Immersion
Missional Entrepreneurship
Training for Pioneers at the Intersection of the Marketplace and God’s Mission
Sterling, VA
January 29-31, 2025
Your neighborhood is full of people who will likely never come to your church.
What can churches and Christian leaders do to bless our communities and connect with our neighbors?
Many churches find new vitality by opening “missional businesses” that not only produce income but also build meaningful relationships in an increasingly disconnected world.
Everyday churches like yours are using their underutilized properties to address local needs, such as tiny home communities, affordable daycare, and community gathering spaces. Join us to explore the Bible’s vision of how God’s people impact their community and imagine new ways your church can join in.
Join us at Riverside Presbyterian Church, home of the bustling Ridgetop Cafe, to learn:
- How Churches become Community Hubs
- Best practices for Repurposing Church Facilities
- Opportunities for New Income Streams and New Expressions of Church
Ridgetop Cafe is so much more than a business. Expand your imagination for what is possible in your setting as you see, taste, and experience unique ways that mission and ministry can thrive in the midst of the marketplace.
Get a Taste
On-Site Training and Inspiration
Biblically Rooted
Discover God’s heart for mission and how that impacts our church’s approach.
Practitioner Led
Learn from practitioners who have started businesses, reimagined church buildings and more
Actionable Focus
Learn practical strategies you can apply as soon as you get home.
Training Includes
- Robust Times of Prayer and Worship
Following God into mission begins with positioning ourselves to listen to God. This gathering will be framed with times of prayer and worship that help us position ourselves to listen to the Holy Spirit. - Immersive Experience
The training will take place at Ridgetop Coffee and Tea, a missional business in Sterling, Virginia. You’ll enjoy premium coffee from our baristas and overhear the bustling sounds of families in the play area. You will also have the opportunity for a panel discussion with the team of people who brought that vision into reality. - Focus on Context
Not every approach is for you! Presentations and dialogue will focus on essential elements of developing an entrepreneurial mission that fits your context. - Targeted Breakout Sessions
Do you have a specific area of interest or concern? You can look forward to breakout sessions with experts in fields such as nonprofit accounting, investor pitches, business planning, and more. - Q and A
Beyond presentations, there will be dedicated times for you to explore your concerns, issues, and questions.
Your Guides
Shannon Kiser
Director of U.S. Ministries & Training, Fresh Expressions, North America
Brian Clark
Director, Missional Incubator
Edwin Andrade
Lead Pastor, Riverside Presbyterian Church
Jesse Colon
Worship Leader
Jeff Hulett
Founder and President, Personal Finance Reimagined
Nikki Collins
1001 New Worshiping Communities
In-Depth PReconference Event
FAITHFUL FUTURES
Empowering Mission Through Property and Enterprise
Arrive early to discover how congregations turn underutilized spaces into mission-driven community hubs.
Imagine your church property as more than walls and pews—what if it became a launchpad for mission and community transformation?
- What resources are sitting right in front of you?
- What needs could you meet in your neighborhood today?
- What if your congregation could unlock these possibilities to serve your community—and bring your mission to life?
Join us to hear from leaders who’ve seen the potential in empty spaces and have caught a powerful vision for how God can use them. Together, we’ll explore how to turn underutilized spaces into dynamic hubs of community, discipleship, and service.
Here’s what’s waiting for you:
- Stories to spark your imagination
- Solid insights on using church property for social enterprise
- Hands-on practice with the Good Futures Accelerator—a tool you can bring back to your congregation (see more here)
Cost: $70 includes three meals, snacks, and a book!
Monday, January 28
5:00 PM
Registration and Welcome Reception
Join us for an informal welcome at Riverside Church to kick off the event with networking and light refreshments.
6:30 PM
Dinner and Worship
Enjoy dinner followed by a worship session, setting the tone for reflection and community building.
7:30 PM
Keynote with Q&A: Chelsea Spyres
Chelsea Spyres, founder of The Kitchen Collective in Wilmington, DE, will share insights on creating sustainable, mission-driven ventures, followed by a Q&A session.
Tuesday, January 29
8:00 AM
Breakfast
Start the day with breakfast and informal conversations.
9:00 AM
Reflection and Dreaming
Spend time in guided reflection to explore personal and communal visions for missional entrepreneurship.
10:00 AM
Keynote: Mark Elsdon
Mark Elsdon, author of Gone for Good: Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition, will discuss how churches can leverage their property for sustainable futures.
