All sessions will be held at Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church in Buffalo, New York.

Purpose of the Summit

It is with great anticipation that we invite you to set aside a few days at the end of the busy school year to recharge your ministry by attending the first annual Associate Staff Summit in Buffalo, New York! This conference is designed for persons in UB churches working in such staff roles as pastoral care, assimilation, adult education, visitation, counseling, missions, discipleship, etc.

This first-of-its kind event offers you the opportunity to rest, recharge, and refocus.

Rest

Many times at the end of the school year, associate staff members are fairly worn out. They’ve guided various ministries of the church through Christmas, Easter, and a host of annual events and celebrations in the local church. Lives have been touched and futures have been transformed. But many times we’re simply tired from the energy and resources we have poured into those lives.

This Summit gives you the chance to relax and refresh for a few days with others who serve in similar roles in their United Brethren Churches. We’ll also be visiting Niagara Falls as a way to enjoy some much-deserved relaxation!

Please remember to bring your passport, since we’ll be crossing into Canada.

Recharge

Pastor Pat Jones of Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church has opened his personal schedule as well as the doors of his church to host us for this event. Pat will use Mark Batterson’s latest book, The Circle Maker, as a launching point during his keynote addresses to our group. Workshops covering a variety of ministry-related topics will enable you to connect with others working on the same issues. And the opportunity to connect in a face-to-face fashion with ministry leaders always leaves a lasting impression.

Refocus

The whole event is geared toward helping local church associate staff members unplug for a few days so they may refocus their energies on the vital ministries of their churches. As a further aide in this process, Bishop Whipple will be joining us for the Summit. This will afford attendees nearly unprecedented access to his insights and wisdom in informal gatherings.