KENT LANDHUIS

Pastor, how do you know if the sermon you just delivered worked? Leader, how do you know if the sermon you just heard worked? Gospel-centered, story-shaped sermons work to make disciples and reach the lost. Experience a gospel-centered, story-shaped sermon and explore preaching that works.

1.0: PR3, PR4
2.0: PR3, PR7

MATT STEEN, CO-FOUNDER, CHEMISTRY STAFFING

The Church in America is seeing a wave of succession as a generation of pastors begins to age out of ministry. How can we begin to prepare for the inevitable in a way that honors everyone involved?

1.0: - 
2.0: LA21

MARIN MORA & RUSS SIDERS

As smaller congregations enter the Alliance of Reformed Churches, their leadership teams often face unique challenges. How do we function without a book of church order? How do we make decisions for ourselves that were in the past made for us?  How do we develop new elders and deacons for the future?  How do we plan for the eventual transition of our pastor, whether through retirement or taking a call to another church?  Martín Mora and Russ Siders share from 50 years of combined experience some principles that can help small church leaders to navigate these issues.

1.0: LA9
2.0: LA8, LA14, LA21

REV. GREG STRAMM, EURASIA HUB DIRECTOR & STRONGER CHURCHES DIRECTOR, DIANE W. HYLAND AND ESTHER MILLER FROM MULTIPLICATION NETWORK

Right now, over 5 billion people worldwide have never heard about Jesus. The need for healthy disciple-making churches that can multiply is great. The cost of sending a missionary is about $100,000.00 per year, and it takes about seven years for missionaries to make a difference. Multiplication Network has developed a cost-effective, verifiable results approach to training nationals to start churches in their country.

1.0: MC9, MC12
2.0: MC6, MC11, MC12

MR. ATKELT SIMON, CHILDREN'S HOPE CHEST

Many mission groups are increasingly concerned about the long-term impact and authenticity of their efforts. Traditional mission trips often prioritize quick fixes and temporary aid, leaving communities without sustainable support. It's time to rethink how we engage with global communities by focusing on building real relationships that foster lasting change, emphasizing cultural sensitivity and sustainable development. This session will explore how to train the next generation of short-term mission groups to make a meaningful impact while growing in their faith. Together, we can shift the focus toward authentic connections that bring hope and create lasting transformation.

1.0: MC9, MC12
2.0: MC6, MC11

REV. BEN INGEBRETSON / CORAM DEO

Our Lord called us to “bear much fruit” and we can be encouraged with a wide variety of methods and models for multiplication in ministry. Regardless of setting (rural, urban, suburban, small, large) every church CAN multiply. In this workshop we will look at scalable models and share field stories from the ARC that will spark new imaginations for your church. You will also discover the common “inflection point” that moves multiplication forward!

1.0: LA5, MC12
2.0: LA7, MC11

SAM HAMSTRA, EXECUTIVE SEARCH CONSULTANT, RUKES SEARCH GROUP

Since 2007, Sam Hamstra has walked alongside congregations to help them turn the page so that the Lord can begin writing a new chapter of life and ministry.  He has lived into that mission by helping well over 100 congregations discover the person God had been preparing to be their next pastor. He has also worked with multiple congregations through a discernment process which invites the Lord to provide clarity about their futures. This presentation flows from that specific work. Sam was pastor for 35 years. He is currently an Executive Search Consultant for the Rukes Groups and the director of a Doctor of Ministry Program, "Bonhoeffer for the Contemporary Church," with Western Theological Seminary.  

1.0: LA7, LA8
2.0: LA7, LA8, LA21

PETRI VAN ROOYEN

Spirituality types are formed by context, sociological-,theological- and philosophical influence.  It often happens that church members leave pastoral counseling and church services feeling that their spiritual needs have not been met.  Are ministers/leaders trained to serve church members with the necessary spiritual guidance?  How can the understanding of the four spirituality types help ministers/leaders in worship services, pastoral caring and overall ministry?

1.0: SF4
2.0: SF10, PC9

DAN SCHURCH, VINNIE HANKE

Experience the inspirational story of this collaboration with Christian illustrators of all ages throughout our churches, producing an impactful, community-formed teaching tool lifting up the Word of God. Dan Schuch and friends will explain how this idea, birthed in one church, can be a template for valuable projects that can use unique gifts across our growing Alliance.

1.0: LA9
2.0: LA11, LA14

PASTORS CRAIG GILBERT & SHAWN JOHNSON

In this session you will learn three things: 1. How to look at engaging our culture and having spiritual conversations as ministry. 2. Become aware of the issues and challenges in our culture and be able to engage them intelligently and with compassion. 3. Earn the right to be heard by those you are engaging.

1.0: MC4, MC9
2.0: MC5, MC6

LISA GILBERT & LORI JOHNSON

Lisa and Lori have both been pastor’s wives for over 25 years and bring some insight and wisdom from that ongoing experience. Come laugh and cry with them as they share these lessons and more. Very interactive with Q & A.

1.0: SF11, PC8
2.0: SF8, PC10

RICK ZOMER

Many “older” individuals in the church want to build discipling relationships with young people in their congregation but aren’t sure where or how to begin. This workshop will explore the unique challenges facing youth and emerging adults (young people between the ages of 15-25) and discuss best practices for older individuals looking to connect across generations.

1.0: PC6, MC4
2.0: PC8, MC5

BRUCE BUGBEE, RIGHT4 MINISTRIES

Bruce will be speaking on his recent book, “What You Do Best” and equipping leaders and ministry teams around their spiritual gifts, ministry, passion, and personal style – and getting the right people, in the right place, for the right reasons, at the right time.

1.0: - 
2.0: LA11

PASTOR TRENT WALKER

Trent will equip us to see how vision and values can help identify and raise up deacons, elders, and leaders for ministries within the local church. Very interactive presentation with a lot of time to learn from one another.

1.0: LA4
2.0: LA4, LA11

MATT LAMMERS 

How best to utilize the opportunities offered by the Alliance 403(b)9 and educational holistic planning resources.

1.0: SF7
2.0: SF7, LA20

DR. NATHAN HITCHCOCK

The Coach role in Pathways is really important, but it comes with unique challenges. How do you help leaders so they stay motivated to complete competencies? How do you assess demonstrations effectively? In this session you'll learn about what is working best with Coaches. You'll also have a chance to share your own experience as a Coach and troubleshoot problems with others. New and prospective Coaches in Pathways are especially encouraged to attend.