EDUCATION

Group 1
Creating Places of Grace on Your Campus
God’s grace holds the key to freedom and transformation. Transformation is needed not only for those we serve, but also for those in leadership. Partake in a meaningful discussion about the divine attributes of change where grace, truth, and time come together to generate internal transformation.
Curt Floski, executive director, Grace Network International
Denise Henning, Owner, Stewardship Matters

Group 2
Understanding EQ: Leading Clients to Better Decision-Making
Emotions frequently trump judgment. Understanding the source and relevance of emotions can impact how much sway they have over decision-making and affect one’s willingness to take risks. Many of our clients lack an understanding of EQ and have poor emotional regulation and awareness. Discover how you can teach clients these necessary executive function life skills.
MaryAnn Gardner, men’s and women’s program director, Bridgeport Rescue Mission

Group 3
The Future of Addiction Recovery Through Medication-Assisted Treatment
The awareness of addiction has been placed front-of-mind due to the surge of the opioid epidemic. MAT, or Medication-Assisted Treatment, is currently associated with opioid addiction, but similar treatment is being developed for both cocaine and methamphetamine users. As addiction interventions expand, we need to be more familiar with the treatment options. Arm yourself with good information so you can give an articulate response about upcoming trends and prepare your programs for what’s to come.
Joel Siebersma, men’s program director, Springs Rescue Mission

Group 4
A Functional Model to Eradicate Human Trafficking
Our country’s fundamental values promise freedom, fairness, and opportunity. Yet sex and labor slavery still exist in most communities today. Slavery hides in plain sight, exploits the most vulnerable, and is eroding our health. Freedom Now USA utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach, to unite community resources and discover how trafficking networks and systems operate. Join us as we unpack our progress to date, share the lessons we’ve learned, and explain a program model that can be replicated in your community.
Amber Cunningham, director of strategic development, Topeka Rescue Mission
Barry Feaker, executive director, Topeka Rescue Mission

Group 1
A Cultural Shift from Relief to Development: A Transformational Approach to Programs
Christ offers more than relief. Relief is where the real relationship begins. He then leads down a path of transformation and restoration. We’ll discuss how this model of transformative programming can work in every community.
Dan Rogers, CEO, Cherry Street Mission Ministries

Group 2
Resourcing the Cultural Shift: Strategic Community Partnerships and Funding Partners
A major programmatic switch doesn’t happen overnight. It requires forethought, viable partnerships, and sustainable funding models. We’ll walk you through a plan that builds support and provides messages that will work in your community.
Dan Rogers, CEO, Cherry Street Mission Ministries

Group 3
Leading the Cultural Shift: Influencing Your Board, Aligning Your Team
Leading a cultural shift is not intended to be a solo act. Without the investment and support of the leadership team and the board, CEOs are often left alone juggling their vision. Let’s discuss how to spread the vision so the net is cast wide across the organization’s leadership and the community.
Dan Rogers, CEO, Cherry Street Mission Ministries

Group 4
Starting with Nothing: From an Idea to a Fully-Functional Program
How does one take a program idea to a full-blown, highly functional, outcome-producing program? Learn the essentials of a program outline and the practical steps required to build the blueprint that sells it to donors and delivers on promises.
Cal Nelson, chief program officer, Wheeler Mission Ministries

Group 5
Start with Your Why: Developing an Intentional Approach to Ministry
Why does your organization exist, and how does that affect what you do and how you do it? The answers to these fundamental questions frame your approach to ministry and its outcomes. In this session, we’ll dive into your why and how that affects your mission’s program, administration, and development.
Tony Marciano, president/CEO, Charlotte Rescue Mission

Group 1
Promoting Women’s Wellness Through Wholistic Programming
In John 5:6, Jesus asks the man lying by the pool of Bethesda, “Do you want to be well?” Wellness focuses on the whole person and promotes the abundant life offered by Christ. We’ll explore various domains of wellness and how to integrate them into women’s programming to enhance positive outcomes in independent living. Participants will leave with a program development tool kit and resource recommendations.
Colleen Gore, director of center for women and children, Wheeler Mission Ministries

