TIME: 10:45AM
ROOM: AUDITORIUM

SUMMARY: Going churches almost always have one thing in common: they are growing churches as well. If we want to go, we need to grow. Sadly, there are 6 commonalities between non-growing churches. If we can name them, we can break through.

RESUMEN: Las iglesias que envían casi siempre tienen algo en común: también son iglesias en crecimiento. Si queremos enviar, necesitamos crecer. Lamentablemente, existen seis características comunes de las iglesias que no crecen. Si podemos identificarlas, podremos superarlas.

PRESENTER: ANDREW HOPPER
Andrew serves as the lead pastor of Mercy Hill Church. Mercy Hill was launched in 2012 by a group of 30 faithful individuals. By God’s grace, the church has seen rapid growth and sending!

In response to God’s blessing, Andrew always says, “We praise God and pray for more.” We praise God for changed lives and pray for God to do far more than we can ask or think.

Mercy Hill is centered on the gospel and has a radical commitment to the nations. Our desire is to make disciples and multiply churches.

HORA: 10:45am
SALÓN: SB275

RESUMEN: La iglesia no comienza con una multitud, comienza con un rumbo claro.

Antes de que Dios reúna a muchos, Él afirma la dirección en unos pocos.

Nadie sigue con fe a quien no sabe para dónde va.

Este taller está diseñado para fortalecer el core group: líderes que escuchan a Dios con claridad, cargan la visión con fidelidad y establecen el rumbo espiritual de la iglesia.

Antes del crecimiento, hay alineación.

Antes de la expansión, hay dirección.

Antes de la multitud, hay líderes firmes en la voz de Dios.

El taller se desarrollará en dos secciones, lideradas por los pastores Ramón y Esteban.

PRESENTADORES: Esteban Vazquez + Ramón Medina

Esteban Vázquez sirve como Pastor Asociado desde hace 12 años en Champion Forest Baptist Church Español. Es el Director del programa de residencia para la plantación de iglesias en Champion Forest. Cuenta con un Doctorado en Liderazgo y Teología de Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MWBTS). Esteban está casado desde hace 30 años con Karina, y juntos tienen cuatro hijos.

Ramón Medina es el Pastor Global de Ministerios en Español en Champion Forest Baptist Church, donde ha servido desde 2006. Criado en Cali, Colombia como hijo de un pastor bautista, Ramón tuvo un encuentro con Cristo a temprana edad y ha estado involucrado en el ministerio desde entonces. Tiene estudios en Administración de Empresas y Misiones, y obtuvo su Doctorado en Ministerio en Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Ramón tiene una pasión por las misiones, el ministerio multicultural, el evangelismo y la formación de familias saludables fundamentadas en el evangelio de Jesucristo. Vive en Spring, Texas junto a su esposa, Nhora, y sus dos hijos, Daniel y Mateo.

TIME: 10:45AM
ROOM: SB225

SUMMARY: Are you stuck with seeing your disciple-making efforts get beyond yourself or the programs of your church? What if God is ready to release Gospel multiplication in Houston—and inviting your church to help steward it? In this breakout, you will hear stories of multiplication in Houston, gain a fresh biblical vision for starting with simplicity, and get some practical pathways to take your next step in pursuing a multiplicative disciple-making movement. This is a call to reimagine how your current model might serve as a launching pad for Kingdom multiplication to the ends of the earth.

PRESENTERS: HEATH HAYNES + PHILIP LYNCH

Heath serves as the Movement Director with The Bridge HTX, where he invests his days developing healthy disciple-making leaders and helping churches pursue Gospel multiplication in Houston and beyond. Originally from Georgia, God planted Heath in Houston in 2005 where he has grown to love our city as well as seeing Houston for the strategic launching pad to the nations that it is. Heath is also the founder of L3 Leadership Coaching, where he seeks to develop leaders worth following and high-performing companies that people love to work at. He and his wife, Amber, are raising their two teenagers, Gavin and Brooklyn, and can often be found exploring something new together or curled up on the couch enjoying their favorite shows. Heath loves discovering new coffee shops, meeting new people, and coaching leaders in both ministry and the marketplace.

