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Training

Training Sessions

SESSION

Training sessions will be offered Tuesday, June 20 and Thursday, June 22 from 1 – 2 p.m. and 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

SPEAKER

7 Insights to Successfully
Lead a Church Through Pastoral Transition
 

When a pastor and their family leaves a church, anxiety and uncertainty enters—it can be mild, or sheer panic. How the church responds in the first 60 days following the pastor’s departure will significantly affect the life of the congregation and the probability of successfully calling the right pastor. Dr. Tom Harris brings seven insights to thrive during the pastoral transition and move into a season of greater gospel impact with your next pastor.  

Dr. Tom Harris

President, Interim Pastor Ministries, The Villages, FL 

Tom is a nationally-recognized leader in the field of Intentional Interim Ministry. He has served 11 years as the president of Interim Pastor Ministries (IPM), founded in 1990 by six EFCA district superintendents to serve and strengthen churches between pastors. Tom has helped over 600 churches receive an IPM Intentional Interim Pastor, successfully navigate their pastoral transitions and call their next pastor. In 2020, Tom released his first book, Soaring Between Pastors: Eight Actions to Thrive During Pastoral Transition. 

Child Protection Training 

We believe that child protection is important because every person is created in the image of God. Furthermore, we believe that child protection is a matter of Great Commission significance and biblical stewardship. Join us for this one-hour workshop to learn the basics of protecting children against abuse and tap into a number of resources to help your ministry protect the least of these. Start with a free assessment resource provided by the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention (ECAP) to see how your Child Protection Program (CPP) measures up. 

Jeff Dalrymple

Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention Executive Director, Atlantic Beach, FL 

Jeff Dalrymple is an organizational leader who has dedicated his life to serving Christ and His Church. Jeff has been working to support Christian ministries with abuse prevention and child protection through ECAP since 2019. Jeff is an elder at Sunrise Community Church (EFCA) in Atlantic Beach, Florida, and serves on the boards of a number of Christian ministries, including The Disciple Making Parent, The Northeast Florida Christian Chamber and Anchored Hope. Jeff is a native of southern California and worked for 10 years at Southern Seminary. He has degrees in organizational management and international relations. He and his wife Kristil have four kids and reside in Jacksonville, Florida. 

DeeDee Mayer

RelateStrong Director, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA 

DeeDee Mayer is the RelateStrong Director of the Boone Center for the Family. She is a licensed clinical social worker in California. She is currently a Doctor of Ministry Candidate at Azusa Pacific University. She has over 20 years of experience providing organizational leadership and program management in academic and community health environments. DeeDee formerly served as a co-host for Movieguide TV. She is passionate about Jesus and His Church, supporting leaders and congregations in developing strong and healthy relationships. She is a published author, regular guest on national radio programs and a sought-after public speaker.   

Considerations for Transformational Discipleship as You Minister to Your Foreign Neighbor 

Ministering to our neighbors from other cultures through the local church poses challenges and opportunities. In this workshop, we will explore how setting out to serve our neighbors from other cultures while considering their worldviews will help our churches develop attitudes and approaches that better serve them in understanding the gospel, growing in Christ and incorporating into our churches.  

Omar Rodriguez

ReachGlobal Division Leader for Latin America and Caribbean, Minneapolis, MN 

In 1993, Omar and Rebecca joined ReachGlobal as full-time missionaries serving in the Latin America and Caribbean Division. As a family, they served one year in Mexico City and 10 years in Venezuela. Omar’s primary ministry focuses are leadership development, organizational leadership, theological education and church multiplication.  As the division leader, he oversees the LAC Divisional Leadership Team where he facilitates the advancement of future ministry by developing strategic plans for the division, networking with national leaders and seeking new ministry opportunities in areas where ReachGlobal is not yet engaged. 

Creating a Disability-inclusive Culture at Church 

Do you want to create a church where those with disabilities and special needs feel welcome? This workshop explains the benefits of a disability and special needs-inclusive church culture, with practical tips about launching a ministry and implementing strategies (both ministry leaders and volunteers). 

Jolene Philo

Author, National Speaker and Disability Advocate, Johnston Free Church, Johnston, IA 

Jolene Philo grew up in a caregiving family and raised a son with medical special needs. As a teacher, she created an inclusive classroom for children with disabilities for 25 years. She has written several books for the special needs and disability community, including Does My Child Have PTSD? and Sharing Love Abundantly with Special Needs Families: The 5 Love Languages® for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities. She hosts an award-winning blog, DifferentDream.com, for parents caring for children with disabilities and special needs. 

