Join us for our 2022 National Gathering!
Registration Is Now Closed
If you would still like to join us for the National Gathering, please contact trainings@loveinc.org to inquire about the possibility.
Our 2022 Love INC National Gathering will be a wonderful time of encouragement, connection, and training as we explore our theme One Another.
One Another is a powerful call to be the best of who we can be as Christians and positively impact our communities for the cause of Christ. It is an answer to Jesus’ prayer in John 17 for the unity of the Body of Christ. It is the reflection of the necessary interdependence of the diversity of gifts.
The phrase One Another occurs nearly 100 times in the New Testament with over half of those occurrences providing specific teachings on how to relate to others. Imagine if One Another was the driving passion and message of churches in every community, with actions and effort to match.
This September 21-22, let’s gather with one another and explore what this call to the unity of the body of Christ means for our ministry and mission.
Executive Director Retreat
WORK FROM A PLACE OF REST
This year, prior to digging in to all of the amazing trainings we’ll be offering, we’re offering a day for Executive Directors to come and center themselves on God and why we do what we do. Come fill up your cup so that you can bring your whole selves to God and your ministry.
Date/Time: Join us at 6pm on September 19 for a Welcome dinner where we’ll enjoy great food and each others company before our Executive Director Retreat runs from 8:30am-4pm on Tuesday, September 20.
Cost: FREE with Gathering registration (as we were able to find a generous volunteer to cover the $100pp costs!)
Update: Due to a family emergency, Jennifer Dukes Lee will not be able to join us. While we will miss her encouraging heart, we couldn’t be more thrilled about the opportunity to have Anjuli Paschall lead us! A gifted author and speaker, Anjuli’s heart for Christian leaders fits so naturally and exactly with our Love INC mission that we know this time will truly be just what we need.
SPECIAL GUEST LEADER: ANJULI PASCHALL
2022 Training Tracks
At this year’s National Gathering, we’ll be featuring 8 full-conference tracks for you to choose from. You can explore Love INC Core principles, dig into leadership development, choose a transformational ministry training, and more. Please note, however, that you must remain in your track’s sessions throughout the entirety of our time together.
Click a track title below to learn more.
Track 1
Love INC Core
Let’s stay on mission! This track is relevant to everyone; those just beginning or long-timers. We will dive into who we are, who we help, how we help, why we help, who Love INC National is, and who Leads. Topics include missional integrity, core values, ministry modes, mobilizing Church volunteers, Redemptive Compassion®, healthy leadership, Love INC resources, and more.
Trainers:
Katie Popp, Director of Affiliates, Love INC National
Jennifer Lund, Developing New Affiliates Specialist, Love INC National
Judy Edwards, Church and Public Relations, Love INC of Treasure Valley, ID
Kim Wittel, Affiliate Resource Specialist, Love INC National
Joey Spiegel, Developing New Affiliates + Board Resource Specialist, Love INC National
track 2
Seeking Transformative Relationships
Love INC’s goal is not to meet needs transactionally, but transformationally through relationships. Relationships are key: between church volunteers and neighbors in need, among churches, with Christians across denominations, and throughout the community. When Love INC flourishes in a community, healthy relationships grow, Christian love thrives, and mutual respect is experienced. This track will explore the development of healthy relationships with oneself, neighbors, volunteers, and the community.
Trainers:
Denny Howard, Director of Counseling & Coaching, Full Strength Network
Debbi Miller, Clearinghouse Coordinator, Love INC of Greater Holmes County, OH
Hilary Ford, Transformational Ministries Manager, Love INC of Treasure Valley, ID
Kirk Vander Molen, Executive Director, Love INC National
Track 3
Leadership Development
Affiliate Leadership, Board Members
Many components are required to develop a strong and impactful Love INC affiliate, and leadership, at every level, is arguably the most critical of them all. In this leadership development track, participants will explore theory and practice that will encourage and excite leadership that develops people, transforms culture, maximizes missional impact, responds to difficult team members, and leaves a legacy of prepared leaders in its wake.
Trainers:
Luigi Peñaranda, PhD, Camino Road
Dan Walker, DMin Candidate, Camino Road
TRACK 4
The Love INC Brand
For the Love INC Brand, 2022 has been a year of transition. Following our new logo launch in January, a variety of training on our Brand Guide, Canva Templates, Website options, and more has taken place. We understand that it may have felt like a whirlwind at that time, so we want to offer you the chance to refresh yourself and retake all of these mini-trainings in one Love INC Brand track at the Gathering.
Join us to go through the Love INC Brand Guide, find help setting up your Canva Brand Kit and spend some time working on creating updated brand resources in Canva, explore the website template options available to you and get a brief introduction to Elementor, learn how to use video for great storytelling, and chat with other affiliate staff who manage communications during a Communications Topics panel.
