WORKSHOPS
Workshop
Digital Discipleship Strategies
The Discipleship Place launched a new website in 2024. Learn about the resources available through the new website and the digital platform churches can use for discipleship efforts, feedback loops, sermon series, and more.
John Comstock
John has been working at the Global Ministry Center in discipleship ministry for the past nineteen years, coordinating the courses and resources for DiscipleshipPlace.org.
Workshop
Question and Answer- Disability Ministry 101
Bring your questions and allow our panel to share about Disability Ministry in the Church of the Nazarene. The panel will be comprised of Ryan Nelson, Barb Stanley, Leah Whicker, Dean Blevins, Brad Lee, and Jonathan Trees.
Jonathan Trees
Jonathan Trees brings over 34 years of extensive experience to his pastoral ministry, cultivated through leadership roles in worship, teaching, and service across the Florida and Midsouth Districts. Graduating from Trevecca Nazarene University and obtaining a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary, Jonathan's academic journey laid the groundwork for refining his practical skills...
Workshop
Lessons Learned from Jesus, the Master Teacher
This workshop will focus on the teachings of Jesus, the Master Teacher. Participants will encounter four educational strategies that Jesus modeled and how teachers and students of all ages can apply them. Scripture references and educational examples will be shared for each strategy.
Juanita Copley
Juanita Copley is a teacher with more than 55 years of experience. As an active member of the Church of the Nazarene for 60 years, she has served as a teacher of adults, teens, and children in both large and small congregations.
Workshop
The Relationship Crave
Building relationships is vital to discipleship, and authenticity is key to relationship building. As discipleship leaders of women, developing and modeling self-understanding, intuition, and interpersonal skills is essential.
Kalyn Vogelmann
Kalyn is the founder and director of THRiVE Ministries, a discipleship ministry for women, and the USA/Canada Women’s Discipleship Coordinator for Nazarene Discipleship International. She has been married to Robb for 28 years and has four children.
Workshop
Minister Benefits and the Path to Retire Well
To retire well means to retire on your terms and with all the necessary resources for your chosen lifestyle. Come learn about the new NBUSA matching program, which offers record-high matching contributions linked to the efforts of the minister and the local church, and the steps you can take to retire well.
Kevin Gilmore
Rev. Kevin Gilmore serves as the executive director of Nazarene Benefits USA, a support organization for Nazarene ministers and employees in the USA.
Workshop
Equipping Churches to Support Families Affected by Disability: Introducing the Adapted Discipleship Library
Learn how to create disability support in any size church with the brand-new Adapted Discipleship Library, a free online disability resource for churches. In this workshop, you will learn what new tools are available, how to introduce them to your leaders, volunteers, and families, and why this all matters to the Kingdom. Join us as we work together to make church accessible for all.
Question and Answer- Disability Ministry 101
Bring your questions and allow our panel to share about Disability Ministry in the Church of the Nazarene. The panel will be comprised of Ryan Nelson (Disability Ministry Coordinator & moderator), Barb Stanley (President, Wonderful Works Ministry), Leah Whicker (Special Education Consultant, Wonderful Works Ministry), Dean Blevins (Nazarene Theological Seminary & Nurturing Care), Brad Lee (Parent, Director-Special Needs Marriage and Family Institute), and Jonathan Trees (Lead Pastor, Nashville Grace Church of the Nazarene).
Barb Stanley
Barb Stanley is the Founder and President of Wonderful Works Ministry, an online disability ministry resource center. She has a background in church administration, ministry mobilization and started her local church’s disability ministry. Barb grew up with a brother who has autism and is a passionate advocate for disability ministry. She lives in Ohio with her husband, Brandon, and two sons. To learn more, visit wonderfulworks.net.
Workshop
Question and Answer- Disability Ministry 101
Bring your questions and allow our panel to share about Disability Ministry in the Church of the Nazarene. The panel will be comprised of Ryan Nelson (Disability Ministry Coordinator & moderator), Barb Stanley (President, Wonderful Works Ministry), Leah Whicker (Special Education Consultant, Wonderful Works Ministry), Dean Blevins (Nazarene Theological Seminary & Nurturing Care), Brad Lee (Parent, Director-Special Needs Marriage and Family Institute), and Jonathan Trees (Lead Pastor, Nashville Grace Church of the Nazarene).
