Schedule

Gathering and GenNext Check-In Desk

Gathering and GenNext check-in is available all day at your convenience.

HOPE Poverty Simulation

The HOPE Poverty Simulation is a 2 ½ -hour, immersive, experiential learning opportunity designed to help participants symbolically experience some of the realities of a lifetime of poverty. Additional registration is required.

New Participant Welcome with The Gathering Board of Directors

All first-year participants and speakers will join The Gathering Board for an informal social hour before heading together to dinner. This is a great chance to meet new folks before the evening begins.

Dinner and Session 1

Dinner and Main Session with Kim Kuo. Music with Sandra McCracken.

Dessert Party

Dessert Party for All Participants, Speakers and GenNext.

Morning Prayer

Please join other Gathering participants in a tradition of beginning the day with a quiet, informal morning prayer time.

Come-and-Go Breakfast

Casual breakfast. Come and go as you please. Kids participating in GenNext will need to eat here before starting their day.

Session 2

Music by Sandra McCracken, Bible Teaching with Bryan Loritts

Break

Grab a coffee and start a conversation in the hallways before morning classes begin.

Morning Class Options

Growing Organizations and Ministries

Evan Feinberg, Jeff Shinabarger, Patrick Riley. Moderated by Peter Greer.

Every year, thousands of new ventures, ministries and organizations are started and the mortality rate is high - especially in the first five years. Incubators, accelerators, mentors and coaches play a unique role in those who survive and grow. How do these three practitioners identify and support those with potential?

#Silence is Not Spiritual

Belinda Bauman, Lisa Sharon Harper, Nikki Toyama-Szeto

More than 150 leaders from across the world are calling upon the global faith community to stop standing by and start standing up for women and girls who suffer violence. Meet the founders and leaders of this movement.

The Great Opportunity

Joshua Crossman, Jon Tyson, Nancy Ortberg, Tom Lin

The next 30 years will represent the largest missions opportunity in the history of America. The Pinetops Foundation will host this look into the range of challenges and opportunities for the church and share results of their study of how funders can support the work of the church in America

Food Insecurity

Jeff Dykstra, Ross Baird. Moderated by Steve Haas.

Millions of people around the world have insufficient access to food. How do we increase that access in ways that do not create dependency? Our three resources have many years of experience in agricultural enterprises, corporate partnerships and supporting entrepreneurs solving the world’s largest problems in food.

Lunch and Session 3

Special guest speaker Governor Bill Haslam. Question and answer with Russell Moore.

One-Hour Afternoon Sprint Class Options

Everything Happens For A Reason: And Other Lies I Have Loved

Kate Bowler with John Townsend

In 2015, Kate Bowler, a professor at Duke, a wife and mother of a young child, was told she had Stage 4 cancer. She has been living since then in three month increments between chemo treatments. Her book has become a best seller and her words a source of encouragement for many. “Life is so beautiful. Life is so hard.”

What Is Next?

Ryan Skoog, Robin Bruce, Mat Clouse, David Clouse. Moderated by Christin McClave.

There are now three generations of Gathering participants and far more variety in what we think, what we fund, and what we believe. We might be surprised by the differences and also the similarities. If you want to be part of an inter-generational conversation about these changes, join us.

Kick The Tires

Paul Penley, Alan Marty, Steve Laird, Doug Free

If you have been looking for practices and perspective from peers who have learned from years of experience in giving, this is the place. As well, our special resource will be Dr. Paul Penley, Director of Research for Excellence in Giving. Paul has evaluated hundreds of non-profits for donors.

Free Time

(GenNext will end at 3:00 p.m. as well. The activities resume at 6:00 p.m.)

Friday Night Dinners

You are going to love what’s in store for this year’s four Friday Dinners at The Gathering. Be sure to register and claim your space!

Morning Prayer

Please join other Gathering participants in a tradition of beginning the day with a quiet, informal morning prayer time.

Come-and-Go Breakfast

Casual breakfast. Come and go as you please. Kids participating in GenNext will need to eat here before starting their day.

