Conferences & Gatherings brings together coverage of key events that encourage, equip, and connect church leaders and ministry teams. Explore previews, recaps, highlights, and interviews from conferences, conventions, workshops, and regional gatherings—along with updates on schedules, themes, speakers, and opportunities for training and networking. Whether you’re planning to attend, looking for takeaways, or tracking major developments across the church and the Restoration Movement, this hub helps you stay informed and engaged with the gatherings shaping ministry today.
March 27, 2026
David Empson invites readers to ICOM 2026 in St. Louis with one word: celebrate. He highlights key missions and Restoration milestones and calls the church to gather for encouragement, unity, and renewed commitment to the Great Commission.
February 23, 2026
Since 1995, the National Preaching Summit has focused specifically on preaching. Learn the event’s history, leadership, and 2026 theme, plus details for the March 9-10 gathering at The Creek in Indianapolis.
September 23, 2025
The board of the ICOM recently announced the upcoming retirement of executive director David Empson and the search for a new leader of this ministry.
I’ve been asked to reflect on some of the seemingly small ministry practices that have a way of compounding in remarkable results over time. My list is long, but I will share what might be the top three habits for meaningful ministry in today’s difficult context.
Here are 10 ideas to help you deal with discouragement in ministry. If you’re currently struggling with discouragement, I hope you try at least one or two of these and find them helpful.
January 28, 2025
An abundance of opportunities exist for fellowship, intellectual advancement and worship that goes far beyond your normal church activities.
January 21, 2025
Denford Chizanga of The Africa Development Mission Trust will serve as the president of the 2025 ICOM gathering in Atlanta.
"The ICOM 2024 theme of 'Entrusted' comes from 2 Timothy 2:2," 2024 president Andrew Jit shares. "Jesus has entrusted to us the best news, the gospel, and we are called to preach and proclaim it to those around us, both in our Jerusalem and to the ends of the earth." . . .
The lineup of speakers has been set for this fall’s International Conference On Missions, which will take place Nov. 14-16 in Lexington, Ky. The theme this year is “Entrusted.” . . . Plus briefs from Ozark Christian College, Exponential, and the Northwest Christian Convention.
December 8, 2023
The National Preaching Summit will gather at The Creek in Indianapolis on March 11-12, 2024, to explore the theme, “Undivided: Preaching Unity in Turbulent Times.” . . .
December 4, 2023
Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Mo., will host its Preaching-Teaching Convention Feb. 19-21. The gathering, which is designed “to help leaders lead better longer,” will feature main sessions, worship, and workshops. This year's theme: “Among the Lions: Trusting in God When You’re Trapped in Babylon.” . . .
November 21, 2023
While traveling home from the 2023 International Conference on Missions—which finished up Saturday in Oklahoma City—ICOM Executive Director David Empson said he kept track of his messages. He said he was pleased with what he was hearing. . . .
November 14, 2023
When the 2023 International Conference on Missions opens this week in Oklahoma City, it will do so with high hopes—and in a place ICOM hasn’t been in 50 years. The theme this year is “Hope for the Nations.” Stephanie Freed of Rapha International is serving as president . . .
January 17, 2023
Kairos Benevolence Fund and International Conference on Missions are combining to “jointly power” Pressing On: A Conference of Encouragement for Ministers and Missionaries, set for May 9 to 11. The conference's goal is to encourage ministers to do what Paul describes in Philippians . . . “press on.”
January 9, 2023
In anticipation of this year's International Conference On Missions, we asked 2023 president Stephanie Garman Freed to share a bit about herself, the ministry she co-founded, Rapha International, and to explain how that is helping to shape her vision and focus for this year’s conference.
December 20, 2022
ICOM is selling five "portable church" boxes.
November 23, 2022
The International Conference On Missions shared some statistics from its recent gathering, Nov. 3-5, in Columbus, Ohio. Also, Russell Noble has published his first book, "Parson to Person."
November 7, 2022
Judging from the reaction of kids and adults last week in Columbus, Ohio, the annual International Conference on Missions is connecting with a new generation to take the gospel to all nations!
September 30, 2022
This week, more than 1,000 leaders from our Restoration Movement tribe gathered in Orlando, Fla., for the fourth-annual SpireConference. Of course, this was not the only thing occurring in Florida this week. Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwest Florida at about 3 p.m. Wednesday, on Day Two of Spire’s scheduled three-day gathering. . . .
August 29, 2022
Kairos Benevolence Fund and the International Conference on Missions are partnering to provide encouragement and support to those who have given their lives in service to Christ.
March 27, 2026
Rick Cherok
March 27, 2026
David Empson
March 27, 2026
David Faust