Brad Lee
Workshop
Listening Together for Transformation
Are you looking for a dynamic and transformative way to empower leaders, make disciples, and see the Kingdom of God advance and the lost reached for the gospel? This workshop will give you a hands-on method to take you and others deeper with Jesus as you listen to Him and do what He says.
Darlene Franks
I am the discipleship pastor at OroNaz in Oroville, California. My passion is to empower others to make disciples of Jesus who bear fruit that will last. I have served on the Sacramento District NDI board since 2005 where I am president and also the Co-Educational Field Coordinator for the PLNU region. My husband and I enjoy time with Jesus, family, our life group, a good cup of coffee and a walk on the beach.
Workshop
Discipling Your Multicultural and Multilingual Congregations
Your global NDI team is engaged in discovering, developing, and delivering Wesleyan-Holiness discipleship resources to local Nazarene churches through collaboration and coordination with our six Nazarene worldwide regions. This workshop will introduce you to several free discipleship resources for multicultural/ multilingual use with children, youth, and adults.
Daryll Stanton
Daryll Stanton, EdD, currently serves as the Global Resourcing Coordinator for Nazarene Discipleship International. He coordinates our NDI discovery, development and delivery of Wesleyan-Holiness discipleship resources globally. Prior to this, he and his wife, Verna, served nearly 37 years as missionaries in southern and eastern Africa.
Workshop
Coaching Other Couples (Even When Your Own Marriage Isn’t Perfect)
Does having a less-than-perfect marriage hold you back from training others? Relax!! Maybe what they need from you is honesty, good humor, and a dose of practical help.
David Frisbie
Dr. David & Lisa Frisbie have served marriages and families for the Church of the Nazarene for more than three decades. They are the authors of 43 books about marriage and family life. Their travels to speak and teach have taken them to 48 nations of the world plus all 50 United States.
Workshop
Cultivating Authentic Relationships Through a Posture of Care
In a divisive world, caring Christians can forge authentic relationships that compassionately draw people to Christ. But how do we follow the Holy Spirit's shaping us into the virtue of care? This workshop provides grounded insights, anchored in John Wesley's own journey, for cultivating a discipleship of care.
Dean Blevins
Dean G. Blevins serves as Professor of Practical Theology and Christian Discipleship at Nazarene Theological Seminary and Director of the Nurturing Care with Children through Worship and Prayer Initiative. An active scholar, Dr. Blevins writes/consults in age level ministry, ministerial entrepreneurship, innovation, and clergy/lay formation. Reverend Blevins' most recent book is The Disciples of Jesus: A Bible Study (Foundry, 2023)
Workshop
Starting or Expanding an Effective Marriage Ministry While Strengthening Your Own Marriage
Participants will learn why every church needs a viable and effective marriage ministry and how to provide one without breaking the bank or burning out pastors and volunteers. Topics will include understanding the needs of couples at every stage of pre-marriage, marriage, and post-marriage, the essential ingredients for a successful marriage ministry, and effective planning and coordination techniques.
Don Welch
Dr. Donald W. Welch is a licensed marriage and family therapist and former Professor of Christian Education and Family Studies at MidAmerica Nazarene University, where he was voted teacher of the year by the faculty and student body. He is also a scholar and nationwide speaker with three master’s degrees, including a master’s of divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary and a PhD from the University of Kansas.
Professor Welch is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, having served as a senior and associate pastor. In addition, he is a certified sex therapist and CEO and founder of the Center for Enriching Relationships (www.enrichingrelationships.org), a twenty-two-year-old professional Christian counseling center serving underserved populations with multiple sites in San Diego, California, where he oversees a partnership with the Point Loma Nazarene University Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling program.
