Illuminate - Working with Purpose
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
George Shinn Center
Discover Purpose at the Intersection of Faith and Work.
Join us for Illuminate: Working With Purpose, a one-day conference, on Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the George Shinn Center on Lipscomb University's campus. The cost is $60 per person.
Illuminate: Working With Purpose is designed to help attendees discover how faith can inform and shape their professional lives, no matter their career stage or field. The event features compelling keynote addresses, thought-provoking breakout sessions and networking opportunities.
This year’s keynote speakers include three national voices in the faith and work movement — Jay Jakub, executive director of the Economics of Mutuality Foundation (EoM) in Geneva, Switzerland; Russell Moore, editor-in-chief of Christianity Today and the inaugural Bill and Crissy Haslam Endowed Distinguished Visiting Professor of Faith and Reason at Lipscomb; and Chip Pugh, director of spiritual and personal growth for the Tennessee Titans.
Register Here!
About Our Keynote Speakers
Jay Jakub
Jay Jakub
Jay Jakub is executive director of the Economics of Mutuality Foundation (EoM) in Geneva, Switzerland. He has held leadership and advisory roles with organizations around the world, including the EoM Alliance, Mutual Value Labs, Mutual Value Investments, Commence, the Human Flourishing Foundation, Thompson Family Office, Eagle Venture Fund and Singapore’s Alliance for Action on Corporate Purpose, and previously served as senior director for external research at Mars, Inc. An international speaker and author, he earned his doctorate from Oxford University and has co-authored books on business, purpose and the Economics of Mutuality. In addition, he and his wife, Eleni, also co-founded the Christian Healing Institute and lead Biblically based healing prayer ministries globally.
Russell Moore
Russell Moore
Russell Moore is editor-in-chief of Christianity Today and the inaugural Bill and Crissy Haslam Endowed Distinguished Visiting Professor of Faith and Reason at Lipscomb University. In addition to his work at Christianity Today, Moore serves as host of The Russell Moore Show, and is co-host of The Bulletin. He is also the author of several books including Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America. Moore previously served as president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention and as provost and dean of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. A senior fellow with the Trinity Forum and board member of Becket Law, Moore brings a unique blend of theology, ethics and cultural insight to the conference.
Chip Pugh
Chip Pugh
Chip Pugh serves as the director of spiritual and personal growth for the Tennessee Titans, where he supports players, coaches and staff members in their development beyond the game, and also serves as the team's chaplain. He is the co-founder of Be1Make1, a ministry that trains people to live and lead on mission for Jesus Christ. As a certified strength and conditioning coach, he has spent much of his professional career training athletes, CrossFit competitors, and fitness enthusiasts. He has taught leadership development at Tennessee Tech University, where he also served as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Character Coach for the athletic teams. In his athletic career, he played football at Ohio University, where he earned a master's degree in coaching. He and his wife, Nicole, have two daughters. They reside in the Nashville area. All attendees will receive a copy of Pugh's book, Made to Win: Six Practices of Jesus for a Life on Mission.
Illuminate Award
A highlight of Illuminate is the presentation of the Illuminate Award. The Illuminate Award recognizes an individual who exemplifies living with purpose in a secular profession by using their talents, time and resources to faithfully lead and serve others for the glory of God. This prestigious honor is given to an individual whose faith and core values naturally guide their decision-making. Their professional and personal lives are marked by the words of Matthew 5, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." The Illuminate Award honors a person who truly illuminates their part of the world by shining their light in a way that honors God.
Schedule
8:30-9 a.m.: Registration
9-9:15 a.m.: Opening Comments
9:15-10:15 a.m.: Keynote 1 featuring Chip Pugh: Exploring the Practices of Jesus for a Life on Mission
10:30-11:30 a.m.: Breakout Session 1
11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m.: Lunch and Keynote 2 featuring Russell Moore
1:30-2:30 p.m.: Breakout Session 2
2:45-3:45 p.m.: Keynote 3 featuring Jay Jakub
3:45 p.m.: Closing Remarks
Breakout Sessions
10:30-11:30 a.m.: Breakout Session 1
- Healing Business to the Heal the World College of Business featuring Jay Jakub
- The Flourishing Mind, College of Bible & Ministry featuring Earl Lavender
- Courage and Character, College of Education featuring Suze Gilbert and Lance Foreman
- Part I: Find Your Northstar—Align Your Life to Something Greater Than Self and Work, George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts featuring Mike Fernandez
1:30-2:30 Breakout Session 2
- TBD College of Business
- A Theology of Work, College of Bible & Ministry featuring JP Conway and Deron Smith
- Courage and Character, College of Education featuring Suze Gilbert and Robyn Casey
- Part 2: Live Your Northstar—Keep Your Promises. Do Hard Things. Become Who You Are Called to Be., George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts featuring Mike Fernandez
Illuminate is a part of the Presidential Signature Series as a collaborative event with the Center for Vocational Discovery and the College of Business.