Breakout Session 1 • 9:15 AM
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
Together We Can Soar: How Churches Can Be Prepared for Families with Special Needs
Led by Patrice Smelser • Unlimited Director, Fellowship Community Church
location: Treehouse
This session is designed to give insight into the why of disability ministry. What does God say about it and how can we become churches that welcome all people, including those with special needs.
CHURCH PLANTING
Developing a Residency at Your Church
Led by George Ross • Church Planting and Ministry Center Director, North American Mission Board
location: A-501
Does your church have a pathway to discover, develop, and deploy disciples as everyday missionaries, church planting team members, and church planters? The truth is most churches either don’t have a well-defined pathway or have built pathways that unintentionally create cultures of dependency instead of deployment. This session will help participants leave with a framework for creating a residency plan, a church of any size and budget can implement.
CRISIS COMMUNICATION
When the Unexpected Hits: Leading Through Crisis with Clarity and Care
Led by Brandon Pickett • Director of Strategic Initiatives and Communications, SBC of Virginia
WITH JULIE MCGOWAN • International Mission Board
location: F-323
In today’s fast-paced world, a crisis can erupt in seconds and spread even faster. Whether it’s a community tragedy, leadership or PR challenges, or a natural disaster. In these moments, pastors and leaders must communicate with wisdom, compassion, and clarity. This session will explore how preparation, transparency, and Christ-centered empathy can turn a crisis into an opportunity to strengthen trust, share hope, and point people to the Gospel.
compassion ministry
Identifying and Meeting Needs in Your Community: A Quick Start Guide to Giving Help and Hope
Led by Audrey Meredith • Send Relief Appalachia
location: A-402
Our communities are full of needs that can be met with Gospel hope. Learn some simple ways that you can lead your church to identify these needs and take steps to meeting needs with compassion and the Gospel.
DISCIPLESHIP
Handling Challenging Personalities in Your Small Group
Led by Dan Cook • Executive and Education Pastor, Spotswood Baptist Church
location: choir room
Discover five common types of difficult group members and learn practical, grace-filled strategies for leading them well. Equip yourself to foster healthy dynamic and keep your group focused on spiritual growth.
EVANGELISM
Put some PEP in Your Steps
Led by JJ Washington • National Director of Personal Evangelism, North American Mission Board
location: the loft
A simple and holistic process to help followers of Jesus begin and sustain a lifestyle of personal evangelism.
OPERATIONS
Best Financial Practices for Churches
Led by Eddie Urbine • Chief Financial Officer, SBC of Virginia
and Melissa Healy • Financial Services Director, Innovative Faith Resources
location: Phelps Hall
Overview of simple but important controls a church can have to protect its assets. Learn what can be done by treasurers and finance committees that can guard against mistakes and fraud.
HISPANIC MINISTRY
Ministerial Ethics
Led by Sung kim • Pastor of Hispanic Ministry, Thomas Road Baptist Church; Professor, Liberty University
location: F-305
Ministerial ethics demand integrity, humility, biblical faithfulness, responsible pastoral service, exemplary moral character, and transparent conduct before the church and society.
La ética ministerial exige integridad, humildad, fidelidad bíblica, servicio pastoral responsable, vida moral ejemplar, y conducta transparente ante la iglesia y la sociedad.
MEN’S MINISTRY
Why Men?
Led by mike young • Executive Director, Noble Warriors & Men’s Ministry Consultant, SBC of Virginia
location: A-503
The Bible speaks to us about WHY churches should disciple men to walk with Christ and lead well. It shouts in some places and whispers in others. We’ll dig into God’s design for discipling men and discuss WHAT to do once you get the WHY.
MISSIONS
Reaching the Nations Here
Led by john barnett • Director, Diaspora Engagement
location: A-406
Discover five ways to share the Gospel cross-culturally in your local community. Learn the first steps to engage a new people group in your community.
MISSIONS
Equipping the Called: How Your Church Can Start a Sending Pipeline
Led by GEORGE SILER • Pastor of Missions, Parkway Baptist Church
location: A-403
Acts 13 and 2 Timothy remind us that the Holy Spirit is the One who calls out workers for the harvest, but He leads the church to prepare and send those He calls. Explore the possibilities for your church to develop a sending pipeline of missionaries, church planters, and ambassadors for Christ.
