100 E Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660

EMAIL: [email protected]

Kingsport, TN

Friday and Saturday, August 15th and 16th, 2025!

Registration Ends August 1st!

First Broad street UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

100 E Church circle, kingsport, TN 37660

friday August 15, 2025

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Eastern

Stillness & Steps: Discovering God’s Voice & Vision Through Prayer

Join us for a dynamic prayer workshop where we’ll learn to listen for God’s voice, pray with purpose, and step into what He’s doing in our communities. Discover the power of prayer, experience prayer walking, and explore how to join God’s work around you. Whether you’re new to prayer or seeking to go deeper, this workshop will offer fresh vision, practical tools, and a renewed passion for engaging with God in powerful, life-changing ways.

Come ready to slow down, tune in, and move with the Spirit. God is speaking—let’s learn to listen, walk, and respond together.

Workshop Leaders:

Rev. Dr. Susan Arnold

Director of Connectional Ministries & Congregational Development for the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church

She leads and manages a team of exceptional ministry practitioners who support , resource, and equip local church leaders to make disciples and witness to the transformation in Christ. As an ordained elder, she has been appointed in a variety of contexts across the Holston Conference. Most recently she served 9 years as the pastor of Blountville UMC. She holds a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from East Tennessee State University, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, an MDiv. from Asbury Theological Seminary, and her doctorate in Church Renewal and Fresh Expressions at United Theological Seminary. Her dissertation was on helping congregations form cooperative partnerships to create new expressions of ministry as a response to joining God at work in their communities. She is trained in coaching, Positive Intelligence training, and has a heart for spiritual direction and deep listening. She loves working with people to join God in expanding the Kingdom of God. She and her husband Mike, have been married for 35 years and have four adult children and two grandchildren. [email protected]

Ken Willard

Director of Faith Communities Renewal, West Virginia UMC Conference

He is a credentialed coach with the International Coaching Federation at the Professional Certified Coach level, and a Gallup certified coach. Ken spent a little over ten years coaching pastors and consulting with churches, districts, and conferences all over the country before joining the staff at West Virginia UMC Conference in 2018. Ken holds a Masters of Adult Education and Training, is a certified On-Boarding facilitator, and a certified Intro to Situational Leadership II trainer with Ken Blanchard organization.

saturday August 16, 2025

9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. eastern

See Event Schedule

Tracks

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Lunch and Learn Breakouts

Coalitional Ministry in Small Church Settings: Our Vital Past As Prologue for an Innovative Future

Early Methodism emerged in England from its capacity to coalesce believers around a shared communal vision for passionate worship, innovative ministry, and authentic Christian discipleship formation. While this basic posture and instinct would grow into a denomination--first in the United States, then in Great Britain, and, ultimately, around the world--this missionally-focused “connexional” feature of Methodism is programmed into our theological and cultural DNA and may serve as the catalyst for our effective missional engagement today and into the future. We will explore how this vital connectional past may serve as prologue to an innovative present approach to coalitional ministry strategies to advance the mission and work of the local small membership United Methodist Church. Cornerstone Ministries, The United Methodist Church in northcentral West Virginia (WV Annual Conference) will serve as a case study for this exploration and conversation.

With

Rev. Dr. Michael C. Richards, D.Min., Ph.D

student, MSW, LGSW

Michael Richards is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, having served throughout West Virginia for more than 34 years. He has served since 2009 as the Senior/Executive Pastor of Cornerstone Ministries of the United Methodist Church, which includes six traditional congregations, one Fresh Expression re-start community (Mosaic Church), and a recovery-oriented community (Grace Recovery Church). He also serves as the Clinical and Executive Director of Cornerstone Pastoral Counseling and Wellness Center and the Executive Director of Tygart Valley Mission, Inc. (the community development arm of Cornerstone Ministries). He is a certified teacher in West Virginia (Social Studies, 5-12) and a Licensed Graduate Social Worker (WV). Michael holds degrees from Fairmont State University (BA, Education, 1995), West Virginia University (MA, Education, 1996; MSW, 2016), Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1996; D.Min., 2005), and is currently a Ph.D. student at West Virginia University, in the School of Social Work where he also serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, in additional to serving on multiple research teams. His dissertation research explores the role of Spiritual Capital as a source of resilience for minoritized and marginalized communities within society. In addition, his other scholarly interests and pursuits include the intersection of practical theology and Social Work. He and his wife, Christina, live in Boothsville, WV.

Advocacy as Evangelism: Justice, the Church, and God’s Mission in Community

As members of local faith communities, we are called connect with, reach, serve, and advocate for the people and organizations around us. God has planted us where we are, “for such a time as this.” We will explore ways each of us, pastors and laity, can learn to discern the prevailing needs around us and then become people of action to work for changes.

