citylife Hosts Rise Conference
Practical empowerment and revitalization…that’s the heart behind the brand-new Rise Conference happening on May 4-5, 2017 at citylife church in Tampa, FL. Filled with Kingdom leaders like Jentezen Franklin, Sammy Rodriguez, Dino Rizzo, Tim Hill and Mike Hayes, plus Tony and Kaci Stewart, one would expect a large price tag to be attached, but that isn’t so.
Rise was birthed out of a vision shared by Pastors Tony Stewart and Joe Dobbins. Their desire is to equip pastors and leaders who want to “rise above mediocrity and accomplish extraordinary things for God’s Kingdom,” no matter if they’re revitalizing their ministry or just trying to get started.
For Pastor Tony, the senior pastor of citylife church in Tampa, FL, the desire comes from seeing his church transformed when the congregation went from around 300 in 2007 to over 3000 in 2017 and was listed as the 7th Fasting Growing Church by Outreach Magazine. citylife church (lowercase “c” intentional), relocated from its location of 85 years to the third busiest intersection in the city in 2012. That decision and the story behind it revitalized and forever changed the direction and culture of citylife.
For Pastor Joe Dobbins, lead pastor of Twin Rivers Worship Center in St. Louis, MO, the desire comes from a long track record of coaching leaders for church growth and successfully navigating a senior leadership transition. Today, Twin Rivers has been completely revitalized and engages thousands of people each week through multiple campuses across the city.
What is so different about this conference from many others like it? It is designed for the greatest need in the American church: revitalization. While great church planting organizations are available, revitalization is needed as much now as ever. With declining attendance and less engagement from millennials, every church need fresh ideas, practical strategies and inspiration to keep going.
This event did not appear overnight. For nearly two years, it was a dream that was discussed, but each time Pastors Tony and Joe tried to bring it to reality, obstacles prevented it. Then, as only God can orchestrate, they were on the phone pitching ideas on how to make the event happen, and a single thought came: What if we did this completely free? Something clicked, the biggest obstacle (cost) for every church leader was removed and the event became purely about investing in people.
“When we took that step, instead of dreaming about how we were going to pay for it, the Holy Spirit breathed on it and it came to life,” said Pastor Joe. “Favor followed. Dates and speakers were confirmed and people became interested.”
In awe at the overwhelming response, Pastor Tony said, “Within the first three weeks of open registration, close to 500 pastors and leaders had already signed up from as far away as Uganda. Leaders from other organizations were calling, contributing and wanting to invest and be a part.”
Dr. Tim Hill, General Overseer of the Church of God, Cleveland, TN, has made Rise Conference part of his Jeremiah Project initiative for the now and next generation leaders (launching this fall). He had this to say, “God called Jeremiah in a defining moment of destiny and declared to him that he was appointed to speak to a generation. In that moment the past gave way to a future of prophetic alignment that brought life to a nation. There is always a moment that separates the past from the future, the Rise Conference provides that moment and that moment is now. I am honored that the new Jeremiah Project can help sponsor such a momentous moment of destiny.”
With such an overwhelming response, space has now become limited. If you are a lead pastor, staff pastor or volunteer ministry leaders and are considering attending, don’t miss this opportunity. Each day will include inspiring general sessions, practical break-out sessions on topics such as worship, students, giving, children and powerful worship experiences. For more information and to register visit riseconference.cc.
