More than 700 church builders from around the world gathered near Boston in April for the inaugural Church Builders Conference, “Healthy Church Growth,” hosted by the Boston Church. Leaders, ministers, elders, teachers, campus workers, youth and family leaders, women’s ministry leaders, and disciples from nearly 30 nations came together with a shared vision that our churches can thrive and make a lasting impact.
From the opening session to the final charge on Saturday afternoon, the atmosphere carried both conviction and hope. The conference centered on Ephesians 4 leadership and the biblical vision of every part of the body working together to build a mature, thriving church.
The main sessions set the tone early. Chris Ogbonnaya opened the conference with a call for unity and partnership in building healthy churches where growth and health are not treated as opposites. Kevin Miller followed with a challenge to rebuild cultures of faith-filled evangelism and leadership. Later sessions from Kyle Plum and Josephus Bartuah stirred men to fight for the next generation, while Melissa Miller and Amber Rodriguez encouraged women to pass enduring faith forward with resilience and conviction. The conference concluded with Tony Fernandez casting a vision for revival in cities around the world.
One of the defining strengths of the conference was its practical focus. Attendees participated in dozens of breakout classes covering subjects such as leadership health, shepherding, online outreach, marriage in ministry, campus ministry, youth and family ministry, succession planning, church finances, mentoring young leaders, and building healthy leadership teams. Sessions were intentionally designed to serve churches of all sizes and contexts.
Equally powerful were the moments outside the sessions. Conversations filled hotel hallways, meals stretched late into the evening, and longtime friendships were strengthened while new partnerships formed across continents and generations. For many attendees, the conference was a reminder that they are not laboring alone. There was deep encouragement in seeing so many disciples still passionate about building churches that are spiritually healthy, united, and full of faith.
Throughout the weekend, recurring themes emerged: unity among leadership gifts, courage to address hard challenges, investment in the next generation, and renewed belief that God is still moving powerfully today. The conference avoided a focus about numerical success and instead emphasized biblical health, maturity, and Spirit-led growth.
The diversity of attendees also reflected the global nature of our fellowship. Church builders traveled from almost 30 countries to worship, learn, and dream together about what God can do in their churches and cities. The gathering felt less like a professional conference and more like a family reunion with a shared mission.
As attendees returned home, many left not only with notes and practical tools, but with renewed faith. The spirit of the weekend was clear: revival is possible, healthy leadership matters, and God is not finished building his church.
For churches longing for fresh faith and renewed momentum, the Church Builders Conference was more than an event. It was a call to build again.
To access the lessons from the conference, visit churchbuilders.io.
