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 (Print Flyer)

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 by March 6 is strongly encouraged to ensure participation in all conference activities and availability of all materials.

REGISTRATION OPEN

 

“...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 “A Christian Philosopher’s Take on Science and Religion” (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 “From Ancient Manuscripts to Modern Bible” (Bartholomew Performing Arts Center)

 

Campus Map

 

Questions? 

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