2026 Annual Conference & Exposition
2026 Annual Conference & Exposition
Join 1,200+ mission and ministry leaders for four days of inspiration, training, and community
Discover the charm of Grand Rapids! This vibrant city will be the backdrop for our 2026 Annual Conference & Exposition at the world-class DeVos Place.
Find renewal through worship and biblical teaching
Ministry is demanding, but here you’ll find space to be refreshed through powerful worship, godly teaching, and biblical wisdom that renews your spirit and strengthens your calling.
Learn fresh strategies from trusted voices in ministry
Our network includes leading experts on homelessness and its underlying issues, presenting seminars that deliver fresh ideas, proven strategies, and real-world takeaways to strengthen your ministry.
Network with peers and partners from across North America
Build meaningful connections, exchange encouragement and best practices, and strengthen relationships that bring support all year round.
Our theme, All for Love, is a powerful call to action–putting love into motion in all that we do:
"The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people.
You’ve got to love both."
1 John 4:21 (MSG)
You’ll be refreshed with biblical wisdom, encouraged in your calling, and equipped with tools to keep showing Christ’s love to those who need it most.
Speakers
Experience inspiring platform speakers who share biblical insight and refreshing encouragement to strengthen your heart and mind.
Eugene Cho
Author, President & CEO of Bread for the World and Bread Institute
Eugene Cho
Author, President & CEO of Bread for the World and Bread InstituteAs president and CEO of Bread for the World and Bread Institute, Eugene Cho advocates nationally and globally to help end hunger. He also founded and leads One Day’s Wages as a grassroots movement of people, stories, and actions that help alleviate global poverty. His 2020 publication, Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian’s Guide to Engaging Politics, received a nomination for Christian book of the year.
Jeff Manion
Author and Pastor of Ada Bible Church
Jeff Manion
Author and Pastor of Ada Bible ChurchJeff Manion has served Ada Bible Church for over 40 years. He treasures the opportunity to train and encourage leaders and believes strongly in the power of slow and steady faithfulness. Jeff has authored Satisfied, Dream Big Think Small, and The Land Between.
Jo Saxton
Speaker, Author, and Leadership Development Executive Director at Bethel University
Jo Saxton
Speaker, Author, and Leadership Development Executive Director at Bethel UniversitySpeaker, podcaster, and author Jo Saxton currently serves as the executive director of a leadership development initiative at Bethel University. She regularly invests in and equips leaders around the world to step boldly into their calling and knows firsthand how the world can cause us to doubt our dreams, question who we are, and exchange our true child-of-God selves for an identity built on lies, guilt, and brokenness.
Kat Armstrong
Podcaster, Author, and Senior Director at Integrus Leadership
Kat Armstrong
Podcaster, Author, and Senior Director at Integrus LeadershipA powerful voice in our generation, Kat Armstrong hosts the Holy Curiosity podcast and has authored several books. She co-founded the Polished Network to embolden women in their faith and work, serves as an ambassador for Seminary Now and as an advisory board member for Pillar Seminary, and works as the director of strategy for Come Near, the parent organization for the He Gets Us campaign.
Abbreviated Schedule
Get ready for an action-packed week filled with learning, connection, and worship!
Please keep in the mind that the schedule is subject to change as details are finalized.
Monday, June 8
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1:00 PM - 5:00 PMRegistration Open
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1:00 PM - 5:00 PMSelf-scheduled Ministry Tours (see options to the right)
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2:00 PM - 4:30 PMDistrict Leadership Event
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3:00 PM - 5:00 PMMissionTracker Event
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5:30 PM - 7:30 PMLeadership Dinner
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6:00 PM - 8:00 PMNorthern Lights District Gathering
Available Monday Ministry Tour Sites:
- Gateway Mission – Holland, Michigan (30 minutes southwest)
- Men’s shelter and thrift store
🌐 https://hopefoundhere.org
Contact: Paige Taylor
📞 (616) 396-2200
✉️ ptaylor@hopefoundhere.org
- Men’s shelter and thrift store
- Muskegon Rescue Mission – Muskegon, Michigan (40 minutes northwest)
- Men’s shelter, resource center, daycare & preschool
🌐 https://muskegonmission.org
Contact: Heidi Davis
📞 (231) 727-6090
✉️ adminrecep@muskegonmission.org
- Men’s shelter, resource center, daycare & preschool
- Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries – Kalamazoo, Michigan (50 minutes south)
- Women’s shelter, children's ministry, residential programs
🌐 https://kzoogospel.org
Contact: Lynn Russcher
📞 (269) 345-2974 x201
✉️ lrusscher@kzoogospel.org
- Women’s shelter, children's ministry, residential programs
- City Rescue Mission of Lansing – Lansing, Michigan (1 hour east)
- 🌐 https://bearescuer.org
Contact: Randy Barton
📞 (517) 485-0145
✉️ randy@bearescuer.org
- 🌐 https://bearescuer.org
Tuesday, June 9
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7:30 AM - 6:00 PMRegistration Open
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7:45 AM - 8:45 AMNew CEO & Regional Coordinator Breakfast
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8:00 AM - 8:45 AMExhibitor Coffee with Citygate Network President
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9:00 AM - 11:00 AMPre-Conference Learning Opportunities: (1) HUD/HHS Policy Engagement | (2) Mental Health & Counseling Intensive | (3) Thrift Stores: A Rising Opportunity
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9:45 AM - 1:15 PMMel Trotter Ministries Tour
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10:00 AM - 8:30 PMBookstore Open
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10:45 AM - 11:30 AMFirst-timers Welcome Party
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11:45 AM - 1:15 PMCEO Leading Ladies Lunch
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2:00 PM - 3:00 PMOFFICIAL CONFERENCE KICK-OFF: Community Block Party & Exhibit Hall Grand Opening!
