May 14–15, 2026 | Wheaton, IL
Meeting Needs, Sharing Hope, Proclaiming Christ
Philippians 4:19: And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Over 30 workshops to Equip for Ministry:
Plenary Sessions to Inspire and Encourage
Networking Opportunities to Strengthen Your Ministry
Summit Schedule
Pizza Dinner ($25 additional fee) & Discipleship Panel Discussion
- 5:00-6:15pm
- Wilson Suite, 4th Floor Billy Graham Hall
- 6:30-7:30 pm
- Barrows Auditorium (panel discussion)
Registration Open
- 8:00am
- Barrows Auditorium Lobby
Opening Session
- 9:00-10:45am
- Barrows Auditorium
Networking Groups
- 11:00am-11:45am
- 1st Floor Classrooms: 132 Jail Ministry, 134 Prison Ministry, 136 Chaplaincy, 138 Reentry, 140 Church
Lunch
- 12:00pm-1:15pm
- Anderson Commons (Beamer Center) short walk or shuttle
Workshop Session #1
- 1:30pm–3:00pm
- See Workshop Schedule for Classroom locations
Break
- 3:00pm
- Barrows Auditorium Lobby
Workshop Session #2
- 3:30pm-5:00pm
- See Workshop Schedule for Classroom locations
Dinner
- 5:15pm-6:15pm
- Anderson Commons/Beamer Center
Soul Care with Bethany Dearborn-Hiser
- 6:30-7:30pm
- Barrows Auditorium
Keynote Speaker: Mark Little Elk
Worship: Jon Jones
Worship
- 8:30-8:50am
- Barrows Auditorium
Workshop Session #3
- 9:00-10:30am
- Billy Graham Hall Classrooms
Break
- 10:30am
- Barrows Lobby
Workshop Session #4
- 10:45-12:15pm
- Billy Graham Hall Classrooms
Closing Session/Luncheon
- 12:30-2:00pm
- Corey Alumni
Keynote Speaker: Pastor Tim Johnson
Worship: Marshall Hall
Session Speakers/Worship
Speaker TBD
Job Title Coming Soon
Mark Little Elk
Sr. Pastor Cass Lake Alliance Church, Cass Lake, MN
Bethany Dearborn Hiser
Author, Director Soul Care Northwest Family LIfe, Seattle, WA
Jon Jones
Director of Worship Arts, Christian Community Church, Naperville, IL
Summit Workshops
Workshop Session 1
Friday May15, 1:30-3:00pm
Workshop Session 1
Friday May15, 1:30-3:00pmAngie Bauman
Empowering Incarcerated Men and Women: A Model for Sustainable Discipleship Inside Facilities
Gen Kliewer and Louis Dooley
Bringing Light Behind Bars: Equipping Others to Mentor the Incarcerated with the Gospel
Jon Evans and Tim Curington
Getting the Help You Need! Building Boards and Teams
Fuzzy Lake and James Kirkland
Light in the Shadows: Critical Incident Stress Management in Prison Ministry
Andrew Foster
Residential Reentry Programs: What Works and What Doesn’t Work
Nathan Mayo
Six Best Practices to Disrupt the Chronic Poverty to Prison Pipeline
Vanessa Gardner
The Long Road Home: Helping Women Navigate Reentry
Michelle Payette
Engaging the Church: Building Community Impact through Church Ministry and Partnerships
Peter Kim
Working with People with Mental Health Issues and Substance Use Disorder
Workshop Session 2
Friday May 15, 3:30-5:00pm
Workshop Session 2
Friday May 15, 3:30-5:00pmDon Allsman
Empowering Disciplemakers Affected by Incarceration
Vance Drum
Successful Integration: Navigating from Prison to Church
Dwight Anderson
12 Principles for Successful Relationships
Brian Jenkins
Developing and Empowering Entrepreneurs
Don Caballero
Trauma-Informed Ministry
Allison McFarland
Ministering to Generation Z: Understanding and Engaging the Next Generation
Ronda Disch
Welcoming and Wise: A Framework for Churches to Safely include and Shepherd Individuals with Sexual Offense Histories.
