SATURDAY BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Information overload is a real thing. Take time to slow down and process what the Lord is doing in your life. Join us in learning and practicing the unique (and fun!) reflection tool of art journaling. Everyone is invited, and no creativity is required! 

About Monica:
Monica deGarmeaux has been a pastor’s wife for over 10 years, and she and her husband, Gabe, have been planting and establishing King’s Community Church in New Braunfels, TX, since 2018.  Having personally experienced the great value of creating community among other pastors’ wives, Monica developed Thrive, an EFCA TX-OK District ministry, specifically for the care and development of lead pastors’ wives through small group communities, retreats, and topic-specific training sessions. She loves Jesus passionately, her family deeply, her friends earnestly and will never turn down a good breakfast taco (or dark chocolate M&M’s!).

We encounter unique behavioral, emotional, and family dynamics everyday in ministry. Let’s have an open conversation on how to best support these children with a godly approach.

About Stephanie:
Stephanie Connon has been serving as the Children’s Ministry Director at Grace Church (Allen, TX) since September 2022. In college, she explored her love for storytelling and teaching others by studying English and Education. Shortly after graduating, she started working at a church and hasn’t looked back.

She decided to follow Jesus at age ten, despite growing up in a home where she was the only believer and both parents were unstable. As a result, she knows the impact and importance of a strong Christian community for children outside the home. Many of her friends, their families, school teachers, and church volunteers helped to establish her foundation of faith.

On a Sunday, you’ll likely find her greeting each family by name while simultaneously forgetting some small detail. Her unofficial sidekick and partner in all things is her husband, Nathan, who oftentimes remembers what Stephanie forgets. 

Church consultants preach, “If you want your church to grow…attract men.” In this practical session, Dr. Paul Pettit will assist in your outreach efforts toward attracting men and families to your church. Each person who attends this breakout session will receive a copy of Dr. Pettit’s workbook, Christ-Centered Masculinity: Becoming the Man God Intends.

About Paul:
Dr. Paul Pettit serves as Director of Career Services and teaches in the departments of Educational Ministry & Leadership and Pastoral Ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS). He and his wife, Pamela, live in Rockwall, Texas. They are blessed with five adult children and three grandchildren. Paul’s background includes experience as a sportscaster, author, and speaker. A graduate of the University of Kansas and the Moody Bible Institute’s Advanced Studies Program, Paul has also earned a Master of Theology degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree from DTS.

Following Jesus’ pattern of making disciples provides an intentional and relational process of maturing Christ-centered believers and mobilizing them for ministry.  The words in 2 Timothy 2:1-2 highlight how the Apostle Paul continued to carry out the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 to “make disciples of all nations” and “teaching them to observe all I commanded you.”

Jesus followed an intentional strategy for developing disciples that we discover from studying the four Gospel accounts of His life and ministry. This disciplemaking strategy of Jesus was experienced firsthand by the original 12 disciples as Jesus modeled the intentional and relational manner by which His kingdom ministry would advance. Once we see this pattern, the Gospels take on an even greater meaning as we see Jesus’ disciplemaking plan unfold and apply these principles to our ministry.

About Grant:
Dr. Grant Kaul has been the Senior Pastor of Fellowship Bible Church in Waco, TX, since August 2000. Before moving to central Texas, he served as Youth Pastor, Worship Pastor, and Associate Pastor at Southwest Bible Church in Beaverton, Oregon. As a collaborative leader, Grant devotes his time to creating and casting vision, discipling leaders, shepherding, teaching, and preaching. Grant has his Master of Divinity degree from Western Seminary and his doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary where he also serves as an Adjunct Professor in their doctoral program. Grant and his wife, Corina, have four children.

Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a critical component in leadership development. In fact, studies show it’s more important than IQ. This session will provide the EI skills necessary to grow as a leader which will result in better connection with those around you and greater results in ministry work.

About Phil:
Dr. Phil Humphries served in pastoral ministry for 35 years in the roles of associate pastor, executive pastor, and senior pastor. He has experience in the areas of Christian education, small groups, administration, church planting, and pastoral leadership. Dr. Humphries has taught at Dallas Theological Seminary since 1995, both as adjunct and full-time professor. He has an interest in emotional intelligence and personal and organizational leadership development. Dr. Humphries has a heart for both the congregant and the student. The great joys of his life are his wife, children, and grandchildren.

From 35 years of pastoral ministry (6 as an associate and 29 as a senior pastor), 44 years of marriage, parenting three children and grandparenting seven, Carlton and Carol will share their experiences and how ministry has interfaced with their different seasons of marriage and family. 

