April 30, 2026
Summer often stretches pastors and church leaders in every direction. Camps, summer ministries, and a full calendar can leave little space to reflect on how we are forming people and communicating the gospel. This summer at Green Lake Conference Center, there is an opportunity to step into that space with intention.
As part of its Creativity in Preaching Project, Green Lake Conference Center is partnering with Kairos to host two gatherings this summer that invite pastors to engage both the message and the audience in new ways: the Gen Z and Preaching Gathering and the Creativity in Preaching Lab.
Both gatherings are shaped as formative experiences rather than information-heavy events. They create space to listen, reflect, and engage ideas in community. The Gen Z and Preaching Gathering helps pastors attend to the realities shaping that generation. The Creativity in Preaching Lab equips them to communicate in ways that connect with clarity and imagination.
The Gen Z and Preaching Gathering will take place June 22–26, 2026. This week focuses on how generational dynamics shape preaching, with particular attention to Generation Z. Facilitated by Tanya Gericke, Director of Undergraduate Formation at Kairos University, the gathering includes teaching, interviews with Gen Z youth and young adults, and conversations centered on preaching that forms both heart and mind. Several faculty from Kairos University will be there, as well. Each day creates space for worship, reflection, and dialogue, alongside time to enjoy the setting and pace of Green Lake.
The Creativity in Preaching Lab will take place August 17–21, 2026. The lab centers on practice. Participants experiment with new approaches to preaching, engage in guided discussions, and receive feedback within a shared learning environment. It is designed as a space to rethink habits, explore creativity, and develop rhythms that sustain long-term engagement with Scripture and proclamation. This gathering is also a Regional Kairos Gathering, where faculty from Kairos University will be present alongside participants. That means Kairos students can complete Reflection in Community Sessions while participating!
Visit https://glcc.org/preaching to register for both of these conferences and learn more. Each conference is offered at a rate of as low as $50 per person for a dorm room or $200 for a hotel room! Register today to save your spot. We can’t wait to see you there.
For more information about the Creativity in Preaching Project, email Heather Henson who leads the project for Green Lake Conference Center and serves as Adjunct Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Ministries at Kairos University.