Outcomes
Conference

Breakthrough Workshops

These 30-minute presentations are high-impact recorded sessions. The Conference Schedule on the event site will list the times of 45-minute meetings with the faculty that will occur throughout the event.

Personal Leadership Track

Understand how to strengthen your mind, body, and soul for a more significant Kingdom impact. Learn how to lead from the center of God’s will.

PL | An Invitation to a Deeper Place

Life is unpredictable, and leaders are forged in times of challenge. Is the faith we lean on when we feel confident and secure any less real when we experience hard seasons of uncertainty? This workshop offers practical strategies to transform challenging seasons into a deeper encounter with God. Outcomes: 1) Discover how God uses our pain for good, 2) Discern why praying God’s promises is our way to victory, and 3) Find joy in God’s presence.

FACULTY: Gina Holm | Navigators Life & Leadership Coaching

PL | Are You Coachable?

Do you feel stuck in your personal or professional life, struggling to reach the goals you’ve set? The key to achieving transformative growth and success lies in one crucial characteristic: the ability to be coachable. Drawn from Dr. Coker’s new book, Are You Coachable?, this session offers thought-provoking examples and actionable advice, including the six key dimensions of coachability. Outcomes: 1) Become more receptive to coaching and feedback, 2) Cultivate a growth mindset, and 3) Unlock your full potential as a leader.

FACULTY: Dr. Charles W. Coker | CEO | LifeThrive

PL | Priorities: Your Best Next “Yes”

As leaders, we usually have more questions than answers. How do I “Seek First” with so many competing priorities? Grow my organization without losing my soul? Get to my best next, yes? Outcomes: 1) Based on the Shamah (Luke 10:27), center priorities through God’s invitation to start with the heart, 2) Review how organizational mission, vision, and values guide priorities, and 3) Explore decision-making frameworks to set priorities and get alignment on your organization’s best next yes.

FACULTY: Mike Lenda | Chief Services Officer | 5by5 Agency

PL | Spiritual Attunement for Difficult Times

Feeling weary, burdened, or anxious? This workshop will guide you through practices that will help you spiritually attune to Jesus, finding rest for your souls. Outcomes: 1) Experience more of God’s presence, guidance, peace & courage for the difficulties you face, 2) Practice exercising the muscles, movements, and postures of spiritual attunement, and 3) Practice helping each other voice, clarify, claim & act on their best sense of God’s guidance.

FACULTY: Tracy Mathews | Executive Director | Attune

PL | Glad I Didn’t Know

We will encounter challenges and unexpected blessings throughout our lives, but how we respond and what we learn is essential. This session will encourage you to identify and seize those opportunities. Outcomes: 1) Reflect on lessons learned from past experiences and how valuable they have been, 2) Identify your life’s roles and understand how those impact the types of challenges you face, and 3) Consider how you can approach future challenges and blessings differently.

FACULTY: Vonna Laue | CCNL | Executive Director of Global Services/CFO | TEAM

PL | Hearing the Whisper of God

What keeps us as leaders from hearing the whispers of God? Are other voices too loud? We will consider ways to incorporate a posture of praise and devotion into our daily, monthly, and yearly schedules. Outcomes: 1) Define the loudest voices in our daily lives, 2) Consider ways God’s quiet voice helps leaders even when they want to give up, and 3) Apply meeting with God each day, month, quarter, or year, to hear his voice and direction.

FACULTY: Dr. Peggy Banks | Vice President of Global Assistance | International Christian Concern

PL | Lessons in Self-Care

As Christian leaders, we are accustomed to giving direction, offering instructions and advice, and providing prayer to those we serve. But we must avoid pouring from an empty cup. This workshop provides Scriptural lessons in self-care. Outcomes: 1) Incorporate self-care into your everyday rhythms of life, 2) Model self-care to those you lead in the workplace and at home, and 3) Identify areas that the Lord may be calling you to seek him in the area of self-care.

FACULTY: Sheila Bennett | CCNL | Chief Operations Officer & CFO | Rhema Christian Center

PL | Embrace God’s Path for Your Life

Society shifts, ministry changes, tactics evolve, and suddenly you find yourself in a battle. Discover new battle tactics from 1 Samuel to rise above challenges to create opportunities. Discover how grit, enthusiasm, and cooperation level the playing field, preparing us for personal growth. Outcomes: 1) Embrace the path God has you on, 2) Use the wisdom of anxiety to propel you forward, and 3) Listen to counsel but pursue as God has prepared you.

