Special Guest: Dr. Matt Rogers

What it is: The Multiplication Summit is a focused day of strategy and sharpening for pastors, planters, and church leaders. Together, we’ll move beyond theory to explore the practical work of cultivating a culture of church multiplication within the local church and across our district. We believe the health of our district is directly connected to our ability to multiply healthy leaders and churches that impact their communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Special Guest: We are honored to feature Dr. Matt Rogers, Coordinator of North American Church Planting at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and pastor of Christ Fellowship Cherrydale in Greenville, South Carolina. As author of Churches Planting Churches and Seven Arrows, Dr. Rogers is a leading voice in missiology and church health. He brings two decades of experience in planting and revitalizing healthy, reproducing churches and will provide the theological foundation and practical, “boots-on-the-ground” wisdom to help lead your church toward greater vitality and multiplication.

Hosted by Dan Gregory: This gathering will also be an opportunity to connect with Dan Gregory, our new EFCA Southeast Director of Church Multiplication (DCM), to hear more about the district’s vision for church multiplication and help shape how we pursue it together.

Who is invited: Planters, pastors, elders, and church leaders who want to explore church planting, develop a multiplication strategy, or help lead their church toward long-term multiplication. Whether your church is actively preparing to plant or just beginning to ask what multiplication could look like in your context, this gathering is for you.

Logistics & Hospitality: Registration includes lunch during the Summit and a full barbecue dinner that evening, bringing attendees from all three Pre-Conference Gatherings together for fellowship and connection.

Why attend: Don’t settle for the status quo. Come gain practical insights for identifying, developing, and deploying leaders, discover next steps toward multiplication in your church, and connect with fellow EFCA Southeast leaders committed to multiplying transformational churches among all people!

Featured Guest: Dr. Michael Allen (RTS Orlando)

What it is: The Student Ministry Collaborative is a high-impact gathering designed to foster equipping, fellowship, and relational connection among those on the front lines of discipling the next generation. We are focused on sharpening our approach to reaching students and developing the next generation of leaders, ensuring our middle school, high school, and college ministries are healthy, vibrant, and missionally aligned.

Special Guest: We are honored to host Dr. Michael Allen, John Dyer Trimble Professor of Systematic Theology and Academic Dean at RTS Orlando. Dr. Allen is an expert in the intersection of Christian doctrine and cultural engagement, his work focuses on how the historic faith must be brought to bear on the specific pressures and distractions facing the next generation. He will be leading a primary session with our student ministry leaders titled, “The Weight of Truth: Theology and Cultural Engagement for the Next Generation.” We are also pleased to have representatives from the EFCA National Student Ministry leadership joining us to share insights and to support our Next Gen leaders.

Who is invited: This collaborative is designed for every leader currently serving in student ministry—from middle school/high school to college-aged settings. Whether you are a lead pastor, staff member, or dedicated volunteer, this collaborative is for you!!

Logistics & Hospitality: Your registration for this gathering includes lunch during our sessions. Following the afternoon wrap-up, all pre-conference attendees will gather for a shared barbecue dinner, providing an excellent opportunity to network with fellow leaders from across the district.

Why attend: Ministry to students is about more than just managing activities—it’s about stewarding souls of the next generation. Come be sharpened by experienced student ministry leaders and leave encouraged and more equipped for your ministry. Join us as we commit to the work of Faithful Preaching. Fearless Mission. Purposeful Witness.

Speaker: Pastor Karl Dyrli

What it is: The Worship & Tech Workshop is a high-impact gathering designed to foster equipping, fellowship, and relational connection among worship pastors, music leaders, and production teams. We are focused on sharpening our focus and approach to worship ministry, ensuring we are effectively leading our congregations in spirit and in truth while developing the leaders and technical teams that serve the proclamation of the Word.

Special Guest: We are honored to host Pastor Karl Dyrli, Pastor of Worship at Fellowship Church in Dallas, PA. Karl brings decades of experience in blending theological depth with pastoral care in the local church. He will be leading our morning workshop with sessions and discussion on the theology and pastoral heart of worship ministry.

Tech & More: In addition, we will feature dedicated discussions on the technical aspects of ministry, led by experienced worship pastors from across our own district. These sessions will provide practical training and open forums to share the “how-to” of worship and production in your specific context.

Who is invited: This workshop is designed for all members of the worship and production teams—from worship pastors and music directors to sound engineers, audio/media techs, and volunteer musicians. If you serve at the intersection of music, technology, and liturgy in the local church - this workshop is for you!!

Logistics & Hospitality: Your registration for this workshop includes lunch during our sessions. Following the afternoon wrap-up, all pre-conference attendees will gather for a shared barbecue dinner, providing an excellent opportunity to network with fellow leaders from across the district.

Why attend: Worship ministry is more than just managing a setlist or a soundboard—it’s about stewarding the congregation’s response to the glory of God. Come be sharpened by pastoral sharing and peer-to-peer technical training. Join us as we commit to the work of Faithful Preaching. Fearless Mission. Purposeful Witness.

Hosted by: Rev. Scott Barber | Director of Pastoral Theology and Care, EFCA

What it is: The EFCA Chaplains Gathering is a dedicated afternoon designed to foster equipping, pastoral encouragement, and relational connection among those serving on the front lines of specialized, institutional, and military ministry. Chaplaincy often places leaders in unique, high-pressure environments outside the traditional church walls. This gathering offers a vital space to step away, share the weight of ministry, and realign with brothers and sisters serving in similar fields.

Special Guest & Host: We are honored to have Rev. Scott Barber, EFCA Director of Pastoral Theology and Care, leading and facilitating our time together. Scott oversees the endorsement, care, and theological grounding of EFCA chaplains nationwide. He will be providing direct pastoral encouragement, sharing national updates regarding chaplaincy within the movement, and leading a focused equipping session centered on pastoral resilience, theological fidelity, and maintaining gospel clarity within institutional contexts.

What the Afternoon Will Include:

· 12:00 PM – Fellowship Lunch: Arrive early to break bread and connect with fellow chaplains and district leaders.

· Pastoral Care & Encouragement: A focused time of spiritual refreshment and mutual prayer led by Scott Barber.

· Equipping & Field Discussion: Addressing the real-world ethical, institutional, and spiritual challenges unique to chaplaincy settings today.

· Q&A & Endorsement Pathways: Insights into the EFCA endorsement process and credentialing support for current and prospective chaplains.

· 5:30 PM – District BBQ Dinner: Join the entire pre-conference gathering for an evening of district-wide fellowship.

Who is invited:

· Active & Retired EFCA Chaplains: Both military and civilian/institutional chaplains (healthcare, corporate, law enforcement, fire, prison, and sports).

· Credentialed Leaders: Chaplains holding EFCA credentials looking to fulfill connection and continuing education opportunities.

· Aspiring Chaplains: Seminary students, pastors, or leaders discerning a call to specialized chaplaincy ministry who want to learn more about the EFCA endorsement process.

Logistics & Hospitality:

· When: Monday, October 26th | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Lunch at 12:00 PM).

· Meals: Registration includes lunch at 12:00 PM and the shared district-wide barbecue dinner at 6:00 PM.

· Location: Live Oaks Community Church, Oxford, FL.

Why attend: Chaplaincy is a demanding, essential outpost of the church’s mission. Come be refreshed in your calling, sharpened by your peers, and supported by national EFCA leadership as we press forward in Faithful Preaching. Fearless Mission. Purposeful Witness.