Trainers:
Catherine Vlieger, Director of Marketing and Communications, Love INC National
Nolan Gunn, Love INC of Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta
John Cochrane, IT+Data Specialist, Love INC National
Track 5
Trauma-Informed Care
Audience: All Members
At present, there are many challenges facing us in our society: COVID 19, workforce shortages, compassion fatigue, burnout, not to mention the day-to-day trials of helping hurting people and fulfilling the great commission of ministry work. We will take a closer look at trauma-informed care by reviewing the adverse childhood experiences study, exploring the importance of resilience in people, discussing the effects of trauma on the brain, understanding the necessity of smart self-care, and learning how to become more skilled in compassionate communication. Finally, we will take a deeper dive into the values of trauma-informed practice and how it aligns with the call of Jesus to care for one another. If you attended this session on Day Zero in 2021, you’ll be happy to know that this year will include more and deeper content than our previous look at trauma-informed care.
*This track is limited to 40 participants, so be sure to register early.
Trainer:
Scott Webb
TRACK 6
Redemptive Compassion
Audience: All Members
Whether you are familiar with Redemptive Compassion or a first-time student, participating in this track on how to offer biblical, wholistic help to others will be beneficial to you. I will combine teaching presentations with group discussions as well as address questions and concerns you may have faced trying to incorporate Redemptive Compassion into your ministry. I will also debut a new class designed to help facilitate conversation and teaching around the book Compassion with Redemptive Power. A special promo offer for this new class will be extended to those in attendance.
Trainer:
Lois Tupyi
Track 7
Work Life
Audience: Transformational Ministry Facilitator
Helping people find and keep meaningful work is one of the best ways to address the root causes of poverty. Work Life is a soft job-skills training program for people who are unemployed or underemployed. The program empowers participants with the skills, character, and relationships to find work – and flourish in it. At the facilitator training course, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to start a Work Life class in your affiliate!
*This track includes 3 weeks of online class prior to the Gathering which will begin August 29. Registration for this track closes on August 5.
Trainer:
Vicki Conn
Track 8
Faith + Finances
Audience: Transformational Ministry Facilitator
Arm yourselves with the tools to journey with neighbors in your community facing unique challenges as they rediscover their God-given dignity. This curriculum is designed to help your affiliate work specifically with low-income adults. Add Faith & Finances to your Transformational Ministry Program to address the challenges the materially poor face and help them rediscover their God-given dignity.
*This track includes 3 weeks of online class prior to the Gathering which will begin August 29. Registration for this track closes on August 5.
Trainer:
Mark Brown
Plenary Speakers + Worship Leaders
Kirk Vander Molen
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LOVE INC NATIONAL
Eliza Cortés Bast
RESEARCHER, CAMINO ROAD
Eliza Cortés Bast is a Senior Director for a national ministry, helping ministries unlock their missional imagination. She is passionate about facilitating strategic processes that help individuals and organizations ask good questions, release talent, and amplify the good. Eliza is an adjunct faculty member and has designed curricula for Cornerstone University and Northpoint Bible College, teaching at the intersection of leadership, business, and ministry. Additionally, she stewards a women-owned and operated non-profit ministry consulting group. She is an Ed.D. candidate at Cornerstone University in Organizational Leadership. She resides in Michigan with her amazing family.
Carlton Smith
BOARD MEMBER, LOVE INC NATIONAL
Vicki Conn
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LOVE INC OF GREATER HOLMES COUNTY, OHIO
Vicki serves as the Executive Director of Love INC of Greater Holmes County in Ohio, where she worked with the local Ministerial Association to bring Love INC to Holmes County. Previously Vicki served as a phone volunteer, a Clearinghouse Coordinator and Director of Ministries at a Love INC in NW PA. Vicki also serve as one of the Faith & Finances and Work Life Lead Trainers for Love INC National. She has facilitated locally Faith and Finances, conflict resolution as well as providing national trainings and training new Faith and Finances facilitators. She meets regularly with two different groups of pastors locally and several round tables for community involvement.
Tom DeVries
PRESIDENT, GLOBAL LEADERSHIP NETWORK
Russ Parish
WORSHIP LEADER
Stylishly fusing the delicacy of acoustic guitar play with breathy, expressive and increasingly powerful vocals, Russ Parrish’s naturally compelling sound has graced our Love INC National Gathering for many years. Join him and his band for soulful worship songs throughout our Gathering, and if you want to continue listening at home.