Philip serves as the Strategy Coordinator for mvmt network, where he focuses on developing disciple-making leaders and mobilizing the Church toward Great Commission multiplication. A former youth pastor in Friendswood, Philip and his wife, Lacey, sensed a call in 2015 to pursue a citywide vision for Gospel movement. They now live inside Houston’s inner loop and help shape a culture of disciple-making across the city. Philip loves raising up leaders, galvanizing teams around a shared vision, and sending people out equipped for mission. He and Lacey are raising four children—ranging from preschool to high school—and as a family, they thrive anywhere people are gathered. Philip also enjoys sports (especially baseball) and coaching leaders as they step into their calling.

HORA: 12:30PM
SALÓN: SB275

RESUMEN: Por qué caminar juntos no es opcional, sino esencial para el Reino

En una cultura fragmentada y competitiva, Dios llama a Sus líderes a una manera diferente de vivir y servir.

Este mensaje explora el fundamento bíblico y teológico de la colaboración, mostrando que la unidad no es uniformidad, sino alineación bajo la misión más grande de Dios.

La colaboración no es una estrategia para el crecimiento, sino un reflejo de la naturaleza relacional de Dios y una salvaguarda para un liderazgo sostenible.

Esta enseñanza invita a pastores y líderes a redescubrir la fortaleza de caminar juntos—compartiendo cargas, cultivando la humildad y encarnando el Evangelio de maneras visibles y relacionales.

Al hacerlo, el Reino de Dios avanza con integridad, salud espiritual y fruto duradero.

Presentador:
El pastor Adrián Amézquita es plantador de iglesias, capellán pastoral y líder catalizador con un fuerte compromiso con la profundidad teológica y el desarrollo de liderazgo. Ha plantado iglesias y ha servido como capellán de confianza para pastores y plantadores de iglesias, brindando acompañamiento pastoral y orientación estratégica en diversos contextos ministeriales.

Actualmente se desempeña como Director Ejecutivo de Red Pastoral Houston y ministra en The Woodlands First Baptist Church – Ministerio en Español. Adrián está profundamente comprometido con la formación de ecosistemas de liderazgo colaborativo que integren fidelidad doctrinal, salud relacional y despliegue estratégico, multiplicando líderes que piensan profundamente, lideran con sabiduría y equipan a otros para un impacto duradero en el Reino. Vive en The Woodlands, Texas, junto a su esposa Mónica y sus tres hijos, Adrián Jr., Daniel e Isaí.

TIME: 12:30PM
ROOM: SB200

SUMMARY: There is no substitute for leadership in the urban context. Urban leaders must be clear about who they are and have deep conviction about their unique calling to the communities they serve. When that clarity is missing, vision fades and leadership becomes reactive instead of intentional.

In this workshop, leaders will discover practical tools and proven processes to develop a clear organizational vision, but just as importantly, a clear personal vision. Healthy leadership flows from the inside out. When leaders understand their calling, values, and purpose, they create an environment that attracts, develops, and reproduces future leaders who impact others for the glory of God.

A mentor once told me, we reproduce who we are. This workshop challenges leaders to grow in clarity, character, and conviction so what they reproduce in others reflects Christ, advances the mission, and strengthens leadership in the urban context.

PRESENTER: BRYANT LEE + LAWRENCE SCOTT
Bryant Lee was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and is deeply committed to teaching and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ with clarity and conviction. He serves as the founding and Senior Pastor of Higher Expectations Church in Humble, Texas, with a strong emphasis on discipling men and developing leaders.

Before entering full-time pastoral ministry, Bryant honorably served in the United States Army for more than 23 years, retiring as a well-decorated veteran whose service shaped his leadership, discipline, and heart for service. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies from Grantham University and a Master of Theology from Liberty University.

