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surving-thriving-scaled-1

From Surviving to Thriving: The Global Pandemic Edition

Leading during disruptive circumstances is hard. I learned this as a leader of many wilderness ministry expeditions and director of a wilderness ministry school, with courses lasting up to 40 days in the backcountry. I carried a Wilderness First Responder certification for 11 years and served as an incident commander for every evacuation (usually lasting 3-5 days) during my tenure. I have led and trained many to respond during challenging times.
In any crisis, decisions need to be made in a timely manner and things come at you fast. But leading through a prolonged crisis takes a different kind of mentality. Crisis over time requires a different kind of pacing and a different kind of leadership strategy.
Instead of a hard sprint, it might be better to think of your leadership in the crisis as an expedition. You have to strategize resources for the long haul. You will be with a small group of people over a long period of time. There is inherent danger and decisions that have to be made soberly, but not in fear. Anxiety, emotional fatigue and mental health are very real things to consider—possibly more important than toilet paper roll count.
 
The Leader
Any kind of emergency response training includes training on how you need to restrain yourself as a leader. You can’t do everything or help everyone. The mantra “don’t become an additional victim” is used to help a leader breathe and remember that if you go down the entire group loses a leader. You have to take care of yourself in the midst of leading in crisis. Similar statements are made in military emergency medicine—“slow is smooth and smooth is fast.”  I have adapted this for organizations with “go slow to go smart, go smart to go fast.” As the leader it is your job to manage the pacing. So what should you do?
 
BUILD A TEAM
You are not going to be able to do this by yourself. You will need other people to help you. We all get tired, we all think of different ideas and we have to share the weight of the burden or it will crush us. Sharing the burden is not abdication. It is trusting Holy Spirit to move and speak to other people as well. It is  trusting God to hold us all together in his hand.
Create a team that will help you make decisions together. You might have to meet with them daily until things ease up. Make sure you have the voices you need around that table:

  • Apostolic – Convening strategy: These people determine what is scalable, what is sustainable, what is the process for selecting for possible opportunities;
  • Prophetic – Prayer strategy: They provide intercession, healing, spirit of true worship, true ekklesia, and give voice to how we are the church even without the building;
  • Evangelistic – Communication strategy: They help us know how to love your neighbors well and reach out;
  • Shepherding – Needs strategy: They manage emerging situations and get people help;
  • Teaching – Resources strategy: They provide supplies, information, and helpful links;

These could be chaplains, disaster relief trained specialists, teachers, stay at home moms and others who know how to deal with crisis, isolation or long-term challenges. No one of us knows all the answers. There is no silver bullet for traumatic times— just relentless love and friendship committed to sharing the load and journeying together while we serve and lead.  
 
BUILD A NETWORK
Good leaders lead their followers; great leaders lead their friends. You need friends. In fact, the highest position in the Kingdom is friend.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.  This is my command: Love each other. (John 15:12-17, NIV).
This passage tells us what Jesus wants us to remember in the midst of crisis. You are not going to be able to bear the emotional weight of this crisis on your own. Even Jesus needed friends to help him with the emotional weight of the impending crucifixion. For your own health, heart and sanity you need people to talk to and in whom you can confide. You can reach out to the other pastors in your area and talk with friends about the reality of life and ministry in these days. Jesus did.
In a crisis, we tend to revert to old patterns that helped us cope in previous stressful times; one such pattern among pastors is that of fixer. In times of crisis, it’s not always possible to fix the situation. Providing space for people to share the depths of their heart and then honestly sharing in kind (without solving all the problems) could yield a deeper authenticity in our churches than we’ve seen before.
 
BUILD A SCHEDULE
Any emergency responder will tell you, in a crisis, it is easy to forget or neglect your own personal needs. We do the “laying down” part of John 15:13 above, but we forget the “living and bearing fruit” part in John 15:16. You should create a personal schedule that includes not only daily rhythms, such as meal and exercise, but also weekly rhythms such as sabbath, celebrations and family routines. You need to schedule these things or you will either end up working from morning to night or just binge-watching shows in a depressive gloom.
 
The People
The leader is not the only key component of a crisis moment. We also have the people to care about.
 
BREAKNG THROUGH FEAR
Fear, anxiety and stress are very real. Like Jesus, your communication needs the regular and repeated admonition, “Do not fear!” We have to pray personally, as a small team, and create moments for encouragement and prayer. Facebook Live, Zoom, and other sharing apps provide ways to pray together, even when we cannot physically be with one another.
A large task you will have as a leader is helping to manage the anxiety in the people you lead. You also have to manage your own anxiety, which is why you need friends. But when comforting the people you lead, it is important to know that you cannot simply rebuke fear and expect everyone to be okay. You have to lead in a way that diminishes fear. Here are three key things that will reduce fear and anxiety in the people you lead.

