Conversations on a Bench

The event is designed to raise awareness about the work of Citygate Network members across North America, telling the story of how God is changing lives through their efforts, and position Citygate Network and its members as national thought leaders in the fight against homelessness.

The plan is to have more than 100 participating cities and/or ministries, all going live at the same time—3:00 p.m. Eastern Time / 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, October 9, 2025. Each site will livestream conversations taking place on a bench, with scheduled national conversations interspersed through the 24-hour period. These national segments will draw attention to the event and feature interviews from around North America. The even will conclude with a national call to prayer and a send-off message.

• Start: Thursday, October 9 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern / 12:00 p.m. Pacific
• End: Friday, October 10 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern / 12:00 p.m. Pacific (World Homeless Day) - we will all close the event together with prayer!

Participating ministries are expected to secure a location and set up a bench, pre-arrange 20 to 40 community conversations, send out press releases the week of the event (template provided by Citygate Network), post promotional materials, and set up a safe and visible production area. Each organization will livestream their local conversations while joining in on pre-scheduled national conversations with other ministries across the network.

While not required, we strongly encourage it. These calls help unify the campaign, expand its impact, and strengthen the sense of shared purpose across our movement.

Yes, participating members will receive a comprehensive Playbook that outlines how to host the event, including technical and logistical guidance such as equipment needs, security considerations, and scheduling suggestions. Citygate Network staff, Fresno Mission leaders, and others with past experience are available to answer questions. Regularly scheduled topical Zoom planning calls will be offered, with recorded sessions and opportunities for live Q&A.

Detailed information is included in the Playbook, but you’ll need a clear audio and video setup focused on livestreaming. Use a wireless lapel or headset mic for the CEO (with plenty of backup batteries), and 1–2 handheld mics for guests. Audio should go through a simple soundboard and into your video mixer. Speakers aren't required unless you want nearby attendees to hear the conversations. Set up one camera on a tripod about 10 feet from the bench to capture a full, steady shot. Add two small LED lights for nighttime or shadowy conditions. Use OBS Studio and Restream to stream to platforms like YouTube or Facebook (note: some platforms have 8–12 hour limits). A strong wired internet connection (at least 100 Mbps) is best.

Not necessarily. Some CEOs take short naps, and many use prerecorded content during the night. If you don’t have any, we’ll provide options.

Citygate Network will provide official logos, a model press release, social media banners, flyers for donors, and other branded assets to support each location’s efforts and ensure a unified national presence.

We recommend the CEO or executive director stay on the bench for consistency, but some rotation is okay if needed.

That’s up to you. Some used staff and volunteers with low-cost gear, while others brought in pros or asked churches for help.

Anywhere from 4 to 15 depending on your security needs and setup. The Playbook details recommended roles.

The $500 fee includes:

• How-to Playbook
• Branding guide with customizable templates
• Topical Zoom training calls
• Access to “Mission Control” for real-time support
• Inclusion on the national event website

The Playbook will be emailed to all registrants once finalized. You can register here.

Yes. Citygate Network will provide a general media release form that covers both your organization and Citygate publications.

Absolutely. Each participating organization is encouraged to tailor the event to fit their specific goals, whether that involves focusing on awareness, engaging community leaders, telling specific stories, or inviting financial support. Ministries are encouraged to make the event feel authentic and relevant to their own setting – including outside of the box ideas to garner awareness and engagement.

That’s okay. You can highlight recovery, prevention, or other at-risk populations. Talking points will help you shape the message.

Most found it easy! Start with people already in your network (pastors, volunteers, city partners), and build from there. It’s a great way to start or deepen community partnerships.

Yes! Many ministries use the event to raise funds through matching gifts, sponsorships, or general donations. Others choose to focus solely on awareness their first year. It’s entirely up to you—just make sure your goals are clear in your messaging and promotions.

Any bench that’s fairly comfortable and fits two people works great. If you have one already—perfect. Add cushions or bring a comfy set from home. Some recommend using two benches or side chairs so conversations feel more natural and relaxed.