FACULTY: Donna Lucas | Chief Marketing Officer | Joni and Friends

PL | Passing on Christ-like Culture

Every organization has a culture. But how many of those organizational cultures are Christ-like? In this session, we will explore the 6 C’s of Christ-like culture and the 5 biblical principles of culture-making, as outlined by Paul in 1 Thessalonians. Outcomes: 1) Embrace the 6 C’s of Christ-like culture, 2) Embrace the five biblical principles of culture making, and 3) Apply these concepts to your context.

FACULTY: Dr. Bob Snyder | Founder and President | IHS Global, and | Tyler Hallman | Founder and President | Blank Page Group LLC

PL | Leadership for the Long Haul

This workshop will identify key areas for leadership attention for anyone who desires to lead for a lifetime. Outcomes: 1) Recognize the challenges and temptations leaders will encounter through midlife, 2) Identify the areas where you may need greater attention for longevity in leadership, and 3) Develop one actionable step to take in immediate response.

FACULTY: Andrea Buczynski | Leadership Development Consultant/Coach | Cru

Executive Leadership

Learn to positively influence the thinking, behavior, and development of others for greater kingdom impact.

EL | Together is Better: Six Secrets to Interdependence

Everyone wants to experience the trust, synergy, and impact of a great team, but it is hard to find. Explore six foundations of interdependence that unlock teams’ joy, capacity, and impact. Outcomes: 1) Build trust and foster psychological safety, enabling team members to be honest and real together, 2) Create ownership and accountability that crosses “turf” lines and organizational silos, and 3) Address conventional practices and interpersonal dynamics that prevent your team from unlocking its potential.

FACULTY: Dr. Andrew Johnston | Owner | Johnston Consulting | DRJC

EL | Your Nonprofit Strategy Reloaded

Does your organization have a strategy you use? Join us to learn how to tie your mission and vision into your organization’s strategy. Outcomes: 1) Develop vision, mission, and values that motivate your team, tying these into strategy, 2) Build a SWOT analysis to develop actionable and measurable goals and tactics, identifying what is most important, and 3) Apply a simple approach to branding and strategy, creating an actionable plan for the next three-to-four years.

FACULTY: Jeremy Reis | President | Serving Orphans Worldwide

EL | Becoming a Flourishing Culture Leader

This workshop will share the three keys to fostering a flourishing workplace culture that reflects the kingdom of God. Grounded in Best Christian Workplaces research, it will explore spiritual leadership, Christian community, and leadership excellence. Outcomes: 1) Embrace spiritual leadership by prioritizing personal and organizational alignment with biblical principles, 2) Create a strong sense of Christian community within the workplace, and 3) Pursue leadership excellence and develop leadership competence through continuous learning and skill development.

FACULTY: Al Lopus | Cofounder and Board Chair | Best Christian Workplaces

EL | Seek Impact in Disciplined Innovation

Transform nonprofit leadership with disciplined innovation, driving growth and sustainability through biblically-based, practical methodologies. Outcomes: 1) Disarm innovation myths and clarify what innovation is and is not, 2) Embrace holistic leadership: Thinking holistically, from financial and audience stewardship to organizational excellence, and 3) Pursue disciplined growth: Apply disciplined innovation to foster nonprofit growth and sustainability.

FACULTY: Stewart Severino | Head of Innovation | The Navigators

EL | Creating a Culture of Worthiness

Worthiness is having the qualities of faithfulness, knowledge, dependability, perseverance, and meticulous stewardship. These qualities enable donors to connect with your organization on a deeper level. Outcomes: 1) Recognize how your influence can inspire organizational change along the worthiness continuum, 2) Apply the benefits of a donor-centric approach to development. Is the donor the “hero” of the story? and 3) Determine actions you can take to increase both organizational and personal worthiness.

FACULTY: Bryan Taylor | CEO | Cornerstone Management

EL | Transformational Strategic Focus

Discover how mastering strategic focus elevated one ministry’s potential and enhanced its impact on the mission. This session explores successful strategic planning and implementation, incorporating best practices to drive strategic focus and improve organizational effectiveness. Outcomes: 1) Assess how strategic planning equips ministries to maintain focus and adapt in today’s dynamic environment, 2) Discover key drivers for creating and sustaining strategic focus, 3) Discern how Love INC of the Black Hills leveraged strategic planning to transform impact.

FACULTY: Chris Jorgensen | Founder & Chief Consultant | Convergent Strategy

EL | How Then Shall We Lead?