  • Orient – Communicate with them regularly. Create an expectation of when they can hear from you and when you plan to inform them of changes.
  • Support – Let people know how they can communicate back to you. What do they do if they have a need—whether urgent or simmering? How can they submit an idea? How can they have agency in the situation and how can they be a part of the solutions?
  • Valued – Continually let people know how they are valued, not as passive followers, but as part of the solution. We all want to help others—whether because we are altruistic or we just want to be distracted from our own struggles. We must do more and demonstrate value to the people you lead by letting them play a role and have a part in serving and leading.

 
BREAKING THROUGH ISOLATION
While the idea of isolation can be exciting for those of us who are introverted, it is difficult for the other 50% of the population – extroverts. Additionally, most extroverts do not have a skill set of surviving isolation because they have not had to build one. Large gatherings are good for inspiration, but not for care. Care needs to be done in smaller groups of 5-15, or the isolation may get to people and they will drop off of the large, anonymous gatherings. We each need to be seen and loved, individually.
The good news is that your strategy for gathering, communication and care can be combined. Care is best done in small groups. So is innovating solutions to help meet one another’s needs, whether social or financial. If you already have small groups then you have a structure in place already.
If you do not have small groups, work with your team to find volunteers who will being to facilitate small group gatherings. It is likely that this will be through technology. If you, as the leader, meet weekly with the small group leaders, and they meet weekly as a gathering of 5-15, you will have the structure you need to communicate and care during this time.
The sobering truth is that you have only a couple of weeks to create this structure before the mood and phase changes. Use your time wisely and build what you need to sustain through the long haul that is likely to come.
 
The Church
Finally, we must also consider the church. It’s not the leader or the people as individuals, but also the church that is impacted in a time of crisis.
 
BUILDING TEAMS OF TEAMS
As the leader of your church, you need to focus on the coordination of a team that coordinates other teams of people. There are good resources out there on the multiplication of leaders, but some key things to remember are to keep the tasks bite-sized, be clear about what you expect from these teams and be clear on what they can expect from you. By keeping it simple, you allow things to scale and multiply.
 
BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS
Partnerships can be found everywhere in times like these. First, there are many generous churches who are willing to help other churches live stream or set up online giving. Reach out to the churches in your area or in your town. Foursquare has built-in support systems through districts. Other denominations and networks have something similar. There are also resources being shared all over the internet right now.
Support abounds for tactical needs, but don’t neglect to build partnerships to support the emotional needs as well. You can utilize your lonely extroverts to help you check in on people, both in phone calls and in web calls. You can have those who are home from college help care for kids. You can have those kids who are not in school build care packages for the elderly in your congregation. There are many creative people out there who can come up with ideas that fit your state and city directives.
 
BUILDING PATHWAYS
The needs to be addressed will be many, as will the ideas on how to address them. In addition to having a structure for care, you need a process to manage all the ideas that will come your way. Innovation is a natural consequence of crisis. Encourage people to be creative!
When they come to you with ideas, here are three easy rules to help you sort through the ideas they submit. To get permission for a church-wide initiative, the following requirements must be met:

  1. You don’t break a law
  2. You (person with the idea) lead it or do it
  3. You understand that it may or may not continue after this is all over

 
The Long Haul
This is an expedition, not a sprint. It is a journey—it has an arc and a path.  There will be things you feel from week to week and those feelings will change in a very predictable way. You can think of this journey in terms of phases.
BUILDING (1-14 days)– In this phase you focus on building teams and finding solutions to logistical issues. It is your first wave of innovation and where you have the most control. This is where you need to communicate a tactical response. Details need to be in order.
BREAKING (14 – 21/28 days) – In this phase you are learning what you can’t control, even beyond what you already thought you couldn’t. Logistical progress is being made, but emotional, mental and spiritual fatigue starts to set in. This is where you need to be WITH people. Speak hope and life, but don’t jump to the application and ‘opportunity’ of all of this too soon.
BAPTISING (21/28 – 60 days) – New normal sets in, maintaining plans and working rhythms can bring distraction, but fatigue, apathy and even depression can come here. Relational support structures need to be in place by this time to provide care and communication in this phase. This is where we get to be creative in how to hold one another, weep with one another, give hope and joy to one another and pray with one another in a way that does not violate the laws or guidelines in place. This is the place where there are no answers, just presence.
BUDDING (60+ days) – People will need a new call to action (that may come sooner, depending on how the crisis progresses). A second wave of innovation comes here, as new ideas arise and deep change happens. New things are birthed. This is where you can help the church become what you have always wanted for them.
Each of these phases will feel differently. It may be obvious, but being a leader during a long-term crisis means that you need to give yourself permission to feel how you are feeling. You need to manage yourself in a sustainable way. That is not just about making sure you don’t eat too much food or go through the toilet paper too fast, but also that you are processing your emotions in a healthy way.
You also need to know what is going to be coming for the people you lead. Knowing what is likely to happen during the struggle of the BAPTISING phase can help you prioritize what you need to BUILD now. It helps you discern from all that you could do and focus on what you must do to sustain through the long haul.
Leading right now is about time and timing. If this is a month-long situation then there is one kind of response. If this is a multi-month disruption, which is the most likely path, a different kind of response is needed. We need to give good information upfront to help people get oriented. But we should be using that ‘calm’ to build teams and create structures to support what comes next. The BUILDING phase is the necessary first wave of response.
During the BREAKING phase people will need the good news of the Kingdom, ministry, prayer and help. The mental health and financial crisis that comes next will be very impactful. In a short amount of time, people will need others to help them deal with all the stress. They will want small groups and need something more than anonymous prayer gatherings. We are all going to need call-in counselors. We are all going to need to be here for one another in very tangible ways, for much more than just groceries.
 