Bryant is passionate about raising the next generation of gospel-centered, kingdom-minded leaders and serves on several local and national boards, including the African American Consultant Team of the Union Baptist Association and as National Expansion Director for Cru Inner City. He lives in Humble, Texas, with his wife of 36 years, Dell (Joseph) Lee. They have six adult children and three grandsons.

Lawrence Scott is the planting and Lead Pastor of One Church at Harvest Point. He is married to the love of his life, the beautiful and gifted Shannon Scott. They have six children: Kaelyn, Leah, Eden, Lawrence III, Zachary, and Reagan. Lawrence earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Houston, a Master of Theology (ThM) degree, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) in Dallas, Texas.

TIME: 12:30PM
ROOM: SB125

SUMMARY: Scripture teaches clearly that the responsibility and calling of followers of Jesus is to share the gospel with those who don’t yet know or follow Jesus. Yet, if statistics and studies are accurate, the overwhelming percentage of believers in Jesus don’t share their beliefs with those who don’t believe in Jesus. Scripture clearly tells His followers that we are ambassadors for Jesus (II Corinthians 5:20), and that Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).
This lack of participation in one of our greatest purposes as Christ followers is not due to a lack of clarity- our calling is all throughout the Scriptures. And, this lack of engagement most likely is also not due to a lack of conviction- most Christians understand that they should be doing this, but still somehow don’t.
The likely reason for this departure from a lifestyle of sharing the gospel with others is not a lack of clarity that we should, or a lack of calling that we would, but a lack of confidence that we could.
Jesus was of course the master at having conversations that led to belief in Himself. He would turn a conversation from something very natural, into the supernatural. A quick look at many of Jesus’ conversations reveals a pattern in His progression: Good.God.Gospel.

PRESENTER: JASON SHEPPERD
Jason planted Church Project, a “Church of House ChurchesTM,” in 2010 in The Woodlands, TX, in pursuit of “Rethinking and Returning” to what Christ originally intended for His church to be. What began as a group of 40 people in two House Churches has turned into a movement of thousands of people gathered in many House Churches locally, and also dozens of Church Projects started in different cities, states, and countries. Church Project is based on biblical, historical, and global ecclesiological elements “eDNA: Ecclesiological DNA” of: DECENTRALIZED from primary place and priest, that DISTRIBUTES pastoral leadership to empowered and equipped lay pastors, who fully pastor DIVERSE DISCIPLESHIP geographically-based House Church communities, which carry out all of the functions of a church. Local House Churches are connected by common overseers and shared local and global ministries. One result of a connected movement of House Churches is “Simplicity for the Sake of Generosity”, focusing almost $13 million in their first 14 years toward gospel centered ministries and church planting.
Jason also leads Church Project Network, and House Church Network, which are collectives of churches aligned around the commitment to be a “Church of House Churches”. Jason founded and oversees “Good City”, a city centrality for local ministry collaboration and support, and he speaks on “GOOD.GOD.GOSPEL.”, an evangelistic tool for believers to share the gospel. He wrote the books “A Church of House Churches: An Articulated and Applied Ecclesiology,” and “Church Project: A Biblical, Simple, Relevant Pursuit of Church”. Jason records a daily devotional podcast “START WITH 7”, which leads thousands of people daily to start their days with prayer and Scripture.
Jason pastors, supports pastors, writes and speaks about ecclesiology, and consults churches on how to become a “Church of House Churches”. He enjoys all things family, sports, competition, outdoors, travel, and trekking mountains. Jason lives in The Woodlands, TX, with his wife Brooke, and their family.

TIME: 10:45AM
ROOM: SB125

SUMMARY: Houston is arguably one of the most—if not the most—diverse cities in the U.S. People from every cultural and religious background live just a stone’s throw from our homes and workplaces. If you want to learn how to share the gospel with someone whose background is different from yours—whether Catholic, Muslim, Atheist, Buddhist, or Hindu—this seminar will be a great help. You’ll gain practical steps for both pre-evangelism and evangelism, along with hands-on training in twelve evangelism tools you can use in real conversations.