Today’s world is upside down. This session will explore practical tools for leading your organization through the current cultural storm with confidence, strength, and compassion. Outcomes: 1) Using case studies, be able to effectively respond to shifting cultural norms, 2) Define ministry values to help you (compassionately) not capitulate to shifting personal values, and 3) Implement a framework to evaluate what to address and what to ignore. 

FACULTY: Steve Maegdlin | CEO | Executive Advisory Partners

Executive Leadership in Board Governance

BG | Leader Care and the Impact on Trust

Healthy leadership is crucial to trust. This session will feature experts in board governance, financial accountability, and leader care to help your ministry have a lasting impact on the next generation. Outcomes: 1) Recognize the importance of leader care and how a ministry’s board can serve as the catalyst to building trust, 2) Leave with a clear understanding of how healthy leaders lead to healthy ministries, and 3) Define where to start when providing intentional care for leaders.

FACULTY: Michael Martin | President and CEO, and | Jake Lapp | Vice President for Member Accountability | ECFA

BG | Hard Board Conversations

Learn how to have respectful but difficult conversations at the board level. This session will equip you to be an effective leader and a strong contributor to your board. Outcomes: 1) Recognize how to listen properly and to assess what is happening, 2) Discover how to phrase questions in a way that gets a response, not pushback, and 3) Identify how to make an impact on your board for the greater good.

FACULTY: Fran Brown | Managing Partner | CapinCrouse LLP

BG | 11 Laws of Great Boardmanship

Discover the 11 critical laws of being an effective board member and receive materials to share with your board, equipping fellow board members. Board members who embrace this training will experience a board they love to serve on. Outcomes: 1) Discover how to be a great board member, 2) Be trained to equip your fellow board members on the 11 laws of great boardmanship, and 3) Multiply your value and skills as you serve on boards.

FACULTY: Kent Wallace | President/Founder, and | Mark Davidhizar | Senior Consultant | Visionworks Consulting, Inc.

Return to Main Conference Page

The Stewardship Track

Cultivate the resources and talent God provides with transparency and excellence.

Stewardship of Financial Management

FM | Accelerating Ministry Effectiveness with FP&A

Discover the core components and strategies of financial planning and analysis (FP&A) to propel your nonprofit forward. Utilizing software like Power BI and OneStream, learn how Cru is elevating its finance function. Outcomes: 1) Cover the principles of budgeting, reporting, analysis, and forecasting, the building blocks of FP&A, 2) Discover how Cru utilizes OneStream to expand and modernize its budgeting and forecasting, and 3) Survey simple strategies any nonprofit can implement for data collection, storage, analysis, and dashboarding.

FACULTY: Andy Brown | Director of Financial Planning & Analysis, CRU

FM | Transformational Thinking

Organizational changes that are integrated inconsistently over time result in complexities within the accounting system and reporting. Getting to a redesigned system that provides relevant and timely information will require transformational thinking. Outcomes: 1) Develop an action plan based on the desired results,2) Apply the lessons learned in the application case, and 3) Create communications and strategies for successful adoption.

FACULTY: Melodi Bunting | Senior Manager, Advisory Services | Wegner

Stewardship of Legal and Risk

LR | Navigating Current Nonprofit Fraud Risks

Fraud is a pervasive threat to nonprofits; however, there are steps you can take to mitigate your organization’s risk. Join us for an exploration of current fraud trends and best practices. We’ll discuss findings from the 2024 occupational fraud report from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and share real-life case studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of common types of fraud, red flags, and best practices to help safeguard your organization against financial loss and reputational damage. Outcomes: 1) Assess current fraud risks and how they can occur within a nonprofit organization, 2) Identify internal control weaknesses and common red flags, and  3) Implement best practices and controls to strengthen your organization’s fraud prevention measures.

FACULTY: Nathan Salsbery | Partner and Executive Vice President | Chairman of the Board for Christian Leadership Alliance

LR | Amending Bylaws: Top 10 Questions

Bylaws are the most important yet often overlooked organizational legal document. Bylaws promote unity within the kingdom and ministry, ensure legal compliance, and safeguard religious freedoms. This course helps you get your bylaws “right.” Outcomes: 1) Recognize that whether a church, nonprofit (or church/nonprofit), getting bylaws “right” is important, 2) Discern why “right” bylaws dictate, and must reflect, operational reality, 3) Apply insight from “right” bylaws’ 10 important topics (answering 10 important questions) about your ministry.