God is still on the throne
My time as an expedition leader, I found that EVERYONE breaks by day 30. The window is day 21-30, with an average of day 27. But everyone comes to the end of themselves in a month. That is why God did many things in 40 days. It allows for breaking and reforming.
As leaders, we need to have the structures and relationships in place to be there with each other through the breaking part. We need to be ready and have enough margin to help with the reforming part.  If we are not there with others in the breaking, we won’t be invited to be part of the reforming. At that point, it will not be about recorded messages, but personal, peer ministry.
The results are amazing and beautiful. The Kingdom is revealed like a light on a hill. People are never the same on the other side of times like this because, while parts of them are experiencing death, other parts are coming alive. LIFE is on the other side of this. If we lead well, the potential for this time is phenomenal. It truly is a baptism and rebirth.
Every generation, every leader, has the moments that define them. This is ours. We get to choose who we will be on the other side of this. We are a people who lead with resilience, who offers realistic hope, who take care of themselves well, and will not be deterred by fear.  We are a body and a church that looks like Jesus. We are family.

Irwyn Ince

Mission to North America

Rev. Dr. Irwyn Ince serves as the Coordinator of Mission to North America and Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary. A Brooklyn native, Dr. Ince transitioned from a successful engineering career to ministry, earning his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees. He helped plant City of Hope Presbyterian Church and has a deep passion for reconciliation in diverse churches. In 2018, he became the first African-American moderator of the PCA General Assembly. Dr. Ince is devoted to his family, ministry, coffee, and CrossFit, where he also coaches classes in DC.

John Wentz

CEO Alpha USA

John Wentz has served as CEO of Alpha USA since May 2022. Previously, John served seven years as Alpha USA (Executive Vice President of Ministry) and Alpha International (Church Engagement and Training Strategy) where he led the expansion of Alpha’s engagement nationally and helped to design the core of Alpha’s engagement strategy, now being implemented globally. With over 25 years of pastoral experience, John has impacted many churches, ministry leaders, and college students across the world. He is a gifted communicator, trainer and coach, and has a heart for university students and people from different cultures.

Mindy Caliguire

Soul Care

Mindy Caliguire is the co-founder and president of Soul Care. As an organization, Soul Care cultivates soul health among leaders by providing pathways, practices, and guides to help them personally flourish and achieve missional impact. Mindy serves as the collaboration lead for leadercare.us, and in the past served in executive leadership both in marketplace and ministry. Soul Care serves ministries and organizations across the US and beyond including ECFA, C-12, Compassion International, The Navigators, Christ Church of the Valley, Dallas Theological Seminary, Plum Creek Church, and many more. Mindy’s most recent book is Ignite Your Soul: When Exhaustion, Isolation, and Burnout Light a Path to Flourishing.

D.A. Horton

California Baptist University

D.A. Horton, Ph.D. serves as an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the Intercultural Studies program at California Baptist University. He is also humbled to serve as an Associate Teaching Pastor at The Grove Community Church in Riverside, CA. D.A. and his wife Elicia have been married for 21 years and are blessed to have two daughters and one son.

Rick Richardson

Wheaton College

Rick Richardson is a Professor of Evangelism and Leadership at Wheaton College and directs the Church Evangelism and Research Institutes for the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center. He founded the Church Evangelism Institute, working with hundreds of pastors to revitalize churches through conversion growth. With 25 years in campus ministry and experience as InterVarsity’s National Coordinator of Evangelism, Rick is also an ordained Anglican priest. He has published six books, including Evangelism Outside the Box and You Found Me, and is passionate about evangelism, prayer, and racial reconciliation. Rick and his wife, Mary Kay, have three boys, and he enjoys fly fishing, tennis, and writing a science fiction novel in his spare time.

