, counselors, and ministry leaders through his mentorship and academic leadership.
At the Soul Care Summit, Dr. Reese will offer practical guidance for those in emotionally demanding roles. His session will explore how to care for others without losing yourself in the process and how to cultivate the emotional strength needed to sustain long-term leadership and service.
Jesse Stalnaker
Jesse Stalnaker serves as the Executive Pastor at Great Bridge Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Virginia. With a heart for both people and process, Jesse combines strategic leadership with deep pastoral care, helping to guide the church’s mission, operations, and spiritual growth.
He brings years of ministry experience across a variety of roles, including student ministry, pastoral counseling, and church administration. Jesse is passionate about creating healthy church systems, supporting staff and volunteers, and helping leaders thrive in both their personal and professional lives.
At the Soul Care Summit, Jesse will speak from his experience navigating the pressures of ministry leadership, offering practical insights on boundaries, burnout, and the importance of spiritual and emotional health in long-term service.
Dr. Cyrus R. Williams III, Ph.D., LPC, CSAT, LSATP
Dr. Cyrus Williams is a professor in the School of Psychology & Counseling at Regent University, a licensed mental health counselor in Florida and Virginia, and a nationally certified counselor. He has more than 15 years of experience in higher education and clinical practice, including community counseling, substance abuse treatment, forensic diversion programs, and couples therapy. He is also the owner of Impact Counseling, Coaching & Consulting, LLC.
As a Gottman-trained couples therapist and addictions counselor, Dr. Williams has helped countless individuals and couples find healing, resilience, and renewed hope. His research and clinical focus center on hope, resilience, multicultural counseling, and strength-based interventions that equip people to thrive in the face of challenges.
At the Soul Care Summit, Dr. Williams will present “Grace Filled Marriage: Creating a Resilient Marriage Rooted in Scripture, Mental Wellness, and Mutual Respect.” This session will offer practical tools and biblical insight for leaders and couples seeking to strengthen their marriage by cultivating grace, emotional health, and a spirit of mutual support.
Alyssa Archer, LMBT
Alyssa Archer is a Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist with Peaceful Waters Counseling and Wellness Center. With a passion for whole-person healing, Alyssa offers a unique blend of clinical skill and restorative care.
At the Soul Care Summit, Alyssa will lead an immersive session designed to calm the body and quiet the mind through movement, breathwork, and sound therapy. This experience will include guided stretching, gentle movement, meditation, and deep breathing exercises, all supported by the healing tones of crystal singing bowls.
Meet the Heart Behind the Summit
Kaylee Bynum, LCMHCS, LPC, ACS, NCC, CCMHC
Kaylee Bynum is the Founder and President of Peaceful Waters Counseling & Wellness Center. A Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and supervisor, Kaylee is passionate about integrating faith and mental health to support whole-person healing. With years of experience walking alongside individuals, families, and leaders through life’s hardest seasons, she brings wisdom, compassion, and deep spiritual insight to every space she enters. Kaylee created the Soul Care Summit out of a burden to care for those who spend their lives caring for others - offering rest, renewal, and practical tools for sustainable ministry.
Keiko Chibana-Shinn, LCMHC, NCC
Keiko Chibana-Shinn is a licensed clinical mental health counselor, pastor, and community engagement leader who brings a unique blend of spiritual depth and clinical expertise to her work. With a heart for marginalized and hurting communities, Keiko is passionate about creating spaces where faith leaders can be vulnerable, find healing, and rediscover their purpose. As co-host of the Soul Care Summit, she invites others to slow down, listen deeply, and reconnect with the God who restores the soul. Her presence is marked by empathy, authenticity, and a deep commitment to holistic wellness.