With

Rev. Brad Davis (he/him)

While serving as a full-time United Methodist pastor, Brad organizes in the southern West Virginia coalfields around environmental concerns, poverty, basic infrastructure needs and labor, particularly with mineworkers. A native son of the coalfields, Brad has a passion for the place and its people. Brad explained his work in McDowell County to the Daily Yonder as “reimagining the rural Appalachian church,” shaping what he calls the holler gospel—“the work of transformation in communities ravaged by scarcity.” Additionally, Brad is the proud cat dad of the semi social media-famous “MagnifiCATS,” Sammi and Diva.

Panel Discussion: Fresh Expressions of Ministry

Are you in a small congregation with a big heart for ministry, but the traditional committee structure feels too cumbersome for your context? Would your congregation rather spend more time engaged in ministry than meetings? Join us for a Lunch & Learn overview of simplifying structure for the small churches for greater community impact based on the best-selling book, Mission Possible for the Small Church by authors Kotan & Bradford.

With Panelist

Lena Glowacky

Messy Church at Spruce Street UMC in Morgantown, WV

I am a retired Early Childhood teacher with 40 years of experience. I have been a member of Spruce St. UMC for over 20 years and have served for many years as Children's Ministry Leader. Additionally, for the last two years I have been very involved in helping to lead and develop the Fresh Expression experience “Messy Church”.

With Panelist

Nora Pitrolo

Laundry Ministry through Mt. Pleasant UMC in Mineral Wells, WV

My husband Bob and I attend Mt. Pleasant UMC in Mineral Wells, WV.

"Loads of Love" is a laundromat ministry that I manage/participate in each month at the local laundromat.

Church volunteers help the laundromat users with their laundry by providing laundry pods, dryer sheets, quarters, help folding and carrying laundry, general conversations and praying together when they want prayer and more...

With Panelist

Joy Eastridge

Recovery Ministry

Joy Eastridge serves at First Broad Street UMC where she is the Minister of Congregational Connection and Parish Nursing. While serving as a Parish Nurse, she felt God calling her to continue to pursue more and different ministries by attending seminary and seeking ordination as a Deacon in the UMC (projected to be ordained at Conference in 2026!). Her nursing degree is from Emory University and her seminary degree is from Wesley Theological seminary. She is married to Wesley and has three grown children, their spouses, and eight grandchildren.

With Panelist

Rev. Terri Gregory

Supper Church

Rev. Terri Gregory serves the following congregations in a five church charge. Edgewood UMC Pearisburg, Big Stoney UMC, Ingram Village UMC, Pleasant Hill UMC Pearisburg, Providence UMC Pearisburg

Welcoming New People – How do you welcome people who do not have a church background into your church?

This workshop will equip you to return to your church with a new perspective focused on welcoming unchurched people both in-person and online. We will cover areas such as: online presence, parking, signing, worship, connections process, and more. Pastors and laity are invited to attend this interactive, informative, and inspirational session.

With

Ken Willard

Ken Willard is a credentialed member of the International Coaching Federation at the Professional Certified Coach level. He is also a Certified Ministry Coach with Coaching4Clergy, and a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach. Ken serves as the Director of Congregational Vitality for the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Before moving to West Virginia, he spent ten years coaching pastors, consulting with churches, and leading workshops around the country. Ken is the author of seven books, and has a new book being released in the fall of 2025.

Prayer Movement Teams: Building Teams That Dream with God and Equip the Church to Do the Same

Every movement of God begins with prayer—and it starts with a team. In this workshop, you'll learn how to form and lead a Prayer Movement Team that listens, dreams, and discerns God’s vision for your church and community.

Jesus never ministered alone, and neither should we. You’ll discover how to build a Holy Spirit focused team that can inspire and equip your entire church
to pray boldly, listen deeply, and dream courageously.

.

If your church is ready for something next, but you're not sure what comes next—this workshop will equip you to start with the resources to create a prayer movement team full of prayerful people listening together for God’s next move.

With

Rev. Richard Richter

Pastor Cedar Lane UMC

Richard Richter’s journey to pastoral ministry began with hearing God’s call as a 17-year-old. Forty-five years later, he still feels that call burning within him. He has served churches throughout the Holston Conference. He has loved and led churches through struggles and successes. He currently serves as the pastor of Cedar Lane United Methodist Church. Cedar Lane is a merged church that brought together three congregations who now are stronger together.

He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and Asbury Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Donna, have been married for 38 years. They have two adult children, a son-in-law, and a new(ish) granddaughter, Verti.

Becoming a Community Hub

The small church is often located in the center of its community. Most small churches have been the hub of community life and faith at some point in history. Small churches are the perfect place for people to explore and grow in faith in a culture of welcome, hospitality, community, partnerships, and resources.

You are invited to learn how to develop community relationships, partnerships, innovative ministries, and practical generosity through your unique small church identity.

Come learn how to reclaim your identity as a community hub, joining God in an impactful, authentic ministry.