PRESENTER: JUAN ECLARIN
Juan is the Lead Pastor of Mosaic Church of Houston, which he planted in 2020. He and his wife, Jean, have been married for 27 years and have three children. Juan also teaches and conducts evangelism training in several countries, engaging with Catholics, Muslims, Atheists, Buddhists, and Hindus. His passion for sharing the gospel—shaped by both global ministry and the religious diversity of Houston—led him to write The Evangelist’s Toolbox, a practical training manual designed to equip believers to reach people from a wide range of religious backgrounds.

ROOM: 12:30PM
TIME: SB225

SUMMARY:
Did you know that approximately 78% of protestant Christians in Houston are Black, Hispanic or Asian? As the center of global Christianity has shifted to the Global South, a similar shift is well underway in North American cities thanks to immigrants. The church’s approach to mission must adapt to a rapidly changing global context. In this interactive workshop Jonathan and Cindy will discuss 4 key aspects of Diaspora Network's Mutuality in Mission framework and share examples of how they can be applied in worship, mission, and discipleship.

PRESENTERS: Jonathan Abraham Kindberg + Cindy Wu
Rev. Jonathan was born in Perú and grew up in Chile and Panamá before moving to Chicago to attend Wheaton College (where he studied spiritual formation and then intercultural studies). His grandparents attended Wheaton at the same time as Jim and Elizabeth Elliot and were part of that same generation on global mission to Latin America. He spent 13 years pastoring and supporting Latino immigrant churches in Chicago and around the country before moving to Texas in 2021 and starting Diaspora Network in 2022. He is ordained and serves in Churches for the Sake of Others (C4SO). Jonathan speaks Spanish, Portuguese and some Arabic after having spent 4 summers in the Middle East. Jonathan and his wife Lini are passionate about God’s beautifully diverse global family.

Rev. Cindy M. Wu is a native Texan, born to Taiwanese immigrant parents and raised in the beautiful diversity of Houston. In addition to serving as Co-director of Diaspora Network, Cindy is Director of Diaspora Ministries of Mosaic Formation, a non-profit she co-founded with her husband, David. She has served in Mexico, East Asia, and Houston in various ministry contexts. As a “pastor to pastors,” her ministry focuses on serving the city and church at-large through community organizing, spiritual direction, leading workshops and retreats, and cross-cultural training. Cindy is author or co-author of publications on global Christian identity, religious demography, and refugee welcome; she also dabbles in poetry (www.cindymwu.com). She is ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry at Baylor University’s Truett Seminary. For fun, she enjoys cycling, reading, and exploring global cuisine.

TIME: 10:45AM
ROOM: SB150

SUMMARY: Several critical realities must be in place if a church plant is going to have a worshipful culture.  We will explore together the contours of a healthy relationship between lead pastor and worship leader as well as key decisions and repeated activities that enable a community to really sing out.  

PRESENTER: JASON JOY + JEREMIAH MORRIS

Jason Joy is the Creative Director at Seven Mile Road, leading the Worship and Production teams and helping shape the way the church creates, worships, and tells its story. He is passionate about helping others Behold Jesus and be formed by The Gospel through beauty, art, and creativity. With over 15 years of experience in music, photography, and design, Jason cares deeply about cultivating leaders, empowering artists and creators, and creating spaces where art serves as formation rather than performance.

Jason is head over heels for his wife Nina and their daughter Ayla, who keep life joyful and unpredictable in the best ways. When he’s not at church, he’s probably telling his wife about his glory days of playing basketball, cooking for friends, recording music, tending to his plants, dancing in the kitchen, or being goofy with his girls. He’s currently working on cutting back on his Arnold Palmer consumption…

Jeremiah Morris is a husband, dad, disciple-maker and church planter. He is passionate about his wife, Ashley and his boys, Finn, Caleb, Judah, and Kruse. He also loves preaching the gospel, the city of Houston, and anything wrapped in a tortilla.