FACULTY: Stephen Forman | Principal and Founder, For His Glory Law | Law Office of Stephen Forman, PLLC

Stewardship of People Management and Care

PMC | Stewarding Talent with Technology and AI

Stewarding talent with technology is crucial for a nonprofit to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape. Using AI as a tool in Human Resources can become a strategic advantage. We will cover the reasons and methods in this session.  Outcomes: 1) To understand the role of AI in Human Resources with a ministry lens, 2) Discuss the ethical and biblical implications of AI use in stewarding human resources, and 3) To identify some practical first steps toward responsible AI use in HR.

FACULTY: Ramona Bishop | Chief Human Resources Officer | Bible Study Fellowship

PMC | Analyzing and Influencing Performance

This workshop will equip you to successfully influence individual, team, and organizational performance by understanding and applying the key components that drive human performance. Outcomes: 1) Build an awareness of the key factors that impact individual, team, and organizational performance, 2) Ask the right questions to analyze a performance system, and 3) Use an assessment to influence performance at all levels of an organization.

FACULTY: Jay Bransford | President and CEO | Best Christian Workplaces

PMC | We See What We Seek

Does your team share the same vision you do? Unified teams have increased productivity, improved engagement, and maximized missions. We’ll explore Scripture and organizational research to create life-giving, peaceful, united team environments. Outcomes: 1) Embrace God’s design for his kingdom and righteousness in leadership and teams, 2) Integrate best ministry practices to foster life-giving communities in our organizations, and 3) Incorporate insights from the latest research on team unity, diversity, and thriving.

FACULTY: Dr. Teresa Moon | Founding President/CEO | Institute for Cultural Communicators

PMC | Unlocking Leadership Potential

An interactive workshop filled with practical ways to unlock the leadership potential within your team through the lens of creating a long-term strategy with a short-term plan. Outcomes: 1) Create a culture that nurtures from within to increase retention and drive results, 2) Discern how to create a focused strategy that encourages, empowers, and involves the team, and 3) Define strategies to get team member buy-in and engagement toward a shared vision.

FACULTY: Lauren Vanaman | CCNL | Executive Director | Aspire Leadership LLC

PMC | Navigating Employee Complaints Successfully

Handling complaints effectively is an essential leadership skill. This workshop provides an opportunity to learn and practice five key principles for managing employee complaints, thereby fostering healthy workplaces characterized by open and honest communication. Outcomes: 1) Recognize how leaders react to employee complaints, and what messages those reactions send to employees, 2) Apply the five key principles in effectively handling complaints, and 3) Determine the best approach and options to a complaint based on the employee and their concern.

FACULTY: Joelle Peelgren | Principal / Consultant | DeGenaro Peelgren Associates

PMC | Leading Global Multicultural Teams

This training focuses on various processes for effectively leading and managing cultural team diversity. Outcomes: 1) Encourage cultural sensitivity, 2) Cultivate safe (GRACE) spaces, and 3) Apply proven processes to lead and manage cultural diversity on your team.

FACULTY: Dr. Vicki Harris | Chief People Officer | Rhema House Care Ministries, and | Founder | DVH International Consulting

Return to the Main Conference Page

The Relationship Track

Connect generous hearts to the ministry’s mission and purpose.

Relationships and Resource Development

RD | The Art of the Big Ask

Unlock the secrets of major donor cultivation! Master the art of compelling asks and dive into the minds of generous givers. Supercharge your approach, conquer objections, and sharpen your skills through dynamic role-play. Outcomes: 1) Uncover hidden treasure: Discover techniques to identify prime prospects! 2) Build lasting connections: Master the art of engaging high-impact individuals!, and 3) Inspire transformational gifts: Craft compelling pitches that resonate and motivate!

FACULTY: Pat McLaughlin | Founder | The Timothy Group

RD | More than Enough: What Does it Take to Thrive as a Christian Fundraiser?

Thriving isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the task of fundraising. But what if it were possible to approach our work in resource development from a place of flourishing and to see it as a craft to which we have been called? My goal for you during this session is to encourage you. Outcomes: 1) To think biblically about your work in fundraising, 2) to operate as a fundraiser in the power of the Holy Spirit, and 3) to order your priorities to experience more effectiveness and impact in your work.

FACULTY: Nathan Jones | President | Youth for Christ Foundation

RD | People Not Money: Fundraising as Ministry

Fundraising, which transforms both giver and receiver, isn’t about money. It’s about bringing two parties together to accomplish something neither can do alone. It’s about participating in the coming of the kingdom of God. Outcomes: 1) Embrace an understanding of the rationale, method, and outcomes of relational fundraising, 2) Be able to assess your current fundraising effort, and 3) Be equipped to create an initial action plan to achieve total organizational alignment.