Credentialing Overview: A Critical Way to Ensure Doctrinal Fidelity and Moral Faithfulness in the EFCA 

In the EFCA, credentialing is critical because it is one of the primary ways of safeguarding doctrinal and theological integrity as well as denominational alignment. Additionally, credentialing is one of the ways of ensuring accountability for pastors and ministers, especially in today’s culture where doctrinal integrity is questioned and the misuse of the pastoral role has caused harm. In this session, we will learn about credentialing, the process and its importance, for pastors, ministers and the church. All are welcome, as there is much to learn about credentialing in the EFCA.

Greg Strand

Executive Director, Theology and Credentialing, EFCA National Office, Minneapolis, MN 

Greg serves as executive director of theology and credentialing for the EFCA at the national office in Minneapolis, MN. In this role, Greg provides oversight and input to the Board of Ministerial Standing, serves as chair of the Spiritual Heritage Committee, Theological-Missiological Advisory Council and plans the Theology Conference. Additionally, he helps pastors, leaders and churches think through issues biblically, theologically and pastorally. Greg is married to Karen, and father to three adult children, all married. He is also a grandpa to five. Greg likes to run, bike, hike and camp. 

Developing and Empowering God’s People to Have Healing Conversations 

Do you have a heart for the hurting, scared and broken? Learn how to aid in processing the emotional, physical and spiritual trauma that follows a crisis with an easy, three-step method to help hurting individuals begin the healing journey and learn how to help those impacted by trauma to experience the hope and restoration that can only come through a relationship with Jesus.

Katrina Welch

Director of Trauma Care, EFCA ReachGlobal Crisis Response, Minneapolis, MN 

Katrina (Kat) has been full-time with EFCA ReachGlobal Crisis Response since 2013 and has served as the director of trauma care since 2020.  She served as site leader following “Superstorm Sandy” in New York, Hurricane Harvey in Texas, Hurricanes Laura and Delta in Louisiana and Hurricane Ian in Florida. In this role, Kat leads teams of volunteers and directs trauma care efforts as homes and lives are rebuilt in an area of devastation. She has also lead teams in the Middle East serving Syrian refugees, doing trauma care in Nepal after the massive earthquake in 2015 and, most recently, by providing support to the missionary and refugee communities impacted by the war in Ukraine. Kat’s passion lies in meeting the emotional and spiritual needs of individuals and equipping others to engage in conversations that promote healing in the aftermath of crisis.

Gail DeGray

Trauma Care Associate, EFCA ReachGlobal Crisis Response, Minneapolis, MN 

Gail DeGray has served as the lead pastor’s wife at Trinity Fellowship in Friendswood, Texas, for almost thirty years. Hurricane Harvey devastated her church and community, and through that experience Gail learned the value of bringing emotional and spiritual support to people who have been impacted by disaster. As a member of the EFCA ReachGlobal Crisis Response Care Team, Gail’s desire is to help people process their crisis and point them to the help, hope and healing that only Jesus can offer. 

EFCA History, Theology and Polity 

The EFCA History, Theology and Polity course is required for all being credentialed and is helpful for those seeking to know more about the EFCA. We focus on our history, polity (congregationalism), doctrine (our Statement of Faith), missionary outreach and current trends. We hope you leave this class encouraged to be a part of the EFCA, as you learn of God’s faithfulness to us and our desire to remain faithful to God and His Word. This course takes place over all four training sessions during EFCA One as well as all day on Friday, June 23, after the conference is over. Only register for this session if you will attend all required hours of training.

Greg Strand

Executive Director, Theology and Credentialing, EFCA National Office, Minneapolis, MN 

Greg serves as executive director of theology and credentialing for the EFCA at the national office in Minneapolis, MN. In this role, Greg provides oversight and input to the Board of Ministerial Standing, serves as chair of the Spiritual Heritage Committee, Theological-Missiological Advisory Council and plans the Theology Conference. Additionally, he helps pastors, leaders and churches think through issues biblically, theologically and pastorally. Greg is married to Karen, and father to three adult children, all married. He is also a grandpa to five. Greg likes to run, bike, hike and camp.