Workshop Leaders
Mark Brown
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS & FINANCE, NORTHWEST IOWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
John Cochrane
IT + DATA SPECIALIST, LOVE INC NATIONAL
Judy Edwards
Church + Public relations, Love INC of treasure valley, ID
Judy Edwards has served on the staff of Love INC of Treasure Valley for 8 years, working with volunteers and partner churches. She moved to Idaho in 2012 with no knowledge of the ministry of Love INC. God led her to the Treasure Valley affiliate where she served as a Clearinghouse volunteer for 2 years and was then hired as staff. Two of her favorite things to share are the ministry of Love INC and the helping philosophy of Redemptive Compassion and how they are used by God to lead people to transformation.
Hilary Ford
Transformational ministries manager, Love INC of treasure valley, ID
Nolan Gunn
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, LOVE INC OF STAUNTON, WAYNESBORO, AUGUSTA
Denny Howard
DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING & COACHING, FULL STRENGTH NETWORK
Jennifer Lund
DEVELOPING NEW AFFILIATES SPECIALIST, LOVE INC NATIONAL
Jennifer joined the Love INC National Staff after serving at our Douglas County affiliate in Minnesota as a Clearinghouse Coordinator. She understands the Love INC Clearinghouse ministry inside and out, and her experiences there have helped her appreciate working with volunteers and neighbors in need.
In addition to her time at her local affiliate, Jennifer has six years of experience running her own business. She’s very familiar with the challenges of starting something new and the importance of good project management processes.
Debbi Miller
CLEARINGHOUSE COORDINATOR, LOVE INC OF GREATER HOLMES COUNTY, OH
Luigi Peñaranda, PhD
CAMINO ROAD
Luigi Peñaranda is a bilingual professor specialized in Leadership Studies and Biblical studies. He has a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and Development and is an ordained minister, with pastoral experience in multi-ethnic and multi-cultural church settings. A passionate educator, an enthusiastic reader, and a music aficionado. Luigi and his family live in San Antonio, TX.
Katie Popp
DIRECTOR OF AFFILIATES, LOVE INC NATIONAL
Joey Spiegel
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LOVE INC OF TREASURE VALLEY, ID
Lois Tupyi
DEVELOPING NEW AFFILIATES + BOARD RESOURCE SPECIALIST, LOVE INC NATIONAL
Catherine Vlieger
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS, LOVE INC NATIONAL
Daniel Walker
CAMINO ROAD
Scott Webb
TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE COORDINATOR, STATE OF WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
Kim Wittel
AFFILIATE RESOURCE SPECIALIST, LOVE INC NATIONAL
Schedule
National Gathering – Day 1
Wednesday – September 21
8 am – Welcome + Hot Breakfast
9:30 – 10:30 am – Plenary: Love One Another
10:30 – 10:45 am – Break
10:45 am – 12:15 pm – Training Session
12:15 – 1:15 pm – Lunch
1:30 – 2:30 pm – Plenary: Accept One Another
2:30 – 2:45 pm – Snack
2:45 – 4:45 pm – Training Session
National Gathering – Day 2
Thursday – September 22
8am – 8:30 am – Coffee
8:30 – 9:30 am – Plenary: Serve One Another
9:30 – 9:45 am – Snack
9:45 – 11:30 am – Training Session
11:30 am – 12:30 pm – Lunch
12:30 – 1:30 pm – Plenary: Show Hospitality to One Another
1:30 – 1:45 pm – Break
1:45 – 3 pm – Training Session
3 – 3:15 pm – Break
3:15 – 4:45 pm – Training Session
5:30 pm – Refreshments
6 pm – Final Plenary: Encourage One Another, along with our Anniversary Celebration and Award Dinn in Holiday Inn Ballroom
Travel + Lodging
Venue - Village Church of Gurnee
1319 N Hunt Club Road
Gurnee, IL 60031
Lodging - Holiday Inn
We’ve once again arranged a block of discounted hotel rooms at the Holiday Inn. Our reduced price is $109 per night and includes a continental breakfast each morning. Simply use promo code LIN by August 20 to get this rate.
6161 West Grand Avenue Gurnee, Illinois 60031
Watch Our Plenaries Online
Even if you weren’t able to attend our 2022 National Gathering in person, we don’t want you to miss out! Four of our five plenaries will be streamed online. Join us on:
Wednesday, September 21 from 9:30-10:30 am CST for Love One Another
Wednesday, September 21 from 1:30-2:30 pm CST for Accept One Another
Thursday, September 22 from 8:30-9:30 am CST for Serve One Another
Thursday, September 22 from 12:30-1:30 pm CST for Show Hospitality to One Another
The event has concluded, but you can still watch it! Thanks for joining us!
Below you can find videos of 4 of our plenary sessions from the 2022 Love INC National Gathering. Click on the downward arrow in the top left corner of the screen below to select which video you’d like to watch.