What if the first thing God wants to grow isn't our church, our ministry, or our influence—but us?

Every June, ministers, leaders, and churches from across the Midwest District gather for District Council. While the schedule includes business sessions, worship services, and leadership development, the greatest value of Council may be something much simpler: connection. In ministry, it is easy to become isolated. Pastors carry burdens, churches face challenges, and leaders often find themselves pouring into others without taking time to be refreshed themselves. That’s why g

This past month, I was speaking with a leader about something many of us are sensing: people in our communities are, in many ways, “over church.” Not necessarily over God. Not over truth.But over feeling like they are constantly being asked for something. In that conversation, I shared something that has been growing in my own heart: What if our goal wasn’t first to invite—but to be present? To let our lives, our consistency, and our testimony speak before we ever say anythin