All momentum starts with a moment.

There is real freedom in front of you now. Freedom to move forward, to lead with clarity, to step into what’s next. Leadership Institute 2026 is built for this moment, with worship, practical teaching, and community to help you make the most of it.

September 30 – October 2, 2026
Kansas City

September 30 – October 2, 2026 | Kansas City

Keynote Speakers

Matt Miofsky

Lead Pastor | The Gathering

Matt is Lead Pastor of The Gathering in St. Louis, Missouri. Since Matt founded The Gathering in 2006, it has grown into a thriving multi-site congregation with five locations scattered throughout St. Louis and a vibrant online presence. The Gathering was recently named the 3rd fastest growing large United Methodist Church.

Winnie Varghese

Dean | Cathedral of St. John the Divine

The Very Reverend Winnie Varghese is the 12th Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, the world’s largest Gothic cathedral. A national leader in The Episcopal Church, she is known for her inspired writing, teaching, and preaching.

Magrey deVega

Senior Pastor | Hyde Park UMC

Magrey deVega is a pastor, author, and speaker known for his thoughtful and engaging approach to Scripture, leadership, and the life of the church. He currently serves as Senior Pastor of Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa, Florida and is the author of 13 books.

Nicole Caldwell-Gross

Senior Pastor | Noblesville First UMC

Nicole Caldwell-Gross is Senior Pastor of Noblesville First United Methodist Church in Indiana. She is an ordained elder, a passionate preacher, and a millennial ministry leader.

Adam Hamilton

Senior Pastor | Resurrection

Adam is the founding pastor of Resurrection, a United Methodist Church in Leawood, Kansas, that is one of the fastest-growing churches in the U.S. and has been named the most influential mainline church by The Church Report. He is a bestselling author with books published by Abingdon Press. He and his wife LaVon have two grown daughters and one grand-daughter.

Stephanie Spellers

Canon in Residence | St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church

The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers is a renowned preacher, teacher and leader around progressive Christianity in America. The author of The Church Cracked Open and Radical Welcome, her newest book – Church Tomorrow?: What the "Nones" and "Dones" Teach Us About the Future of Faith – wrestles with the decline of traditional religion and the spiritual wisdom of nonreligious Millennials and Gen Zers.

Ashley Boggan

General Secretary | UM Commission on Archives & History

Dr. Ashley Boggan is General Secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History. In this role, she ensures that The United Methodist Church understands its past in order to envision a more equitable future for all Methodists. Boggan earned her PhD from Drew Theological School’s Graduate Division of Religion, specializing in both Methodist/Wesleyan Studies and Women’s/Gender Studies. 

Lovett Weems

Distinguished Professor Emeritus | Wesley Theological Seminary

Dr. Weems is distinguished professor of church leadership emeritus at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. He came to Wesley in 2003 as the founding director of Wesley’s Lewis Center for Church Leadership after eighteen years as president of Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. Previously, he was a pastor in Mississippi for many years.

Brad Aycock

Executive Director | Ohio UM Office of Fresh Starts and New Beginnings

Brad Aycock serves as Executive Director of the Office of Fresh Starts and New Beginnings for the Ohio Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church, where he helps cultivate leader development, renewal, innovation, and new faith communities across West and East Ohio. Before ministry, Brad was a business owner, and he is originally from Missouri. 

Rachel Billups

Senior Pastor | New Albany UMC

Rachel Billups is an innovative thinker, inspirational speaker, and collaborative leader who serves as Senior Pastor at New Albany United Methodist Church in New Albany, Ohio. She previously served as Senior Pastor at Ginghamsburg Church multi-campus ministry in Tipp City/Dayton Ohio. With a visionary approach, Rachel embraces her love for community and her zeal for creating new avenues for ministry. 

Matt Rawle

Co-Founder | Hub4Innovation

Matt Rawle is an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church, currently serving in New Orleans, LA; Co-founder of the Hub4Innovation; and international speaker. Matt has several titles through Abingdon Press including The Final Days, Jesus Revealed, The Heart that Grew Three Sizes, The Grace of Les Miserables, The Redemption of Scrooge, and Faith of a Mockingbird, as well as Dare, Dream, Disrupt from Friendship Press.

Jason Moore

Author, Speaker, Trainer

Creativity, storytelling and visual communication are evidenced passions of Jason Moore throughout his more than two decades of designing dynamic resources, training, coaching, and consulting for churches of all sizes, styles, and means. 

MOMENTUM Starts Here

What choice do you need to make? What risk do you need to take? What’s your next step?

At Leadership Institute 2026, you’ll find the inspiration, practical tools, and community to help you answer those questions and move forward with courage. Come as you are. Leave ready to move.

Move forward with clarity and renewed confidence
Move your congregation into the next season of ministry
Move toward the opportunities that are right in front of you
Move forward knowing you are not alone.

What are you waiting for?

Join us and experience:

A diverse community, ready to connect and grow together
Five dynamic keynote speakers who will challenge and inspire you
Featured sessions that will tackle the real questions facing the church today
Space to renew, recharge as a team, and remember why you lead.

$399

$ 299

Don't just attend Leadership Institute! Come early (in-person only) for our Pre-Conference Workshops starting Wednesday morning.

Super Early Bird

$299

$ 199

Kicking off Wednesday night, includes all Keynote & Featured Sessions, as well as the unique opportunity to connect in-person with other leaders!

Super Early Bird

$159

$ 99

Experience Leadership Institute from anywhere! Join us online & have access to live Online Hosts and all Keynote and Featured Sessions.

Super Early Bird

Super Early Bird pricing through July 15.

Special Student Pricing with "LISTUDENT"

Registering 5 or more? Use code"LIGroup" for $25 off per person!

What Others Are Saying

"This is a great conference to hear tried/true methods, share ideas with colleagues from across the country, and to be recharged to go back into our ministry settings."

Douglas G., Colorado Springs, CO

"I very much appreciate the resources, training, and inspiration I have received over the years. However, even more importantly, I have valued seeing laity inspired and empowered to implement new ministry at our church."

Rebecca H., Neenah, WI

"LI always recharges me and helps me think creatively. Sometimes I come home and use exactly what was shared, but often it just gets me thinking in new ways that apply to my context. Plus, it is always good to take a team and then work together to reach people in new ways for Christ."

Michelle M., Bentonville, AR

"The Leadership Institute always brings in top notch presenters with a wealth of information to share. When combined with Resurrection's hospitality, this is not just another seminar. Instead, it becomes a means of grace that inspires and motivates me in my ministry."

Scott A., Germantown, TN