Group 2
Equipping Children and Families for a Meaningful Future
Homeless families desperately need access to safe, affordable childcare. Providing such care allows children often deprived of structured activity to engage in a supportive environment that aids in development, fosters kindergarten readiness, and provides whole-brain healing. Investing in our little ones breaks harmful cycles, decreases exposure to additional trauma, and sets a course to success while showing them they are royalty in God’s eyes…and ours. Come learn from an expert in early childhood development how to open the doors to your very own Children’s Palace!
Jessica Hosman, director of trauma-based initiatives and The Children’s Palace, Topeka Rescue

Group 3
Hungry, Humble, and Smart: Developing Soft Skills in Work Readiness Programs
Come and learn how Patrick Lencioni’s best-selling book, Ideal Team Player, informed and helped to shape one mission’s efforts to improve soft-skill development within their Work Readiness programming. You’ll leave ready to bring out the best in your team and the people you serve.
Josh Geppelt, vice president of programs, Denver Rescue Mission
John Morarie, vice president of operations, Denver Rescue Mission

Group 4
Developing a Critical Path for Effective Ministry
Think it’s impossible to increase your desired outcomes while decreasing your workload and stress? Would you believe this could be done efficiently with little variation, while enhancing employees’ quality of life? Join us to get a bird’s eye view on how lives can be transformed through a strategic operational process that redefines critical paths to success.
Todd Gilbert, director of planning, strategy and program excellence, Knox Area Rescue Ministries, Inc.
David Strom, director of enterprise development, Knox Area Rescue Ministries, Inc.

Group 5
Understanding the Relationship Between Information and Outcomes
Planning your attack not only sets the tone for what follows, but it also plays a critical role in realizing your goals. You can build a plan that intentionally targets and delivers your mission’s goals of changing lives. From triage through assessment and into transformative relationships, we’ll explain the real power that drives mission-defining outcomes.
Todd Gilbert, director of planning, strategy, and program excellence, Knox Area Rescue Ministries, Inc.
David Strom, director of enterprise development, Knox Area Rescue Ministries, Inc.

Group 1
A Trauma-Informed Approach to Understanding and Treating Your Clients
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) describes traumatic events that affect how a person develops physically, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually. Learn about the link between ACEs and future outcomes such as drug use, alcoholism, smoking, serious job problems, chronic depression, and cognitive impairment. With a better understanding of your clients’ traumatic pasts, you’ll be prepared to open their eyes and help redirect their lives.
Dave Lockridge, founder and president, ACE Overcomers

Group 2
A Symbiotic Relationship that Benefits Clients, Programs, and Operations
Missions often struggle with a serious strain between their program staff and their operations staff. They sometimes think the other doesn’t care, does things the wrong way, or just doesn’t get it. Learn how to eliminate such issues and implement methods that benefit the individuals in the program and the mission itself. Join us and participate in an eye-opening exercise that will help illuminate the natural relationship and bond the two into one symbiotic mission-based team.
Joel Siebersma, director of addiction recovery, Springs Rescue Mission
Jeff Cook, vice president of enterprise and work, Springs Rescue Mission

Group 3
Turning Addictive Behaviors into Healthy Habits
Addictive behaviors and substances artificially release four neurotransmitters in our brains. God gave them to us for a reason, and when used properly, they help us function as healthy human beings. Discover what these neurotransmitters are, what they do, and how to help your clients learn to release them naturally through nutrition, creative exercises, experiences, music, and other healthy means. Best of all, you don’t have to be a brain surgeon to understand and apply these practices.
Dean Perry, owner, Dean Perry Consulting LLC and Genesis Process associate

Group 4
Deinstitutionalization: Preparing Residents for Success Outside Your Walls
Evidence shows that moving from the institutional life of a program to independent living is one of the most critical and vulnerable times for clients. Those who are successful have three stabilizing outcomes: an individualized relapse prevention plan, self-supporting income, and independent housing. This seminar provides a blueprint to help clients build their own unique plan for all three areas as they move toward graduation and prepare for a meaningful tomorrow.
Dean Perry, owner, Dean Perry Consulting LLC and Genesis Process associate