Daniel Im

Beulah Alliance Church

Daniel Im is a dedicated pastor, Bible teacher, writer, and podcast host with a deep passion for the local church. He currently serves as the Lead Pastor of Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton, Alberta, and has authored several impactful books. His latest work, The Discipleship Opportunity: Leading a Great-Commission Church in a Post-Everything World, reflects his commitment to equipping churches for effective ministry. His other books include No Silver Bullets: Five Small Shifts that Will Transform Your Ministry, Planting Missional Churches: Your Guide to Starting Churches that Multiply (2nd Ed), and You Are What You Do: And Six Other Lies About Work, Life, and Love.

With an M.A. in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary, Daniel has served in various church contexts, from church plants to multisite churches, across cities such as Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, Korea, Edmonton, and Nashville. His podcasts have garnered over 3 million downloads, and he co-hosts the IMbetween Podcast with his wife, Christina, where they provide tools for building strong marriages and families. Together, they also speak at FamilyLife Canada’s Weekend Getaway Marriage Conference.

In addition to his pastoral and writing ministries, Daniel is a Bible teacher for 100 Huntley Street, Canada’s longest-running daily television show. Married to Christina since 2006, they are blessed with three children.

Troy Gentz

Freshwater Community Church

Troy is the Lead Pastor of Freshwater Community Church in the small town of Paw Paw, Michigan.  He planted Freshwater in 2005 with a passion to see unchurched people reached with the gospel.  Troy has been married to his wife Carrie for 29 years.  They have 3 grown children, live on a gravel road with free range chickens.  In his spare time, Troy loves cheering on his Chicago Bears, eating fried chicken, building things, and lumberjacking on his property. 

Joe Boyd

Grace Fellowship

He is a small town guy with God sized dreams. Even as Grace Fellowship grows larger, you can always find Joe hanging out before and after services. Joe believes that we are not a church with a mission, rather a mission that has churches! Before coming to Grace, Joe started one of the fastest growing churches in America and was recognized as a John Maxwell Top 100 Transformational leader. Joe and his wife, Michelle, are passionate about adoption and love their kids, Dre, Koehn, Robin, Ryan and Hannah.

John Jenkins

First Baptist Church of Glenarden

Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr. is senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Glenarden and the Chairman of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center African American Church Evangelism Institute. Pastor Jenkins also serves as the chair of the National Association of Evangelicals and is on the board of World Vision, U.S., Denver Seminary and GlocalNet.

Sean McDowell

Constance Free Church

Sean McDowell is director of the church evangelism institute (CEI) at Wheaton College. Previously, he served as a CEI coach and as a network developer and catalyst coach on the leadership team. Sean has 27+ years of ministry experience and has led his church to grow the new believer conversion rate from –3% to 10%+ of average annual attendance.

David Kinnaman

Barna

David Kinnaman is the author of the bestselling books Faith For Exiles, Good Faith, You Lost Me, and unChristian. He is CEO of Barna Group, a leading research and communications company that works with churches, nonprofits, and businesses ranging from film studios to financial services. Since 1995, David has directed interviews with more than two million individuals and overseen thousands of U.S. and global research studies. He lives in Fort Worth, Texas and has three children.

Mark DeYmaz

Mosaic Church

Mark planted the Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas in 2001, a multi-ethnic and economically diverse church in the urban center of Little Rock where he remains the directional leader. In 2004, he co-founded the Mosaix Global Network and continues to serve as CEO and convene its triennial national conference in Dallas, TX. Mark has written eight books including Building a Healthy Multi Ethnic Church; Disruption; and The Coming Revolution in Church Economics.

Lisa Fields

Jude 3 Project

Lisa Fields is a highly sought-after Christian apologist known for her dedication to biblical literacy and her passion for sharing God’s love. Initially planning a career in finance, her life took a transformative turn during a New Testament course at the University of North Florida, where her faith was deeply challenged. This experience led her to pursue a Master of Divinity at Liberty University and ultimately launch the Jude 3 Project, an initiative aimed at equipping the Black Christian community with tools to understand and defend their faith. Through the Jude 3 Project, Fields has made significant contributions, including hosting the Courageous Conversations conferences, developing apologetic curricula, and addressing critical issues through her YouTube series and podcast. Her work has earned her recognition from Christianity Today and other honors. Beyond her apologetic efforts, Fields has ventured into production, contributing to documentaries like Unspoken and Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom, which explore the Christian heritage of Africa and African descendants. Despite her accolades, Fields remains committed to advancing the gospel and empowering others in their faith journey.

