KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Enjoy a time away to renew and energize. Bring some of your church leaders so you can get more out of the conference as a team. Spend time with other Pastors and Leaders from smaller churches and be inspired by teaching from gifted Christian leaders and teachers. Keynote Speakers include NFL Veteran and ESPN Commentator Sam Acho; small church expert and speaker Rev. Karl Vaters; Ellen Gray, teacher of “I Said This, You Heard That” by Kathleen Edelman; and a panel discussion with the three sponsor organization leaders, Dr. Gene Crume (Judson University), Rev Patty Bilyeu (Executive Minister ABC-GRR), Rev Mark Thompson (Executive Minister ABC-IN/KY)
SAM ACHO
NFL Veteran, ESPN In-studio Analyst, Author, Speaker
Sam Acho is an author, a public speaker, a humanitarian, an in-studio analyst for ESPN, a nine-year NFL veteran, and a committed Christian. He’s also currently an ambassador for the International Justice Mission.
REV. KARL VATERS
Pastor, Author, Speaker
Rev. Karl Vaters' heart is to help pastors of small churches (up to 90 percent of us) find the resources to lead well, and to capitalize on the unique advantages that come with pastoring a small church.
ELLEN GRAY
Temperament Specialist, Author
Ellen Gray graduated from Samford University in 2004 with a B.A. in Religion. She has served the church and para-church organizations for over 20 years. She has studied temperaments for nearly a decade and has been Kathleen Edelman's Assistant and understudy for the past three years. Ellen is married to the love of her life, Ryan, and they have three beautiful boys, Jackson, Carter, and Maddox. Ellen is the co-author of three devotional books and is passionate about Jesus, sports, the outdoors, ice cream, and family.
GENE CRUME
Judson University President
Dr. Gene C. Crume, Jr. became Judson University’s sixth president in April 2013.
REV. PATTY BILYEU
GRR Executive Minister
GRR Executive Minister
REV. MARK THOMPSON
Executive Director, American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky
Executive Director, American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 2023
THURSDAY, MAY 18
3:00 PM: Check-in
4:00 PM: Leadership is More Than ... Workshop - Rev. Dr. Rex Rogers
5:30 PM: Dinner and Keynote - Sam Acho
7:30 PM: Social Activity
FRIDAY, MAY 19
9:00 AM: Worship
9:30 AM: Keynote - Rev. Karl Vaters
10:30 AM: Breakout Workshops #1 (See workshop tab at top of website page)
11:45 AM: Lunch and Keynote - Ellen Gray
1:15 PM: Breakout Workshops (See workshop tab at top of website page)
2:15 PM: Refreshments in the Cafe
2:45 PM: Breakout Workshops (See workshop tab at top of website page)
4:00 PM: Breakout Workshops (See workshop tab at top of website page)
5:45 PM: Dinner and Panel Discussion with our three supporting organization leaders
Spend time with other Pastors and Leaders from smaller churches and be inspired by teaching from gifted Christian leaders and teachers. Choose from workshops highlighting innovative ministry strategies on topics such as essentials and redefining success in ministry, capitalizing with online possibilities in smaller churches, leading the presence-driven church and communication improvement
BREAKOUT WORKSHOPS
Ellen Gray - I Said This, You Heard That. Learn a simple framework that will instantly improve your communication.
Rev. Karl Vaters - Big Churches, Small Churches - What's the Difference?
Essentials and Redefining Success in Ministry
Jaime Flores & Bruce Cochran - Latino-Anglo Bridgebuilders (LAB) is focused on building healthy, open relationships between Latino and Anglo congregations
Dr. Gene Crume - Capitalizing with online possibilities in smaller churches
Attorney Sally Wagenmaker - Getting your legal house of worship in order
Roger Simmons - Managing cultural diversity and training in cultural awareness
John Piippo - Leading the presence-driven church
Rev. Meg Biddle - MinistrElife Workshop
**INTERESTED IN BEING A VENDOR? Contact Nancy Fromme- ABCGRR, 217.726.7366, nancy@abcgrr.org**
HOTEL BOOKING 2023
To book your Hilton Hotel reservation ($159/night) at one of the 3 local Hiltons with a special conference rate, book directly at the links below. Note Hilton Garden is $164/night. Hotel block rate through May 1, 2023. Not guaranteed after 5/1.
HomewoodSuites: www.my-event.hilton.com/cmihwhw-rlc-f87a19e4-f2ea-48a7-b285-dbc2c8cf2480/
Home2Suites: www.my-event.hilton.com/cmiurht-rlc-9eb1c594-00d0-48c7-bb9e-4bd5cad6e18d/
Hilton Garden Inn: www.my-event.hilton.com/cmichgi-rlc-6171fcfb-e2c3-4dde-98ad-35846dc311d5/
For Registration Questions Contact:
Nancy Fromme, ABCGRR
217.726.7366