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3:15 PM - 4:30 PMTrack Seminars Group 1
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5:30 PM - 7:30 PMGeneral Session & Dinner, with Jo Saxton
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7:45 PM - 9:00 PMExhibit Hall Dessert
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8:30 PM - 10:00 PMEmerging Leaders Gathering
Wednesday, June 10
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7:30 AM - 3:00 PMRegistration Open
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7:45 AM - 9:00 AMExhibit Hall Breakfast
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8:00 AM - 9:00 AMCEO Level Up Breakfast
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8:00 AM - 9:00 AMCEO N & Up Breakfast
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8:30 AM - 9:00 AMRefresh: Devotions, with Our Daily Bread Ministries
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8:30 AM - 4:30 PMBookstore Open
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9:15 AM - 10:30 AMTrack Seminars Group 2
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11:00 AM - 1:00 PMGeneral Session & Lunch, with Tom De Vries
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1:00 PM - 2:45 PMExhibit Hall Dessert & Activities
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2:00 PM - 2:45 PMNetwork Group Connection Time
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3:00 PM - 4:30 PMAfternoon General Session, with Jeff Manion
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4:30 PM - 10:00 PMOpen Evening in Grand Rapids
Thursday, June 11
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7:30 AM - 6:00 PMRegistration Open
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7:45 AM - 9:00 AMExhibit Hall Open
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8:30 AM - 9:00 AMRefresh: Devotions, with Our Daily Bread Ministries
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8:30 AM - 8:30 PMBookstore Open
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9:15 AM - 10:30 AMTrack Seminar Group 3
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11:00 AM - 12:30 PMPlenary Session
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12:30 PM - 2:00 PMLunch at the Exhibit Hall
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12:45 PM - 2:00 PMEmerging Leaders Lunch
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2:15 PM - 3:30 PMTrack Seminars Group 4
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5:30 PM - 7:30 PMGeneral Session & Dinner, with Kat Armstrong
Friday, June 12
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7:00 AM - 8:00 AMBreakfast on your Own – Coffee at Seminars
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7:30 AM - 8:00 AMRefresh: Devotions, with Our Daily Bread Ministries
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8:00 AM - 12:30 PMRegistration Open
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8:00 AM - 12:30 PMBookstore Open
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8:30 AM - 9:45 AMSuper Seminars
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10:15 AM - 11:45 AMMorning General Session, with Eugene Cho
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12:30 PM - 4:00 PMMel Trotter Ministries Tour
Venue & Hotel
DeVos Place | Amway Grand Plaza
A premier convention center in downtown Grand Rapid, the DeVos Place offers a stunning riverfront setting along the Grand River, providing the perfect backdrop for our 2026 Annual Conference. The venue is surrounded by a lively entertainment district with more than 50 restaurants, shops, and museums just steps away.
Conveniently located next door, our conference host hotel, the Four-Star Amway Grand Plaza, ensures effortless access to DeVos Place. Grand Rapids combines the energy and amenities of a big city with the warmth and charm of a small town—making it an ideal host city for our gathering.
Registration
Join us in Grand Rapids to connect, discover new insights, and recharge amidst the Midwest's beauty.
Be part of a gathering fueled by His love—be renewed and register today!
Exhibitor & Sponsor Registration opens January 6, 2026
Ministry Member Rate
Canadian Member Rate
Enhanced Spouse Rate**
** Spouses are invited to enjoy full access to the conference, including
general sessions, meals, seminars, and the Exhibit Hall.
(This rate applies to spouses not employed full-time at a member ministry.)
Non-Member Rate
Part-time Registration Options
- Tuesday, June 9 — $189
- Includes conference kickoff event, one seminar, general session and dinner, and Exhibit Hall with dessert.
- Wednesday, June 10 — $149
- Includes Exhibit Hall breakfast, one seminar, and general session with lunch.
- Thursday, June 11 — $259
- Includes two seminars, plenary session, Exhibit Hall lunch, and general session with dinner.
- Friday, June 12 — $85
- Includes Super Seminars and final general session.
Optional Program Fees
- Mel Trotter Ministries Tour — $45— Tuesday, June 9 | 9:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Go behind the scenes at one of Citygate Network’s most historic member ministries. Breakfast and transportation included. - Pre-Conference Intensives — $30 each — Tuesday, June 9 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Focused, in-depth learning before the conference officially begins. Coffee and beverage break included.- HUD / HHS Policy Engagement – Gain insight into federal policy and funding priorities.
- Thrift Store: A Rising Opportunity – Learn how to build and deepen a thriving thrift store that supports both ministry and sustainability.
- Caring Well in High-Stress Ministry: De-escalation and Staff Resilience – Explore faith-integrated, trauma-informed approaches to challenging clients and staff care.
- Mel Trotter Ministries Tour — $45 — Friday, June 12 | 12:30 pm. – 4:00 p.m.
- A closing-day opportunity to see life transformation in action. Lunch and transportation included.
Already registered and want to add an optional program?
No problem! Simply contact our Events Registrar, Sereen, and she’ll be happy to assist you.
📧 info@citygatenetwork.org 📞 (719) 266-8300
Registration Now Open
For general questions, contact Lisa Miller, Director of Meetings & Events at lmiller@citygatenetwork.org.
For exhibitor or sponsor inquiries, contact Sam Edwards, Director of Business Development at sewards@citygatenetwork.org.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the organizations that have generously contributed to making this conference possible. Their partnership and support have played a vital role in bringing this event to life. Please take a moment during the conference to connect with representatives from these companies and express your appreciation for their involvement and investment in our shared mission.
Title Sponsor
Major Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
Partner Sponsors