Gathering 2026

Nathan Hitchcock

Pathways now includes a track for everyone! This competency-based tool helps churches equip people with the knowledge, character, and skills needed to follow Jesus faithfully. Learn how to integrate your own curriculum into the Pathways framework and create a clear process for developing mature disciples. Discover whether your church is a good fit to pilot this innovative discipleship track.

Ben Ingebretson

Facing an elder or deacon shortage? This session offers a practical roadmap for developing local leaders within your church. Gain a big-picture view of the process involved in creating a culture of leadership formation and learn proactive strategies for identifying, equipping, and releasing the next generation of elders, deacons, and ministry leaders. Healthy leader development truly changes everything.

Sam Hamstra Jr.

This workshop explores the New Testament foundations of discipleship and the church’s role in spiritual formation. Together we will discover how local churches, empowered by the Holy Spirit, are called to form faithful followers of Jesus. We will examine how discipleship connects to the mission of the church and how the mission of the church fits within the greater mission of God.

Jeff Allen

This workshop provides teaching, tools, and best practices for churches seeking to build effective disciple and leader pathways while developing a clear and purposeful vision for the future. Learn practical strategies for creating intentional systems that help people grow spiritually, develop leaders, and move your church toward a strong and unified ministry direction.

Dayna Beal

This interactive workshop introduces Strategic Vision Mapping and shares practical examples from churches and ministry networks that have used it effectively. Participants will learn how to clarify mission, identify priorities, and organize ministry direction into a simple, actionable framework. Each attendee will begin building a personalized Strategic Vision Map using a guided template they can continue developing after the session.

Joel Baar

Conflict is unavoidable in ministry, but how we respond matters deeply. This workshop explores practical and biblical ways to navigate disputes within the church, including member complaints, staff tension, and interpersonal conflict. Together we will consider healthy approaches to resolution, discuss common mistakes to avoid, and learn how handling conflict well can strengthen both the church and its witness to the world.

Brett Dood

Many churches struggle because they lack a clear path forward through seasons of change. In this workshop, Brett shares practical insights for recognizing unhealthy patterns, overcoming fear, and leading with wisdom and courage. Participants will learn how to ask the right questions, identify barriers to growth, and take tangible steps toward renewed vision and healthy ministry momentum.

Colin Thornley

This workshop introduces a gospel-centered approach to cultivating contagious discipleship within the church. As leaders grow in repentance and faith, their lives become a context for authentic gospel transformation. Together we will explore practical ways to engage people at the heart level and move beyond behavior-focused discipleship toward lasting spiritual growth and life-changing transformation.

Nathan Hitchcock

Pathways now includes a track for everyone! This competency-based tool helps churches equip people with the knowledge, character, and skills needed to follow Jesus faithfully. Learn how to integrate your own curriculum into the Pathways framework and create a clear process for developing mature disciples. Discover whether your church is a good fit to pilot this innovative discipleship track.

Branson Parler

As traditional ministry training pipelines continue to shrink, churches must reclaim their role in forming leaders. Drawing from the experience of The Foundry, this workshop explores how churches can work together to train lay leaders, ministry staff, and future pastors in Bible, theology, and ministry. Participants will examine practical strategies for building sustainable, church-based training environments.

Ty Hogue

This session explores the cultural and spiritual realities shaping today’s students and what those realities mean for discipleship within the local church. Together we will consider how churches can faithfully invest in younger generations through a renewed commitment to covenant community, intentional faith formation, and meaningful connection to Christ and His church. This is more than a program—it is a discipleship mindset.

Tyler Thompson

Worship ministry has long wrestled with the tension between spiritual leadership and musical performance. This workshop examines the unique discipleship challenges within worship ministry, from historical debates to modern questions surrounding technology and platform culture. Participants will explore practical ways to bridge the gap between the calling of the pastor and the practice of the performer.