Group 5
Running to Success! Holistic Healing through Half-Marathon Training
Can training for a half marathon facilitate a pathway to success? Up and Running Again demonstrates how holistic health training provides important physiological benefits, increases self-worth, and improves client success rates while achieving what was previously “unattainable.” You might even want to throw on your running shoes and get moving again, too!
Gregory Clarke, executive director, Up and Running Again
Stephen Tierney, founder and president, Up and Running Again

Group 1
Models to Explore in Senior Residential Care
As the Baby Boomer generation continues to age, we are finding an increase in the number of seniors experiencing homelessness. Often detached from family, they struggle to maintain independent living. This session will address service models to consider in your ministry and community.
Dan Streeter, CEO, Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan

Group 2
Shifting to a Relationally Driven Culture
Dignity is at the heart of the Gospel, and it conveys a message of a guest’s true identity. It is vitally important to convey a message of dignity to guests, and our culture is the most powerful vehicle for conveying that message. Systems, scripts, and paradigms influence the way staff interact and communicate with guests. This seminar will discuss the messages an organization sends through its systems, scripts, and paradigms and will help you ensure dignity is promoted.
Greg Weaver, director of food service, Kalamazoo Gospel Mission

Group 3
Serving Homeless Refugees and Immigrants
What’s it like to be a stranger in a foreign land? Leaving a life of despair to seek hope in a new world is difficult, but there’s hope. Join us and learn about the unique challenges and ministry opportunities in addressing homeless issues among refugee and immigrant populations through church and community partnerships.
Jose Kabeya, lead program coordinator, Family Refugee Services, Denver Rescue Mission

Group 4
Trauma-Informed Spiritual Formation
Explore the possibility of developing an appropriate spiritual pathway, from chapel services to spiritual formation classes for clients who have experienced trauma, many of whom suffer from PTSD. These practices will open your eyes and shed light on new approaches that will help get your clients closer to God than ever before.
Craig Mayes, chief spiritual formation officer, The Bowery Mission
Cheryl Mitchell, chief program officer, The Bowery Mission
Rob DeGuzman, senior director, clinical services, The Bowery Mission

Group 5
Food Trucks, Shower Trucks, and Mobile Job Units: Outreach Done Right
A chili van ignited the fire that brought outreach to the streets. Transportable showers are on the loose and a new mobile job unit is putting panhandlers to work! Experience three very different outreach models and learn how to harness the unique strengths of your community to bring valuable outreach services to the streets. Best of all, you’ll learn philosophies and practices that will help build the relationships that affect lives outside your campus and in the community.
Bryan Crain, chief operating officer, Orange County Rescue Mission
Terry Pallas, chief program officer, Seattle's Union Gospel Mission
Josh McBride, vice president of homeless services, City Gospel Mission

Group 1
Development and Program Staff: The Struggle Is Real, But It Doesn’t Have to Be
Find creative ways of working with program staff to help fund programs. Ever heard the words, “I don’t understand programs” or “What do those development people do all day?” Learn to serve the people who provide direct services to clients and reap the rich stories and understanding that is necessary to gain donor support and fund life-transforming programs. Step out of your comfort zone and begin building a healthy “marriage” in your organization.
Angela Washington, major gifts officer, City Rescue Mission, Inc.

Group 2
Special Events for Special Results
Are your special events indeed special? Special events can be a tremendous tool to raise awareness, increase engagement, and fund your ministry. We will take a look at the strategies and objectives to integrate when planning and launching your next season of special events.
Dan Streeter, CEO, Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan

Group 3
Build Long-Term Funding Through Partnerships with Foundations
What if grant writing rarely felt like a shot in the dark? There’s actually an art to writing grants and building long-term relationships with funders. Learn to expand grant requests from basic transactions with funders to lasting collaborations. During this seminar we will review the many types of grant funders and demonstrate new tools to identify prospective funders. This seminar will briefly touch on government grant funding but will not focus on it.
Liz Hefner, director of advancement, Sunday Breakfast Rescue

