2025 Conference Speakers
We are thankful for our guest speakers who make this yearly event full of rich and biblical truths.
Registration for the 2025 Steadfast Bible Conference is now available!
This year's conference will be held Saturday, September 27 at Grace Bible Church in Bakersfield, California.
Use the link below to be directed to our secure ticketing portal to purchase conference tickets.
For help or questions regarding this event, please contact [email protected].
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"Him we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom,
so that we may present every man complete in Christ."
Colossians 1:28 (LSB)
Join us as the Steadfast Bible Conference focuses our sights on what the New Testament spends much effort in describing to readers on the process of growing in faith–what we call the doctrine of Sanctification. We will consider God’s role and the role of believers in this process and how Christians are encouraged to pursue lives of holiness and godliness in obedience to our Savior.
This year we are delighted to welcome Dr. Mike Riccardi of Grace Community Church, along with our own pastor Dr. Steve Swartz, for a full day of teaching and fellowship. You are sure to be encouraged through the preached and taught Word of God, the congregational singing of God’s people, and the community of local believers as we turn our attention to Christ’s commands and Paul’s words found in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
We are thankful for our guest speakers who make this yearly event full of rich and biblical truths.
We live in an age and culture that makes us want to question everything and not believe that truth is immovable. It's no wonder the Apostle Paul warned us, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be STEADFAST, immovable." (1 Corinthians 15:58)
"Beloved, Be ye STEADFAST in the doctrines of the gospel. Know what you know, and knowing, cling to it."
Charles H. Spurgeon
British 19th century "Prince of Preachers"
This word STEADFAST is crucial in Scriptures and occurs dozens of times, warning us and encouraging believers to be strong in our faith. We know as Christians we are called to be different from our culture, and it is by standing upon God's Word that we are strengthened.
"Continue STEADFAST and unmovable in the profession of [your] faith"
George Whitefield
Great American 18th Century Preacher
"...Continue in the faith firmly grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven"
The Apostle Paul
Colossians 1:23 (LSB)
Dr. Michael Riccardi serves as assistant professor of theology at The Master’s Seminary. He grew up in Central New Jersey and attended Rutgers University, where he earned a B.A. in Italian and a M.A. in Education.
Through the latter stages of his undergraduate days, Mike was increasingly gripped by a constraining desire to preach the Word and shepherd the flock. The elders of his church affirmed his desire, and an admiration for John MacArthur—wanting to handle the Word of God with the same care and precision that he did—led Michael and his wife Janna to TMS in August of 2009. After completing his Master of Divinity degree in the summer of 2012, Mike continued his TMS education with a ThM in 2015 and a PhD in 2021. To date, Dr. Riccardi has published two books: Sanctification: The Christian’s Pursuit of God-Given Holiness and The Forest and the Trees: The Story of Scripture and Biblical Interpretation. He also contributed significantly to Biblical Doctrine and has published articles with The Master’s Seminary Journal, Credo Magazine, and the Banner of Truth, among others. Dr. Riccardi and his wife have four children. He and Phil Johnson co-pastor the Grace Life fellowship group at Grace Community Church.
Grace Community Church
Sun Valley, California
Dr. Steve Swartz is the senior preaching pastor of Grace Bible Church in Bakersfield, California and the featured speaker on Steadfast in the Faith, a teaching ministry based in expository preaching and writing. Author of Shattered Shepherds, Preparing for Heaven, Strength in the River, and more, Steve's desire is to train men and build up churches to know and teach the Word of God and to equip the local community of believers with impact for the Gospel of Christ. He is a two-time graduate of The Master's Seminary and brings 25 years of seasoned pastoral and counseling experience to the pulpit. Steve lives in Bakersfield with his wife and family.
Grace Bible Church
Bakersfield, California