Dave Miles

Healthy churches are willing to honestly assess where they are and where God is calling them to grow. This workshop explores the importance of diagnostic assessment as a tool for evaluating church health, identifying ministry strengths and weaknesses, and making wise decisions for the future. Participants will learn how honest evaluation can help churches better fulfill the Great Commission and Great Commandment.

Sam Hamstra Jr.

The Desert Fathers and Mothers offer timeless wisdom for believers seeking deeper spiritual formation in a distracted world. This workshop explores ancient practices of devotion, virtue, repentance, and spiritual discipline that continue to shape disciples today. Participants will discover how these monastic rhythms can help cultivate a deeper walk with Jesus and a more intentional life of faith.

Dr. Todd Billings

This workshop presents a vision of the Reformed tradition that moves beyond slogans and caricatures toward a theology that is historically grounded, globally engaged, and full of hope. Like a tree with deep roots and wide branches, Reformed theology is anchored in Scripture and the historic church while actively reaching outward in witness, service, discipleship, and faithful engagement with the world.

Nathan Hitchcock

Pathways now includes a track for everyone! This competency-based tool helps churches equip people with the knowledge, character, and skills needed to follow Jesus faithfully. Learn how to integrate your own curriculum into the Pathways framework and create a clear process for developing mature disciples. Discover whether your church is a good fit to pilot this innovative discipleship track.

Ron and Kim Fischer

Pastors often carry heavy expectations while caring for the needs of others, which can make ministry exhausting rather than life-giving. This session explores what it means to be both human and a faithful spiritual leader. Join Ron and Kim for an honest and compassionate conversation about healthy rhythms, heart practices, and practical ways pastors can care for themselves while caring well for others.

Dave Miles

The temptation to misuse power within the church has never been greater. This workshop helps participants understand biblical authority and how to exercise leadership in healthy, God-honoring ways. Together we will explore practical principles for using influence wisely, strengthening trust within the church, and leading in a way that reflects the character of Christ and serves the good of the community.

Chris Gibson

World Renew Disaster Response Services partners with volunteers to bring help and hope to communities impacted by disasters. This workshop provides an overview of long-term disaster response ministry, including physical assistance and emotional and spiritual care for those affected by hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and more. Participants will learn how churches can engage meaningfully in local recovery efforts and ongoing mission opportunities.

Jon Opgenorth

Short-term mission trips can deeply shape the spiritual lives of those who participate, but intentional formation is often overlooked. Drawing from years of experience leading mission teams, Jon shares practical tools for preparing groups before, during, and after their trips. Centered on Luke 9:51–10:20, this workshop equips leaders to develop spiritually grounded mission experiences that lead to lasting ministry engagement.

Rachel Conley and Kaitlyn Slate

Discipleship is an active call to imitate Christ through love, humility, and service. This workshop explores how churches can live out that calling in ways that strengthen community, serve others, and make a global impact. Participants will hear practical examples of churches engaging in mission together and receive tools for cultivating discipleship and outreach within their own congregations and communities.

Christy Prins

Daily Bible reading and prayer are foundational practices for spiritual growth, and thoughtful devotional writing can help guide others in those rhythms. In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of devotional writing, improve their communication skills, and explore practical ways to share devotional content within their church or community. Writers of all experience levels will receive tools to strengthen their writing practice.

Jim Halstead

This workshop equips believers to confidently share the gospel and make disciples through practical, Scripture-based evangelism tools. Participants will learn how to pray intentionally for the people God has placed in their lives and how to engage others in meaningful spiritual conversations. Through compelling stories and clear principles, this session encourages churches to grow in both personal evangelism and discipleship.

Matt Steen

With growing retirements and a shrinking pool of ministry candidates, staffing has become one of the greatest challenges facing the local church. In this workshop, Matt Steen explores practical strategies for building healthy team culture, improving long-term retention, and preparing for leadership transitions before crisis hits. Learn how intentional succession planning can help your church remain stable, healthy, and mission-focused for years to come.