Group 4
Not Just Grant Seeking—Grant Hunting
We’re not just hunting bunny wabbits here. We’ll give you new ideas on how to hunt for grant opportunities that fit your mission. This seminar explores both public and private funding and will equip you with innovative ideas and tools to land the grant funding you need.
Laura Carr, development director, Lexington Rescue Mission

Group 5
New Development Strategies from Today’s Fastest Growing Ministries and Nonprofits
Growing revenue in today’s changing landscape is more challenging than ever. We’ve asked, “What can we learn by studying the fastest-growing nonprofits in the Christian ministry world?” We’ll share the lessons learned from observing growth and reveal key strategies that drive healthy growth, expose the pitfalls to avoid, and preview emerging opportunities for exponential growth.
Dave Raley, executive vice president, Masterworks

Group 1
Breaking Through to High-Capacity and High-Profile Donors
Discover proven, practical, and “gospel-centric” insights on breaking through to non-responsive donors and prospects. In this session, you will learn and practice new ways of identifying and prioritizing major donors. You will be able to distinguish between the “builders and buyers” and develop an engagement strategy for each. By incorporating a biblical and practical mindset, you’ll be equipped with proven methods and strategies for getting donors and prospects to enter into an exciting new conversation.
Shawn Saunders, vice president of client services, Dickerson, Bakker & Associates

Group 2
Thank-Love-Pray: Innovative Ways to Harvest Deeper Donor Relationships
Deeper, more meaningful, and even intimate relationships with your donors are no longer optional. They are the lifeblood of your ministry’s survival plan, and it is time to take them seriously. We have compiled some of the best donor relationship secrets, and we will share them with you, as well as discuss the results they have delivered.
Deborah Torres, chief development officer, Fresno Rescue Mission, Inc.
Tom Hooper, founder, Nimble Connect

Group 3
Successfully Executing a Comprehensive Capital Campaign
For some, the idea of launching a capital campaign is stressful. Using our experience from successfully steering campaigns ranging from $500k to $1.3 billion, you will learn tips for ensuring you have a crisp, compelling vision to share. You’ll gain fresh practices for communicating important and motivating messages to target audiences. Most of all, you will have the ability to approach your next capital campaign with confidence.
Patrick McLaughlin, president, The Timothy Group

Group 4
How to Fearlessly and Successfully Ask for Money
Christian comedian and author Mike Williams teaches from his book: How to Fearlessly and Successfully Ask for Money! Stop Fretting the Ask Process. Mike’s system will train you to captivate your audience and draw them into your organization’s mission. When you understand these simple steps, you will quickly become a fundraising expert capable of building a financial presentation in minutes that will captivate your audience.
Mike Williams, Christian comedian and author

Group 5
God’s Purpose for You in the Development Department
Today more than 80 percent of people working in development will leave their jobs before they complete their second year. Something is wrong! We must understand the call, the importance, and the purpose of serving in development. This seminar helps you explore God’s purpose for your work, how to develop deep relationships, and what it looks like to excel in your position. Be encouraged and reinvigorated!
Linda Cunning, senior consultant, Advocace Media

Group 1
Service Animals, SOGI, and other Potential Sources of Discrimination Claims: Serving Compassionately, Mitigating Risk
Even well-informed ministries have found themselves in legal jeopardy from discrimination claims. While we try to serve with compassion and dignity, we must do so wisely. With increasing sensitivity to accessibility rights, guests are becoming more aggressive, often supported by activists. This seminar will be less lecture and more discussion to bring awareness of the exposures, as well as the tools, to help avoid claims without compromising values.
Brian Merriam, president, Merriam Insurance Agency

Group 2
The Intersections of Finance and HR
A purposeful partnership between the HR and Finance team ensures an organization’s success. We’ll show you how to build your own blueprint to build a sound infrastructure based on ministry integrity, effectiveness, and protection.
Angie Criner, owner, Career Cross Training
Denise Henning, owner, Stewardship Matters

