2026 Spring Gathering
Schedule
Friday, April 17
Saturday, April 18
2:00-4:30pm
5:00-6:00pm
6:00pm
7:30pm
Pre-Conference Workshop
Sacred and Safe: Safety and Security for Congregations - Jay Kieve, CBF Global
Our pre-conference workshop will employ case examples and conversation to discuss best practice approaches to organizing church safety and security operations. Topics covered will include the prevention of sexual abuse, responding to mental health crises, creating emergency action plans, and planning for physical security.
Check-in/Exhibits open, Atrium
Dinner and Business Session, Sapp Hall
Keynote Presentation, Sanctuary
Hope Beyond the Headlines: What National Research Says About Why People Leave Church—and Why They Might Return - Colin Kroll, CBF Global, and Rex Foster, More in Common
Many pastors are shepherding faithful communities in a season marked by fatigue, polarization, loneliness, and real questions about trust and belonging. While we know that across the U.S., young adult church engagement is low and loneliness is widespread – the data from our recent study tells a more hopeful story than we often assume.
Drawing on a national mixed-methods study of nearly 2,000 adults ages 18–44, we explore what people are saying about faith, belonging, trust, and community today. What emerges is not a rejection of Christianity, but a longing for churches that embody credibility, care, service to community, and spiritual depth in lived, relational ways.
Together, we’ll explore seven research-based insights and reflect on how churches might prayerfully discern faithful responses in their own contexts, honoring the call to be a source of hope and love in our communities.
8:30-10:50am
9:00-9:50am
10:00-10:50am
11:00am
Coffee & Conversation, Atrium
Breakout 1
Christian Persecution and Baptist Responses - Wissam al-Saliby, 21Wilberforce (Room 134)
Learn about the realities of Christian persecution today and how Baptist communities in affected regions are responding with faith and resilience. We will discuss what their experiences mean for the global Church. 21Wilberforce is a U.S.-based nonprofit that comes alongside Christians in contexts of persecution to support their advocacy for religious freedom, peace, and security.
Reflections on the Sacred Grounds Project - Eric Howell, DaySpring Baptist Church, Waco (Library)
We will explore the journey undertaken together by CBF Texas congregations in 2025-26 in the Sacred Grounds Project. The Sacred Grounds Project brings together pastors and lay leaders to transform the church grounds we love and the congregations who love them into ecologies of grace that heal creation and encounter Christ. We’ll discuss a spiritual path toward ecological renewal and celebrate projects already undertaken and potential for church grounds of all kinds.
Breakout 2
Responding to the State of Women in Baptist Life Report 2025 - Meredith Stone, Baptist Women in Ministry (Library)
This workshop will share information from the recently released State of Women in Baptist Life Report 2025,and provide research-informed practical steps that ministers and lay leaders can take to cultivate congregational environments of empowerment for women.
Q&A: Young Adults and Faith - Rex Foster and Colin Kroll (Multipurpose Room)
Stop Doing “Trips.” Start Building Missions That Outlast You - Chris Cato and John Hunt, Buckner Ministries (Room 134)
Many churches feel stuck in an either/or: send people or send dollars… prioritize service or prioritize evangelism. This workshop reframes the question and offers a sustainable pathway forward. You’ll see how models like Buckner’s Healthy Housing connect hands-on teams with long-term, locally supported transformation, pairing practical help (builds, repairs, workshops) with ongoing relational support through the Family Hope Center. Come learn how to design mission engagement that forms disciples, strengthens local leaders, and keeps the ministry moving long after your team leaves.
Worship with Communion, Sanctuary
Abby Villagrana, preacher; Sarah Hemberger, worship leader