Dr. David Gustafson

Chair of the Mission and Evangelism Department Professor of Evangelism and Missional Ministry, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL 

Dr. Gustafson joined the faculty at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 2012. Previously, he served twenty-five years in ministry, first as campus director with Cru at Fresno State University in California and then as pastor in two EFCA churches in the Great Lakes District. 

Prior to Trinity, he taught courses in Christianity at the University of Houston and practical ministries at Houston Graduate School of Theology. He and his wife, Sharon, have four children, and he enjoys bicycling, backpacking and cooking stir-fry.

Effective, Empowering Elder Boards 

Passages of Scripture like 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, Acts 20 and 1 Peter 5 describe the character qualities of the senior leaders of the local church, but only Acts 6 gives a picture of how a church board works. Remembering that the book of Acts is descriptive and not prescriptive, we will look for timeless truths to give us insights into an effective, empowering elder board.

Dr. Rick Thompson

Great Lakes District Superintendent, Osceola, IN 

Rick Thompson has served as the Great Lakes District superintendent since 2004. Before that, he invested seven years in Texas as an EFCA superintendent, five years with ReachGlobal in Moscow, Russia, with his family of five and 13 years as the senior pastor of Hope Evangelical Free Church in Dubuque, IA.  He is the author of five books, including Wild Goose Honks and E:3 Effective, Empowering Elders available from Next Step Resources.  

Extending Gospel Ministry Through Holistic Care for Immigrants 

There is a great missional opportunity for churches that bring compassion and justice to the lives of immigrants in their community. Caring for the vulnerable physically, emotionally and socially is part of the church’s mission—and the gateway to effective gospel ministry.

Ben Johnson

Director, Immigrant Hope, Minneapolis, MN 

Ben Johnson is the director of Immigrant Hope, and works to train, support and coach staff at church-based immigration legal aid programs across the U.S. Ben is also an immigration legal counselor at the Immigrant Hope office in Bloomington, MN. Before that, he was part of the team that founded Immigrant Hope in Brooklyn, New York, providing family-based immigration legal services in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn from 2011 to 2013. Ben also serves on the All People Team for the Evangelical Free Church of America, identifying people groups that have been under-resourced or excluded from EFCA churches and ministries, then allocates resources, shares best practices and advocates for structural changes to correct the under-representation. He lives in Crystal, MN with his wife, Sarah, and three sons.

Tim Isaacson

Executive Director, Immigrant Hope, Atlanta, GA 

Tim Isaacson is an ordained pastor in the EFCA and the executive director of Immigrant Hope in Atlanta. He is married to Heather and has two college-aged sons. 

Karla Can

Legal Director, Immigrant Hope, Santa Barbara, CA

Karla Can has been the legal director of Immigrant Hope Santa Barbara for two years and accredited representative for seven years, helping immigrant families understand the complexities of the U.S. immigration system. Being the first generation in her immigrant family to graduate from University of California, San Diego, God has called her to serve and love the immigrant neighbors in the community and from other parts of the world. Along with advocating for immigrant families, Karla also trains and equips others in their journey towards accreditation so they can serve their immigrant neighbors.

Introducing Prepared: An EFCA Equipping Program for Women 

Prepared is a two-year equipping program for women in the EFCA. In this session, recent graduates of the first cohort will share ways they have been better equipped to use their gifts in Kingdom ministry and several instructors who developed the courses will be available to answer questions. This is an excellent opportunity for all ministry leaders to hear about the vision and program structure of Prepared and learn how they, or women in their churches, might get involved.

Deb Hinkel

Director of Spiritual Formation and Family Ministry, Hershey Free Church, Hershey, PA 

Deb has a passion for spiritual formation and a deep desire to see women prepared to use their gifts for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Ministry Leadership from Lancaster Bible College, where she taught for 12 years in the Church and Ministry Leadership department, overseeing the Women in Ministry Leadership Program and creating the Children and Family Ministry and Spiritual Formation and Discipleship programs. Deb is part of the leadership team working to create the Prepared program and also serves as one of the instructors.

Dr. Pam MacRae

Professor of Ministry to Women and Ministry to Victims of Sexual Exploitation, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, IL 

Pam has been involved in ministry to women in both church and parachurch settings for over 30 years. She served on the women’s ministry board at First Evangelical Free Church in Rockford, Illinois, for over 18 years. Pam is a professor at Moody Bible Institute where she oversees the Ministry to Women and Ministry to Victims of Sexual Exploitation majors. Pam earned her Masters of Arts in Ministry from Moody Theological Seminary and her Doctor of Ministry from Bethel Seminary. Pam serves on the Prepared leadership team and is one of the instructors. 

