Justified Conference
May 29th-May 30th 2026
Romans 3:28 “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith alone apart from the works of the Law.”
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About the Event
Justified- What does this term mean to you?
Perhaps you think of a process by which we overcome the evil in our lives. Maybe you picture God weighing our evil against our good. Maybe you’re not sure.
The Bible’s doctrine of justification by faith is the beating heart of Christianity. God has been teaching His people this doctrine from the very start of history. Without it, there is no gospel, no salvation, and the door of forgiveness remains shut. Without it, access to God and all His benefits is unavailable to mankind.
Join us at our conference this May as we explore the depths of this doctrine, marveling together at God’s goodness in justifying the unrighteous.
Sign up by clicking the register button.
Location : Delevan Baptist Church, 18 Church Street, Delevan NY 14042
Main Sessions
- Justified By Faith – A clear presentation and declaration of justification by faith alone in Christ alone.
- Justified by a Substitute – Christ is our substitute. This session will give an overview of Penal Substitutionary Atonement and its importance for all that the death of Christ accomplished.
- Justification in the Old Testament: The Gospel Before Galatians – Showing that justification by faith is not a new idea that shows up in the New Testament, but is foretold and foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament.
- Justification and Its Counterfeits – Paul warned that some would come and preach “a different gospel” (2 Cor. 11:4). This session will cover counterfeit gospels that have deceived the people of God.
- Post Tenebras Lux: Justification Recovered – Detailing how the Protestant Reformation recovered justification by faith.
- Justification and Sanctification – Drawing out the distinction yet connection of justification and sanctification.
Breakout Sessions
- Justification and Our Spiritual Maladies – Showing how the Gospel provides the remedy to various spiritual maladies. This includes the guilty, the bruised reed, the self-righteous, the desire-shackled, the anxious, and others.
- Justified by Works? Clearing the Air on James – It is often said that Paul and James contradict one another when they write about justification. This session will clarify the Bible’s teaching, showing that these portions of Scripture are in perfect harmony.
- Justifying and Interceding – Focusing on a neglected piece of justification, this session will address the continuing intercession of Christ on behalf of His people.
- Justification and the Culture – Showing how the Gospel is the God-given remedy to our social ills.
- Justification and Its Benefits – Showing how justification is the foundation for the fullness of God’s love and favor towards us in Christ.
Meet Our Speakers
Jeff Rarick
Jeff has been serving the Lord in various leadership and teaching and preaching capacities for over 35 years including leading 2 church planting efforts in both Amherst and Central Florida. He has had the joy of being a mentor to many young men, has been involved in eldership training, and currently provides pulpit supply for churches in the greater Buffalo area. He and his wife, Joanie, attend First Baptist Church of Hamburg, NY.
Drew Taylor
Pastor Drew graduated from Baptist Bible College (Clarks Summit, PA) in 2010. Since his graduation, he has shared his passion for Christ and His Word by preaching in many different churches through the years. He was ordained for gospel ministry in 2014, and currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Jamestown, NY. Pastor Drew enjoys photography and quiet walks in nature. He lives in Jamestown, NY with his wife and 4 boys. Pastor Drew and his wife, Jordan, were married in June of 2008 at Bethany Baptist Camp where they met.
Nicholas Wells
Nicholas is one of the pastors of Covenant Reformed Church, a devoted husband, and a father of seven. He is currently enrolled in the Theopolis Fellows program and the Ministerium program in the Bucer Presbytery, deepening his study of theology, history, liturgy, and pastoral ministry. In addition to pastoral ministry, he runs the Logos and Liturgy Substack and oversees The Reformed Exchange, providing resources and discussion on Reformed theology and practice. When he’s not preaching, teaching, or writing, he enjoys spending time with his wife and children, reading, and engaging in theological conversation.
Mark Hamilton
Mark Hamilton was born and raised in the city in which he now serves as an elder and pastor for preaching since 2019 at Faithful Stones Church in Buffalo, New York. He is bivocational and serves the city in two capacities, as police officer/detective to the citizens and pastor/elder to the flock of God. He was ordained to the ministry in 2008. He and his wife Lisa have 5 daughters and two grandchildren.
Cory Messerschmidt
Cory Messerschmidt has served as a pastor at Delevan Baptist Church since 2024. He previously served as an Intern Pastor at First Baptist Church of Hamburg, NY. He is passionate about the people of God growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord through the whole counsel of God and desires the recovery of a robust Reformed world and lifeview in the American church. Cory is nearing completion of an MDiv degree from Grace Bible Theological Seminary and hopes someday to write one of his many book ideas. Cory has been married to his wife, Hannah, since 2024.
Steve Hammond
Steve has served as a biblical counselor and director at C.H.O.I.C.E.S. in Yorkshire for 25 years. He is certified with four counseling organizations and serves on the Board of Directors for the Fellowship of Biblical Counselors. In 2021, he planted Freedom Reformed Baptist Church. Steve and his wife, Melanie, have had eight children and eighteen grandchildren.
Aaron Masters
Aaron grew up in a Christian home outside of Buffalo, NY. He was converted at a young age and has always loved to study the Bible. He is a classically trained pianist with a Master of Music degree in piano performance & literature from Bob Jones University (2016). He is a medical provider by trade, and he completed a Master of Science in nursing at D’Youville College in 2021, specializing in family medicine. He currently works in urgent care. He was trained to be a ruling elder in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and completed a more systematic theological preparation through the Bucer Presbytery’s Ministerium program (2024-25). He is ordained in the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC). Aaron is married to Lauren and they have four children.
Ray Masters
Raymond Masters was born and raised in Western NY. He holds a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from The Master’s University and serves as an elder at Faithful Stones Church in Buffalo. He and his wife, Kristie, have three children.
John Cooper
Rev. John Cooper Jr. is pastor and executive director of Niagara Gospel Mission, Niagara Falls, New York. An Army veteran, John served in the 25th Infantry Division and 10th Mountain Division as an Infantry Sniper Section Leader from 2015 to 2021, and completed one combat tour to Afghanistan. He continues to minister to the veteran and military population, authoring the Warfighter’s Catechism, which wrestles with spiritual questions faced by soldiers on the front lines, and hosting the Godly Grunt Podcast. In John’s leadership role at Niagara Gospel Mission, he serves the homeless community of Niagara Falls and Niagara County. He has a Bachelor’s of Pastoral Ministry from Clark’s Summit University, a diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Alison, is an ordained Reformed Baptist minister and is currently working toward his Master’s Degree in Christian Leadership from Liberty University. John and his wife Liz have four boys: John Wayne, Micheal, Samuel, and Nehemiah.
Andy McCoy
Andy McCoy serves as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Hamburg, where he is involved in music and teaching. He also works as an engineer at Birdair. He and his wife Isobel live in Springville with their six children, and have recently become the proud owners of a 12-passenger van.. Andy aspires to one day finish the stack of books by his bed.