About SDEA

The Strength to Stand Student Bible Conferences are designed to offer a well-balanced, intense conference that will challenge your students to go beyond the surface of casual Christianity and bring them into a lifetime commitment to Jesus Christ. Born of a vision to see thousands of students congregating in the Great Smoky and Ozark Mountains these conferences are designed for students yearning for a deeper, more effective relationship with Christ. In addition to discipleship, students will be given the opportunity to respond to the Gospel. We make no apology in confronting lost students with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The conferences are under the supervision of the Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association, Inc., which is recognized by the IRS as a nonprofit organization. Since 1987, this Association has been actively involved in conference ministries throughout the United States.


Conference Attendees

The conferences target students from sixth grade through college. Due to insurance regulations, it is SDEA's policy to require each person to be in the sixth grade or at least twelve years of age. Because we try to effectively minister to such a wide range of students, please refrain from bringing younger children unless you acquire special permission from SDEA.

Counselors

SDEA requires that for the first three (3) students of the same gender, one (1) counselor of that gender must be present. Then, for every five (5) students of the same gender at least one (1) counselor is required. We encourage you to bring as many counselors as possible.

A counselor should be mature, a member of your church, a Christian, at least 21 years of age, and should be balanced according to genders. You must have one counselor highlighted as the person in charge of your group. Unless otherwise noted, this will be the Student Minister. Please choose your counselors carefully.

Faith Statement

  • We believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God; that it is His holy and inspired Word; and that it is the supreme and final authority in doctrine and practice.
  • We believe in one God, existing in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
  • We believe in the deity of our Lord and Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary.
  • Christ led a sinless life; took upon Himself all our sins; died and rose again; is seated at the right hand of God the Father; and is coming again in power and glory.
  • We believe all men are lost and face the righteous judgment of God and need to receive Jesus Christ in their heart by faith and repentance through His shed blood upon the cross.
  • We believe Christ rose from the dead and is coming again.
  • We believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
  • We believe in holy Christian living and that we must have concern for the social issues of others.
  • We believe in the unity of the Body of Christ, composed of all those who have received Christ into their heart.
  • We believe in taking the gospel to all parts of the world by preaching salvation, producing disciples and partnering with Christian leaders around the globe.

Meet the Conference Staff

Scott Dawson

Scott Dawson has been preaching the Gospel since he was a teenager. The ministry that began with simple testimonials and youth rallies has grown into an evangelistic association that reaches across age and denomination in evangelistic efforts to offer a unifying message of hope: the Good News of Jesus Christ. Scott makes it a priority to keep his presentations real, innovative, and contemporary. Coming from a broad denominational background, he has a keen understanding of the factors that drive churches apart and strives to focus on the common ground that draws Christians closer together. Scott lives in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, with his wife, Tarra, son, Hunter, and daughter, Hope.

Mark Congleton

If you've ever spent any amount of time with Mark Congleton you've come to appreciate his colorful personality and heart to see change in this current generation. Mark joined SDEA in October of 2007 to serve as the Technical Director. His background in production of radio and television programming aids him in his current role managing the websites, and producing audio and video for the ministry. Mark and his wife, Jane, attend Church of the Highlands where he is a deacon and director of media services. Their son, Joe, lives in New Orleans, LA.

Interesting Fact: Mark hosts the podcast, "Inside the DPN," which is a podcast for Disney lovers!

Kasey Dover

If you are wondering who has the best laugh in the office, look no further than Kasey Dover! Kasey joined SDEA in September of 2009 to serve as Ministry Assistant. Kasey aids the office in tasks ranging from filing to computer input to answering the phone she is a "jack of all trades!" Originally from Rainsville, AL, Kasey now resides in Birmingham where she is a junior at UAB studying psychology. Kasey attends Church of the Highlands.

Interesting Fact: Kasey grew up attending Strength to Stand Conferences.

Mike Greer

If you ever need something to get done right the first time, you better call Mike Greer. Mike's self driven and winning attitude is what makes him such a valuable member of the SDEA family. Mike attended the University of Alabama in Birmingham where he attained a degree in business, and after college he would go onto working in the golfing business. It was at a golf course where Mike first met Scott Dawson and felt that God had something more for him to do regarding the ministry. This led to him becoming a part of SDEA in 2001. Mike currently resides in Pinson, Alabama with his wife Linda, where they attend Church of the Highlands. They have two kids Drew and Cary, both married, and three grandsons, Judah, Mason and Cooper and a granddaughter, Julia.

Interesting Fact: Mike was a Golf Professional for 35 years before coming to SDEA.

Gina Handley

In every great organization there is always one person that you would call the heart and soul of the group. That person is someone who simply loves to serve God and serve others. Without question, Gina Handley is the heart and soul of SDEA. Gina Handley came to the Scott Dawson team in 1997 after attending a Strength to Stand Student Bible Conference. She began as a volunteer and has since become a full-time team member. She is now the Director of Conference Administration and is responsible for overseeing registrations for the Strength to Stand Conferences. Her job also includes the planning and completion of Conference and Mission Trip events. She graduated from the University of Alabama in Birmingham with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Gina attends Gardendale 's First Baptist church and resides in Hayden, Alabama

Interesting Fact: Gina does not like chocolate, and is allergic to dogs.

Joey Hill

You know that guy who is up to date on the latest trends, is actively seeking the will of God, and can relate it to people both older and younger than him? That would most definitely be Joey Hill. Joey is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in Business. He served as a Student Pastor for over ten years until God called him to be a student evangelist. God has used Joey all over the country to help students shed defeated lives for the Glory of God through conferences, camps, revivals and missions. Joey serves in the Conference Department developing relationships and mentoring student ministers. He, his wife, Brownie, their sons Maxon and Tyson and daughters Hope and Ivey live in Warrior, Alabama where Joey serves as Senior Pastor of High Point Community Church.

Interesting Fact: He once built a space ship inside a church sanctuary.

Scott Lenning

Scott Lenning is a world traveler whose passion to see the word of God spread is seen in everything he does. After graduating from Furman University with a double major in Political Science and Urban Studies, Scott went to work for Billy Graham where he eventually became a Crusade Director. It was at one of these Crusades that Scott Lenning first met Scott Dawson and began a long lasting friendship that would eventually lead to Scott Lenning becoming a part of SDEA in July of 2005. Although Scott has lived in 24 U.S. cities, he currently resides in Birmingham with his wife Tami and children Jonathan, Brittany, and Scottie.

Interesting Fact: He collects rocks as souvenirs from all the places he travels to.

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