FACULTY: Larry Johnson | Founder | The Eight Principles, and | Sig Berg | Chairman and CEO | The Severn Leadership Group

RD | Increase Sustainability through Monthly Giving

Monthly Giving matters on every level of your fundraising program. It forms a group of people who, together, stand with you in the work for years and in increasingly significant ways. Acquire the tools you need to build or revitalize your monthly giving program for long-term sustainability. Outcomes: 1) Learn the value of Monthly Giving, 2) Build and launch your program, and 3) How to Care for Your Monthly Givers and Grow Them!

FACULTY: Anne Calton | Regional Director | Mission Increase Foundation

Relationships through Marketing and Communications

MC | Know Your Audience: Navigating Generations

Explore the distinct worldviews, values, digital behaviors, and spiritual questions of five generations. Discover what attracts each generation and keeps them engaged with your content. Outcomes: 1) Recognize your audience’s diverse generational perspectives and values. 2) Explore different digital behaviors and communication preferences for each generation, and 3) Develop a tailored engagement plan to connect with your organization’s target generation(s).

FACULTY: Shelley Komoszewski | Senior Director of Advancement and PR | Cru

MC | 3 Critical Questions For Great Marketing Strategy

Every nonprofit leader longs not to be the “best kept secret.” Answering three simple but effective questions can unlock your organization’s marketing potential. The Fervor team, which has completed signature strategies for nonprofit leaders of all sizes, distilled this framework for you. Outcomes: Answer and apply three critical questions, 1) Framework: Who is it for? 2) Imperative: What are you going to tell them?, and 3) Focus: How do you get more of the right ones?

FACULTY: Mike Farag | CEO + Chief Strategy Officer | Fervor

MC | IT | Purposeful Marketing Meets AI

Work smarter, not harder, without losing the heart of your message! Discover best practices and new tools to adapt your content to various audiences and platforms through a fully integrated marketing plan. Outcomes: 1) Perceive how multichannel marketing boosts your communications effectiveness and reach, 2) Discover practical tools to simplify and multiply the productivity of teams with limited staffing and resources, and 3) Apply best practices and ethical considerations for purpose-driven Christian marketing in an increasingly AI world.

FACULTY: Heather M. Day | Director of Marketing, and | Joni Bishop | Communication Strategist | Barnabas Foundation

Relationship through the Internet and Technology

IT | AI, Data and Governance

Data and AI facilitate informed decision-making, but only when people and algorithms can access and trust AI-ready data. Learn from our experiences at Compassion in maturing data and AI governance for ministry successes. Outcomes: 1) Recognize why effective data and AI governance is important and beneficial for ministry impacts, 2) Determine considerations for planning and implementing effective data and AI governance, and 3) Increase interactions and shared discernment, and determine ways to measure success.

FACULTY: Dr. Jeffrey Collins | Senior Director of Data & Analytics | Compassion International

IT | Artificial Intelligence – Productivity & Risk

A former Microsoft Azure Corporate VP and current Bible Study Fellowship CTO will share his perspectives on the impact of AI on ministry productivity, and more importantly, on societal trends that should inspire our work. Outcomes: 1) Apply best practices in using commercially available AI tools in ministry knowledge worker scenarios, 2) Develop a framework for reasoning about technology and societal trends related to advances in AI, 3) Obtain perspectives on the impact of AI on future generations.

FACULTY: Tad Brockway | Chief Technology Officer | Bible Study Fellowship

IT | Tech Clarity Now: Align Your Strategy

Feeling stretched thin managing your mission and IT? Learn how to simplify your decisions and amplify your impact! This workshop equips you to align technology with your mission, set clear priorities, and make informed decisions with confidence. Outcomes: 1) Create a one-page tech strategy aligned with your mission, 2) Build a framework to evaluate and prioritize technology investments, and 3) Apply IT strategy in day-to-day operations.

FACULTY: Andre South | Principal Consultant | South Software Solutions

Return to the Main Conference Page

Multi-Session Leadership Intensives

Select multi-session experiences for a more comprehensive learning and application.

Details Coming Soon!

Special Live Presentations

We offer live experiences throughout the two-month event. These will be listed on the Conference Schedule inside the Event Experience. You can view the entire calendar and save the events you want to join by saving them directly to your calendar.

We also record these presentations and will make them available to you inside the event platform. No one ever has to miss anything. Of course, when you attend the live events, you will have an opportunity to engage with the presenters and ask questions!