In 2022, he founded the Welch Therapy Institute (www.welchtherapyinstitute.com) to provide innovative marriage tools and resources to churches and mental health practitioners, including the Welch Responsive Temperament Assessment (WRTA) and the WRTA Handbook, a twelve-hour (30-segment) professional Responsive Relationship Video Series, and his recent book, The Responsive Marriage (Finding the Path Out of Reactivity). Dr. Welch lives in Coronado, California, with his wife, Robin, and they have two grown children.
Workshop
Starting or Expanding an Effective Marriage Ministry While Strengthening Your Own Marriage
Participants will learn why every church needs a viable and effective marriage ministry and how to provide one without breaking the bank or burning out pastors and volunteers. Topics will include understanding the needs of couples at every stage of pre-marriage, marriage, and post-marriage, the essential ingredients for a successful marriage ministry, and effective planning and coordination techniques.
Karl Christensen
Karl Christensen holds a bachelor’s degree in Financial Accounting and a master’s degree in Business Administration. He has over 30 years of experience planning and overseeing the business operations of three (3) public school districts in San Diego, California. He currently functions as the Chief Financial Officer for the Center for Enriching Relationships and the Director, Planning and Client Coordination for the Welch Therapy Institute. He also serves as one of the leaders overseeing, coordinating, and supporting the small groups ministry at a large church in San Diego. He is married to Caryn, his first and only bride, and they have two grown daughters and three precious and adorable grandchildren together.
Workshop
How to Bump Your VBS From a 2 to a 10!
"Come and join a Kids Min panel to discuss new ways to use VBS to make disciples out of both students and helpers."
What do Children's Quizzing and Glue have in Common?
"Join us to find out the answer to this, as well as how you can use Children's Quizzing to make discipleship "stick!"
Dorothy Whipp
Dorothy Whipp is the Executive Pastor at Edmond First Church of the Nazarene, OK District Children's Director and Children's World Quiz Coordinator. If the weather is nice and you can't find her, she is most likely fishing!
Workshop
NDI’s Five Core Values
This workshop will give an overview of the book “Five Values for The Discipleship Journey.” Furthermore, it will show both characteristics and benefits of the book that can be used by the Holy Spirit to stabilize, inspire, and train non-church attenders or even seasoned Christians to become discipleship makers both inside and outside a church setting.
James Hicks
Dr. James Hicks has been mentoring and equipping through small groups for 40 plus years. His doctoral dissertation was intitled “Discipleship Through Small Groups” which included both the theological and practical development of mentoring groups and individuals. His mentoring and equipping experiences have included individuals with and without a church background.
Workshop
NDI in the Small Church
This workshop addresses the challenges that over half of our churches face, with expectations that seem unrealistic and burdensome. Pastors of small churches will find hope and encouragement. District Superintendents and District NDI Presidents will gain a greater understanding of the challenges that a majority of their churches are facing.
Jeff Spangler
Jeff is a Nazarene “PK” who spent over 21 years of his ministry as a chaplain in the U.S. Army, retiring in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Since his retirement in 2018, he pastored a small church and served as the North Carolina District NDI President for 5 years before accepting the position as the Global NDI Administrative Director.
Workshop
Conflict on the Team
There’s an elephant in the room. Everyone sees it, but no one wants to do anything about it. Maybe no one knows what to do about the elephant or how to handle the elephant or some are hoping that if they ignore the elephant long enough it will just go away. Go ahead and open your eyes. Is the elephant still there? What is the elephant’s name? How about we call it what it is, “conflict on the team.” Join us as we navigate conflict on the team and discover biblical ways to manage when conflict shows up.
Jerry Storz
"Dr. Jerry Storz holds a BA in Christian Education from MidAmerica Nazarene College, an MA in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Argosy University, Denver, CO. He has served as a Program Director and Professor at Nazarene Bible College. He has served as an adjunct faculty member for Barclay Bible College, Argosy University, Colorado Christian University, Southern Nazarene University, and Pacific Rim Christian University. He has served as a church staff member in Kansas, Missouri, Texas, and Colorado. He has served as President and Board member for the Denver Chapter of Christian Leadership Alliance. He has served as Program Director for International Network of Children’s Ministry, He has traveled across North America and Internationally, training ministry leaders through workshops and seminars. He has written and presented a workshop for Discipleship Place. He has recently written and published “Thirty Days to Better Boards Members and Meetings” and has a passion to transform the faith-based board governance space to a place of board members knowing and understanding the importance of their roles and responsibilities in their service as board members."