Group 3
Six Essential Principles of Leadership
Leadership is hard to teach, but it can be learned! This seminar uses two case studies to help participants extract ideas and behaviors that are essential principles of leadership for leaders of all levels.
Sam Watts, CEO, Welcome Hall Mission

Group 4
Does Your 990 Tell a True Story About Your Organization?
Foundations, donors, journalists and watchdogs use your 990 to access more information than your financial status. They look at governance controls, conflicts of interest, and other potentially problematic areas. We will review all the parts of the Form 990 and give you a better understanding of the implications of the questions in each section, suggest ways you can improve your 990, discuss how donors might view your answers, and the opportunities for you to bring clarity to the answers.
Denise Henning, owner, Stewardship Matters

Group 5
Becoming a Thought Leader on Volunteerism Within Your Community
Tap into the volunteer mindset by exploring results of a new and highly-regarded annual report Volunteer Perspective: Industry Insights 2019, where more than 7000 volunteers responded to questions about their motivations, inspirations, social and giving habits, recruitment , background check preferences, and more. Equipped with new ideas and insights, you’ll be prepared to construct a highly engaged and effective volunteer team that will shape the future of your programs and community.
Kimberly Chochon, vice president, partnerships, Verified Volunteers

Group 1
Your Retirement Plan’s Administrative and Fiduciary Responsibility
Managing a retirement plan can be overwhelming–especially when trying to keep up with the ever-changing rules and regulations of the IRA and the DOL. Discover the essentials, and some secrets, to administering a successful plan. We’ll update you on the regulations and trends, and cover what it means to be a fiduciary. We’ll even show you how to educate your staff and increase participation.
Richard Wilson, COO, Envoy Financial

Group 2
Creating a Coaching Culture for Your Team
UGM Vancouver has been on a journey to create a coaching culture. We’ve discovered that non-directive coaching increases staff resiliency and improves results with our clients. We’ll share the twists and turns of our journey: how it has empowered staff, improved our relationship with clients, and enhanced the ways we communicate with donors. This is one of the best initiatives we’ve embarked on in the last decade and we can’t wait to share it with you!
Grace Lynn Reeve, director of human resources, Union Gospel Mission
Jack Wagner, acting manager, alcohol and drug recovery services, Union Gospel Mission

Group 3
In the Know: Current HR Topics You Can’t Afford to Miss
It’s important to be in the know and we want to help. HR can be confusing—and risky—if you don’t understand today’s new laws. Are you following the FLSA salary exemption from overtime rules? Do you know if the Equality Act can harm your religious freedoms? Are your I-9 Form practices in compliance? How up to date are your records retention and information governance practices? Does your drug use policy include marijuana and drug resting practices? We’ll discuss these critical topics and more to make sure you are informed and protected.
Angie Criner, owner, Career Cross Training
Jon Ruybalid, attorney/entrepreneur, Jonathan A. Ruybalid, LLC

Group 4
Unlocking Potential by Investing in the Development of Your Team
Ministries committed to being learning and growing organizations stand prepared for today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. They have a higher impact and maintain effective employees longer. Although professional development is an investment, it can pay off significantly. Come learn new professional development concepts that are sure to help elevate your team and raise the effectiveness of your ministry for years to come.
Al Lopus, president and co-founder, Best Christian Workplace Institute
Giselle Jenkins-Picard, director of human resources consulting, Best Christian Workplace Institute

Group 5
Creating a Strengths-Based Culture in Your Mission
Becoming a Strengths-Based culture can lead your staff and clients to discovering, developing, and deploying their unique Strengths. Such a movement increases levels of engagement, productivity, and purpose at all levels. Gallup Certified Strengths Coach Dallas Lange will share his expertise by explaining how you can turn your crew into a Strengths-Based Team.
Dallas Lange, director of New Life Ministries, Portland Rescue Mission

Group 1
Structuring the Ministry-Enterprise
Structuring ministry businesses properly is essential. Missions are increasingly setting up businesses that become a part of the program and financial landscape of ministries. Join in on this session to: learn when and how to legally set up the ministry—business relationship; understand different legal structures; and gain insight into sharing resources, tax issues, contracts, and more.
Jon Ruybalid, attorney/entrepreneur, Jonathan A. Ruybalid, LLC

