GLDCON | It's Dangerous To Go Alone!

GLDCON

Join us for GLDCON 2025

Press Start to Register for GLDCON 25 on May 1!
October 7-8 at Liberty Bible Church of Chesterton, Indiana.

The Annual Conference of the Great Lakes District, EFCA

JOIN US OCTOBER 7-8, 2025

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IT’S DANGEROUS TO GO ALONE! — TAKE THIS...

Ministry is dangerous to do alone. Often we feel like we’re not enough because left to ourselves we’re not! God created us lacking—by his design we need to take his word, his presence, and his people with us. Thankfully he’s given all of those things to us. The question is, will you go alone? Or will you take them with you?

Join us for the 2025 Great Lakes District Annual Conference.
This year we’ll be at Liberty Bible Church (Chesterton Campus).
We hope you’ll be there with us!

COLIN SMITH

Colin Smith is Lead Pastor of the Orchard Evangelical Free Church of Arlington Heights, IL.

CARLTON HARRIS

Carlton Harris is the Acting President of the Evangelical Free Church of America.

GLDCON25 SCHEDULE

Tuesday | Oct 7

Pre-Conference Gatherings

- 9a - Spanish Language Pre-Conference Gathering w/ Kerwin Rodriguez (TEDS)
- 10a - Michigan Pastors w/ Gary deBock
- 10a - Welcome to the Family (pastors new to GLD/EFCA)
- * You must pre-register for these events.

1:00 > Session 1

- Take This: The Word of God

2:15 * BREAK *

2:30 > Family Meeting

- Join us as we look to the future, celebrate what God is doing, welcome new churches to the GLD Family and more!
  This time will include the Annual Business Meeting of the GLD.

3:45 * BREAK *

4:15 > AFFINITY GROUPS

- Connect in an Affinity Group with others serving in a similar ministry to your own. Scroll down for more info.

5:45 > Grumble grumble

- Attend either the General Dinner or optional Women’s Dinner w/ Carol Harris (indicate your choice when registering)

7:15 > Session 2

- Take This: Abiding in the Presence of God
  Pastor Colin Smith (The Orchard)

Wednesday | Oct 8

9:00 > AFFINITY GROUPS

- Connect in an Affinity Group with others serving in a similar ministry to your own. Scroll down for more info.

10:30 * BREAK *

11:00 > Session 3

- Take This: Sent With the People of God
  Carlton Harris (EFCA)

12:15 > Grumble grumble

- Attend the Family Lunch (indicate when registering)

AFFINITY GROUPS

At GLDCON you’ll have an opportutnity to connect with and learn from others serving in a similar ministry to your own. Most groups will follow a peer-learning format.

NORMAL CHURCHES

Connect with other Pastors of GLD Churches under 200 in attendance. This group will focus on the unique challenges of shepherding a church under 200 in attendance. The vast majority of churches in the U.S. are this size, making each a “normal” church!

Mark Burks

GLD Area Superintendent

MID-SIZE CHURCHES

Connecting Lead Pastors of mid-sized churches (200-450), this group will focus on peer learning. Topics and questions submitted by attendees shape the agenda. We believe the answer is in the room—we want to draw out the wisdom, knowledge, and experience of those attending.

Josh Weiland

Wawasee Bible

LARGE CHURCHES

Designed for Lead and Executive Pastors in churches near or greater than 500 in weekly attendance, this group will explore topics and questions submitted by attendees. Learn from, encourage, and network with other leaders in a similar context of large-church ministry.

Darrell Cloud

The Compass Church

WOMEN MINISTRY LEADERS

The gifts and ministries of women are essential to the health and fruitfulness of the Church. This group is designed to support women serving in ministry roles at local churches across the GLD.

Cyndi Leamon

GLD Director for Women in Ministry

HISPANIC MINISTRIES

Come connect with other leaders in the growing movement of Hispanic churches across the Great Lakes District. Our director of Hispanic Ministries, Ricardo Palmerin, will lead. Ricardo also plays a key role in the EFCA’s efforts nationally in this area.

Ricardo Palmarin

GLD Director of Hispanic Ministries

WIVES OF PASTORS

Being married to a pastor carries with it many unique dynamics. Join other spouses of pastors in this affinity group for a time of learning, encouragement, and prayer for one another. We will also take some time to honor Jan Thompson and her ministry over the years in the GLD.

Amy McCausland

GLD

DISABILITY & SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRY

Come learn from leaders with EFCA Disabilitiy & Special Needs Ministry and connect with other GLD leaders serving and/or interested in disability & special needs ministry within their local church.

Jim Baker

EFCA Disability & Special Needs Ministry

STUDENT MINISTRY

Come connect with other Student Ministry pastors and leaders in this affinity group. Our agenda will be driven by those in the room, discussing topics submitted by attendees on the unique challenges, frustrations, and joys of Student Ministry

Paul Miller

EFCA Student Ministries Director

HEALTHY BOARD DYNAMICS

Do you serve in some capacity on a church board? Come learn about the dynamics of church boards at various sizes of growth, how best to support and engage with your pastor, healthy relationships between board and staff, and more!

Gerhard deBock

GLD

KIDS MINISTRY

This group is designed for those leading and minsitering to children and families in the GLD. Jesus loved kids and so do we! Come learn from and connect with others serving in this vital area of ministry!

Judy Crocket

GLD

NEW PASTOR TO THE GLD/EFCA?

PRE-CONFERENCE

GET AQUAINTED WITH THE GREAT LAKES DISTRICT & EFCA

If you are a new pastor to the GLD, join us for this informative pre-conference gathering. We’ll do our best to help you get a lay of the land and connect you with other leaders in our movement. We’ll even pay for your lunch!
When you register, please sign up for the New Pastors Pre-Conference. (And if you’re married, bring your spouse!)

We want you connected.
It’s dangerous to go alone!

PRESS START
MAY 1

EARLY-BIRD RATE

Register by September 1, 2025 for this rate. Registration cost includes access to all sessions, breakouts, and the Monday evening dinner celebration.

$59

REGULAR RATE

This rate takes effect after September 1, 2025. Cost includes access to all sessions, breakouts, and the Monday evening dinner celebration.

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