12:00 PM
Lunch
Take a break to enjoy lunch and connect with fellow attendees.
1:00 PM
Experiencing the Good Futures Accelerator
Engage in hands-on activities to explore pathways for sustainable and impactful community-focused ventures.
2:30 PM
Now What?
Reflect on key learnings and discuss next steps for implementing missional entrepreneurship in your context.
3:00 PM
Wrap Up and Prepare for the Missional Entrepreneurship Immersion
Conclude the event with final reflections and preparations for those continuing on to the Missional Entrepreneurship Immersion.
What to Expect
Immersion Schedule
Wednesday, January 29
4:00-5:00 PM
Unless the Lord
Brian Clark
In this opening session, Brian Clark will guide us through the essential reminder that this mission is God’s, not ours. As we embark on conversations about missional entrepreneurship, Brian will help us focus on how we can become more attentive to God’s Spirit, growing in trust and faith as we step into a future that we cannot control, but one that God can direct.
5:00-6:00 PM
The Cloud of Witnesses: Ridgetop Coffee and Tea Panel
This panel shares the story of Ridgetop Coffee and Tea—a bold response from a congregation that realized they could no longer follow the same path without diminishing their impact. The discussion will highlight the risks taken to shift direction, the process of developing a mission and business plan, and the role of hospitality in shaping this venture. Panelists will offer insights into leading a congregation through change, keeping the mission at the forefront, and the lessons learned along the way.
7:00-7:20 PM
Proximity and People of Peace
Shannon Kiser
In this session, Shannon Kiser reflects on Jesus’ approach to sending disciples out to share peace and receive hospitality. She will challenge us to think of missional entrepreneurship not just as an income stream but as an opportunity to intersect naturally with others in our communities. Shannon will explore how to create spaces, businesses, and life rhythms that enable us to connect meaningfully with people and how to identify and partner with those who resonate with the vision of peace and community.
7:20-8:00 PM
Dessert and Group Discussion
After Shannon Kiser’s session, we’ll gather for dessert and group discussion. This time is dedicated to processing the insights from the day, sharing reflections, and connecting with others as we begin to explore what missional entrepreneurship could look like in our own contexts.
8:00-8:30 PM
Group Shareback, Closing Remarks, and Prayer
We will conclude the day by sharing key takeaways and personal reflections. This will be followed by closing remarks and a time of prayer, allowing us to center our hearts and minds before we move into the next day of the journey.
Thursday, January 30
9:00-9:30 AM
Morning Worship
Begin your day in a time of worship as we collectively focus on centering our mission and purpose in God. This worship session will create space for reflection and alignment as we continue exploring missional entrepreneurship.
9:30-10:00 AM
Missional Compelling Social Enterprises and Businesses
Brian Clark
In this session, Brian Clark will examine how the church can engage its community in ways that are both compelling and relevant. Drawing lessons from the early church’s marketplace presence, Brian will help us identify and activate new social enterprises and businesses that are aligned with God’s mission for the 21st century. This conversation will guide us in understanding how to create initiatives that not only meet community needs but also draw people into deeper relationships with the church.
10:30-11:30 AM
The Cloud of Witnesses: Experts in the Field
This panel of experts will provide a 30,000-foot view of the many factors involved in launching and sustaining missional enterprises. Panelists will cover essential topics such as accounting practices, zoning requirements, angel investing, marketing, and brand management. With time dedicated to Q&A, this session will offer practical advice for overcoming challenges and developing expertise in areas where you may lack experience. Panelists include Jeff Hulett, Nikki Collins, and Carla Leon, each bringing a wealth of knowledge from their unique backgrounds in finance, community building, and business development.
12:45-1:45 PM
Breakout Session 1
Participants will have the opportunity to dive deeper into specific areas of interest during this breakout session. Whether you’re exploring the intricacies of business planning, marketing, or community engagement, these sessions are designed to help you take the next steps in your missional entrepreneurship journey.
2:00-3:00 PM
Breakout Session 2
This second breakout session provides further exploration of key topics. You will have the chance to learn from practitioners and experts who can provide guidance tailored to your context, helping you refine and implement your missional initiatives with greater confidence and clarity.
4:00-5:00 PM
The Cloud of Witnesses: Missional Incubator Panel
This panel will highlight the early stages of missional entrepreneurship from a variety of congregational leaders. Panelists will share the social enterprises or businesses they are developing and discuss why these strategies fit their specific contexts. The conversation will provide real-time insights into the beginning phases of the missional journey, offering a chance to learn from practitioners who are currently navigating these challenges and opportunities.
