The Sending Church Gathering is our yearly gathering of sending churches and church leaders focused on finding renewal in Jesus, fostering meaningful relationships with other mission leaders, and collaborating together for more and better mission.
This year’s Gathering continues our theme from last year on healthy missiology. We’ll focus our teaching and interactive sessions on the key elements of leading your church in effective, fruitful, and biblical missiology.
We hope Sending Network church leaders will come, be refreshed in their walk with Jesus, learn from others, and be better equipped as a sending church.
Speakers and Facilitators
Schedule
Monday, December 1
Noon | Check-in
1:00pm | Session 1: Worship and Connection
2:30pm | Session 2: Healthy missions is defined as Great Commission engagement.
3:30 | Session 3: Healthy missions involves both word and deed ministry.
5:15pm | Dinner
7:00pm | Office Open House and Reception
Tuesday, December 2
8:30am | Devotion & Worship
9:30am | Session 4: Healthy missions values both multiplication and maturity in ministry practice.
11:00am | Upstream Update
12:30pm | Lunch
2:00pm | Breakout Sessions
3:15pm | Breakout Sessions
4:30pm | Session 5: Healthy missions contextualizes the gospel and promotes indigenization.
5:30pm | Networking Dinner
7:30pm | Rooftop Hangout (optional)
Wednesday, December 3
8:30am | Devotion & Worship
9:30am | Session 6: Healthy missions is committed to doing ministry within a team context.
11:00am | Session 7: Looking to the Future
11:45am | Closing
Collaborative Mission
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
We are committed to collaborating with our churches for more and better mission. We will do this through small group work and sharing best practices.
Gospel Renewal
We are called to serve out of the overflow of our life with God.
During our gathering, we’ll commit time to worship, Bible intake, reflection, and prayer in an effort to slow down and be renewed in the Lord.
Meaningful Relationships
Leadership can be a lonely endeavor but it doesn’t have to be.
We will give time and space to get to know one another, hear each other’s stories, and build meaningful relationships that last long after our gathering is over.
Collaborative mission, meaningful relationships, and gospel renewal are the core values that shape our yearly gathering. They give our Sending Network clarity on who we are and why we exist. These values are woven throughout our programming, worship, and downtime.
Venue
Sojourn Midtown is a member of the Sending Network and a vital part of our community. They are situated in Louisville, Kentucky and have graciously offered to host this year's Gathering.
Sojourn Midtown
1207 S Shelby St
Louisville, KY 40203
Lodging
We have a block of rooms available to us at the Tempo by Hilton Louisville NuLu, located a short drive from Sojourn Midtown. This block of rooms are available until November 1st, 2025. If you have any questions, or if you need to make arrangements after November 1, please email Hannah Parker.
To access our special discounted rate for the conference please use the booking link below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can attend the gathering?
The Sending Church Gathering is for church leaders in the Sending Network and for churches exploring partnership with Upstream Sending. Churches that are invited may bring as many people as they like. The event is not open to others.
When does registration close?
Registration closes on November 1. Please book your spots before then so we will have sufficient time to prepare for the Gathering.
What is the cost of the event?
Upstream is committed to keeping our event affordable for our churches. The registration fee is $149 per person.
When should we arrive and when should we depart?
We ask people to arrive at the venue no later than 12:30pm on Monday and depart no earlier than 12:30pm on Wednesday.
Do I need a rental Car?
A rental car can be helpful to navigate and explore the city but it's not necessary. The airport is 10-15 mins from the airport and venture. Ubers and Lyfts are easily accessible.
Can I bring people with me?
Yes. Network churches are welcome to bring as many people from their team/church as they like. We actually encourage you to bring people as this will create more buy-in with Upstream.
What's around the venue to explore?
Sojourn Midtown is in the heart of the city and in the vibrant neighborhood of Shelby Park. Within walking distance are four coffee shops, numerous restaurants, a bakery, and an indoor market with a pinball arcade.