Leverage Points: Short-term Missions Strategy That Impacts the World and Transforms Your People 

Short-term missions have gotten a bad name over the last few years. Church groups and individuals want to be a part of God’s work here and around the world, but an uniformed, unprepared and unknowing participant or groups can do more harm than good to our missionaries and their long-term efforts.  Join us for a frank and informative discussion on how to build a short-term mission strategy that not only supports gospel ministry but helps participants grow in their faith and stay involved in missions for a lifetime.

David Boerema

Director, Apex Missions, Minneapolis, MN 

David has served in in local church student ministry within the EFCA for 20 years and now serves as the lead director for Apex, the EFCA’s next-generation mobilization pipeline. When not traveling with Apex, you can find David and his wife Shawna exploring the U.S. with their RV in pursuit of the next grand adventure. David and Shawna live in Pennsylvania with their two sons, Tyler and Will.  

Overwhelm to Anhedonia: Emotional Health for Ministry Leaders 

Ministry has always been challenging, but over the past few years it just got harder. The good news is that most leaders experience similar challenges to their emotional health—and if you know how to understand and frame your experience well, you can continue to thrive and flourish. We will look at the current challenges that leaders face regarding their emotional health and practical options for what steps you can take next if (or when) you experience them.

Dr. Michael Bischof

Founder & President, SOULeader Resources, Foothill Ranch, CA 

Dr. Michael G. Bischof is founder and president of SOULeader Resources, an interdenominational ministry founded in 2000. After experiencing the pain of ministry and ending up in eight months of clinical depression, Michael sensed a call to come alongside Christian leaders to bring encouragement and resources that would help them finish well. Michael uses his experience both nationally and internationally through coaching, consulting, training and writing in many types of organizations such as churches, non-profits, denominations, seminaries, mission agencies and businesses. He has spent over 30 years pastoring and leading in multiple churches and para-church organizations, and serves as an adjunct professor at several seminaries. 

Planter Health: Caring for Your Family While Planting 

Whether you’re currently planting a church or in the beginning stages of considering planting as a next step, caring for your family is likely on the top of your list of priorities. Join this interactive session discussing practical ways to serve both the church and your family as well as how to appropriately involve your family in planting. The trainers will share the ways they have seen the gospel be good news for their family in the highs and lows of planting and encourage you as your trust God with your next steps.

Aaron and Becky Morrow

Director of Care, ReachNetwork, Minneapolis, MN 

Aaron and Becky Morrow serve as the care directors for ReachNetwork. Aaron focuses on creating systems for planters so they can start healthy, gospel-centered churches throughout the nation, and Becky focuses on church planting wives. Aaron and Becky planted River City Church in Dubuque, Iowa in 2016, where they are raising their three teenage daughters: Leah, Maggie and Gracie. 

Planting a Church Among Hispanics and Starting a Second Service in Spanish 

In this training session, we will review biblical and practical principles to plant a church among Hispanics or to start a second service in Spanish. A panel will present models of partnership for the multiplication of Hispanic congregations from our EFCA districts settings. 

Ricardo Palmerin

Great Lakes District Hispanic Ministries Director, Aurora, IL 

Ricardo Palmerin is a pastor, Great Lakes District Hispanic ministries director and the Hispanic ministry coordinator for the EFCA’s All People Initiative.

Alex Rivero

EFCA West All People Ministry Director, Newbury Park, CA 

Alex Rivero is the pastor of The Bridge (EFCA) in Newbury Park, California, and All People ministries director for EFCA West. 

Relational Partnering with ReachGlobal 

This session is an opportunity to discover more about partnering opportunities with ReachGlobal, the international mission of the EFCA. ReachGlobal’s focus statement reads, “We invest in disciplemakers where the gospel isn’t known.” Join ReachGlobal leaders for a conversation about how mutual, relational partnerships between your church and ReachGlobal support that focus and further God’s kingdom as we go make disciples of all nations.

Brian Duggan

Executive Vice President of International Ministries, EFCA, Minneapolis, MN 

Brian and his wife Cathi have served in ReachGlobal since 2007. They lived in Latin America for 10 years as Brian led the work of ReachGlobal in that region, moving back to the states in 2017. In early 2019, Brian became the executive vice president of international ministries, serving the EFCA president as the leader of all ReachGlobal ministries. Brian and Cathi have four grown children and two grandchildren.