Steve Carter

Forest City Church

Steve Carter is the best-selling author of The Thing Beneath The Thing and is the host of the Craft and Character podcast. He is a personal coach to communicators who are discovering their unique voice and desiring to take their skills to the next level. He currently serves as a teaching pastor at Forest City Church and teaches regularly at churches, conferences, and various businesses worldwide. Steve lives outside Chicago, Illinois, with his wife and two kids.

Rick Warren

(via video)

Rick Warren is an innovative pastor, renowned author, and global influencer. The various ministries Pastor Rick has created are a multi-faceted expression of his heart to bring the whole Gospel to the whole world.

Mandy Arioto

MomCo

Mandy Arioto is the President and CEO of The MomCo and is widely known for her unique takes on parenting, relationships, spiritual and cultural issues. Through MomCo, which influences millions of moms through thousands of groups internationally, Mandy serves as the voice of one of the most influential mothering organizations in the U.S. and around the world. She regularly speaks to national and international audiences. She and her husband, Joe, live in Denver, Colorado where they love rock climbing and adventuring with their three kids. Mandy’s most recent book, Have More Fun: How to Be Remarkable, Stop Feeling Stuck, and Start Enjoying Life, is available wherever books are sold.

No Longer Taboo: Mobilizing the Church to Reach and Heal Those in Porn Addiction

In this breakout, Immanuel Guarino will tackle head-on one of the central obstacles facing churches and a critical opportunity to reach out communities. Pornography affects 68% of men in the church yet is often undiscussed and even rarely addressed. In this breakout, you will learn the depth of this issue both inside the church and how it is affecting communities. Utilizing strategies and tools developed in equipping churches, Immanuel will offer church leaders and pastors practical insight in how to empower their congregations and communities to break free.

Emmanuel Guarino

Emmanuel Guarino is the Founder and CEO of Team Vulnerable, a ministry dedicated to helping people break free from porn addiction.

Leadership RoundTable: Ministry and Mission in Secular Spaces

In this Leadership RoundTable, join Christian pastors and ministry leaders for a discussion on the central challenges and opportunities that churches face in ministering in secularizing communities. As secularization continues to take root in North America, churches are increasingly encountering a new society with its own distinct needs, questions, and spiritual motivators. Join these leaders as they discuss their own experiences, how they have found success in ministry in these spaces, and offer practical tools for pastors and ministry leaders rooted in similar secularizing communities.

Joel Zantingh

Joel Zantingh has over thirty years of Christian service in local, national, and international roles. His work with Lausanne is being done alongside his role as the Canadian coordinator for the World Evangelical Alliance’s Peace and Reconciliation Network, in partnership with the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. He is also currently working on a Doctorate.

The God of Props: Seeing the World through the Lens of Redemptive Need

In this breakout, Pastor Steve will lead pastors and ministry leaders through a session on how to communicate effectively the deep truths of God’s redemptive story. Drawing upon his experience as a leader at Willow Creek Community Church during its season of upheaval, Steve will outline how the grief, trauma, and pain of those around us are compelling opportunities for gospel healing. This opportunity requires critical and nuanced skills, yet offers untold potential for preachers to engage their community afresh with the gospel of Jesus.

Steve Carter

Steve Carter is a pastor, speaker, author, podcast host, the former lead teaching pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, and the author of several books including The Thing Beneath the Thing.

The Digital Sanctuary: Creating Sacred Spaces on Social Media

In this breakout, we will focus on how to maximize a local church’s limited resources to minister on social. I’ll highlight some best practices that have come out of the research (a bit on the spaces and places paper), some research I’ve done since then on practical best practices, and then I’d like to reach out to Sarah Dawes, who is the Communications Director for Calvary Church of Naperville, to have her and some of her team participate in a group discussion. They have a really strong sense of how to use social well so I think having a church that is doing it well but still very much in progress would be a good way to add flesh to the concepts for those in attendance.

Todd Korpi

Dr. Todd Korpi is a pastor, missiologist, and researcher, currently serving as the Church Planting Commission Coordinator for OneHope and Lead Researcher of the Digital Mission Consortia at the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center.

Transforming Church Evangelistic Culture for Lasting Change *CEI Alumni Exclusive*

AACEI and CEI alumni, please join us for an inspiring workshop focused on empowering churches to maintain and amplify their evangelistic impact long after completing our cohort programs. We will delve into successful strategies for sustaining momentum and explore ways the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center Evangelism Institutes can further equip and support your journey towards a dynamic and enduring church culture. Be ready to engage and share, as we learn together how to drive lasting change in your ministry!

