Evan Bassett - Keynote Speaker

Evan will be delivering the opening and closing keynote address at our Psalms conference.

Evan is a Ph.D. candidate in Hebrew Bible at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. His research is focused the functions of biblical psalms in ancient Israelite communities. Evan teaches religion and biblical studies at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta. He currently lives in Stone Mountain, GA with his wife Katy and his two children, Lily and Coen.

Becce Bettridge - New Conversations with an Old Friend: Psalm 23

Becce has been a spiritual director since 2009 and holds certifications from both Monastery of the Risen Christ in Santa Barbara and Christian Formation & Direction Ministries in Seattle. She holds a BA in Communication and Literature, a Master of Biblical Studies, and has studied spiritual direction and dream work with the Haden Institute in North Carolina.

Joe Bettridge - A Quiet Little Psalm for Noisy Souls: Psalm 131 as a Model for a Healthy Emotional Life

Joe recently completed 46 years of pastoral ministry in the Presbyterian Church, having served long term pastorates in Alaska, Arizona and recently in Friday Harbor, WA. Joe graduated from Stadium High in Tacoma and the University of Washington. He received his Master of Divinity, Master of Theology and Doctorate of Missiology from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Bill Kettenring - Before the Psalms Were Scripture

Rev. Bill Kettenring was just getting his legs under him, what with all the Men’s breakfasts, occasional luncheons, sleeping in and general meddling he was doing after retiring from almost 30 years in Child Welfare. Then the pandemic hit and he had to start retirement all over. Bill is ordained as a Free Methodist Elder, but the Presbyterians at CKPres have been nurturing, tending, prodding, feeding and praying for him since 1994. There are signs it’s working.

Jim Davis - Jesus' Use of the Psalms

Jim received his PhD in New Testament in 1982 from the University of Nottingham mentored by Dr. J.D.G. Dunn. He has taught and pastored since then, including as Senior Pastor of CKPres from 1999-2007. He is recently retired from teaching courses for Fuller Seminary, which he did since 1992. In 2019 he retired as Senior Pastor/Head of Staff at a suburban Houston congregation.

John Haberlin - The Psalms as Pictograph: A Look at Acrostic Psalms

Rev. Dr. John Haberlin grew up in West Seattle, attended Seattle Pacific, Fuller Seminary and received his DMin from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary. He began at Westminster Presbyterian in Yakima, moved to First Presbyterian in Hayward, California, served as founding pastor of CKPres, was Associate for Church Growth at General Assembly, and finally pastor at Harrison Square Presbyterian in Centralia. He is married to his lifelong friend, Pamela. They have three children and six grandchildren.