Amy Richey

Executive Director, ReachGlobal Global Equipping, Minneapolis, MN 

Amy has served in ReachGlobal since 2009. She lived in Kyiv, Ukraine for seven years, where she led the city team there. She moved back to the U.S. to lead Global Equipping’s community development team in 2016 and became the executive director of Global Equipping in 2018. Amy lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

Renewal Orientation and Sabbatical Planning 

Spiritual renewal and deep rest—physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, relational—does not happen without thoughtful preparation, community and open-handedness to allow God to lead and direct. If it has been five to seven years since you have had a time of spiritual renewal, now is an excellent time to begin preparation. The focus of our time will be framing a plan of deep rest and renewal.

John Westrum

EFCA ReachGlobal Director of Home Assignment (Retired), Minneapolis, MN

John and Judy both learned about growing in a relationship with Jesus through a campus ministry. Now, more than 50 years later, John continues to learn about resting in Jesus, drawing near to the Father, and becoming the man God created him to be. John and Judy have been married 47 years. The Westrums lived in Europe with EFCA ReachGlobal for 17 years, leading and serving 11 different teams in seven countries. The last two years, serving as director of home assignment, John has been coaching ReachGlobal staff on renewing spiritually, retooling and reconnecting with churches. Renewal orientation is one area that John and Judy train ReachGlobal staff. They look forward to sharing principles and resources for planning and taking a time of deep rest. 

Judy Westrum

EFCA ReachGlobal Resource Specialist, Minneapolis, MN 

John and Judy both learned about growing in a relationship with Jesus through a campus ministry. Now, more than 50 years later, John continues to learn about resting in Jesus, drawing near to the Father, and becoming the man God created him to be. John and Judy have been married 47 years. The Westrums lived in Europe with EFCA ReachGlobal for 17 years, leading and serving 11 different teams in seven countries. The last two years, serving as director of home assignment, John has been coaching ReachGlobal staff on renewing spiritually, retooling and reconnecting with churches. Renewal orientation is one area that John and Judy train ReachGlobal staff. They look forward to sharing principles and resources for planning and taking a time of deep rest. 

Succession Planning: It’s Not Too Early to Start Now! 

Succession is something to talk about. This session will provide attendees with needed information and encouragement to begin succession planning now, rather than waiting for an unplanned vacancy or a leader’s retirement becoming imminent. This session is designed for lead/senior pastors, ministry staff and church board members. 

Bob Osborne

Director of Church Health, EFCA West 

Bob Osborne has been a church leader and elder for over 30 years. He served 38 years with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, retiring as a commander in the Homeland Security Division. He has served since 2013 as director of church health for EFCA West, strengthening churches by equipping and coaching church leaders and helping them navigate the (sometimes rough) waters of church leadership. 

The Future of Ministry: Discovering the 21st Century Church 

We have entered the third decade of the 21st century and the shape of an effective 21st-century church is beginning to reveal itself. In this session, we will answer the question, “What are the characteristics of a thriving 21st century church?”

Steve Pike

Founder, Next Wave Community, Denver, CO 

Steve Pike serves as the catalyst for the Next Wave Virtual Community, an online community of church leaders committed to being with Jesus on His Mission in the challenging 21st century context. He is also the president and founder of Urban Islands Project, serves as an executive coach with Church Multiplication Partners and is part of the coaching/consulting team at The Anser Group. Prior to taking on his current responsibilities, Steve was the founding director of the Church Multiplication Network (CMN), serving church multipliers to effectively equip, strategically fund and innovatively network new faith communities in America. Steve is the author of Next Wave: Discovering the 21st Century Church and Total Fitness For Your Church, and he co-authored Leading Church Multiplication with Tom Nebel. Steve’s passion for church multiplication began in 1989 when he and his wife, Cherri, pioneered a new church that became the catalyst of a church planting movement in the state of Utah that continues to this day. The Pikes make their home in Denver, Colorado. They are blessed to be the parents of Lindsy and Jeremy and the grandparents of Myles, Koen, Wesley and James.  

