Keep the Fire Burning
KTFB MINISTRY
Join us for our 2026 conference
Keep the Fire Burning (KTFB) started as a conference for pastors and leaders in 2011, initially hosted by Northside Church in Liverpool, NY, impacting over 500 leaders from 100+ churches and 10 states across the USA in six years. Since then, it has evolved into a ministry under the leadership of founder Bruce Aubrey, expanding to include regional events, pastoral mentoring, cohorts, a podcast, and an annual conference, all inspired by 2 Timothy 1:6.
Annual Conference
October 19-21, 2026
The Keep the Fire Burning Conference is a place for pastors to rekindle their passion, connect with peers, and find encouragement. It helps leaders recharge and return to their churches with renewed energy and inspiration.
Keep the Fire Burning offers great preaching, teaching, worship, and breakout sessions as well as a time to meet other pastors, make great relationships, and find support in ministry.
Annual Conference
October 20-22, 2025
The Keep the Fire Burning Conference is a gathering tailored for pastors and Christian workers, offering a blend of biblical instruction, specialized sessions, and communal meals. Our primary objective is to inspire and empower pastors in mastering the fundamental aspects of Christian ministry. Recognizing the distinct demands and obstacles inherent in pastoral life, we aspire for this conference to serve as a source of rejuvenation, ultimately revitalizing pastors and refreshing their commitment to advancing the Gospel in their respective congregations.
Keynote Speakers
Hershael York
Dean of The School of Theology, Victor & Louise Lester Professor of Christian Preaching
Ken Bevel
Pastor of Connections and Local Missions – Sherwood Baptist Church
Bruce Aubrey
Northside Church, Founder of Keep the Fire Burning
Dr. Christopher Cali
Northside Church – Lead Pastor
KTFB 2026
MEET the speakers
Hershael York
Dr. York is Dean of The School of Theology and the Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Christian Preaching. Hershael York has served as the 11th dean of Southern Seminary’s School of Theology since 2018, and as the Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Christian Preaching since 1999.
Before joining the faculty of Southern Seminary, York pastored Ashland Avenue Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky, and the First Baptist Church of Marion, Arkansas. He is married to Tanya, and they have 2 children. Dr. York is the Pastor Emeritus of Buck Run Baptist Church in Frankfort, Kentucky.
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Ken Bevel is a native of Jacksonville, Florida and a 20-year United States Marine Corps veteran, retiring as a Captain before transitioning into full-time ministry. He serves as Pastor of Connections and Local Missions at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, GA.
Ken is widely known for his roles in the Sherwood Pictures films Fireproof (2008) and Courageous (2011), which have opened doors for him to speak to men and families across the country on faith, fatherhood, and courageous Christian living. He and his wife Lauana have two children, Kyra and Kaleb.
KTFB 2026
KTFB 2026
MEET the speakers
Bruce Aubrey
Pastor Bruce Aubrey trusted in Jesus at the age of 14 and was called to ministry at the age of 17. He has served on staff in churches for more than 45 years, including as the Senior Pastor of Northside Church in Liverpool, New York for 30 years. He has a bachelor’s degree from Roberts Wesleyan College, a Master of Divinity from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Liberty University.
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Christopher was born and raised in Baldwinsville, New York. He attended the State University of New York at Oswego where he first was called into the ministry. Chris then graduated from Regent University, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in Biblical Studies. After serving as a youth and young adults pastor in Cicero, New York, he planted and pastored at The Well Church in Portland, Oregon.
In 2002, Chris decided to attend law school. He graduated from Suffolk University Law School with his Juris Doctor in 2005. In 2017, Christopher returned to school and attended Reformed Theological Seminary where he graduated with a Doctor of Ministry degree. In 2023, he was elected by Northside Baptist Church to be their Lead Pastor.
Today, Christopher serves as the Lead Pastor of Northside Church and the Founder/CEO of Coram Deo Ministries, a worldwide missions organization. Chris is married to his wife Ashley, and they have three daughters, Izabella, Piper, and Hayden.
KTFB 2026
KTFB 2026
WORSHIP MUSIC
Stillcreek
Stillcreek is a band rooted and grounded in the Word of God. They pair the timeless truth of scripture with beautiful, compelling, captivating production and melody to create songs that lead to reverence, awe, and wonder of who God is, and what He has spoken through His Word to us.