Jeremiah is a seventh generation Texan but was raised throughout the eastern United States.  He returned to Texas to attend TCU in Fort Worth. It was during college that he came to Houston for the first time as a result of his connection with the youth program at First Presbyterian Church. After college he served for nearly ten years at FPC in a variety of positions. He also earned a Master of Divinity degree during a brief hiatus at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, MA.

He planted Seven Mile Road nine years ago. He spends his free time watching Netflix with Ashley, wrestling with Finn, Caleb, and Judah, and rocking Kruse, reading good books, and running. Fifteen years and four kids ago, he also loved to play basketball and sand volleyball.

TIME: 10:45AM
ROOM: SB250

SUMMARY: It’s easy, even for seasoned ministry leaders, to drift from the fundamentals of church planting. This workshop invites church planters — and those exploring the call to plant — to refocus on three essential areas for lasting ministry impact: hearing God’s voice, praying through problems, and spending intentional time with people. Through practical insights, proven best practices, and shared experiences, we’ll explore how to cultivate these core disciplines that form the foundation of every effective church planter and ministry leader. Come ready to be refreshed, challenged, and encouraged as we return to what matters most in planting and sustaining healthy churches.

PRESENTER: SETH KUNZE
Seth was born in Wausau, Wisconsin, and began his college journey at Concordia University, Nebraska, in 2004 — where he met his wife, Jacqueline. Married for 16 years, they now share the joy of raising six amazing children together. After four years of ministry in Bradford, Pennsylvania, Seth attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, completing his vicarage at a church plant in Knoxville, Tennessee. It was there that God first stirred in the Kunzes a passion for church planting. Following seminary graduation in 2016, Seth moved to Houston, Texas, to plant The Dwelling, a church with a heart for reaching disconnected people with the hope of Jesus. He also helped establish the Harvest Partnership, a growing network of churches committed to planting hundreds more congregations in the years ahead.

TIME: 12:30PM
ROOM: AUDITORIUM

SUMMARY: When our people step out to join church planting teams, it is not the first time they’ve said yes to becoming uncomfortable for God’s mission. It’s also not the first time the church itself has been stressed to produce the leaders necessary for taking next steps. Church planting churches are forward thinking churches and prepare their people and their organization by stressing their systems to produce the leaders necessary for multiplication.

RESUMEN: Cuando nuestra gente da el paso de unirse a equipos de plantación de iglesias, no es la primera vez que han dicho “sí” a salir de su zona de comodidad por la misión de Dios. Tampoco es la primera vez que la iglesia misma ha sido exigida para formar los líderes necesarios para dar los siguientes pasos. Las iglesias que plantan iglesias son iglesias con visión de futuro, que preparan a su gente y a su organización al poner a prueba sus sistemas para desarrollar los líderes necesarios para la multiplicación.

PRESENTER: ANDREW HOPPER + JONATHAN YARBORO
Andrew serves as the lead pastor of Mercy Hill Church. Mercy Hill was launched in 2012 by a group of 30 faithful individuals. By God’s grace, the church has seen rapid growth and sending! In response to God’s blessing, Andrew always says, “We praise God and pray for more.” We praise God for changed lives and pray for God to do far more than we can ask or think. Mercy Hill is centered on the gospel and has a radical commitment to the nations. Our desire is to make disciples and multiply churches.

Jonathan Yarboro serves as the Executive Pastor of Sending at Mercy Hill Church where he provides executive leadership to the Mercy Hill Collaborative and all things church planting, their robust international missions pipeline, and the coaching ministry of the church called Breaking Barriers where he runs year-long intensives and other events throughout the year designed to help churches leverage growth to fuel their sending.

TIME: 10:45AM
ROOM: SB200

SUMMARY: God is calling you to step into the movement—but you can't multiply what you don't have. Too many leaders confuse exhaustion with faithfulness, pushing past their limits until they have nothing left to give. But what if the most strategic step you could take for the mission isn't to do more—it's to rest well?

