By Eliza Rohda '26
York University hosted its fourth annual Equip Conference March 16–17, continuing to grow in numbers and impact. Compared to the 185 attendees last year, this year’s conference left standing room only with 245 attendees from 80 churches. These church leaders represented 18 states and Canada, showcasing the Equip Conference’s ever-increasing reach.
“It is amazing to think that the Equip Conference has tripled in size since the first conference four years ago,” Dr. Garrett Best said. “We want the church leaders who come to feel seen and valued, even though their ministry often goes unnoticed. The conference is designed with those churches in mind.”
Kicking off the two-day event, Stephen Maxwell led a morning worship session, right before Scott Lambert spoke to conference attendees and students at YU’s daily chapel gathering on Monday. Lambert challenged listeners to not get lost in the nostalgia of what the church used to be, and encouraged everyone to serve the present generation they find themselves in.
After Monday’s chapel, attendees moved to the Bartholomew Performing Arts Center to hear insights from a panel of ministers moderated by Anessa Westbrook. Together, this panel made up of Dr. Warren Baldwin, Bruce Goodwin, Wayne Hawley and Dr. Scott Laird, has nearly 200 years of experience in ministry combined.
During breakout sessions, this year’s attendees could choose between classes in five different tracks centered around specific areas of interest: a Youth Ministry track conducted by Nathan McBroom, Kevin Knight and Jamey Grimsley; a Small Church track led by Dr. Darrel Sears; a Biblical Studies track taught by Dr. Greg Stevenson; a Women’s Ministry track led by Dr. Anessa Westbrook; and a Shepherd’s Connection track guided by Bruce Goodwin, Dr. Scott Laird, Carl Feril, Dr. Tim Westbrook and Jeff Hill. Other breakout speakers included Rowlie Hutton, Walter Clark, Jim Coehoorn, Chris Krotz, Diane Reese and Franklin Wood.
Attendees described the conference as “refreshing” and “a beacon of hope, joy and encouragement for Northern and Midwestern churches.” Others described their time at Equip as one of “renewal” and a time to “regain perspective on my purpose and mission.”
Other highlights of the Equip Conference included Dr. Nathan Guy’s Clayton Museum of Ancient History lecture entitled “A Christian Philosopher’s Take on Science and Religion,” a panel of YU students moderated by Dr. Jared Pack, a trivia night hosted by Jason Hawkins and a panel moderated by Mike Cope entitled “Challenges and Opportunities for Small and Rural Churches” with panelists Zeboriah Carter, Calvin Chapman, Rick Eldred and Jason Zaiger. Cope also led attendees in considering this year’s conference theme with his keynote talk, “Faithful.” Special thanks to Renew University for sponsoring a dinner at Chances “R” Monday night, where Jim Coehoorn was given the Minister’s Heart Award.
To end a full two days packed with learning and fellowship, conference attendees had the opportunity to attend the Clayton Museum of Ancient History’s annual Ides of March Dinner. Dr. Peter Gurry of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary gave his lecture “From Ancient Manuscripts to Modern Bible,” detailing the history of how the Bible we know today came to be.
"The Equip Conference has continued to experience substantial growth year after year. The atmosphere is one of reunion and joy,” Dr. Anessa Westbrook, co-executive director of the Kite Center for Ministry, said. “It is so encouraging to see so many faithful servants gathered together for renewal and equipping. If you have never come to the Equip Conference, we hope you will join us next year."
For more information about the conference, follow the Kite Center for Ministry on Facebook.