The 2023 Disciples Connect and Equip Regional Gathering will be Saturday, Aug. 12, at McPherson First Christian Church.
The day begins at 8:30 a.m. with registration check-in and fellowship time followed by an opening gathering at 9:30 a.m. Lunch will be a make-your-own hamburger bar, with potato salad, baked beans, desserts, and a drink. The day concludes with closing worship at 2:30 p.m. and a benediction at 3:30 p.m.
Our theme is “Sustaining our Movement for Wholeness: Reclaiming our Identity as Disciples of Christ.” We will focus on what it means to be a movement for wholeness in terms of physical, spiritual, congregational/organizational wholeness and wellbeing.
Inspirational 2022 workshop leader, Rev. Josh Leu will keynote this year’s event. During his 9-year tenure as senior pastor at Great Bend First Christian Church, the congregation has doubled it’s average worship attendance divided among four services, making it one of the fastest growing Disciple congregations in the Kansas region.
Josh’s leadership initiative to add a modern worship service, while keeping their formal traditional worship service, allows them to minister to every generation well.
Josh is married to Ashley, and they have two amazing girls Karys and Khora.
Kansas Leadership Center’s Ed O’Malley and Julia Fabris McBride will lead the day’s morning workshops. They will present the “nuts and bolts” of KLC’s Leadership Principles and their biblical basis and their application to church life.
Other speakers and guests will be announced as more information is available. Tentative workshop topics include The Church Narrative Project Storytelling Moment, Spiritual Formation Practices, and Disciples Ministry Resource Fair.
Children and youth activities for those 5-18 years are planned and child care will be provided for children under 5 years.
The registration fee is $25 per adult, $10 per youth (5-18 years), and children under 5 years are free. Disciples Connect and Equip event t-shirts are $15. Other CCK Merchandise will be available for sale at the event. Exhibitor space is available for CCK and DOC ministries. Cost is $50 per 3-foot table space or $100 per 6-foot space. Wifi and electrical available upon request.
For those needing Friday night lodging, CCK has a block of rooms reserved at the Fairfield Inn, 2270 E Kansas Ave, McPherson, KS 67460, call 620-504-5353 to book your stay.
Online registration will close July 28 to allow for adequate preparation of your arrival. Registrations will only be accepted by phone after July 28 at event organizers discretion.