Workshop
Question and Answer- Disability Ministry 101
Bring your questions and allow our panel to share about Disability Ministry in the Church of the Nazarene. The panel will be comprised of Ryan Nelson (Disability Ministry Coordinator & moderator), Barb Stanley (President, Wonderful Works Ministry), Leah Whicker (Special Education Consultant, Wonderful Works Ministry), Dean Blevins (Nazarene Theological Seminary & Nurturing Care), Brad Lee (Parent, Director-Special Needs Marriage and Family Institute), and Jonathan Trees (Lead Pastor, Nashville Grace Church of the Nazarene).
Leah Whicker
"Leah Whicker is the Special Education Consultant for Wonderful Works Ministry, an online disability ministry resource center. She has a background in education and has professional experience as an Intervention Specialist. She is passionate about equipping churches to have their own disability ministries. Leah is married. She and her husband, Chris, have two school-aged children."
Workshop
10 Principles for Developing Generous Disciples
We will explore key biblical principles to cultivate a spirit of generosity within your congregation. Through practical insights and actionable strategies, learn how to inspire and empower your community to live out their faith through giving.
Mark Lail
"Mark Lail has served as President of the Church of the Nazarene Foundation since March 2012. He previously served as the Director of Stewardship Ministries for the Church of the Nazarene, Inc. He is a graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Nazarene Theological Seminary and also holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Mark served as a pastor for over 22 years in New York and Ohio. Under Mark’s leadership the Foundation stewards over $140 million in assets and distributes over $10 million to ministry every year. Mark and his wife Ruth live in Ottawa, Kansas, and have five daughters and six grandchildren. "
Workshop
A Method for Witnessing: Using an Eight-word Testimony
"Arguably the most quoted testimony from someone who had an encounter with Jesus is the report of the man born blind. John records that after several high-pressured meetings and very pointed inquiries when pressed to acknowledge if the man who healed him was a sinner or not. The newly sighted man said that he didn’t know that but the one thing he did know was this: “Once I was blind but now, I see."" An eight-word testimony that clearly gives witness to what Jesus did for him. “I once was blind; Now I can see.” This can become a pattern for our witnessing to others. A word testimony of what God has done for you. Impossible to forget. Powerful in that it is yours and you have lived it. You are not witnessing what he has done for others but what Jesus did for you. Jesus said we would be his witnesses. Many have used this pattern with new-found confidence and boldness to witness to others."
Michael Benson
Workshop
Utilizing Curriculum to Foster Deeper Discipleship
Effectively utilized curriculum, in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, can foster deeper discipleship in children, youth, and adults--playing a vital role in their faith formation into Christlikeness. This workshop will help leaders/facilitators understand how curriculum functions, not just to enhance biblical knowledge but also to provide an avenue for people to grow spiritually on their faith journey.
Mike Wonch
"Mike Wonch serves as senior editor of adult curriculum and youth editor at The Foundry Publishing. He has written articles for various publications and contributed to children, youth, and adult small group resources. Mike is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene and a graduate of MidAmerica Nazarene University and Nazarene Theological Seminary. He lives in Gardner, Kansas with his wife Jeremi. "
Workshop
Using Research in the Local Church and District
Learn how to use the demographic and survey resources available through the Research Services’ and other websites.
Rich Houseal
Rich is the director of Research Services for the Church of the Nazarene. He currently serves as the ASARB secretary/treasurer, and was one of the principle investigators for the 2020 U.S. Religion Census. Rich enjoys teaching the Bible, traveling with his wife Cathrina, and working on things around the house.
Workshop
Question and Answer- Disability Ministry 101
Bring your questions and allow our panel to share about Disability Ministry in the Church of the Nazarene. The panel will be comprised of Ryan Nelson (Disability Ministry Coordinator & moderator), Barb Stanley (President, Wonderful Works Ministry), Leah Whicker (Special Education Consultant, Wonderful Works Ministry), Dean Blevins (Nazarene Theological Seminary & Nurturing Care), Brad Lee (Parent, Director-Special Needs Marriage and Family Institute), and Jonathan Trees (Lead Pastor, Nashville Grace Church of the Nazarene).