Sean McDowell

Sean McDowell is the Director of the Church Evangelism Institute and an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Free Church of America with over 27 years of ministry Experience.

Election-Year Politics: Navigating Faithfully in a Season of Division

In this season of division, this breakout offers a guide to navigate the rocky waters of politics. Avoiding the pitfalls of partisan hyperbole and demonization, Dr. Amy Black will provide insights for pastors and church leaders striving to understand how to lead their people amid such turmoil. This breakout will emphasize non-partisan and gospel-centered strategies for leaders, fostering dialogue in how to lead faithfully.

Amy Black

Amy E. Black is Professor of Political Science at Wheaton College (IL). She earned her Ph.D. in Political Science at M.I.T. A specialist in American Government, her research interests include religion and politics, the Presidency, and Congress. She is a past president of Christians in Political Science and served as an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow in the office of Representative Melissa A. Hart.

Leadership RoundTable: Pastoring a Multi-Ethnic Church

In this Leadership RoundTable, learn from four pastors as they walk through their experience shepherding congregations and communities through the journey of multiethnic leadership. Each pastor brings unique leadership perspectives and convictions, sparking a conversation about what they see as opportunities and challenges for other pastors to learn from as they seek to lead a church that welcomes the full breadth of God’s Kingdom.

Aubrey Sampson
Greg Armstrong
Joyce Dalrymple
Daniel Kim

Aubrey Sampson is the co-planter and teaching pastor at Renewal Church in Chicagoland and teaching pastor at Timberlake in Seattle, as well as the author of several books including her upcoming release, Big Feelings Days.

Greg Armstrong is the founding and lead pastor of Renew Church, a multiethnic church community in Chicago’s western suburbs. Greg also serves as the Director of Renew Collective, a community of songwriters, musicians and artists, and the host of The Gospel and Race Podcast. 

Joyce Koo Dalrymple is a pastor, speaker, and podcast host. She leads Refuge for Strength, is on the teaching team for Church360, and regular speaker at churches and retreats Joyce received a BA from Stanford University, a JD from Boston College, and an MDiv from Metro Atlanta Seminary.

Daniel Kim is the Student Pastor at Gospelife Church. As a third-culture kid born and raised in Korea and Japan, he has been deeply influenced by multiple cultural experiences. Daniel earned his MA in Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College and is currently pursuing a DMin at Southern Seminary.

Fundraising and Church Economics: Why Tithes and Offerings are No Longer Enough and What You Can Do About It

In this breakout, Mark will tackle the growing challenge facing pastors and ministry leaders around finances and resources. As economic models in North America change, churches that will thrive are those who are thinking innovatively and creatively about how to leverage their assets and resources to sustain effective ministry. Drawing upon his work with the Mosaix Institute, Mark will offer leaders practical insights into how to build effective and healthy financial models as well as what leaders should expect in the coming decades.

Mark DeYmaz

A thought-leading writer and recognized champion of the Multiethnic Church Movement, Mark DeYmaz planted the Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas in 2001 where he continues to serve as directional leader. In 2004, he co-founded the Mosaix Global Network with Dr. George Yancey, and today serves as its CEO/president. Mark has written seven books including The Coming Revolution in Church Economics (Baker, 2019) and Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church (Jossey-Bass, 2007). He is a contributing editor to Outreach magazine.

Mobilizing GenZ to Reach Their Peers

Join us for a practical, hands-on experience that will help you understand more about what defines Gen Z and their views on evangelism, learn about strategies that God is using to introduce Gen Z to the gospel, and apply proven principles for mobilizing this generation for mission.

Kathy Kurda Petrash
Bill Kollar

Kathy Hurda Petrash is the Director of Strategic Partnering, Christian Colleges with Cru. Bill Kollar is the Director of Evangelistic Initiatives for Cru.

Leading your Church to Mission

In this breakout, Pastor Kevin Harney will join a collection of leading pastors for a focused session on the critical leadership challenges facing pastors in generating cultures of evangelism and outreach in their congregation. An opportunity to hear how pastors have created, transitioned, or expanded their evangelistic culture, this breakout will offer practical case studies for leaders seeking to make substantive impact within their own people. As mobilizing churches to evangelism is a monumental leadership challenge, join Kevin for this breakout to discern practical strategies and innovations.

Kevin Harney

Kevin Harney is the Lead Pastor at Shoreline Church in Monterey, CA as well as the author of multiple books on evangelism and leadership including Organic Outreach, and No is a Beautiful Word.