6:00-6:30 PM
Where Jesus is Not Known
Shannon Kiser
Shannon Kiser will lead us in an exploration of what it means to embody the way of Jesus in today’s chaotic and anxious world. Instead of focusing on drawing people into our church buildings, Shannon will challenge us to follow Jesus into the world—seeking out the lost, forgotten, and marginalized. This session will help us consider how we can take the Gospel beyond the walls of the church and into the places where it is most needed.
6:30-7:15 PM
Dessert and Group Discussion
As the day winds down, we will gather for dessert and group discussion. This is a time for shared reflection on the themes of the day, allowing us to build deeper connections as we exchange ideas and experiences on the practice of missional entrepreneurship.
7:15-8:00 PM
Time of Prayer and Closing
We will conclude the evening with a collective time of prayer and closing, lifting up our hopes, reflections, and intentions before God as we prepare for the final day of the event.
Friday, January 31
9:00-9:20 AM
Morning Worship
Start the final day of the event with a time of worship, creating space for reflection on our journey so far and setting the tone for the closing sessions. This worship will help us ground ourselves spiritually before engaging in the final discussions and takeaways.
9:20-9:40 AM
Reimagining Temple and Church
Brian Clark
In this session, Brian Clark will challenge us to rethink how we view our church buildings and resources. Are these spaces merely sacred relics of the past, or can they be dynamic assets for God’s mission in our communities? Together, we will explore how we can shift our perspective from scarcity to abundance, imagining new ways to use what we have to create opportunities for ministry and mission in today’s world.
10:30-11:00 AM
Closing Remarks and Blessing
As the event draws to a close, we will gather one last time for final reflections and a time of blessing. This session will leave us with encouragement, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose as we return to our communities, ready to implement the lessons we’ve learned and continue on the path of missional entrepreneurship.
Dig DEEPER
Breakout Sessions
The Ups and Downs of Starting a New Faith Community Connected to a Compelling Business
Nikki Collins
Take an honest and reflective look at the joys, challenges, and pressures that come with launching a new faith community alongside a compelling business—specifically, a coffee café startup. Drawing from her personal experience of founding a faith community through this venture, Nikki will explore the unique advantages and disadvantages of simultaneously building both a faith community and a business. She will discuss the critical organizational structures needed to ensure not only success but also long-term sustainability—both financially and in terms of personal well-being. With her extensive experience, including her national role overseeing the 1001 New Worshiping Communities initiative within the Presbyterian Church (USA), Nikki will share invaluable insights into the strategic planning and leadership required to navigate the intersection of faith and business.
Developing Your Entrepreneurial Road Map
Jeff Hulett
How do you transform a compelling idea into a fully functioning business? This session will guide you through the essential steps of developing a successful entrepreneurial roadmap, from crafting a marketing plan and operational strategy to creating a sound financial plan. We will explore the critical elements needed to build a viable organization, including management strategies and the calculation of start-up expenses and required capital. Beyond the logistics, this discussion will also focus on the key behaviors of successful entrepreneurs. Becoming a thriving entrepreneur is not just about strategy—it requires passion, perseverance, and adaptability. We will cover the habits of success, including mission-driven vision, risk-taking, problem-solving, persistence, and effective communication. This comprehensive session will equip you with the tools and mindset necessary to move from concept to reality in your entrepreneurial journey.
Fresh Expressions provides access to outstanding resources, training and tools to our 900+ local churches in their quest to make disciples.
James Swanson
Retired Bishop, Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church
FAqs
More questions?
When does the training take place?
Good Futures Preconference will take place January 28-29, 2025
Missional Entrepreneurship Immersion January 29-31, 2025
What is included in the price?
The Missional Entrepreneurship Immersion is $225 and includes lunch, dinner, and beverages throughout the training.
The Good Future Preconference is $70 and includes meals and a book. You may choose to register for both the immersion and the preconference, or for just one.
Please note that lodging and transportation are not included.
Where should I stay?
A specially priced block of rooms is available at Hyatt Place Sterling/Dulles Airport-North (21481 Ridgetop Circle, Sterling, Virginia 20166). Reserve your spot HERE.
How do I get there?
Ridgetop Coffee and Tea is located at 21631 Ridgetop Circle, Sterling, VA 20166. There will be limited shuttle rides available from Dulles Airport. If you cannot make the shuttle, you’re encouraged to take a taxi or ride share.