NEXTGEN
Fresh Perspective and Renewed Energy for Student Ministry
Led by jeff mingee • Regional Strategist, SBC of Virginia
location: First Kids Worship
In this interactive workshop, participants will receive hard-won encouragement drawn from years of ministry experience — including roles in youth ministry, church planting, and regional leadership. After a decade of church planting and serving in a denominational capacity, the presenter returned to youth ministry as a volunteer leader at a local church. That return brought fresh reminders of both the deep joys and unique challenges of student ministry. Whether you’re new to youth ministry or feeling weary in the work, this session will refresh your heart, sharpen your focus, and equip you with practical insights and renewed hope for reaching the next generation.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Meeting the Moment with Courage and Conviction: Religious Liberty in 2025
Led by PAtrick Piccolo • Legal Counsel and Deputy Director of Church and Ministry Alliance, Alliance Defending Freedom
location: F-320
Religious liberty, its meaning and scope, continues to be debated in the public square and the courtroom. Even the past year has witnessed important legal and cultural developments, including in the nation’s highest courts. What do churches need to know? What do churches need to do to be prepared, to meet this moment with courage, conviction, and clarity? In this breakout session, Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Patrick Piccolo will discuss those developments, provide real-world examples of issues confronting churches, and offer practical tools and tips to utilize moving forward.
REVITALIZATION
Turning an Inwardly-Focused Church Outward
Led by CHUCK LAWLESS • Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
location: faith chapel
No church defaults into being an outwardly focused church. In fact, they usually move in the opposite direction toward an inward focus. This breakout will help you identify causes of this problem and develop strategies to overcome it.
WOMEN’S MINISTRY
Self-Care Without Guilt
Led by ELISABETH FIORDELISE • Ministry Wives Team Leadership, SBC of Virginia
location: boxley chapel
Many pastors’ wives feel guilty for resting, saying no, or caring for themselves. This breakout will unpack why self-care is not selfish but essential for proper stewardship, offering tangible practices to keep your soul and body healthy.
Register for Annual Homecoming and the opportunity to learn at these breakout sessions!
Breakout Session 2 • 10:30 AM
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
Transformational Kids Ministry: A New Approach for a New Generation
Led by Jayne Hoare • Elementary Ministries Director, Thomas Road Baptist Church
location: treehouse
Ministry to children needs to be gospel-centered; intentional, relational, and applicable. Programs that align with mission and values, connection with a volunteer leader, engaging curriculum, and partnerships with parents are essential in moving beyond information to transformation in a kid’s life.
CHURCH PLANTING
12 Principles for Planting Church in all the Wrong Places
Led by Steven Bray and Shane Pearcey • Partnership Development, Mile One Mission
location: F-323
We hear lots about the need to plant churches, but what are some guiding principles for us to consider when we seek God’s face to plant a church in places where most would ask, “Why there?” How do we actually put Acts 13 into practice in a 2025 context? Pastor Steve Bray, executive director of Mile One Mission, walks through his journey with God and life to plant churches in one of the most unreached cities in North America.
CHURCH PLANTING
Church Planting 101: The Pauline Methodology
Led by George Ross • Church Planting and Ministry Center Director, North American Mission Board
location: A-501
In a culture where transfer growth often fuels church planting, we must return to the clear biblical pattern modeled by the apostle Paul and his early church planting teams. Paul’s approach was simple yet powerful: engage the context, evangelize the community, equip believers, and establish the church. This session will provide a biblical and practical framework for making disciples, multiplying gospel-centered churches, and advancing the mission of God.
COMPASSION MINISTRY
Foster Care and Family Advocacy
Led by bobby canipe • Fostering Champions
location: A-402
Fostering Champions serves aging out foster teens. Your church can play a pivotal role in the lives of these young people. Learn how you and your church can be involved on a regular basis, making a Gospel impact and helping young adults grow in life skills and understanding of God’s love for them.
