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Hilltop U: A Senior Adult Conference

May 22 - May 24, 2023

Hilltop University is a spiritual retreat for Adults 55+ hosted every May at East Texas Baptist University. Conference events include corporate worship, preaching, Bible studies, concerts, breakout sessions, and dessert fellowships. During your stay, enjoy our on-campus housing in a spectacular residence facility and delicious meals in ETBU’s Bennett Student Commons! 

Full Conference Pricing 

Early Bird Special pricing is $189 per person before April 1, 2023! After April 1, the price is $229 per person. Group leaders who bring at least 10 people may attend for free. Pricing includes 7 meals, on-campus housing, concert tickets, and admittance to all conference events. If you'd prefer to make your own arrangements and stay off-campus, the cost is reduced to $150 per person (includes 7 meals, concert tickets, and admittance to all conference events for that day). Registration closes May 15, 2023. 

Daily Conference Rates

If you are not able to attend the entire conference but would still like to be a part of Hilltop University, daily rates are available.

  • Monday Only | $75
  • Tuesday Only | $75
  • Wednesday Only | $50

Special Guests

Woman smiling at camera with a white background
Sandi Patty
Grammy Award-Winning Artist

As one of the most highly acclaimed performers of our time with five Grammy® awards, four Billboard Music Awards, three platinum records, five gold records, and eleven million units sold, Sandi Patty is simply known as The Voice. “I am grateful for the many opportunities God has given in my life and for how He has allowed me to spread my wings,” says Sandi. “Singing is my way to tell my story of hope, life, and love.”

Two woman smiling playing banjos in front of red and black doors
The Purple Hulls
Acoustic Recording Artists

Talented identical twins, Katy Lou & Penny Lea Clark, raised on a working purple hull pea farm near Kilgore, Texas, perform across the country and abroad as a 3 piece band. Work in the fields, and solid family values provide the inspiration and foundation for their authentic, acoustic-driven music. The "Hulls" spent a number of years in Nashville honing their craft. Since returning to live in Texas, The Purple Hulls have toured extensively and have released four studio projects.

Pastor, First Baptist Church, Sherman, Tx
Dr. Mike Lawson ('84)
Speaker for Hilltop U Main Sessions

Dr. Mike Lawson is a 1984 graduate of East Texas Baptist University. He and his wife Kim are celebrating 33 years of marriage this spring. The Lawsons have two grown sons whom they raised while ministering on staff at First Baptist Church, Sherman, Tx. Dr. Lawson earned his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Lawson believes that "the best way to proclaim God’s truth is through exegetical, expository preaching and teaching."

Hilltp U Conference Choir Director
Don Parks
Hilltop U Conference Choir Director

Don Parks recently celebrated 50 years in ministry, with 42 of those years as a minister of music and senior adults. He is a native of El Dorado, Arkansas, holds degrees from Ouachita Baptist University, Southwestern Theological Seminary, and has done additional studies at London’s Guildhall School of Music, and the Juilliard School of Music, New York. He was a member of the Grammy award-winning Robert Shaw Festival Singers 1989-1999. He is married to his best friend of forty-five years, Sandi Parks. 

Contact Information

Name/Title Division Phone
Cari D. Johnson
Director, Alumni Relations
Intercessory Prayer Ministry Coordinator
903.923.2043 Send Message View Bio