Announcing the 2026 RENEW.org National Gathering, April 21-22 at Southeast Christian Church.

Dear RENEW.org Network Leaders,

Does it really matter what you believe?

Our answer is a resounding yes.

Yet are all hills worth dying on?

No.

• Some people want your church to widen the gate when it comes to ___.
• Some people want your church to come out swinging against ___.
• Some people want your church to focus more on ___ than ___.

In a tribalistic era, how do we know which hills are worth dying on? Which hills are worth defending? Which hills aren’t worth our focus?

Which teachings from Scripture fit which levels of urgency? Glad you asked because that’s the focus of our 2026 RENEW.org National Gathering.

Here are the categories spelled out:

• The Essential Elements – These are necessary for salvation. The gospel is essential. Every person indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit through faith in the gospel is our brother or sister in Christ. But what is the gospel? And what is the essential response to the gospel to which we must call people?
• The Important Elements – Is it true that, if something’s not essential, then it’s not that important? Actually there are “important elements” which are vital for faithfully following Jesus. These are not required for salvation, but they are necessary to pursue if we are to accurately and fully obey him. What are the elements of the faith that, though they aren’t essential, are worth your church’s attention?
• The Personal Elements – These are matters of opinion and conviction where God grants freedom. Yet we are never at liberty to use our freedom in ways that cause others to stumble. What facets of our faith should we place in this “agree-to-disagree” category, with no pressing burden to persuade our fellow Christians?

It’s true that in all things, we strive to embody clarity, kindness, and conviction. It’s also true that churches in 2026 must get clear on which hills are worth our “hell or high water” resolve. You want to choose your hill wisely.

The Heart of the Gathering: Inspiration for a Network of Disciple Making Leaders and Churches

We believe the core mission of the church is disciple making—entering into relationships to intentionally help people:

• Follow Jesus
• Be changed by Jesus
• Join the mission of Jesus

The 2026 National Gathering will focus on clear, faithful, and kind theology for effective disciple making.

📚 What to Expect:

• Major teaching tracks on essential and important theology.
• Major teaching tracks on best church practices in effective discipling making
• Our focus is theological discernment and practical implementation of disciple making strategies in the local church.
• Explicit tools and methods to equip you to become more effective in your disciple making efforts.

We are grateful to announce, in alphabetical order, our initial breakout and main stage speakers. We will be adding more soon . . .

Church Leaders

Rick Atchley, Senior Minister, The Hills Church of Christ, Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

Ashlee Catizon, Women’s Discipleship Minister, The Crossings Church, O’Fallon, MO

Dave Clayton, Ethos Church, Nashville, TN

Sydney Clayton, Ethos Church, Nashville, TN

Lamont Francies, Ed.D., Senior Pastor, Delta Bay Church

Cam Huxford, retired Senior Minister, Compassion Christian Church, Savannah, GA

Jason Ishmael, Lead Minister, Antioch Christian Church, Marion, IA

Matt Reagan, Lead Team/Vision Team pastor, Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY

Noah Reagan, Regional Director at Kamp Love, Resident at Skyline Church

Reggie Rice, PhD, Senior Director of Discipleship and Training, Christ’s Church of the Valley, Phoenix, AZ

Scott Sager, DMin, Vice President of Church Relations, Lipscomb University

Jaron Scott, Lead Elder, Christ’s Church of Joplin, Professor of Leadership, Ozark Christian College

Jonathan Storment, Preaching Minister, Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, Little Rock, AR

Chris VandeLinde, Lead Pastor, Cornerstone Christian Church, Shiloh, IL

Alicia Williamson, PhD (Candidate in Spiritual Formation), Harding University

Matt Wilson, Lead Pastor, Ekklesia Christian Church, Conway, SC

Tina Wilson, Women’s Minister, Ekklesia Christian Church, Conway, SC

Scholars for Resources and/or ‘Theological Thunderdome’ Breakouts

Dyron Daughrity, PhD, Divisional Dean, Religion and Philosophy, Pepperdine University

Daniel McCoy, PhD, Editorial Director, RENEW.org

Chad Ragsdale, DMin, Academic Dean, Ozark Christian College

David Young, PhD, Scholar-in-Residence, Renew University

Rachel Younis, MDiv, Little Galilee Christian Camp and Retreat Center, Clinton, IL

📅 Save the Date – April 21-22 at Southeast Christian Church (Indiana location)

This will be more than a conference. It will be a growing family of disciple making church leaders gathering together to sharpen one another, grow in faith, and rediscover the hills worth dying on.

Stay tuned for speaker announcements, full schedules, and details on lodging.

Let’s pursue Jesus together—with clarity, compassion, and conviction.

Bobby Harrington
Point Leader,
RENEW.org Network

-Click here to sign up at the lowest early bird prices-