Hosted by Grafted Life Ministries
March 23 - 25, 2025
Vineyard Community Church, Overland Park, KS
The global events of the last four years have set the stage for a major shift in the metrics and practices within the local church setting in America. Combined with the intensity of stimulation and entertainment at every moment in our day, we have become a culture of weary, numb, and distracted people. This presents a great opportunity for those who believe that a deeper focus on spiritual formation is the answer to these conditions.
But given the opportunity, are churches prepared to shift their fatigued cultures to address these needs? Many leaders are equally exhausted from regrouping after COVID. Congregational losses and budgetary concerns have added to the load of pastoring a local body.
If you are a leader looking for fresh hope, join us for Lighter Load; Deeper Life. This gathering for church pastors and leaders will refresh you with honest conversation, practical ideas, and effective tools to help your church grow deeper in love with Jesus and one another. At the same time, our time together will show you how to release the burden of making something happen on your own in order to partner with God in his desires for your church.
Over our days together we will explore:
- The Centrality of Formation in the Church
- How our Personal Journey of Transformation Impacts our Leadership
- The Role of Community in Formation
- Formational Teaching Models
- The Importance of Children's Formation
Topics will include time for personal reflection, group discussion, and workshop opportunities.
Event Overview
Sunday, March 23 - 6:30-8:00 pm - Arrivals, light dinner served
Monday, March 24 - 9:00 am-8:00 pm - Sessions and workshops, boxed lunch provided
Tuesday, March 25 - 9:00 am-4:30 pm - Sessions and workshops, boxed lunch provided
Presenters and Storytellers:
 |
Alexis Dasari is a pastor, children’s spiritual director, and founder of Most Important Work. A blog that offers spiritual formation-based tools and curriculum for families and churches. She has served in various ministry capacities for the past twenty years and is passionate about helping parents nurture a love of Jesus in their families. Alexis is also a board member at Kidz at Heart, a nonprofit that trains, partners, and mobilizes networks of leaders to help kids develop a deep love for Jesus. You can learn more about her personal ministry at mostimportantwork.com. |
 |
Matt Kessler provides Gospel guidance for spiritual, emotional, and relational health. Through transformational leadership coaching, spiritual direction, marriage care, online courses, and wilderness adventure - he encourages and equips pastors and Christian men to thrive in their Gospel identity, freedom, and influence. Matt has over 28 years of experience in leadership and ordained ministry - serving as a pastor, church planter, regional leader, and missionary bishop in the Anglican Communion. He has planted two churches, started several non-profits, and taught numerous training workshops. He is a certified leadership coach, spiritual director, and wilderness survival instructor. Matt and Amanda have been married for 24 years, and they have three children 20, 16, and 14 (and two Australian shepherds). |
 |
Cecil Linke has always had a passion for the local church. Years of frustration around the standard "growth" models adopted by many churches, along with an interest in the writings of Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, Debbie Swindoll and others, he desires to focus on helping pastors bring formation to the forefront of local church ministry. Cecil has his BS degree from Texas Tech and his ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary. For over 27 years, he has been in full-time vocational ministry in the north Dallas area serving in multiple churches and roles. He currently serves as lead pastor of Journey Community Church in Allen, a church he and his wife planted. He also serves as a Pastor Liaison for Grafted Life Ministries. Cecil & Sue have been married for 35 years and have 2 kids, 1 son in law, and the most brilliant grand-daughter ever!
|
 |
Mark Stephenson and his wife Melissa have three children and their dog Bella. He planted and pastored a church in Baltimore for 19 years before moving with his family to Kansas City during the summer of 2023. Mark is the new lead pastor of Vineyard Community Church where he hopes to continue its legacy of being a deep and vibrant church community. Mark is passionate about finding ways to integrate four major streams of the Christian tradition within one church community: the evangelical, the charismatic, the social justice, and the contemplative (spiritual formation). He believes that all four of these streams of the Christian tradition bring something to church life that is vital and necessary. The beautiful tapestry that forms when these four streams are woven together is part of what drew Mark to Vineyard Community Church. |
 |
Debbie Swindoll is the founder and Executive Director of Grafted Life Ministries where she envisioned and co-authored 10 formational studies. She has been a spiritual director for 18 years and serves as the pastor of Spiritual Formation at her church in Allen TX. She also partners with her husband, Curt, at their company, Current Strategies, helping Christian leaders integrate best spiritual practices into their work life. Debbie and Curt have been married since 1981 and enjoy their relationships with their adult children and growing grandchildren. She received her training in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care from Talbot’s Institute for Spiritual Formation at Biola University, completing her degree in 2007. |
 |
Mark Warner and his wife Dianne have four adult children, ten grandchildren, and their favorite child, their dog Milo. He has been the lead pastor of Vineyard Community Church for 24 years until recently when he passed the baton to Mark Stephenson. A decade ago, in a moment when his church had reached “success” by all modern metrics, Mark Warner hit the wall. He was 53 years old and wondering if this was all there is. Believing there had to be more, Mark went on a journey into spiritual formation. His tired and weary soul finally found rest in the overwhelming love of the Father. Mark’s desire is that he could help other pastors experience the lightness and freedom that come from getting off the treadmill of performance and onto the pathway of formation. |
Registration
Lighter Load Deeper Life
___________________________________________________________________
Click here for directions to Vineyard Community Church Overland Park, KS