Structuring for Success- The People Side of Disability Ministry
Rev. Ryan Nelson will share the plans to create structure within the Church of the Nazarene to better support this vital ministry. Ryan will also share how Disability Ministry is taking steps to reach families with Disabilities.
Ryan Nelson
Rev. Ryan Nelson was hired as the Disability Ministry Coordinator for the Church of the Nazarene, October of 2023. Ryan has been married to his wife, Rev. Serina Nelson, since 2011. Together they Co-Pastor Church Street Church of the Nazarene in Carlsbad, NM. Ryan & Serina love to play and travel with their daughter Marley.
Workshop
A People of Grace: Wesley’s Discipleship for Today’s Nazarenes
"This workshop will use the familiar experience of a trip to the doctor’s office to frame up the church’s struggles with discipleship. Below are the four sections of the workshop which concludes with a practical ministry plan for helping Nazarene’s take up the Great Commission in an effective way. We’ll discover that the tomorrow’s of our discipleship run through the yesterday’s of John Wesley’s 18th century class meeting.
1. Presenting Problem: “I’m concerned about this.”
2. Diagnosis: “Tell me more. Let’s have a look.”
3. Treatment Plan: “Take two of these and call me in the morning.”
4. Prognosis: “You’re going to get better.”
Mobilizing the Journey of Grace
Join our Global NDI Director as he uses the Journey of Grace to point toward practical applications of this theological framework. Hear how Global NDI plans to resource the church, hear how your church can get started reaching out in Jesus’ name, and discover your own next steps for becoming a person of grace on the journey of grace."
Sam Barber
"Dr. Sam Barber was elected District Superintendent of the South Central Ohio District in April of 2022. He and his wife, Jill, have served four churches as lead pastor for over 33 years. Their ministry has taken them from Ohio to North Carolina and to Kansas before returning to Ohio.
Dr. Barber holds a Doctor of Ministry from Nazarene Theological Seminary as well as master’s degrees from Malone and Duke Universities, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from MVNU. In addition to pastoral ministry, Dr. Barber has served as adjunct professor, guest speaker, trustee, and author, most recently publishing, “A People of Grace: Becoming Disciples Together,” along with articles for Holiness Today. He was elected to the General Board of the Church of the Nazarene in 2023.
Sam is married to Jill who has served in ministry and leadership roles across the years in the local church, the business world, and the denomination. She has served Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, Nazarene Theological Seminary, and the United States Canada Region of the Church of the Nazarene. She currently serves as the Communications and Connections Director for SCO. Jill is also a writer having been published in both Grace and Peace and Holiness Today. The Barbers have one son, Ross, who lives in New Albany, OH, and serves as the Director of Audio for The Columbus Vineyard churches.
Sam and Jill have loved serving the pastors and congregations of the South Central Ohio district for the past two years."
Workshop
Growing Discipleship Momentum: District NDI Leadership
Discipleship feels like a monster task, almost too large to tackle. The need in the church, however, has never been greater! This workshop will guide you into the best practices for leading a district to make disciples who make disciples.
Scott Rainey
"Dr. Scott R. Rainey became Lead Pastor of Huntington, Indiana, First Church of the Nazarene on January 14, 2024. While serving as pastor of his local church, Dr. Rainey also serves as the co-executive director of the Chic Shaver Center for Evangelism (CSCE).
Before moving to Huntington, Dr. Rainey served as the Global Director of Nazarene Discipleship International (NDI) through the Global Ministry Center of the Church of the Nazarene (August 2018 – March 1, 2024). Under his leadership with NDI, the Church of the Nazarene made significant strides in the area of discipleship, including the development and launch of a new global framework for discipleship known as “A Journey of Grace.”
