We live in a discipleship crisis of false binaries. Followers of Jesus are pressured to pick a side — grace or truth, justice or mercy, conviction or compassion — as if maturity means eliminating tension rather than learning to carry it well. Drawing from his book Embrace the Tension, Tommy Nixon invites participants on a pilgrimage through the landscape of discipleship formation — from the Plains of Truth, where we confront easy answers, into the Depths of Nuance, where real spiritual maturity begins. Using this Camino-inspired framework, this workshop will equip leaders to disciple people not toward certainty, but toward Christlike wholeness — the kind that can hold hard tensions without collapsing into extremism or apathy.

As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, people across the political and cultural spectrum are telling competing stories about America’s past and debating what its future should become. But how should Christians understand our nation’s history in light of God’s redemptive story? What does it mean to live as dual citizens of both a country and a Kingdom that are not always aligned? And how can our calling to make disciples, be salt and light, and serve as ambassadors of Christ shape the way we engage a deeply polarized political culture with both truth and love? Join us to explore the AND Campaign framework for faithful civic engagement and discover practical ways to live out your Christian witness in today’s political moment.

Human trafficking, exploitation, and trauma are not issues that exist somewhere “out there”—they are present in our neighborhoods, churches, schools, and communities. Drawing from nearly 30 years of experience in child advocacy and anti-trafficking work, Lisa Longoria Bourgoyne will equip everyday Christians to recognize vulnerability, respond to trauma with compassion, and become people who create safety, dignity, and belonging. Together, we’ll explore what it looks like to move beyond awareness into practical, Christ-centered action that helps individuals and communities thrive.

Young people often think they have to wait until they are older, more experienced, or have everything figured out before God can really use them. This session will help youth leaders challenge that thinking and show students that God can use them right where they are. We will look at young people in Scripture whom God called and used, along with practical ways to recognize and develop leadership in the students we serve. We will also talk about giving young people real opportunities to lead, serve, make mistakes, and grow. The goal is to help raise young leaders who understand that they do not need a title to begin making a difference for Christ.

28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ Jesus used the example of a tower because, in that culture, a tower represented someone with influence, responsibility, stewardship, and impact in their city. People saw the tower and respected what it represented, but they often overlooked the foundation it took to hold it up. Authentic discipleship works the same way. We cannot chase the outward image of faith without doing the deep, foundational work first. The deeper we root ourselves in the ways and teachings of Jesus, the more authentic we actually become. If we skip the foundation, we may start strong, but we will not last. The lasting “tower” of a life that reflects Jesus is always built beneath the surface long before anyone else sees it.

Jesus never called people who had everything figured out—He called ordinary people willing to trust Him. In this workshop, we'll discover why waiting for the "perfect time" often keeps us from experiencing God's purpose. Through Scripture and real-life stories, students will be challenged to take their next step of faith today instead of waiting until they feel ready. Authentic disciples don't wait for perfect circumstances— they simply say yes to Jesus.

Have you ever cried out, “Lord, where are You?”

Feeling God's presence in your life can be difficult. The struggles, trials, failures, and constant demands of daily life often drown out His voice. Sometimes, it feels like He’s not there at all—but is that really true?

In our most desperate moments, God can feel like a distant figure, seemingly nowhere to be found. It’s almost as if we are playing a cosmic game of “hide and seek.” Perhaps you see God as uncaring or indifferent, upset with you or simply preoccupied with other matters. How can we recognize the Lord's presence in our daily lives? Where should we look to encounter Him? Instead of remaining skeptical, worried, and doubtful, you will discover that God's presence is nearer than ever before. Join us as we walk through Scripture to see God’s fingerprints not only in biblical characters’ lives but also in yours.

Repentance is far more than admitting wrongdoing and turning back to God's ways—it is the pathway to restored intimacy with God, lasting transformation, and uninterrupted fellowship in His presence. In this powerful session, participants will discover how confession, forgiveness, and genuine heart change remove the barriers that hinder closeness with God and prevent spiritual growth. Through biblical teaching and practical insight, attendees will learn how healing takes place in wounded areas of the heart through repentance and restoration, while forgiveness, reconciliation, and trust become the relational glue that strengthens both their relationship with God and others. As believers embrace a surrendered life, they will experience deeper intimacy with God, renewed freedom from destructive patterns, and spiritual empowerment that flows from walking in continual fellowship with Him.

Over the past century, Christianity has undergone a remarkable shift in geography and demography, a shift that is visible in Houston, the nation’s most diverse city and one of the top refugee resettlement cities in the world. Both voluntary and forced migration have played a factor in bringing the global Church to Houston, but how well do we know this story? Christians from all over the world are part of our global Christian family, but do we view ourselves as part of that family? This workshop will explore the dynamic interplay between migration, identity, and mission.

Throughout the Bible, wells were essential gathering places where people came daily for life-sustaining water and often encountered God in life-changing ways. Similarly, public schools and compulsory education are modern gathering places where children arrive each day in need of caring teachers, quality education, and meaningful relationships. The Bible reveals a God who sends His people “where the people are,” and public education offers Christians a significant opportunity to serve and lead, especially among vulnerable children and communities. In this seminar, David Montague, Founder and President of MTR, will explore the intersection of faith and public education, drawing on MTR’s work as a top-rated teacher preparation program in Tennessee. The session will examine how Christian thought and action can make a distinctive, constructive contribution to public schools through service, excellence, and love of neighbor. Participants will consider how commitments to righteousness and justice can be faithfully expressed in public education, where every child deserves a great teacher.