You’re looking for powerful, relevant insights that can help you bring more people to Christ as you share the gospel in your local church and community.
Be refreshed and revitalized in your ministry at the 2024 RBM Conference
June 24-27, 2024 · Elgin, Illinois
Theme: Together
"The Incredible Value of Biblical Fellowship"
Register TodayEngaging Sessions
Building Relationships
Forward Thinking
Are you seeking
- Relevant sessions that speak to your specific challenges in ministry?
- Encouragement from like-minded leaders?
- Applicable strategies you can take back to your church?
As a ministry leader, you need a time to be refreshed and get excited about what’s next.
Connect. Encourage. Serve.
When you attend this year’s RBM Conference, you’ll find opportunities to connect, encourage, and serve alongside fellow attendees, benefiting from the connectivity and interdependence fostered by our association. Be sure to join us on Monday night for a special session featuring a panel discussion on deepening relational connections within our fellowship. And on Wednesday, delve into region-based breakout sessions aimed at enhancing your relationships with other ministry leaders in your area and strengthening personal growth and collaboration.
At the RBM Conference, you’ll experience:
Engaging Sessions
Hear speakers, teachers, and leaders provide valuable insight that’s relevant to your ministry context, church, and community.
Building Relationships
Network with like-minded ministry leaders to build relationships, receive encouragement, and be reinvigorated in life and ministry.
Forward Thinking
Be equipped, build momentum, and become a part of what’s next as we make disciples through healthy local churches.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be equipped and refreshed in your ministry.
Register for the 2024 RBM Annual Conference today!
Register TodayHow to Attend
1. Register for the Conference
See PricingRegister Today2. Attend the Conference
Join us on June 24-27, 2024 in Elgin, Illinois!
Harvest Bible Chapel
1000 North Randall Road, Elgin, IL 60123
3. Be Encouraged and Transformed
Be equipped and revitalized in your ministry as you seek to share the gospel and make disciples.
Why the RBM Annual Conference?
For over 90 years, our fellowship’s annual conference has been transforming lives and motivating leaders to continue to make disciples in our communities and around the world. Your participation in the conference helps keep our organization strong as we move forward and seek God’s will.
Conference Speakers
David has served on several councils, including the GARBC Council of 18, the Northeast Fellowship Council of 10, the Iowa Association of Regular Baptist Churches Council of 10, and the elected council of Baptist Mid-Missions. David was awarded an honorary doctorate from Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in 2022.
David and his wife, Debbie, hail from First Baptist Church, Newark Valley, N.Y., and have been married and in pastoral ministry 48 years. They have three children and eleven grandchildren.
Ken grew up in a pastor’s home and is thankful for the legacy of faithfulness passed along to him. His passion is to preach and teach the Word of God in a way that calls people to think higher thoughts of Christ and to fall deeper in love with Him.
Ken married Joanna in June 1994, and God has blessed them with five children. He enjoys bass fishing and golf, and is an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Kansas Jayhawks. Ken especially enjoys family vacations and the funny things his children say and do!
Sam and his wife, Sarah, have five children. Christ’s words in John 14—17 have shaped Sam’s desire to glorify God by making Christ known through the Word. His philosophy of life and ministry flows from Galatians 6:14 and 2 Timothy 2:1.
Conference Speakers
David has served on several councils, including the GARBC Council of 18, the Northeast Fellowship Council of 10, the Iowa Association of Regular Baptist Churches Council of 10, and the elected council of Baptist Mid-Missions. David was awarded an honorary doctorate from Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in 2022.
David and his wife, Debbie, hail from First Baptist Church, Newark Valley, N.Y., and have been married and in pastoral ministry 48 years. They have three children and eleven grandchildren.
Ken grew up in a pastor’s home and is thankful for the legacy of faithfulness passed along to him. His passion is to preach and teach the Word of God in a way that calls people to think higher thoughts of Christ and to fall deeper in love with Him.
Ken married Joanna in June 1994, and God has blessed them with five children. He enjoys bass fishing and golf, and is an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Kansas Jayhawks. Ken especially enjoys family vacations and the funny things his children say and do!