Group 2
Created to Flourish—How Employment-Based Solutions Help Eradicate Poverty
We are called by God to help those in poverty. But how? This seminar will equip you with both a solid biblical and economic understanding of how to foster sustainable economic development and human flourishing.
Peter Greer, president and CEO, Hope International

Group 3
Creating a Transformative Trauma-Informed Social Enterprise
Social Enterprise participation has a significant impact on the mental, social, and occupational health of individuals experiencing homelessness. We’ll discuss how to create an empowering social enterprise with a program focus through the lens of the trauma experienced by those the enterprise serves.
Colleen Gore, chief program officer for women’s services, Wheeler Mission Ministries

Group 4
It’s Not the Fashion...It’s the Feeling: Your Thrift Store Sets the Stage for Change
UGM Dallas has introduced a new clothing brand called Vintage Ten through their boutique vintage (thrift) store. The boutique offers a place to share God’s love with women and young ladies. We host a fashion show called Project Vintage Runway as a fundraiser with proceeds going to support our women’s and children’s programs. Share in the excitement of our concept and learn how to open the doors to your very own boutique.
Margaret Mckoin, owner/CMO, The Time Group

Group 5
Social Enterprise that Merges Mission, Client, and Community
To remain competitive today, it’s not enough to just have a good product or service. You must also do good. Consumers and donors make financial decisions based on an organization’s perceived impact on their community. Sustainable support must be locally sourced. Learn new ways to share your enterprise’s assets, share its added value, and resonate better with your community to become the trusted focal point for economic development.
Tyler Peoples, director of social enterprises, Springs Rescue Mission

Group 1
Strategic Partnerships: Increasing Impact and Relevance
As Citygate Network members seek to serve their changing communities, strategic partnerships can increase effectiveness of programs, community relevance, and relationship capital with other sectors. Learn how ministries can evaluate and cultivate partnership opportunities, clarify roles with partners, prepare for the full life-cycle of a partnership, and ensure partnerships have a great return on investment.
Derek Weiss, director of community engagement, Social Enterprise and Housing, Union Gospel Mission

Group 2
7 Creative Exercises to Rethink Your Organization
If your mission seems stale—especially when it comes to the way you look to your community—you need ideas to help you remove that expired “best used by” date from your efforts. This engaging session will show you how to: Find new perspective; renew your inspiration; capitalize on your strengths; and get unstuck in fundraising, communications, and strategy.
Jason Pearson, founder, Pearpod

Group 3
Next-Level Content Creation and Optimization
It’s the biggest unrecognized opportunity on your website. While most website managers, brand managers, and content strategists spin their wheels creating something new, they overlook what their existing content tells them. This session is equal parts art and science. We’ll improve your search rankings, attract more of your target audiences, and convert a higher percentage of them by finding the content that inspires visitors to take action.
Eric Pratum, director of digital strategy, Bigwidesky

Group 4
The Equality Act and the Court of Public Opinion
H.R. 5 has the potential to radically alter basic freedoms, and it’s on track for a full floor vote this summer. It seeks to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by adding sexual orientation and gender identity as federally protected classes, but it goes much deeper. Your response to it—and the media’s response about you—could be disastrous for your public image. Start now to understand and prepare for the fray.
John Ashmen, CEO, Citygate Network
Jon Ruybalid, attorney/entrepreneur, Jonathan A. Ruybalid, LLC

Group 5
Courageously Plot a Course Through Uncertainty (Branding and Other Big Decisions)
Through this exploration of transformational visions, you’ll be led through scenarios that generate strategies to prepare you not only for a preferred future, but for future situations you may not prefer. The insight gained in the exercise is valuable because we can’t know what will happen, but we can prepare for what could happen. Learn to ask better questions, involve your stakeholders, and think innovatively so you can focus further into the future.
Jeremy Nulik, futurist and evangelist prime, Bigwidesky