DISCIPLESHIP
The Promise and Peril of A.I. in Bible Study
Led by Dan Cook • Executive and Education Pastor, Spotswood Baptist Church
location: choir room
Explore both the dangers and potential of A.I. in lesson preparation and Bible study. Gain practical wisdom for using these tools responsibly without replacing Spirit-led study and interpretation.
EVANGELISM
The NAMB Evangelism Kit
Led by JJ Washington • National Director of Personal Evangelism, North American Mission Board
location: The Loft
For Pastors: Evangelism – It’s the mission of the Church and should be the passion of every Christian. Learn a four-phrase process to help ignite the flame of evangelism or make it burn brighter in your church as you consider how to build a culture of evangelism – one ingrained in the DNA of your church.
HISPANIC MINISTRY
Integrity in Ministry
Led by carlos payan • Pastor, Iglesia de las Américas
location: F-305
Ministerial integrity involves Biblical faithfulness, honesty, and purity. It is essential for leading with credibility, reflecting Christ, and serving with humility.
La integridad ministerial implica fidelidad bíblica, honestidad y pureza. Es esencial para liderar con credibilidad, reflejar a Cristo y servir con humildad.
MEN’S MINISTRY
Send Out Your Champion!
Led by mike young • Executive Director, Noble Warriors & Men’s Ministry Consultant, SBC of Virginia
location: A-503
Discipling men is an imposing and fearsome GIANT in most churches. I’m looking for Champion’s in every church who are willing to run up against the GIANT. I’ll give you a sling and five smooth stones for the battle.
MISSIONS
Missionary Care
Led by IMB Missionaries
with Brad Russell • Missions Strategist, SBC of Virginia
location: A-403
Hear first-hand how you can care for and support missionaries and what your care means to them.
MISSIONS
Reaching the Nations Here
Led by john barnett • Director, Diaspora Engagement
location: A-406
Discover five ways to share the Gospel cross-culturally in your local community. Learn the first steps to engage a new people group in your community.
NEXTGEN MINISTRY
Calling Out the Called: Helping Students Hear and Respond to God’s Call
Led by jeff mingee • Regional Strategist, SBC of Virginia
location: first kids worship
How does God call people into ministry – and how can we join Him in calling out future leaders? In this session, participants will explore patterns of calling in Scripture and reflect on their own experiences of being called into ministry. With a keen eye on today’s students, we’ll brainstorm practical ways to sow seeds of calling in the hearts of the next generation. You’ll leave with biblical insights, cultural awareness, and tangible strategies to help your church raise up the next wave of gospel ministers.
OPERATIONS
Property Insurance for Churches in this Changing Environment
Led by Lynn Scanlan • Executive Account Manager, NCG Insurance
location: phelps hall
Learn from industry experts how the market is changing. How to shop for insurance, what insurance you should have. What insurance do you not need. What is self-insurance.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Meeting the Moment with Courage and Conviction: Religious Liberty in 2025
Led by Patrick Piccolo • Legal Counsel and Deputy Director of Church and Ministry Alliance, Alliance Defending Freedom
location: F-320
Religious liberty, its meaning and scope, continues to be debated in the public square and the courtroom. Even the past year has witnessed important legal and cultural developments, including in the nation’s highest courts. What do churches need to know? What do churches need to do to be prepared, to meet this moment with courage, conviction, and clarity? In this breakout session, Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Patrick Piccolo will discuss those developments, provide real-world examples of issues confronting churches, and offer practical tools and tips to utilize moving forward.
REVITALIZATION
Turning an Inwardly-Focused Church Outward
Led by CHUCK LAWLESS • Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
location: faith chapel
No church defaults into being an outwardly focused church. In fact, they usually move in the opposite direction toward an inward focus. This breakout will help you identify causes of this problem and develop strategies to overcome it.
WOMEN’S MINISTRY
Ministering to Women in Crisis
Led by mary Beth Adams and dolly mink
Women’s Ministry Team, SBC of Virginia
location: boxley chapel
This breakout is designed to equip you in ministering to women who may be struggling from difficult circumstances, stresses, and trauma. Having resources ready will help you feel better prepared.