Sam and his wife, Sarah, have five children. Christ’s words in John 14—17 have shaped Sam’s desire to glorify God by making Christ known through the Word. His philosophy of life and ministry flows from Galatians 6:14 and 2 Timothy 2:1.
Schedule
Monday, 6/24 | Tuesday, 6/25 | Wednesday, 6/26 | Thursday, 6/27 |
Council of 18 Meetings | 8:00 am – 12:00 pm | Prayer and Devotion: Jeremy Scott | 8:40 am | Prayer and Devotion: Mark Wood | 8:40 am | Exhibitors’ Prize Drawings | 8:15 am |
Plenary Session 2: Mike Bullmore | 9:00 am | Plenary Session 5: David Ryan | 9:00 am | Prayer and Devotion: Stephen Muindi | 8:40 am | |
Speakers Panel | 10:00 am | Plenary Session 6: Mike Bullmore | 10:00 am | Plenary Session 8: Mike Bullmore | 9:15 am | |
Plenary Session 3: Ken Fields | 11:00 am | Breakouts: Establishing Ministry Connection | 11 a.m. | ||
Lunch (Harvest cafeteria) | 12:00 pm-1:15 pm | Lunch (Harvest cafeteria) | 12:00 pm-1:15 pm | ||
Chaplaincy module | 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm | Annual Business Meeting | 1:30 pm | Workshop Sessions | 1:30 pm | |
Creating a Discipleship Pipeline | Clare Jewell | |||
Ministry Bound: Recruiting & Training the Next Generation | Mike Augsburger | |||
Registration | 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm | Learning Sessions | 3:30 pm | Revitalize: First Steps Toward Health | Terry Thompson | |
Helpful updates from our ministry partners on topics such as retirement planning, risk management & more! | Pastoral Connections: Lifeline for Lasting Ministry | Will Hatfield | ||
Creating a Culture of Outreach | Brian & Jenni Cederquist | |||
Dealing With the Inevitable…Conflict | Ken & Sharon Floyd | |||
Prioritizing: First steps, priorities and questions to ask as you join a new ministry | Ross Shannon | |||
Dinner … “On your own!” | Dinner … “On your own!” | Dinner … “On your own!” | |
Plenary Session 1: David Strope | 6:30 pm | Plenary Session 4: Mike Bullmore | 6:30 pm | Plenary Session 7: Sam Choi | 6:30 pm | |
C18 Panel | 7:45 pm | |||
Faith Baptist Bible College & Seminary Reception | 8:30 pm | Clarks Summit University Reception | 8:00 pm | Reception: TBA | 8:00 pm |
Monday, 6/24
- Council of 18 Meetings: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Chaplaincy module | 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm
- Registration | 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm
- Dinner … “On your own!”
- Plenary Session 1 – David Strope | 6:30 pm
- C18 Panel | 7:45 pm
- Evening Reception – 8:30 pm
Tuesday, 6/27
- Prayer and Devotion: Jeremy Scott | 8:40 am
- Plenary Session 2: Mike Bullmore | 9:00 am
- Speakers Panel | 10:00 am
- Plenary Session 3: Ken Fields | 11:00 am
- Lunch (Harvest cafeteria) | 12:00 pm-1:15 pm
- Annual Business Meeting | 1:30 pm
- Learning Sessions | 3:30 pm
- Helpful updates from our ministry partners on topics such as retirement planning, risk management & more!
- Dinner … “On your own!”
- Plenary Session 4: Mike Bullmore | 6:30 pm
- Evening Reception – 8:00 pm
Wednesday, 6/28
- Prayer and Devotion: Mark Wood | 8:40 am
- Plenary Session 5: David Ryan | 9:00 am
- Plenary Session 6: Mike Bullmore | 10:00 am
- Breakouts: Establishing Ministry Connection | 11 a.m.
- Lunch (Harvest cafeteria) | 12:00 pm-1:15 pm
- Workshop Sessions | 1:30 pm
- Creating a Discipleship Pipeline | Clare Jewell
- Ministry Bound: Recruiting & Training the Next Generation | Mike Augsburger
- Revitalize: First Steps Toward Health | Terry Thompson
- Pastoral Connections: Lifeline for Lasting Ministry | Will Hatfield
- Creating a Culture of Outreach | Brian & Jenni Cederquist
- Dealing With the Inevitable…Conflict | Ken & Sharon Floyd
- Prioritizing: First steps, priorities and questions to ask as you join a new ministry | Ross Shannon
- Dinner … “On your own!”
