Equip Conference

The Equip conference is a two-day series of events designed to empower Christians to grow and strengthen their local congregations. Equip will feature church leaders from seven states. Equip derives its name from Ephesians 4:12, “...to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up..”

Date: March 16-17, 2026

Theme: Faithful

Theme Verse: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

Program: (See 2026 Schedule)

Location: York University

Registration Fee:  $75 (includes two lunches, snacks, resources, and dinner on Monday night)
Ides of March Dinner Ticket: $30

 

REGISTration WILL OPEN JANUARY 2026

 

“...to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up..."- Eph. 4:12

2026 Schedule

Updated 9/22/2025

5:00-7:00 Vendor Booth Setup

5:00-7:00 Early Registration (Campbell Center)

Breakfast on your own.

8:00-9:00 Registration (Campbell Center)

9:00-9:45 Morning Worship (BPAC)

10:00–10:30 Chapel (Campbell Center)

10:45–11:35 “A Ministry that Lasts:  A Conversation on Ministry Longevity”, moderated by Anessa Westbrook (Bartholomew Performing Arts Center)

  • Panelists: Warren Baldwin, Bruce Goodwin, Wayne Hawley, Scott Laird

11:45–12:45 Lunch (Campbell Center)

1:00–1:50 Breakout Session 1

  • Darrel Sears, Small Church Track: “Stay on Target: The Need for a Constant Kingdom Mindset”
  • Greg Stevenson, Bible Track: “Faith under Fire” (Introduction to Hebrews)
  • Anessa Westbrook, Women’s Ministry Track: “Scriptural Foundations of Women’s Ministry”
  • Bruce Goodwin, Shepherds’ Connection Track: “Shepherd Preacher Relationships”
  • Kevin Knight and Nathan McBroom, Youth Ministry Track: “Discipleship and Leadership Development of Young People, Youth Ministry Panel”
  • Rowlie Hutton, “RenewU: Raising Leaders in Your Own Church”
  • Walter Clark, “The Rejection of Jubilee and Faith (Leviticus 25)”

2:00–2:50 Nathan Guy, Clayton Lecturer (Bartholomew Performing Arts Center)

3:00–3:30 Coffee Break  (Campbell Center)

3:45–4:35 Breakout Session 2

  • Darrel Sears, Small Church Track: “Christ-Centered Leadership in a Time of Constant Change”
  • Greg Stevenson, Bible Track: “Faith through the Fire” (Hebrews 1-2)
  • Anessa Westbrook, Women’s Ministry Track: “Theoretical Foundations of Women’s Ministry”
  • Scott Laird, Shepherds’ Connection Track: “Preparing the Next Generation”
  • Kevin Knight and Nathan McBroom, Youth Ministry Track: “Discipleship and Leadership Development of Young People, Youth Ministry Panel”
  • Jared Pack, moderator, “Learning from the Next Generation: YU Student Panel Talks about Faith”
  • Jim Coehoorn, “Faith of Our Fathers...and Sons and Daughters: Passing on Faith to the Next Generation”

5:00-7:00 Dinner hosted by York University’s Department of Bible and Ministry [advance reservation required for complimentary ticket] (Chances R Restaurant- 124 W. 5th St.)

7:00 Trivia Night with Jason Hawkins

Breakfast on your own.

8:30–9:00 Morning Worship (Bartholomew Performing Arts Center)9:00–9:45 Keynote: Mike Cope, “Faithful” (Bartholomew Performing Arts Center)

10:00–10:30 Chapel (Campbell Center)

10:45–11:35 Breakout Session 3

  • Darrel Sears, Small Church Track: “Why Preaching Still Matters: Relevant Sermons for Postmodern America”
  • Greg Stevenson, Bible Track: “Kindergarten Faith” (Hebrews 5-6)
    Anessa Westbrook, Women’s Ministry Track: “Practical Foundations of Women’s Ministry
  • Scott Laird, Shepherds’ Connection Track: “Equipping the Current Generation”
  • Kevin Knight and Nathan McBroom, Youth Ministry Track: “Discipleship and Leadership Development of Young People, Youth Ministry Panel”
  • Mike Cope, moderator, “Challenges and Opportunities for Small and Rural Churches”
    • Panelists:  Trevon Buchanon, Zeboriah Carter, Calvin Chapman, Rick Eldred, Jason Zaiger
  • Chris Krotz, “Jesus Loved Them To the End: Lessons from the Ministry of Christ”

11:45–12:45 Lunch (Campbell Center)

1:00–1:50 Breakout Session 4

  • Darrel Sears, Small Church Track: “Communication: The Achilles Heel of Most Church Leaders”
  • Greg Stevenson, Bible Track: “Faith that Sees” (Hebrews 11)
  • Anessa Westbrook, Women’s Ministry Track: “A Menu of Mentoring Methodologies”
  • Scott Laird with Tim Westbrook and others, Shepherds’ Connection Track: “Resources for Current Shepherds Panel”
  • Kevin Knight and Nathan McBroom, Youth Ministry Track: “Discipleship and Leadership Development of Young People, Youth Ministry Panel”
  • Chris Crooks, “Walking with a Church from Survival to Revival”
  • Diane Reese, “Water from His Well: Practices that Sustain a Living Faith”

2:00–2:30 Coffee Break (Campbell Center)

2:45–3:35 Breakout Session 5

  • Darrel Sears, Small Church Track: “Self-Care is Not Selfish: The Need for Spiritual AND Mental Health Awareness in the Church”
  • Greg Stevenson, Bible Track: “Faith in Action” (Hebrews 12)
  • Anessa Westbrook, Women’s Ministry Track: “Using Discipleship to Help Your Church Grow”
  • Jeff Hill, Shepherds’ Connection Track: “Staying Spiritually, Emotionally, and Physically Healthy as Shepherds and Wives”
  • Kevin Knight and Nathan McBroom, Youth Ministry Track: “Discipleship and Leadership Development of Young People, Youth Ministry Panel”
  • Tim Westbrook, “The Mission of Christian Colleges and Universities”
  • Franklin Wood, “Faithful Through Tragedy: Supporting the Brokenhearted”

4:00–5:30 Clayton Museum of Ancient History Open (guided tour with Garrett Best, Jared Pack)

6:00–8:00 Ides of March Dinner (Campbell Center) [ticket required]

  • Peter Gurry (Bartholomew Performing Arts Center)

 

Campus Map

 

Questions? 

Contact the Center for Ministry at centerforministry@york.edu.