About Carlton & Carol:

The best strategy to prepare the Church to live missionally is by cultivating a deep faith rooted in identity and purpose. This begins with leaders and permeates out into the local church culture. Similarly, missional living begins with cultivating a deep spiritual life.

About Gabe:
Gabe deGarmeaux planted and pastors King’s Community Church in New Braunfels, TX. Prior to that, he served in various roles involving outreach and disciplemaking. Gabe is married to Monica, and they have three kids (two here on earth, one in heaven). Together, Gabe and Monica also lead Respite Retreats for bereaved parents. Gabe enjoys hiking, cooking and good coffee, or a good pub, depending on the time of day. 

We all know a thriving church is characterized by a growing demographic of various ages. How do we minister to the unique experiences of people in our church, especially as it relates to generations? 

About Stephanie:
Stephanie Connon has been serving as the Children’s Ministry Director at Grace Church (Allen, TX) since September 2022. In college, she explored her love for storytelling and teaching others by studying English and Education. Shortly after graduating, she started working at a church and hasn’t looked back.

She decided to follow Jesus at age ten, despite growing up in a home where she was the only believer and both parents were unstable. As a result, she knows the impact and importance of a strong Christian community for children outside the home. Many of her friends, their families, school teachers, and church volunteers helped to establish her foundation of faith.

On a Sunday, you’ll likely find her greeting each family by name while simultaneously forgetting some small detail. Her unofficial sidekick and partner in all things is her husband, Nathan, who oftentimes remembers what Stephanie forgets. 

God has given His Scriptures so that through the accurate, clear, and compelling preaching and teaching of His word, believers in Christ can fully mature in their relationship with Him. The health and depth of a local church are directly tied to the role biblical preaching has when a congregation is gathered.

Every believer must understand “why” God has commanded His word to be preached. For those who are engaged in teaching Scripture they need to know “how” to cultivate their skills for developing and delivering biblical messages. Knowing the importance of communicating the Scriptures leads pastors and Bible teachers to invest significant time in developing and delivering biblically sound sermons and lessons.

Most people are not called to be preachers or teachers of the word of God, but it is beneficial for all the saints to have a basic understanding of what goes into making a message.  How do Bible teachers develop messages that communicate the truth of Scripture in an accurate, clear, insightful, engaging, and practical way? Having the gift of teaching is certainly helpful, but this gift needs development to be effective. There are various ways to prepare and present scriptural lessons, but to teach well, you will need a plan. Whether you are surveying the subject or progressing in your ability to teach the Bible, this session presents a simple and effective guide for developing and delivering a biblical message.

About Grant:
Dr. Grant Kaul has been the Senior Pastor of Fellowship Bible Church in Waco, TX, since August 2000. Before moving to central Texas, he served as Youth Pastor, Worship Pastor, and Associate Pastor at Southwest Bible Church in Beaverton, Oregon. As a collaborative leader, Grant devotes his time to creating and casting vision, discipling leaders, shepherding, teaching, and preaching. Grant has his Master of Divinity degree from Western Seminary and his doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary where he also serves as an Adjunct Professor in their doctoral program. Grant and his wife, Corina, have four children.

Providing for post-employment “retirement” life is actually a lot of work. In this session, we will take a look at the various matters of planning for income, Social Security, Medicare, and timing that may help inform your choices. This information is not just for those in later years of ministry as the focus on principles is relevant at any age. Lay leaders should also review how to care for church staff in compensation and benefits.

About Jerry:
Rev. Jerry Rich currently serves as the Vice President of FCMM (Free Church Ministers & Missionaries), the benefits program of the EFCA, where he has been on staff for 13 years. In the past, Jerry  served as a solo pastor and bi-vocational associate pastor with 22 years in administrative or executive pastor roles and has also worked in hospital management. Jerry has an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary, an MBA from Oklahoma Central University and is a Certified Financial Planner and Kingdom Advisor. Jerry cares deeply about integrity and stewardship in finances and organization, as well as care of staff and teaching. He and his wife, Linda, have three children and five grandchildren. 

Come hear why “vision” is the greatest need in the evangelical church. Learn a 7-Step process to lead your church in discovering and living into a God-given future. Master simple processes and tools to clarify mission, vision, and values. Use this planning paradigm and see your church soar into its future.

About Tom:
Dr. Tom Harris was appointed to the Executive Director of Interim Pastor Ministries (IPM) in 2012, and his title was upgraded to President in the Fall of 2019. During his tenure, IPM has provided well over 500 IPM interim pastors to churches across America.