- Plenary Session 7: Sam Choi | 6:30 pm
- Evening Reception – 8:00 pm
Thursday, 6/29
- Exhibitors’ Prize Drawings | 8:15 am
- Prayer and Devotion: Stephen Muindi | 8:40 am
- Plenary Session 8: Mike Bullmore | 9:15 am
Conference Youth Program
All events located in Harvest Kids Theater on 3rd floor unless otherwise noted.
See Youth Schedule
Monday, 6/24 | Tuesday, 6/25 | Wednesday, 6/26 | Thursday, 6/27 |
OUR BIG DAY! | |||
8:40 am | Devotional and Instructions | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | Evangelism Training | 9:00 am – 11:00 am | Wrap-up Session | |
Worship, challenge, snacks and testimonies as we reflect on our accomplishments and learning. | |||
9:30 am – 1:30 pm | Just for Fun Outing | |||
Bowling, laser tag, ropes course, arcade, lunch and more at Main Event Entertainment in Hoffman Estates. | |||
12:00 pm | Lunch in Harvest cafeteria | |||
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Street Evangelism in Dundee area | |||
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm | Service Project | |||
Volunteer project packing meals at Feed my Starving Children in Schaumburg. | |||
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm | Debrief and Testimonies | |||
5:00 pm | Return to Harvest | 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm | Dinner and Evening Session with parents/family (No youth program during this time) | ||
Dinner with parents or Duke’s BBQ for those attending from local churches. | |||
6:30 pm | Rally and Worship Service | |||
A time of music and a challenge from God’s Word. | |||
8:30 pm | Welcome to Chi-town Party Connect Room near auditorium | |||
Enjoy pizza and pop while getting to know each other and your leaders! We’ll also share details about planned activities. | |||
Monday, 6/24
- 8:30 pm | Welcome to Chi-town Party
Connect Room near auditorium
Enjoy pizza and pop while getting to know each other and your leaders! We’ll also share details about planned activities.
Tuesday, 6/25
- OUR BIG DAY!
- 8:40 am | Devotional and Instructions
- 9:30 am – 1:30 pm | Just for Fun Outing
Bowling, laser tag, ropes course, arcade, lunch and more at Main Event Entertainment in Hoffman Estates. - 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm | Service Project
Volunteer project packing meals at Feed my Starving Children in Schaumburg. - 5:00 pm | Return to Harvest
Dinner with parents or Duke’s BBQ for those attending from local churches. - 6:30 pm | Rally and Worship Service
A time of music and a challenge from God’s Word.
Wednesday, 6/26
- 9:00 am – 12:00 pm| Evangelism Training
- 12:00 pm | Lunch in Harvest cafeteria
- 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Street Evangelism in Dundee area
- 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm | Debrief and Testimonies
- 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm | Dinner and Evening Session with parents/family
(No youth program during this time)
Thursday, 6/27
- 9:00 am – 11:00 am | Wrap-up Session
Worship, challenge, snacks and testimonies as we reflect on our accomplishments and learning.
Workshop Details
Creating a Discipleship Pipeline
Clare Jewell, Director of Regular Baptist Generate and Executive Director for ABWE EveryEthne
Discipleship and leadership development can go hand-in-hand in any size church. Connect with pastors and leaders who are striving to develop healthy disciple makers within their ministry context.
Ministry Bound: Recruiting & Training the Next Generation
Mike Augsburger, Lead Pastor at Soteria Des Moines, West Des Moines, Iowa
There is a great need for more men in ministry. Connect with pastors and leaders who are encouraging men toward ministry within a church context.
Revitalize: First Steps Toward Health
Terry Thompson, Founder of Small Church USA and Leadership Development Pastor at Rock Point Church, Crawfordsville, IN
Help! My church needs revitalization; where do I start? Connect with pastors and leaders who are actively helping churches grow toward health.