This workshop challenges the lie that burnout is the cost of ministry and reveals rest as a powerful spiritual discipline that fuels multiplication, not maintenance. We'll explore how sustainable rhythms don't slow down the movement—they strengthen it. You'll discover practical strategies for leading from fullness rather than fumes, setting boundaries that protect your calling, and building a ministry life that goes the distance. Whether you're planting a church, leading a team, or serving in the marketplace, this is your invitation to step into a healthier, more sustainable way of moving with God. Because sustainable ministry isn't built on burnout—it's built on the power of God working through rested, renewed leaders.

PRESENTERS: AMY LAND + JULIE EASTMAN
Amy currently serves as the Director of Ministry Operations at Coastal Community Church in Galveston, TX. Over her 13 years on staff at Coastal, she has worn many ministry hats (including groups, volunteers, missions, communications, young adults, college, and youth) during different seasons of life (single, married, and new parenthood). These experiences have taught her how to implement sustainable rhythms in ever-changing seasons. An avid runner and coffee drinker, Amy enjoys spending time with her husband, Bobby and preschool daughter Dylan. She is passionate about creating community within the local church as well as among ministry leaders. 

Julie has the privilege of serving as Executive Minister at Northside Christian Church in Spring, TX, where she has been on staff for 20 years. After teaching elementary school for 9 years, she joined Northside and has served in various ministry roles before moving into her current leadership position. Her journey in ministry has taught her firsthand that sustainable leadership requires intentional rest—and that you can't multiply what you don't have. After navigating her own seasons of exhaustion and learning to prioritize rest without guilt, Julie is passionate about equipping leaders to build ministry rhythms that fuel the movement, not drain it. She believes that rested leaders create multiplying ministries. Julie and her husband, Jeff, have four children: Emma, Gavin, Reed, and Ava. When not battling it out over competitive board games (with no mercy shown), the family enjoys exploring new ice cream shops and cheering on a good football game. Julie is a Jesus-loving extrovert who prays with strangers on vacation and is ready to help others take the next step toward sustainable, God-centered leadership that will impact lives with Jesus.

TIME: 12:30PM
ROOM: SB175

SUMMARY: Prayer is central and essential in the life and ministry of Jesus. Equipped and empowered, Jesus sent his disciples on mission with expectation they would pray for the sick and depend on God for spiritual encounter. Jesus offers us a model for prayer that includes praying for others. Jesus regularly prayed for people as he went through the cities and towns, come increase your vision and action for training others to pray like Jesus!

PRESENTER: KURT ATTAWAY
Kurt is the Lead Pastor at the The Vineyard Church Pearland. Kurt and his wife, Lauren, are enjoying life with their 4 kids: Canten, Emersen, Jaden and Andersen. Kurt and Lauren were married in 2006. In 2007, Kurt joined the staff at The Vineyard where he became Lead Pastor February 2020. In addition to pastoring in the local church, Kurt has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and has served in trans local leadership roles for Vineyard USA (with focus on next generation, pastoral care and church planting). Kurt enjoys basketball, bowling and being outside by the water.

TIME: 10:45AM
ROOM: SB175

SUMMARY: Leading a church is a wild, wonderful and sometimes soul draining ride. This workshop will focus on how one can keep their heart, fresh, alive, joyful, honest and healthy during the roller coaster ride of things like growth, decline, financial struggles, and all things people related.

PRESENTER: CHUCK LAND
Chuck was born and raised in Houston and loves this city. He met Christ in Middle School and has been in full-time vocational ministry for over 30 years. Chuck and his wife Kathleen started Crossbridge with a hand full of friends in 2002 and still serves there today. He leads a Flourishing Cohort for HCPN. Chuck and Kathleen have four children and live in Sugar Land.