With

Rev. Dr. Susan Arnold

Director of Connectional Ministries & Congregational Development for the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church

She leads and manages a team of exceptional ministry practitioners who support , resource, and equip local church leaders to make disciples and witness to the transformation in Christ. As an ordained elder, she has been appointed in a variety of contexts across the Holston Conference. Most recently she served 9 years as the pastor of Blountville UMC. She holds a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from East Tennessee State University, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, an MDiv. from Asbury Theological Seminary, and her doctorate in Church Renewal and Fresh Expressions at United Theological Seminary. Her dissertation was on helping congregations form cooperative partnerships to create new expressions of ministry as a response to joining God at work in their communities. She is trained in coaching, Positive Intelligence training, and has a heart for spiritual direction and deep listening. She loves working with people to join God in expanding the Kingdom of God. She and her husband Mike, have been married for 35 years and have four adult children and two grandchildren.

[email protected]

The Multicultural Church: Connecting Creatively to a Diverse World

Our communities are becoming increasingly diverse. More and more of our neighbors are from a variety of cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds. But most churches are still culturally homogenous and are not reflective of every tribe and tongue. As agents of God’s reconciliation and hope, how can we minister more effectively to our multicultural society that includes various racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds? In this lunch and learn session, we’ll think together about what it takes to create and sustain a church culture that welcomes, accepts, respects and values people from various colors, classes, cultures.

With

Rev. Leah Burns

Associate Director of Multicultural Ministries for the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church

Since July 2023, The Reverend Leah Burns has served as the associate director of Multicultural Ministries in the Holston Conference. She seeks to lead and guide the church and community as they too face “the challenges of a new age.” In the pursuit of building diverse and inclusive faith communities reflective of the richness of our broader society, she emphasizes honoring the cultural heritage and traditions that each group brings. Multicultural Ministries was specifically established to assist the Annual Conference and its congregations in achieving full, equal participation of racial and ethnic minority constituencies in the Church’s mission and life.

Rev. Burns actively cultivates racial literacy in churches and communities by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to build new relationships. She achieves this through leading workshops, seminars, book studies, discussions, and Bible studies across the Holston Annual Conference, which encompasses East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. A licensed and certified local pastor for 20 years, she has served pastoral appointments at Lennon-Seney, Second, Church Street, and Haven Chapel United Methodist Churches.

This workshop will equip you to return to your church with a new perspective focused on welcoming unchurched people both in-person and online. We will cover areas such as: online presence, parking, signing, worship, connections process, and more. Pastors and laity are invited to attend this interactive, informative, and inspirational session.

Welcoming New People – How do you welcome people who do not have a church background into your church?

With

Ken Willard

Ken Willard is a credentialed member of the International Coaching Federation at the Professional Certified Coach level. He is also a Certified Ministry Coach with Coaching4Clergy, and a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach. Ken serves as the Director of Congregational Vitality for the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Before moving to West Virginia, he spent ten years coaching pastors, consulting with churches, and leading workshops around the country. Ken is the author of seven books, and has a new book being released in the fall of 2025.

Welcoming New People – How do you welcome people who do not have a church background into your church?

This workshop will equip you to return to your church with a new perspective focused on welcoming unchurched people both in-person and online. We will cover areas such as: online presence, parking, signing, worship, connections process, and more. Pastors and laity are invited to attend this interactive, informative, and inspirational session.

With

Ken Willard

Ken Willard is a credentialed member of the International Coaching Federation at the Professional Certified Coach level. He is also a Certified Ministry Coach with Coaching4Clergy, and a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach. Ken serves as the Director of Congregational Vitality for the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Before moving to West Virginia, he spent ten years coaching pastors, consulting with churches, and leading workshops around the country. Ken is the author of seven books, and has a new book being released in the fall of 2025.

Welcoming New People – How do you welcome people who do not have a church background into your church?

This workshop will equip you to return to your church with a new perspective focused on welcoming unchurched people both in-person and online. We will cover areas such as: online presence, parking, signing, worship, connections process, and more. Pastors and laity are invited to attend this interactive, informative, and inspirational session.

With

Ken Willard

Ken Willard is a credentialed member of the International Coaching Federation at the Professional Certified Coach level. He is also a Certified Ministry Coach with Coaching4Clergy, and a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach. Ken serves as the Director of Congregational Vitality for the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Before moving to West Virginia, he spent ten years coaching pastors, consulting with churches, and leading workshops around the country. Ken is the author of seven books, and has a new book being released in the fall of 2025.

Saint Paul’s Pause/Play Preaching Initiative

With

Rev Shannon Hancock

Community Partnerships

Small churches hold a rare ministry characteristic: They are both nimble responders and trusted community partners. Rev. Bradley Moore will share inspiring, instructive stories of partnering with his community for his community. Missions of care do not require endless resources by one group. Instead they can thrive with creative collaboration among groups and neighbors. It turns out small churches are exactly what is needed to unleash whole-community caring projects that can build the kingdom of God.

With

Rev Brad Moore

Pastor Brad Moore is an ordained elder in the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as the pastor at First United Methodist Church in Clinton, Arkansas, and Leslie United Methodist Church in Leslie, Arkansas. One of Pastor Brad’s greatest joys in ministry is witnessing God transform the lives of parishioners and our neighbors in the community through ministries of compassion and service.