Pastoral Connections: Lifeline for Lasting Ministry
Will Hatfield, Lead Pastor at Crossroad Baptist Church, Ames, Iowa
One of our greatest strengths as an association is the opportunity to build healthy connections with one another for accountability, discipleship, growth, fellowship and counsel. Connect with pastors and leaders to strengthen these relationships.
Creating a Culture of Outreach
Brian & Jenni Cederquist, Brian is Pastor at Good News Baptist Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Outreach can easily give way to apathy within aging churches. Connect with pastors and leaders who are working toward creating a culture of outreach within their churches.
Dealing With the Inevitable…Conflict
Ken & Sharon Floyd, Ken is Pastor of Leadership Development at Grace Baptist Church, Canton, Ohio
Distraction can easily rear its ugly head when you are creating or implementing a ministry plan. Connect with pastors and leaders who are navigating these potential hindrances.
Prioritizing: First steps, priorities and questions to ask as you join a new ministry
Ross Shannon, Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church, Lapeer, Michigan
Starting out in a new ministry has its own challenges. Juggling change, courage, first steps, questions to ask are all part of this new responsibility. Connect with pastors and leaders to start out on the right foot.
Musical Worship
led by Chris Anderson
Chris served as a church planter and pastor for 25 years before pivoting to full-time missions. Currently, Chris travels as Senior VP for Global Opportunities with Biblical Ministries Worldwide preaching, teaching, recruiting, and championing the cause of the Great Commission wherever and however he can. He’s written more than 30 hymns including “His Robes for Mine,” “I Run to Christ,” “My Jesus, Fair,” and “Reformation Hymn.”
Chris is the lead editor and a contributing author of the Gospel Meditations devotional series, and he has recently published his third full-length book with Church Works Media, Theology That Sticks: The Life-Changing Power of Exceptional Hymns. He and his wife Lori live in the greater Atlanta area and have four daughters.
Registration Rates
Entire Conference (includes conference notebook) | Early Bird (through May 15) | After May 15 |
Husband & wife | $175 | $200 |
Individual | $125 | $150 |
First & second child or teen (each) | $50 | $50 |
Additional child or teen (each) | $25 | $25 |
First-time attendee – husband & wife (vocational ministry personnel) | Free | $25 |
First-time attendee – individual (vocational ministry personnel) | Free | $25 |
College student (must be a full-time student with valid student ID) | $25 | $50 |
Church planter (in church or mission church listed in the GARBC Directory) | $75 | $100 |
Workshop sessions | Included | Included |
Adult | Child | |
Lunch at Harvest Christian Academy cafeteria (Tue/Wed, each) | $15 | $15 |
Looking for a place to stay while you attend the GARBC Conference?
We have arranged special rates with several nearby hotels
Comfort Suites
2480 Bushwood Dr, Elgin, IL 60124 | (224) 293-0026
Special rate available through May 31; subject to availability.
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson
2270 Point Blvd, Elgin, IL 60123 | (847) 426-6400
Special rate available through June 21; subject to availability.
Holiday Inn & Suites Northwest
495 Airport Rd, Elgin, IL 60123 | (847) 488-9000
Special rate available through June 7; subject to availability. Mention “GARBC Room Block” if making reservations via phone.
Quality Inn Elgin I-90
500 Tollgate Rd, Elgin, IL 60123 | (847) 608-7300
Special rate available through June 3; subject to availability.
Exhibitors
Exhibiting at the conference allows you to connect with pastors and churches from across the country. Share how God is at work through your ministries and the ways local churches can benefit by networking with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should attend this conference?
This conference is designed for pastors and their wives, ministry leaders, Christian college staff, and anyone who is a part of a GARBC church.
How should I plan for meals?
There are a variety of restaurants within a 10 or 15-minute drive of this year’s conference location.
To offer a convenient midday option and provide more opportunity for fellowship, the Harvest Christian Academy cafeteria will be open for lunch on-site Tuesday and Wednesday, offering a variety of delicious options. These meals are priced affordably at $15 each.