TIME: 12:30PM
ROOM: SB150

SUMMARY: AI is no longer a distant idea, it is shaping everyday life for the people we hope to reach. Technology now competes for the attention, relationships, and identity of millions across Houston. Yet beneath the digital noise, God is drawing people to Himself in new and unexpected ways. As Houston steps into a citywide movement of mission and multiplication, this workshop will help leaders demystify AI and understand how it can serve as a tool for hope, connection, and gospel-centered flourishing.

We will highlight the latest cultural and technological trends and discuss how AI is influencing the behaviors, questions, and longings of our neighbors. Participants will explore both the opportunities and the risks, addressing questions around theology, ethics and the need for Christ-centered guidance in a rapidly shifting culture. Most importantly, we will focus on human flourishing, how the Church can ensure technology serves people rather than consumes them.

Drawing from Gloo’s work alongside thousands of churches nationwide, leaders will leave with a clear framework, shared language, and practical next steps for engaging AI faithfully in their context. Together, we will imagine how God can use this AI moment to strengthen His Church, empower His leaders, and reach Houston with greater compassion and impact.

PRESENTERS: NICK SKYTLAND + ALI LLEWELLYN
Nick Skytland is a leader shaping the future of human-centered AI. As Vice President of Gloo AI, he helps build an engaged community of innovators, ministry partners, and technologists committed to developing values-aligned tools that empower people and strengthen the Church.

Previously, Nick served as a Director of Business Development and Chief Technologist at NASA, where he introduced emerging technologies into America’s space program and helped launch some of the largest open-innovation communities in history. His work with the White House shaped national open-source strategy for the U.S. Government.

Nick also co-founded Quite Uncommon, a strategy and consulting firm that equips ministry leaders to navigate uncertainty, and he is the co-author of What Comes Next? Shaping the Future in an Ever-Changing World (Moody Publishers). His passion thrives at the intersection of technologists, change-makers, and explorers.

Nick serves as an Elder at Clear Creek Community Church and as a Board Member at Wellby Financial. He lives in Houston with his wife and three children.

Ali Llewellyn is focused on engaging the full faith ecosystem to shape the future of AI. A former church planter, she now serves as Director of Gloo Open, an initiative that advocates for the development of values-aligned AI through open-source research, models, learnings, data, and standards.

Previously, Ali served as Strategy and Formulation Manager for the Business Development and Technology Integration Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. In this role, she advanced the formulation of strategic partnerships, accelerated technology integration, and enhanced NASA’s capabilities to extend human presence throughout the solar system. While at NASA, she helped start the Open Government Initiative at NASA, and co-founded some of the largest mass collaborations in the world.

Ali also co-founded Quite Uncommon, a strategy and consulting firm that helps ministry leaders navigate uncertainty. She is co-author of the book published by Moody Publishers titled “What Comes Next? Shaping the Future in an Ever-Changing World.”

Ali holds a Master of Science (MS) in Strategic Foresight from the University of Houston, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Classics from the University of Texas, and is an alumna of the International Space University Space Studies Program. She loves to travel but always comes home to Texas.

TIME: 12:30PM
ROOM: SB250

SUMMARY: This workshop will explore how a church-based residency can effectively prepare emerging leaders for long-term ministry impact. We will highlight the value of mentoring individuals who sense a call to ministry, giving them one to two years of hands-on development alongside seasoned practitioners. The session will also cover practical insights into recruitment expectations and best practices for building a healthy residency pipeline. Additionally, we will share honest lessons learned—including what to do and what to avoid—so that others can benefit from our successes and our mistakes. Participants will leave with actionable ideas for strengthening or launching their own residency programs.

PRESENTER: JOHN WILLS
John Wills serves as the Missions Pastor and Director of the Residency and CF Connect, the church planting and mission programs at Champion Forest Church, where he is passionate about developing the next generation of pastors and ministry leaders. In his role, John oversees a dynamic residency pathway designed to give emerging leaders hands-on ministry experience, intentional mentoring, and real-time exposure to the daily rhythms of church leadership. He believes deeply in the power of the local church to raise up its own leaders, and he has helped shape a residency culture that emphasizes character formation, practical training, and meaningful ministry engagement.