MicroCOnference

Gathered to Scatter

Everyday Churches Unleashing Hope Among Everyday People

Sandusky, Ohio
April 25-26, 2025

Our neighborhoods are aching for the good news of Jesus Christ.

God wants to empower everyday churches to embody the Kingdom in everyday places.

Learn how regular congregations are reimagining and reorganizing to bring hope into the cafés, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and common places we spend our days.

At Gathered to Scatter you will learn:

To reach people who might never come to a traditional “Sunday” church
To seize the opportunities your congregation has right now for greater impact without disrupting your existing church
To develop and unleash motivated leaders even if you don’t have a big staff

While many leadership events are oriented around well-known speakers, Gathered to Scatter features practitioners who are deeply experienced in leading small- and mid-sized congregations into more vital futures. Their desire is to help you do the same. Join us for a new vision of what an everyday church can be!

A Different Kind of Summit

A Week Just for You

Practitioner Led

All speakers and leaders are experienced pastors engaging the Fresh Expressions approach in small- and medium-sized church settings

Small- and Medium- Church Focused

Centered on the needs of average-sized Churches

Community Support Oriented

Includes a six-month free membership to FX Connect online community and resource library

Your Guides

Matt Lake

Lead Pastor, First Church Williamsport

Joy Moore

Professor of Biblical Preaching, Luther Seminary

Shannon Kiser

Director of U.S. Ministries & Training, Fresh Expressions, North America

Eliseo Mejia

Lead Team, The Ascent Movement and Director of Expresiones Divinas for Fresh Expressions North America

Victor Glover

Pastor, Last Days World Outreach Ministries

Heather Jallad

Associate Director of Training, Fresh Expressions North America

Brad Andres

Pastor and Dinner Church Leader

Five Days of Training and Resources

Schedule Overview

April 25-26, 2025

Friday, April 25

9.00 – 11.30: Optional Pre-Conference Pathways

Igniting Discipleship in Your Congregation

Activating the People in Your Pew

Matt Lake and Heather Jallad

Do you long to see deeper discipleship in your local congregation? Would you like to re-orient from discipleship that is primarily head knowledge about the gospel to a more heart centered lived-out gospel? Matt and Heather have led their congregations through this powerful shift, and will walk you through the specific shifts you can make in your local congregation that will animate and activate the people in your pews.

The Power of Dinner Church

Reconnect Your Church to Your Community

Eliseo Mejia and Brad Andres

What if instead of waiting for people to come to our churches, we started setting dinner tables? A common table, a shared meal, and great conversation has the power to unlock greater connection to your community and an opening for the gospel to take root in powerful ways. Eliseo and Brad have seen new faith communities emerge around these kinds of community tables, and will offer practical ways your congregation—no matter what size—can start a simple Dinner Church.

12.00 – 1.00: Arrival & Check-In for Conference

1.00 – 2.15: Session 1

The Power of Everyday Churches and Everyday Christ-Followers in the Kingdom of God

Victor Glover

The early Christian church didn’t have power and prestige—they had everyday Christ-followers who were compelled to live differently as resurrection people. In this session, we’ll look at how your church has more than you may realize, and we’ll consider how Jesus might be calling your everyday church to be a signpost of the kingdom.

2.45 – 3.45: Session 2

Practical Mission for Every Congregation & Community

Shannon Kiser

Most congregations have mission committees…but what if your congregation had a mission heart? In this session, we’ll look at how to lead an inward facing congregation into outward facing mission, without the need for a big budget, a big staff, or a big congregation. Discover why competing for fewer and fewer “church shoppers”is an ineffective strategy in the 21st century and find out how your church can focus your mission energy on relationships with the people other churches are not engaging.

3.55-4.45: Session 3

Panel Conversation

What We are Learning from the Mission Edges

Panel: Heather Jallad, Victor Glover, Brad Andres, Eliseo Mejia, Joy Moore
Moderator: Matt Lake

Listen into this conversation with church leaders who have been experimenting with Fresh Expressions on the mission edges and theologians who have been equipping a new generation of leaders. What can we learn from those who have already been immersed in mission among a postmodern culture? Bring your curiosity and questions and join us for this rousing dialogue.

5.30-6.45: Dinner and Dinner Church Experience (with Brad Andres)

6.45-8.00: Session 4 + Coffee and Dessert

Setting the Table

Mission in a Culture of Disconnection

Heather Jallad

How does the church more meaningfully engage a culture that is experiencing deep disconnection and loneliness? In this session, reflect on how a shared table or a taste of Christian community can be a gamechanger in your church’s ability to connect with a changing world. Discover practical ways your church can foster connection in the everyday spaces and places around your church.

Saturday, April 26

8.30 – 9:00: Morning Prayer & Worship

9.00 – 10.10: Session 5