Group 1
SWOT Analysis
We’ll analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats present in today’s thrift store market. You’ll walk away better equipped to take advantage of opportunities and stave off the threats.
Chuck Franklin, retail services director, Rock Church

Group 2
Thrift 101: Basics of an Exceptional Thrift Operation
Whether you’re brand new to the thrift store industry or an old hand, you will find this seminar highly informational and inspiring. We’ll discuss the foundational concepts and uncover the key strategies of starting and managing an outstanding thrift store.
Rusty Parrish, principal, ThriftStoreSpecialist.com

Group 3
Dos and Don’ts of Successful Thrift Store Operations
Come learn from the vast experience of key leaders who have opened nine successful thrift stores. They’ll describe elements of a solid thrift store business plan, in addition to the pitfalls to avoid if you want to achieve and maintain profitability in your enterprise.
Keith Overholt, president/CEO, Downtown Rescue Mission
Mike Smith, senior director of retail ministries, Downtown Rescue Mission

Group 4
Staffing for Success
The success of your store depends a great deal on your team, so it’s important to have the right people in the right places doing the right things for the right reasons. From recruiting to training and compensating, this session will detail how to build and retain the team necessary to move your thrift operation forward.
Craig Pedersen, director of business operations, Hope Gospel Mission

Group 5
Thrift Store Roundtable

Regardless of your experience level or store size, you’ll benefit from the collective experience of these expert panelists. Bring your questions and concerns or even the crazy ideas you’d like to explore, and this panel will work on some take-home solutions to help move your enterprise forward. This might be this track’s best session!
Chuck Franklin, retail services director, Rock Church
Keith Overholt, president/CEO, Downtown Rescue Mission
Rusty Parrish, principal, ThriftStoreSpecialist.com
Craig Pedersen, director of business operations, Hope Gospel Mission
Mike Smith, senior director of retail ministries, Downtown Rescue Mission

Because mental health issues are so prevalent at Citygate Network member ministries, we are offering a unique five-session counseling skills course. Led by experienced professional counselors, the course will focus on the importance of providing an effective and healing relationship to those in need and will cultivate an understanding of how to apply spiritual gifts and interpersonal skills.

Participants who complete all five sessions will receive a basic counseling course certificate of completion. The counseling course and credits are free for convention registrants. While no advance registration for the course is required, participants will need to sign in at each session in order to receive credit.

The course will be taught by Carl Sever, MA, LPC; Roy Smith, MDiv, Ph.D; and Trish Young, Psy.D., Pennsylvania Counseling Services—Knights of the 21st Century

Group 1
Addictions: An Applied Approach
Caring for individuals struggling with an addiction can leave us feeling confused, hopeless, and helpless. Participants attending this seminar will learn about brief interventions and therapies for substance abuse and will walk away with simple strategies they can apply when working with someone currently battling an addiction.

Group 2
The Healing Process
In this seminar, participants will strengthen their ability to help others by understanding attachment styles (how early relationships can shape our understanding and expectations of others) and ways to recognize and improve emotional intelligence in themselves and others.

Group 3
The Walking Wounded
This seminar will focus on defining common forms of serious mental illness and conduct disorders. Participants will discuss these illnesses in depth, explore misconceptions associated with mental illness as a whole, and learn new ways to support the individuals we serve, ease their suffering, and help connect them to assistance within their communities.

Group 4
Meeting the Challenge
A focus on prevention is key when dealing with issues such as anger, aggression, disruption, or self-harm. This seminar will define red flags that signal the potential for aggressive or harmful responses from those we work with. We will discuss how to de-escalate individuals and when to engage first responders, as well as consider preventative steps we can take to protect our programs from harmful individuals.

Group 5
The Effective Servant
Being an effective servant is a great calling, but it can be a daunting task. This seminar will focus on how to effectively support and lift up others, communicate honest love and concern for them, and encourage those who may have given up hope. Additionally, we will explore the reasons behind embracing or avoiding these golden opportunities to serve and how we can give of ourselves while staying healthy and avoiding burnout.