Paul David Tripp, president of Paul Tripp Ministries and a member of the pastoral staff at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia will be a speaker

The 26th annual Biblical Counseling Training Conference at Faith Baptist Church in Lafayette, Indiana is expected to draw 1,550 people from 40 states and 20 countries. The six-day conference, which starts Sunday, is one of the largest conferences of its kind in the country.

“Our diverse conference attendees come to learn and improve their skills in using the Bible to counsel hurting people,” said Rob Green, pastor of Faith Baptist’s Counseling and Seminary Ministries.

“Participants are encouraged to use their training in church-based counseling ministries in their own communities.”

Attendees include men, women, college students, pastors, missionaries, ministry professionals and laypeople. Twenty-two speakers will lead a variety of workshops.

Arvid Olson, a Faith Baptist spokesman, said three speakers have national followings. They are James MacDonald of Walk in the Word Ministries; Elyse Fitzpatrick, the author of 12 books and frequent conference speaker; and Paul David Tripp, president of Paul Tripp Ministries and a member of the pastoral staff at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.