History and Scope of Participation:
The current conference is the natural extension of growing events, birthed just nine years ago. The first National Friends Church Multiplication Conference was held at Barclay College in Haviland, Kansas, in 2013. Although organizers hoped originally for 30-40 participants (which would have been a great start), the first conference brought together 100 Friends leaders and students from around the US who affirmed a commitment to support and encourage church multiplication! In response to popular demand, follow-up conferences were planned in 2014, 2016, and 2018, with a decision to expand internationally in 2020. At the height of the pandemic, rather than cancel the 2020 conference, organizers determined that the best way to engage leaders worldwide would be to offer a gathering 100% online. The response far exceeded expectations, with attenders from 26 states and 26 countries, including over 500 registered “devices” and many watch parties. Planners and prayers for the 2022 conference anticipate an even greater spread of participation, with an increase in technological comfort and Wi-Fi bandwidths, and as more and more Friends catch the vision for how God can use them to make a difference in the world for Christ!
2020 Workshop Selection
1-1. "Becoming a Multiplying Mother Church" (Dr. Larry Walkemeyer)
1-2. "Equipping Leaders for Multiplication" (Dr. Stan Leach)
1-3. "Starting Churches in a Rural Setting" (Edwin Giron)
1-4. "Whole-Life Discipleship: Multiplying Disciples, Groups, and Churches" (David Thomas and Rwandan leaders)
1-5. LIVE on Zoom “What Every Planter and Church Should Know: Priorities for Church Multiplication”
(Dr. Ed Stetzer)
2-1. “Online Church Planting during a Pandemic (and Beyond)” (Jeff Reed)
2-2. “Fit and Flourish: Church Planter Assessment and Coaching for Effectiveness” Dr. Tim Roehl)
2-3. “Multisite Church Planting: Lessons We Have Learned” (Featuring Bill Fish and David Hopper, hosted by Dr. Jim Le Shana)
2-4. "Church Planting with a Missional/Incarnational Approach" (Carrie Corliss)
2-5. LIVE on Zoom "Any Church Can Do It: Planting Churches No Matter Your Size or Budget" (Randy Littlefield)
3-1. "Casting a Compelling Vision for Church Multiplication." (Matthew Cork)
3-2. "The Personal Life of the Planter: Our Greatest Ministry Tool" (Featuring Larry Mendenhall and David Tebbs, hosted by Dr. David Williams)
3-3. "Cross-Cultural Planting: Starting Churches for People Who Are Not Like You" (Dr. David Byrne)
3-4. "Planting House Church Networks: Transferable Concepts that Work" (Fede Hernandez and Cambodian leaders)
3-5. LIVE on Zoom "Game Plan: Developing A Missional Plan to Multiply" (Dr. Tim Roehl)