On-campus lunch meals should be purchased through the registration portal and will not be available for on-site purchase. If you’ve already registered and need to add meals, you can return to the portal and log in using the email address you registered with. If your meal plans change, please contact registration@garbc.org for refunds and adjustments.
Can I bring my family?
Families are welcome at the GARBC conference!
We have activities and programs for all ages, including nursery and preschool care; fun and games combined with Kids4Truth training for grade school children; and a special program for teens that includes a recreational outing, community service projects, and Biblical challenges by local church youth leaders.
Our carefully vetted workers and volunteers are ready to make this week memorable for your children while enriching their spiritual lives.
What’s the dress code?
Most attendees dress in business casual attire, but we invite you to dress to your comfort level.
Can I attend the conference if I’m outside the U.S.?
Yes, attendees from outside of the U.S. are welcome.
Can I register on-site at the conference?
While online registration in advance is highly preferred (to let us prepare to host you), you can also register on-site at the conference. There is a $25 fee in addition to regular rates for on-site registration.
Can I attend the conference virtually?
We are planning to stream the general sessions live as well as offer the recordings for viewing after the conference. More details on this feature will be added soon.
How can I register for workshops?
This year, there is no need to register for workshops in advance! Please feel welcome to attend the learning opportunity (Tue) or workshop (Wed) of your choice. We will be announcing more information about the workshops during the plenary sessions preceding them.
How can I nominate candidates for the Council of 18?
Council of 18 nominations can be made online using this link. Please note this year’s deadline of May 14 at 12:00 PM Central, and review Article VI, Section 4 of the GARBC Constitution for specific requirements.
Will there be any special offers or discounts at local hotels?
Yes! We have arranged special rates with several hotels convenient to the conference location. Check out the hotels section above for more information and booking links.
I have another question - who can I contact?
For other questions, please email registration@garbc.org.
Conference Testimonies
Conference Archives
Explore recordings from past GARBC conferences.
2023
Information coming soon.
2022
Do the Truth
Clare Jewell
Quieting a Noisy Soul through Truth Incarnate
Dr. Nicolas Ellen
Training and Transformation through the Truth of God’s Word
Dr. Nicolas Ellen
Truth in Advertising
Ken Floyd
Truth Matters
Truth to the Nations
Paul Davis
“What Is Truth?” Abstract Idea or Incarnate Grace?
Dr. David E. Strope
2021
Unleash the Spirit of Conviction
General Session: Thursday Morning, July 1, 2021 Knute Larson, Pastoral Coach and Pastor Emeritus, The Chapel, Akron, …
Unleash the Spirit of Love
General Session: Wednesday Evening, June 30, 2021 Knute Larson, Pastoral Coach and Pastor Emeritus, The Chapel, Akron, …
Abide in Christ
General Session: Wednesday Morning, June 30, 2021 David King, Pastor, CrossPoint Fellowship Church, Jasper, …
Unleash the Spirit of Help
General Session: Tuesday Evening, June 29, 2021 Knute Larson, Pastoral Coach and Pastor Emeritus, The Chapel, Akron, …
Peace in a World at War
General Session: Tuesday Morning, June 29, 2021 Dr. David Strope, Ankeny Baptist …
Christ’s High Priestly Prayer and The Holy Spirit
General Session: Tuesday Morning, June 29, 2021 George Gunn, Vice President, Shasta Bible College & Graduate …
Plugging into Your Ultimate Power Source
General Session: Monday Evening, June 28, 2021 Mike Hess, National Representative, General Association of Regular Baptist …
Incomprehensible God
General Session: Tuesday Evening, June 30, 2020 Steve DeWitt, Pastor, Bethel Church, Crown Point, …
The Beauty of Christ
General Session: Tuesday Afternoon, June 30, 2020 Steve DeWitt, Pastor, Bethel Church, Crown Point, …
The Supremacy of Christ
General Session: Monday Evening, June 29, 2020 Steve DeWitt, Pastor, Bethel Church, Crown Point, …
Stay in Your Lane
General Session: Monday Afternoon, June 29, 2020 Mike Hess, National Representative, …
The Clarity of the Throne
General Session: Friday Morning, June 28, 2019 Jon Jenks, State Representative, Wisconsin Assoc. of …