EXPONENTIAL Central: Chicago

AI Superpowers: Turn One Sermon Into a Content Engine – Hosted by Exponential NEXT Your sermon is already your best content — you just haven’t fully unleashed it yet. In this hands-on 2.5-hour pre-conference intensive, AI NEXT director, Kenny Jahng will walk you through how to build a repeatable AI-powered content repurposing workflow that turns every message you preach into a multi-platform ministry presence. Bring your laptop and a sermon (YouTube link, Vimeo, video file — whatever you’ve got). We’ll work through it together live, building your own custom workflow from scratch so you leave with a real system, not just ideas. You’ll walk away with a content strategy built around your voice, your congregation, and the channels that actually move the needle for your ministry — and the AI-powered process to execute it week after week without burning out your team. Bring your laptop. Bring a sermon. Leave with a workflow. Speaker: Kenny Jahng

Beyond Rhetoric to Results: How to Build a Multiethnic, Missionally Vibrant, and Financially Sustainable Church – Hosted by Exponential NEXT Join Dhati and Mark as they leverage nearly fifty years of combined experience to help you (re)structure your church for effective 21st-century ministry. You’ll gain practical insights to move from aspiration to execution, overcome common challenges, and build a community-facing church for all people, not just some, to advance a credible Gospel witness in an increasingly diverse, complex, and polarized society. Speaker: Dhati Lewis, Mark DeYmaz

How to Build a Culture of Multipliers – Hosted by Exponential Many leaders want to see their ministries multiply but struggle to create cultures where ongoing impact thrives. This pre-conference provides hands-on experience to help you become a catalyst for a culture of Multipliers. Learn a simple, proven tool for developing healthy disciple-making leaders who champion reproduction, practice it through interactive exercises, and craft a tailored action plan. Leave equipped with the tools, confidence, and strategy to foster a multiplying culture and create lasting Kingdom impact. Speakers: Jason Stewart, Bill Couchenour

Navigating the Unique Challenges as a Woman in Leadership – Hosted by Exponential NEXT This pre-con gathering is for women leaders ready to grow in clarity, confidence, and calling. Together, we’ll create an honest space to discuss navigating real leadership challenges while strengthening our identity and voice. You’ll hear from Kadi Cole, Sue Ferguson and Noemi Chavez, who all have decades of ministry experience. You’ll engage in meaningful conversation and gain practical insight alongside other women leading in the Church. Expect connection, encouragement, and relationships that will sharpen your leadership long after this gathering ends. Speakers: Sue Ferguson, Noemi Chavez

Start or Join a Reproducing Network – Hosted by Exponential NEXT You were never meant to lead alone. In a region as influential and spiritually complex as the Bay Area, collaboration is essential for meaningful and lasting gospel impact. This interactive pre-conference invites you into a new way of thinking and leading alongside other kingdom-minded leaders. Together, you will explore how God is using reproducing networks to spark movements of disciple-making and church planting across cities and regions. Speakers: Patrick O’Connell, Eric Metcalf, Jon Ferguson, Rodrigo Cano, Chicagoland Leaders