Transform Minnesota is committed to connecting and equipping church leaders in Minnesota communities; large and small. We are offering more conferences and forums geared toward churches in rural and small town communities, with plans for expanding our influence in the rural evangelical community in 2019.
Transform Ideas Expands to St. Cloud and Rochester
In 2018, for the first time we brought our highly regarded Transform Ideas forum to the communities of St. Cloud and Rochester to discuss the topic of mental health and the Church’s response. (Watch video of Transform Ideas St. Cloud)
I appreciated the bringing together of the community by having local speakers and encouraging unity amongst the denominations. It was great to see the wonderful resources we have in Rochester.”
-Transform Ideas Rochester participant
Transform Ideas St. Cloud has been the impetus for more meaningful conversations about mental health in our community.”
-Pastor Steve Eckert of Calvary Baptist Church, St. Cloud
It’s encouraging to see that our local Rochester pastors and churches understand that we need to be talking about this issue and creating a safe place in the church to be sharing stories.”
-Transform Ideas Rochester participant
It was helpful to have Transform Ideas closer to us in St. Cloud, it was nice not to have to travel to the Cities to attend. We’ve never been to a forum like this where the church is addressing mental health. It’s a good time to be sharing how to handle it, and how to deal with mental health.”
-an attendee from Becker Baptist Church in Becker, MN
Transform Minnesota plans to continue bringing our Transform Ideas forums to Central and South Minnesota in 2019 and beyond.
“We are thrilled to be offering Transform Ideas all across the state. The goal of Transform Ideas is to present distinct, local voices to share ideas that can inspire, inform and engage Christians as thoughtful citizens of the Kingdom of God, serving the common good,” said Carl Nelson, president of Transform Minnesota.
Grow Leadership Conference Developing Thriving Rural Churches
Doing ministry in small towns often results in unique ministry needs, challenges and relational experiences, that’s why Transform Minnesota is committed to offering the Grow Leadership Conference this winter, for the third year in a row.
Our Grow Leadership Conference is aimed at developing thriving rural churches in out state Minnesota and in the Upper Midwest. Registration for the 2019 Grow Leadership Conference to be held on March 9 at Heritage Church in Baxter, MN.
Ministry in a rural area is very unique and difficult, yet it’s a well worthwhile ministry. (At the Grow Leadership Conference) our church staff really resonated with that and left feeling encouraging that we’re not alone.”
-Pastor Paul, of Birch Hills Community Church in Melrose, MN
This year’s Grow Leadership Conference will be headlined with a keynote address from Dr. Martin Giese, the President of Oak Hills Christian College in Bemidji, MN, who also founded the “Country Shepherds’ Workshop,” an interdenominational training seminar for pastors of Town and Country Churches.
Led by a diverse array of denominations, and church leaders, the Grow Leadership Conference will encourage pastors and lay leaders in the unique role they play in the Kingdom of God, and will provide insight on ministering effectively to impact their communities.
Ministry in an urban or suburban setting is so different from doing ministry in a rural town where scheduling is different, and so is how people live their lives; to have this space (at Grow Leadership Conference) for learning in the rural context is very helpful.”
-Bracston, staff member at Buffalo Free Church in Buffalo, MN
“God has given you and entrusted you with this incredible message of the Gospel, and He’s called you to a very unique place. And lest you think, because the place He’s called is not big, that it doesn’t matter. Bigger is not better, deeper is better, transformed is better,” said Rev. Kevin Kompelien, President of the EFCA denomination. (Listen to Rev. Kompelien’s full address here)
Through our efforts to reach churches in rural and small towns, we hope Transform Minnesota will encourage and equip churches no matter what their size to believe, with the spirit of God, they have what they need to share His love and message to their communities.