The Righteous Will Live by Faith: Subversive Justice in the Book of Habakkuk 

“Non-Christian religions,” writes one, “are essentially an idolatrous refashioning of divine revelation, which are antithetical and yet parasitic on Christian truth, and of which the gospel of Jesus Christ is the ‘subversive fulfilment’.” The truth of the gospel both confronts alternative religious worldviews and provides answers to the questions other religions raise and cannot answer. Justice is one of those issues. The goal in this session is to provide a rereading of the entire Book of Habakkuk to challenge the secular notion of “justice” that focuses merely on fairness understood on a social plane.

Dr. David Pao

Dean and Professor of New Testament Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL 

Prior to joining the faculty at Trinity, Dr. Pao taught at Harvard University as a Teaching Fellow in the area of Greco-Roman World and Early Christianity. He has also served as a visiting professor at several institutions in Hong Kong, China, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Dr. Pao is also involved in a number of Bible translation projects, and he is currently serving as the New Testament editor of the Tien Dao Bible Commentary series and consulting editor of the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary series. 

Theological and Ecclesiological Tendencies, Trends and Trajectories 

We are encouraged to “watch your life and doctrine closely” (1 Tim 4:16). We are “to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). We are to be approved workmen, one who “correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15). And from this foundation, we build up the body of Christ “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” (Eph 4:14). In this session, we will address ways in which doctrinal truth is being affirmed in broader evangelicalism as well as ways doctrine is being questioned, undermined or denied. 

Greg Strand

Executive Director, Theology and Credentialing, EFCA National Office, Minneapolis, MN 

Greg serves as executive director of theology and credentialing for the EFCA at the national office in Minneapolis, MN. In this role, Greg provides oversight and input to the Board of Ministerial Standing, serves as chair of the Spiritual Heritage Committee, Theological-Missiological Advisory Council and plans the Theology Conference. Additionally, he helps pastors, leaders and churches think through issues biblically, theologically and pastorally. Greg is married to Karen, and father to three adult children, all married. He is also a grandpa to five. Greg likes to run, bike, hike and camp. 

Three Gaps Hindering Your Church’s Work 

With the best of intentions, churches may embrace practices, language or priorities that hinder congregants from connecting faith in Christ to all of life. The good news is that with honest reflection and intentionality, churches can pursue a better path, prioritizing language and habits that help people live more integrated lives. In this session, Matt Rusten, former pastor at Blackhawk Church and current executive director at Made to Flourish, will unpack three gaps churches must address if they want to help their congregations live more seamlessly, connecting faith to where they spend most of their time, at work.

Matt Rusten

Executive Director, Made to Flourish, Kansas City, MO 

Matt Rusten serves as the executive director for Made to Flourish. Matt received his Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and has served in churches in North Dakota, the Chicago area, Kansas City and most recently as pastor of spiritual formation at Blackhawk Church in Madison, Wisconsin. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Faith, Work, Economics and Vocation at Fuller Theological Seminary. Matt and his wife, Margi, along with their daughter, Olivia, and son, Owen, live in Kansas. 

Women in Ministry: An Expanded Kingdom View  

God gifts and calls women in a variety of ways to Kingdom work. This workshop equips women in the church to explore God’s call to expand His Kingdom by pursuing ministry beyond the church’s walls. Gain practical ministry skills from a panel of women who are answering the call.

Katie Dudgeon

Director of Strategic Ministry, EFCA West, San Clemente, CA 

Katie serves as the director of strategic ministry for EFCA West. Prior to that she served with ReachGlobal in Europe for 10 years, primarily helping leaders reach their cities through strategic outreach and church planting. She has also served on the local church level, at the EFCA national office and on multiple church planting teams.

April Warfield

Director of Multicultural Ministries, EFCA National Office, Minneapolis, MN 

April serves as director of multicultural ministries with the EFCA. In this role, she develops and implements strategic partnerships and collaborative pathways for multicultural leaders to become engaged in districts, local congregations, and community partners. She has also served as executive director in Los Angeles non-profit organizations focused on youth and community development. April is committed to crossing cultures and building community for the sake of the gospel.

Diane Martinez

Director, Immigrant Hope, Santa Barbara, CA 

Diane Martinez is director of Immigrant Hope in Santa Barbara since 2012 where she lives and works among the immigrant population in her city.  She has served on the EFCA Board of Directors for the past six years and has served in other capacities in the church, including children’s, women’s and compassion ministries.  Her degree is in Early Childhood Education.  She has been married to Craig since 2001 and has two adult sons and three grandchildren.  She loves to walk on the beaches in the early morning, cook, read and spend time with her family.   