Matt Thomas
The Power of Partnership: Building Community from Prison to Reentry
Jeff Schafer & Kalen Salmon
Workshop Session 3
Saturday May 16, 9:00-10:30am
Workshop Session 3
Saturday May 16, 9:00-10:30amJohnny Frambo
Working with Chaplains: What you need to Know?
Sallie Nyenhuis
Reconnecting After Trauma: Moving from Hurt to Hope
Kevin Howells
Raising Funds: Practical Tips
Sammy Perez
Supporting Second Chances: Reentry Best Practices for the Church
Rick Johnson
Effective and Expedient Disciple Making with Youth
Karen Swanson
Evidence-Based Principles and Faith-based Programming
Evelyn Lemly
Herding Cats: Managing Volunteers Effectively
Mark Vander Meer
Helping Returning Citizens Overcome Interpersonal Barriers
Karen Swanson
Motivational Interviewing Basics
Workshop Session 4
Saturday May 16, 10:45am-12:15pm
Workshop Session 4
Saturday May 16, 10:45am-12:15pmCathy Applington and Jane Hannah
Community Impact for True Restoration
ilinda Jackson
Chaplains:
Charles Beeghley
Supporting Successful Reentry: Working with People with a Sex Offense
John Thomas and Seth Williams
Discipleship Behind the Walls
Chris Boals
What about the Family?
Jason Zaharis
Reforming More than People: Assisting Corrections Staff
Sarah Heaton
Open Arms: Helping Churches Welcome Returning Citizens
Paul Ritter
Testimonials from the 2025 Summit
“This was my first time attending and I really enjoyed it. The conference was well planned and it was inspiring and encouraging to be with so many correctional ministry leaders.”
“We brought our whole ministry team and used it as a time of bonding and encouragement. They all left inspired, reminded that they are not in this alone… it is amazing to see all the ways God is reaching people!”
The body of Christ getting together is more than an organizational event; it is an encouragement and reminder of who we are together and of what God has been and is doing and an opportunity to learn from one another. I invited a member of our Board last year and added our Exec Dir this year. A great use of time and money. Thank you for persevering.”
When you think you know what prison and Jesus does to the incarcerated, and what is the best way to proceed in rehabilitation, stop and come to the Correctional Ministries and Chaplains Association Summit. It will enlighten, empower and give you the grace to know more ways to save souls in confidence.”
Working in Reentry can be honestly challenging & rewarding at the same time. With that being said, being part of a faith based conference like CMCA with a great emphasis on Reentry is so encouraging. Connecting with like minded believers along with the set times of worship & prayers times with incredible prayer warriors during the day is so refreshing.”
As a first year attendee and the female jail coordinator back home, I was extremely blessed by the information, the fellowship, and the connections I made while there in such a short time. I have so many ideas that I brought back home to grow my ministry and serve these ladies even further when they are released. I’m looking forward to the next summit. ”
Being around so many other prison ministries that have the same passion that our ministry has was wonderful. I feel a great spirit among those in attendance and the speakers all spoke to my heart in a special way. I also loved that I met so many different people from across the country and that everyone I met was very friendly.”
The summit provided me with great resources and connections to start the youth/juvenile division of our existing Jail & Prison Ministry.”
Our Sponsors
Join Us!
Ad/Exhibit Table
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Program Book Ads: B/W $50-200 due by 3/1/26
Thursday Evening Session
Come early to network and strengthen your ministry! Join us Thursday evening for pizza and Discipleship panel.
5:00-6:15pm Pizza ($25) Registration required (limited capacity)
6:30-7:30pm Discipleship Panel no registration required
Hotel Info
Doubletree Hotel by Hilton, 3003 Corporate West Drive, Lisle, IL 60532
$119 (includes breakfast for 2)
Group Code: CCW
Group Name: CMCA Wheaton college Billy Graham Center
Reserve by Phone: 630-505-0900