Dear RENEW.org Network Friends,
You and the people in your church long to live fully for God. You desire to be empowered by the Holy Spirit, to become more like Jesus, and to reach those who do not yet know Him. You want the real thing—authentic, transformative discipleship that changes lives and multiplies churches.
Yet on a day-in, day-out basis, it is far too easy to lose focus. You begin with strong intentions, but life’s demands can cause you and your church to lose steam. Before long, progress stalls. Discouragement sets in.
Many leaders and churches find themselves stuck in routines that no longer ignite passion or produce fruit.
That is why we are so excited to invite you to the 2027 National Gathering! This gathering is designed to help you and your church move into the best season yet of spiritual growth, renewed vision, and practical equipping. Under the theme “Devoted,” we will return to the powerful pattern of the early church in Acts 2:42-47.
Two times in the five verses, God inspired Luke to use the word “devoted.”
The Greek word for “devoted”—προσκαρτερέω (proskartereō)—means to be strong toward something with steadfast persistence. It is not occasional interest or half-hearted effort. It is wholehearted, enduring commitment that shapes every part of church life.
At our 2027 National Gathering, we will explore what this kind of devotion looks like in today’s world and how the four essential practices in Acts 2:42-47 can transform your ministry.
1. The Word – Apostles’ Teaching
Scripture is the Word of God. We cannot objectively know the truths we need about God and how we are to obey Him apart from the apostles’ teaching. Yet too many churches and leaders over-emphasize knowledge at the expense of transformation. At the Gathering, you will discover how to make God’s Word the vibrant, central engine of disciple making. Through powerful teaching, workshops, and discussion, you’ll gain tools to help your people not just know the Bible, but live it—fueling obedience, maturity, and multiplication across generations (2 Timothy 2:2).
2. The Fellowship – the People of God
Relationships are essential in disciple making. Jesus’ method, above all, was relational. In the Gospels, He spent most of the time walking, talking, eating, and experiencing life with His disciples. True fellowship (koinonia) goes far beyond surface-level connections. It means deep sharing, accountability, generosity, and doing life together as the family of God. You will leave the Gathering with practical strategies to build life-giving discipling groups and church culture where people truly belong, grow, and multiply as devoted followers of Jesus.
3. The Spirit – Prayer and the Breaking of Bread
The early church devoted themselves to prayer and communion with God, and so must we. In a busy, distracted world, prayer is often the first thing to slip. At the Gathering, we will fan the flames of personal and corporate prayer. You will learn fresh ways to lead your church into persistent, expectant prayer that aligns with the way of the apostles and invites the power of the Spirit.
4. The Mission – Seek and Save the Lost
Jesus’ final words in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) must rank among our highest priorities: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” People are eternally lost without a saving relationship with Jesus. Every person still far from Him desperately needs guidance that comes from genuine relationships of trust with intentional Christians. We all must be disciples and help make disciples.
At the end of our lives, nothing else will compare in importance to two simple questions: Were we true disciples of Jesus? and Did we love our family, friends, and neighbors enough to help them become true disciples of Jesus?
Nothing captures this better than the apostle Paul’s heartfelt words in 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 (NLT): “After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy.”
This is the beautiful, eternal mission before us. Let it ignite fresh passion in your heart today. May we live as devoted disciples who pour our lives into others, so that when Jesus returns, we stand together—our greatest joy, our shared crown—as a multitude of faithful followers who loved well and multiplied His kingdom.
The harvest is ready. Let’s devote ourselves to the mission that matters most.
Join us at the 2027 Renew National Gathering. True DEVOTION changes everything. When churches devote themselves to these four practices, the results are remarkable: awe-inspiring signs of God’s presence, radical generosity, favor with outsiders, and daily additions of new believers (Acts 2:42-47).
Past Gathering attendees have returned home with renewed energy, clearer vision, and reproducible tools that have transformed their disciple-making cultures. This is not just another conference. It is a holy gathering of leaders who refuse to settle for less than the New Testament pattern. You will worship, learn, connect, and be sent out with fresh fire to lead devoted churches.
Mark your calendars and register today at RENEW.org. Early-bird pricing is available now, and space is limited. Bring your leadership team—you will not want to miss this!
Together, let’s become the devoted people God is calling us to be. Let’s build churches that are steadfast in the apostles’ teaching, authentic in fellowship, joyful at the table, and powerful in prayer.
We can’t wait to see you in 2027!