Walking Alongside People Struggling with Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression

There is an epidemic of anxiety and depression in our society and in our church communities. How can Christian leaders best support people who are feeling alone in their experience? How can we create a safe space for people to share their pain without fear of judgment or shame? This session will provide practical guidance that can help Christian leaders be with hurting people in a manner that offers hope and healing.

Roxanne Strauss

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 

Roxanne is a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice located in San Diego, California. Her focus is trauma, anxiety and depression. She has been a guest lecturer at Bethel Seminary, San Diego and Pacific Theological Seminary and assists with trainings for therapists learning Internal Family Systems (IFS), an evidenced-based model of psychotherapy. She is married to Mark Strauss, professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary, and they have three young adult children, a daughter-in-law and a soon-to-be son-in-law.

Cultivate Cohort: Refresh the Vision for Your Church and Community

ReachNetwork’s Cultivate Cohort can help your church develop a unique missional strategy, cast a clear and compelling vision to impact your area for Jesus and develop an intentional map to make disciples. In this training, you will begin to use one of the practical tools from the cohort to better understand the needs of the people that live within a short drive from your church.

Glen Stevens

ReachNetwork Church Development Director 

Glen Stevens has served with ReachNetwork since 2022 as the director of the Church Development System where he assists EFCA district leaders in their ministry to established churches. He served as the senior pastor of an EFCA church plant in Minnesota for 13 years and served as senior pastor in an established church in North Dakota for 10 more. In addition to his role with ReachNetwork, Glen founded a coaching company serving business leaders and is engaged in innovative approaches to church planting to reach the disinterested and skeptical. He and his wife Jill live in Fargo, North Dakota and have four adult children.

The Missionary Mindset in Europe and the U.S.

Missionaries and churches can learn from one another to better serve their partners, congregants, neighborhoods and communities. Join the ReachGlobal Europe division leadership for a discussion-based session about how ReachGlobal missionaries in Europe can learn from U.S. churches and how U.S. churches can benefit from what missionaries in Europe are learning in their context.

Todd Hiltibran

ReachGlobal Europe Division Leader

Todd Hiltibran has served as the International Leader for ReachGlobal Europe Division since 2015. Todd and his family have lived in Europe for over 25 years, including nine years in Poland as a church planter. He enjoys conversations about strategy, culture and how our Father is shaping our hearts. Todd and his wife, Kristi, currently live in Budapest, Hungary where Kristi serves as the director of the International Christian School of Budapest.

Testimony and Sexual Identity: False Identity

Dr. Christopher Yuan articulates a biblical view of sexuality through the narrative of his personal transformation from an agnostic gay man to a Bible professor. He will also share that one of the most important things missed when engaging with our LGB friends is how sexuality has become the core of our being. “Being gay” means “This is who I am.” But if this is incorrect, how does the Bible communicate who we are? Dr. Yuan points out the correct understanding of personhood through the lens of Scripture—particularly, the image of God and the doctrine of sin—and explains the consequences of an incorrect understanding of who we are. 

Christopher Yuan

Speaker and Bible Professor

Dr. Christopher Yuan is a highly sought-after expert whose book, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel, was named 2020 book of the year for social issues by Outreach Magazine. Dr. Yuan casts a compelling vision of not identifying with our sexuality, but embracing Christ and living out Holy Sexuality, which shatters the secular paradigms of gay and straight.

Dr. Yuan graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2005 and received a master’s degree in biblical exegesis in 2007 and a doctorate of ministry in 2014. He taught the Bible at Moody Bible Institute for 12 years and his speaking ministry on faith and sexuality has reached five continents.

Christopher has also produced The Holy Sexuality Project video series for parents and their teens. It is a first-of-its-kind resource to help parents and grandparents to empower their teens to understand, embrace, and celebrate biblical sexuality.

FCMM

SESSION

FCMM training sessions will be offered Tuesday, June 20 and Thursday, June 22 from 1 – 2 p.m. and 2:30 – 3:30 p.m., each running 30 minutes.

SPEAKER

A 30-Minute Guide to Life After Paychecks 

Providing for post-employment life can be a lot of work. A look at the various matters of planning for income, Social Security, Medicare and timing may help inform some choices.