From January 2012 to August 2018, Dr. Rainey served as a missionary and Field Strategy Coordinator for the Eurasia North Field on the Eurasia Region. Under Scott’s leadership, the Eurasia North Field entered three new countries (Georgia, Belarus, and Latvia) and started 24 new missional communities with hopes that each of these house churches would develop into healthy, multiplying churches.
An ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, he served as the lead pastor of Living Word Church of the Nazarene in Houston, Texas, from April 2003 to December 2011. During Scott’s pastoral ministry in Houston, Living Word grew from 450 to 750 in regular attendance, relocated, and planted Celebrate Life Nazarene in Katy, Texas.
Scott has also served in staff positions in Fort Wayne, Indiana (Minister of Evangelism and Discipleship at Grace Point Church of the Nazarene), and Kansas City, Missouri (Assistant Minister of Outreach and Evangelism at KC First Church of the Nazarene).
Dr. Rainey is a graduate of Olivet Nazarene University (1993), Nazarene Theological Seminary (2001), and Houston Graduate School of Theology (2009), where he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree with an emphasis in church dynamics.
He and his wife, Jenni, and their two daughters, Bekah and Sarah, currently live in northeast Indiana."
Workshop
Unpacking God’s Part and Our Part
The Journey of Grace provides a thorough theological and Biblical understanding of God’s work in our world. The Cycle of Resurgence in the USA and Canada helps us understand our part in God’s work. We will unpack practical strategies for implementing the Cycle of Resurgence in our personal lives and in the ministry of the church.
Stan Reeder
Stan Reeder served as a youth pastor and lead pastor of growing churches in Canada and the United States for 25 years before serving for 11 years in the role of Superintendent for the Oregon Pacific District Church of the Nazarene. In 2020 Stan was elected as the Church of the Nazarene’s Regional Director for USA/Canada. He has a doctorate from Fuller Theological Seminary with an emphasis in Strategic Planning. Stan enjoys hockey, rock climbing, and backpacking. His wife Janet has retired from serving as Vice President of Patient Care Services in a national healthcare provider. Stan and Janet have two grown sons, a wonderful daughter-in-law, and one beautiful granddaughter.
Workshop
Intermountain District Strategic Model for Developing Disciple Makers
Dr. Tim Brewer will share how their district created and implemented Discipleship-365. This experience takes a few people for a full year, including a four-day training and monthly coaching, during which participants develop as disciples and disciple-makers in their local contexts.
Tim Brewer
Has served as lead pastor of Ontario Nazarene Church and as District NDI President for 17 years. He recently accepted the invitation as Educational Field Coordinator, serving the Northwest region. Tim is married to Nancy (39 years) and has two wonderful children, Rachel (James) and Brad.
Workshop
Older Adult Ministry: Why Are They Still Here?
Older adult ministry includes connection, caring, and calling. Every church does caring. Churches with Prime Time ministries usually do connection. But few do calling. Every person has a calling from God. That’s why they are still here. Every church needs to help older adults find their calling and purpose for the fourth quarter of life.
Tom Hruska
Tom Hruska is now in his third calling. After a few years teaching political science and many years as an actuary, he is now a pastor to older adults in Tucson, Arizona. Elton Trueblood once said, “For the Christian retirement is liberation for service.” Tom helps older adults find their calling and the liberation that goes with it.
Workshop
Preparing the Church for 2050
What are you doing to prepare the next generation to lead the Church forward? Now is the time for us to prepare our local church, district, and denomination for 2050. To accomplish this, it will take all of us - Children's Pastors, Youth Pastors, Senior Adult Pastors, Lead Pastors, District Leaders, and Denominational Leaders - serving together.
Trey Brooks
"Candice and Trey Brooks are Co-Founders of Equip to Engage - a ministry that equips, encourages, and connects children’s leaders through SPARK, speaking at children’s camps, and other training opportunities. In addition, they led GA Kids for General Assembly 2023, helped lead the family resources for Half-Million Mobilization 2024, and PALCON Kids 2024 at Point Loma Nazarene University. Trey and Candice have three children, live near Oklahoma City, OK, and are both graduates of Southern Nazarene University as well as Trey is a graduate of Nazarene Theological Seminary and an ordained Elder. "