Session 4

Testimony by Dr. and Mrs. Vinh Chung, Music by Sandra McCracken, Bible Teaching with Bryan Loritts

Break

Grab a coffee and start a conversation in the hallways before morning classes begin.

Morning Class Options

Dynamics of Family Philanthropy In An Age Of Entitlement

John Townsend

How you can prevent and resolve family entitlement attitudes, so that your families, generations, and legacies are secure, and not divided. John Townsend, psychologist, family coach, organizational consultant and the co-author of “Boundaries” and “The Entitlement Cure” is with us again this year.

What In The World Is Going On?

Michael Gerson, Ross Douthat, Peter Wehner

Join three internationally acclaimed journalists and authors for a session on a whole range of topics. We typically just turn them loose and see where it goes.

The Family and Philanthropy

Ginny Esposito

Join Ginny Esposito, the Founder and President of the National Center for Family Philanthropy and Gathering families in a discussion of principles and practices of families engaged in giving. Family philanthropy has unique challenges but rewards that last for generations.

Housing Justice and Freedom of Land Use

Jonathan Coppage, Eddy Moratin, Johnny Sanphillippo, Emma Green, Eric Jacobsen. Moderated by Howard Ahmanson.

Housing affordability and freedom of land use issues affect all people and institutions, regardless of economic background, race or ethnicity. Host Howard Ahmanson believes these two issues are the leading social justice concerns of our time. Christians are responsible for both their communities and the built-environment they inhabit. This panel addresses challenges to housing affordability, the importance of land use freedom, and how Christian funders can empower solutions to complex problems. This session includes policy-oriented, historical, theological, journalistic, and community-development perspectives.

Saturday Afternoon Options

Option 1: Praxis Nonprofit Finale and Luncheon

This invitation-only event (all Gathering participants are invited) is hosted by Praxis during The Gathering. The goal of Praxis is to provide a compelling opportunity for you to engage as mentors and philanthropists with some of the most creative work being done by Christians globally. You’ll hear well-crafted 5-minute presentations from our Fellows, mentor them through interactive roundtables, engage in interactive conversations with leading investors, and connect with your peers in an informal setting.

ADVANCE RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. The Praxis Nonprofit Accelerator Finale Event is held onsite at The Gathering and requires separate registration. All Gathering participants are encouraged and welcome to attend. For more information and to register for the Praxis Lunch and Nonprofit Finale, please visit the Praxis Nonprofit Finale event website. www.praxisfinale.org/event

Option 2: Free Time

Lunch is on your own. Please note: If your children are registered for GenNext, they will be busy with their own activities Saturday afternoon – and you will be free to attend Praxis or hang out at the pool!

Book Signing

Join several Gathering participants and speakers with new books out for an informal book signing before dinner.

Dinner and Session 5

An Evening Conversation with David Beasley

The Gathering Fifth Annual Movie Night -
25 in 24 by Switchfoot

Families are encouraged to stick around for a movie night brought to you by Jon Foreman and the band members of Switchfoot themselves! Jon and the guys will be talking about their most recent documentary and some exciting news about a new project they are working on -you do not want to miss this! Here’s a quick synopsis of the film: On October 24 at 10am, Jon Foreman and his friends embarked on a music journey throughout San Diego aiming to play 25 shows in 24 hours. With venues including a children's hospital, a wedding, and a Mexican restaurant, 25 IN 24 is a 24-hour musical experience exploring the polarity of everyday life, taking viewers to places that only music can go. Through his journey, Foreman discovers that the road less traveled is always worth the risk, and sometimes the only way to hold on is to let go.

Come-and-Go Breakfast

Casual breakfast. Come and go as you please.

GenNext Closing Celebration

GenNext families (grandparents are welcome!) will enjoy a Closing Celebration with honored guest speaker Sally Lloyd-Jones.

Session 6 and Communion

To end our time together, please join us for a wonderful family worship and communion.

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