Jerry Rich

Vice President, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Before his 12 years with FCMM, Jerry served as a solo pastor, assistant pastor, hospital manager, administrative pastor and executive pastor. He cares deeply about integrity and stewardship in finances, along with pastoral care and teaching. 

Considering Opting Out of Social Security? Critical Issues to Consider 

No later than their first two years of religious income, ministers may opt out of receiving social benefits (such as Social Security, Medicare and benefits for spouse and minors) and not paying the associated payroll taxes. However, making such a decision is to be based only on conscientious theological objection and not on financial reasons. What should a minister take into account when weighing a decision?

Jerry Rich

Vice President, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Before his 12 years with FCMM, Jerry served as a solo pastor, assistant pastor, hospital manager, administrative pastor and executive pastor. He cares deeply about integrity and stewardship in finances, along with pastoral care and teaching. 

Rev. Ric Stanghelle

President, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Following 32 years as a church planter and senior pastor, Ric became President of FCMM in 2017. During his pastoral years, he served for 22 years on the FCMM Board of Trustees. A focus of his recent years has been financial health for pastors. 

Essentials for Minister Compensation (Housing Allowance and SECA) 

Under IRS guidelines, ministers are compensated differently than other church staff. This review will cover the essentials and suggest some important principles for organizing pay, including why a church should pay ministers the equivalent of employer-paid FICA.

Jerry Rich

Vice President, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Before his 12 years with FCMM, Jerry served as a solo pastor, assistant pastor, hospital manager, administrative pastor and executive pastor. He cares deeply about integrity and stewardship in finances, along with pastoral care and teaching. 

FCMM Benefit Plan: Providing Insurance for Disability and Life 

FCMM offers a benefit plan for churches and staff that includes disability insurance coverage (long-term and optional short-term) and levels of life insurance. The plan is designed specifically for churches. If a disability or death occurs, the benefit payments help the staff member with financial needs and give the church flexibility of resources to continue to fulfill ministry responsibilities.

Jerry Rich

Vice President, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Before his 12 years with FCMM, Jerry served as a solo pastor, assistant pastor, hospital manager, administrative pastor and executive pastor. He cares deeply about integrity and stewardship in finances, along with pastoral care and teaching. 

FCMM Retirement Plan: Getting Started Early, and Continuing 

This session will give an overview of pointers on how a church can best use the Retirement Plan as a benefit, and how staff members can get started.

Rev. Ric Stanghelle

President, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Following 32 years as a church planter and senior pastor, Ric became President of FCMM in 2017. During his pastoral years, he served for 22 years on the FCMM Board of Trustees. A focus of his recent years has been financial health for pastors.

Jeff Englin

Manager of Advisory Services, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Jeff is credentialed as an Accredited Investment Fiduciary and has served as a wealth management consultant with special attention to investment advising. For eight years, Jeff provided limited consultation to FCMM Retirement Plan members while advising other employers as well. In 2016, he joined FCMM full-time and exclusively advises FCMM participants at no charge. 

Financial Health for Pastors 

This session will review of the current status of pastoral financial health and suggestions for both churches and pastors.

Rev. Ric Stanghelle

President, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Following 32 years as a church planter and senior pastor, Ric became President of FCMM in 2017. During his pastoral years, he served for 22 years on the FCMM Board of Trustees. A focus of his recent years has been financial health for pastors.

Investing and Planning in the Middle Years 

This session will focus on investment principles and strategies for the challenging years of handling family needs while setting aside for the future.

Jeff Englin

Manager of Advisory Services, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Jeff is credentialed as an Accredited Investment Fiduciary and has served as a wealth management consultant with special attention to investment advising. For eight years, Jeff provided limited consultation to FCMM Retirement Plan members while advising other employers as well. In 2016, he joined FCMM full-time and exclusively advises FCMM participants at no charge. 

Planning in the Later Years: Near Retirement 

This training session will focus on investment and planning principles for the later working years in order to prepare well.

Jeff Englin

Manager of Advisory Services, FCMM, Minneapolis, MN 

Jeff is credentialed as an Accredited Investment Fiduciary and has served as a wealth management consultant with special attention to investment advising. For eight years, Jeff provided limited consultation to FCMM Retirement Plan members while advising other employers as well. In 2016, he joined FCMM full-time and exclusively advises FCMM participants at no charge. 

June 20-22, 2023

Contact

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Minneapolis, MN 55420
(800) 745-2202
EFCAOne@efca.org

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