The Sustainable Pastor: Dealing with Burnout in your Organization and in Yourself

In this breakout, addresses the growing issue of pastoral and ministry leader burnout. Few issues have hindered and even destroyed the effectiveness of church or ministry leadership than unsustainable practices and expectations. An emerging voice on the intersection of effective gospel mission and sustainable and health patterns of leadership, Dr. Horton will outline some of the underlying causes that are driving organizations and their leaders towards burnout before turning to how healthy leadership can catalyze long term effectiveness.

D.A. Horton

D.A. Horton serves as an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the Intercultural Studies program at California Baptist University. He is also blessed to serve as an Associate Teaching Pastor at The Grove Community Church. He has authored multiple books including G.O.S.P.E.L., DNA: Foundations of the Faith, and Are You Good with God?

Churches of Welcome for the World That’s Arriving

We’re living amid the greatest humanitarian crisis in human history: the mass global displacement of more than 120 million people. That number continues to grow daily. And while God isn’t the author of conflict, disaster, and war, he is sovereign in how people are scattered all around the world for the purpose of the gospel. Join Daniel Yang as he unpacks how you and your church can welcome the most vulnerable from around the world as your neighbor to show and share the love of Jesus.

Daniel Yang

Daniel Yang is the National Director of Churches of Welcome, an initiative of World Relief. Prior to that he was the director of the Church Multiplication Institute at the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center. Pursuing his Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies at TEDS, Daniel has been a pastor, church planter, engineer and technology consultant.

Compelling Preaching in a World Tuned Out

In this breakout, Dr. Hill will walk pastors and ministry leaders through the ways our communication strategies and rhetoric must adapt to meet an emerging audience in our pews and communities. Just as it is up to every new generation to reexamine and refine the ways we preach to a new generation of hearers, this new world of online communication has revolutionized both the challenges and opportunities for the pulpit. This breakout will offer critical strategies to communicate the timeless truths of the gospel in ways that our people will tune-in and respond.

Theon Hill

Theon Hill, a Ph.D. of Communication, is an associate professor of communication at Wheaton College with published works and presentations on the intersection of race, civil rights, and religion in America. Dr. Hill serves as the co-Director of the Center for Faith and Innovation as well as on the Advisory Council for the WCBGC Preaching Institute.

Digital Shepherds: Leading the Church into the Tech Era

This workshop offers a comprehensive understanding of the church’s role in embracing and leading technological advancements. It begins with an exploration of the historical evolution of church technology, followed by insights into current trends and innovations relevant to ministry. Participants will discuss strategies for proactively responding to tech advancements, including overcoming resistance to change. Practical steps for integrating technology into worship, administration, and other aspects of church life will be provided. Emphasizing the importance of fostering a tech-savvy church culture, this workshop will equip participants to lead their congregations in leveraging technology for enhanced ministry impact.

Hunter Guy

Hunter Guy, a product designer from Dolton, IL, is the Co-Founder and CEO of Study Aloud, where she innovates in the Christian education-tech space. She holds a BFA in Industrial Design from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and blends her spiritual beliefs with her tech expertise to create award-winning mobile apps and SaaS applications. Hunter has played vital UX leadership roles for major firms, including Office Depot. Beyond her tech career, she has directed several Christian nonprofits, focusing on organizational enhancement and community impact. Currently, she is advancing her education with a Master of Divinity at Liberty University and mentors high school students through LINK Unlimited Scholars.

New Innovations for Evangelistic Church Culture Change

In this breakout for CEI and AACEI alumni, Rick will outline the recent innovative strategies and tools developed by the WCBGC. Through Rick’s tenure, CEI has grown dramatically to an international movement across multiple denominations, cultures, and regions. Central to this growth has been its adaptation to the needs of churches and their pastors, incorporating leading research and cross-cultural expertise into a cohort strategy that is generating substantive transformation. This breakout is an opportunity for CEI and AACEI alumni to hear about these new and innovative tools, incorporating these tools into their evangelistic and missional strategies.

Rick Richardson

Dr. Rick Richardson, Executive Director of the Research and Church Evangelism Institutes, the Luis Palau Chair of Evangelism, and Professor of Evangelism and Leadership. Rick is a Professor of Evangelism and Leadership at Wheaton College and consults widely with churches on Evangelism, healing, reconciliation, the emerging generation, and contemporary missional churches and missional movements.

How to Get Evangelistic Change in Your Church without Killing It

In this breakout, Pastor Jenkins will address the central challenge of how to lead your congregation to a culture of evangelism. Drawing upon his experience in pastoring Glenarden, Pastor Jenkins will walk through the central strategies that have proven effective in leading his congregation to become a conversion community. This breakout offers pastors practical skills and tools they can implement in their own contexts, utilizing many of the proven strategies deployed in the Church Evangelism Institute of the WCBGC.

John Jenkins

Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr. is senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Glenarden and the Chairman of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center African American Church Evangelism Institute. Pastor Jenkins also serves as the chair of the National Association of Evangelicals and is on the board of World Vision, U.S., Denver Seminary and GlocalNet.

Engaging LGBTQ Friends and Neighbors in Faith Conversations

In this breakout, we will tackle the challenge of engaging members of the LGBTQ community in our neighborhoods. Dr. Mark Yarhouse offers practical solutions and insights for Christians struggling with a pressing cultural issue of our society. This breakout is particularly encouraging and useful for pastors and ministry leaders seeking understanding and tools for addressing questions of sexuality and gender within their community and organization.

Mark Yarhouse

Mark Yarhouse (PhD) is the Rech Endowed Chair in Psychology and the Director of the Sexuality & Gender Identity Institute at Wheaton College, as well as the author of multiple books including his most recent Gender Identity & Faith.

Welcome at the Table: How to Mobilize Families your Church Reach your Community

In this breakout, Kelli will draw upon the extensive and substantive work of MomCo in mobilizing the whole church for mission throughout North America. This breakout is designed specifically for pastors ready to revolutionize their approach to church engagement, drawing out innovative strategies and actionable insights that foster a vibrant, engaged community within your congregation. This workshop is your gateway to not only mobilize the untapped resources of your church but to enhancing the sense of unity and purpose among every member. Whether you’re dealing with declining attendance or looking to energize your congregation, this breakout will offer the tools and inspiration you need to drive meaningful engagement and build a thriving church community.

Kelli Smith

Kelli Jo Smith Vice President of Church Engagement and Marketing at The MomCo. For 17 years, Kelli has been a passionate advocate for growing Christian non-profits and empowering moms, driving initiatives that make a global impact.

Eight Principles to Reach GenZ

This workshop equips pastors and church leaders with actionable strategies to effectively engage Generation Z, a tech-savvy and diverse group that values authenticity. Participants will explore research-based recommendations for revitalizing church outreach, fostering conversion communities, and creating inclusive environments that resonate with Gen Z. By implementing these strategies, churches can bridge the generational gap, build meaningful connections, and create a more relevant and impactful ministry for young adults in today’s rapidly changing world.

Brandi Williams

Brandi Williams is the Director of the WCBGC’s African American Church Evangelism Institute, leading a dynamic institute dedicated to equipping churches and pastors for catalyzing conversionary communities.

Great Evangelists in Church History

In this breakout, Drs Timothy Larsen, Jennifer McNutt, and Vince Bacote will explore some of the most significant evangelists from history, drawing out key lessons and inspiration for how pastors and church teams can impact their communities today. In learning how to communicate the timeless gospel in a new era, we can look to our collective past for surprising, inspiring, and convicting lessons for how the Church has responded to similar contexts. Joined by distinguished faculty of Wheaton College’s Litfin Divinity School, this breakout will offer the unique opportunity to discover new stories, explore historical case studies, and think beyond our time for how to be effectively on mission today.

Tim Larson
Jennifer McNutt
Vincent Bacote

Timothy Larsen is McManis Professor of Christian Thought and Professor of History in the Litfin Divinity School at Wheaton College. He is the current president of the American Society of Church History and has written or edited over twenty books on church history.

The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt is the Franklin S. Dyrness Associate Professor in Biblical and Theological Studies in the Litfin Divinity School at Wheaton College. A leading scholar on John Calvin and the Reformation, Dr. McNutt is widely acclaimed for both her scholarship and work in the classroom through integrating the Christian faith and learning.

Vincent Bacote is the Professor of Theology and Director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics in the Litfin Divinity School at Wheaton College. He has published several works including Reckoning with Race and Performing Good News (2020) and The Political Disciple (2015) in addition to his work being featured in magazines such as Christianity Today and Think Christian.

Ed Stetzer

Talbot School of Theology

Ed Stetzer, Ph.D., is the Dean and Professor of Leadership and Christian Ministry at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He also serves as Distinguished Visiting Scholar at Wycliffe Hall at Oxford University, where he teaches twice a year. Stetzer has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches; trained pastors and church planters on six continents; earned two master’s degrees and two doctorates; and he has written hundreds of articles and a dozen books. He is Regional Director for Lausanne North America, is the Editor-in-Chief of Outreach Magazine, and regularly writes for news outlets such as USA Today and CNN. His national radio show, Ed Stetzer Live, airs Saturdays on Moody Radio and affiliates. Stetzer serves his local church, Mariners Church, as Scholar in Residence & Teaching Pastor.