West Regional Gathering 2026

April 24th-25th

Learn of Me

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Cultivating a Teachable Spirit

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Matthew 11:29

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Learn of Me 〰️ Cultivating a Teachable Spirit 〰️ Matthew 11:29 〰️

We are excited to gather together at The Link Church and Hillcrest Church to worship, learn, and fellowship.

Registration is now closed.

Need the 2026 Digital Toolkit? Find it here.

2026 RG West Digital Toolkit

  • Wayfinding

    View the event schedule and location addresses. Find suggestions for local spots to eat.

  • Speakers and Topics

    Browse Networking Table topics and facilitators.

  • Need Help?

    Find contact information for event support helpers.

    Read our event photography disclaimer.

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    Please fill out our follow-up survey to let us know how we did. We highly value your feedback!

  • EMCC Together magazine is out now

    Read the latest issue of EMCCTOGETHER magazine online.

    Physical copies are on their way to EMCC churches.

Wayfinding

  • Download a print version here.

    Friday April 24 – The Link Church

    10:00 AM – *Optional * Intergenerational Prayer Gathering hosted by the NextGen team

    1:00 PM – Registration

    2:00 PM – Session 1: Lifelong Learning

    3:15 PM – Break

    3:30 PM – Networking Tables

    4:30 PM – Supper (offsite)

    7:00 PM – Worship

    7:30 PM – Session 2: Generational Learning

    Saturday April 25 – Hillcrest Church

    9:00 AM – Worship & Honour

    10:15 AM – Break

    10:30 AM – EMCC Sending Research Presentation

    12:00 PM – Catered lunch (onsite)

    1:15 PM – Session 3: Mutual Learning

    2:30 PM – Communion & Commissioning

    Wrap-up by 3:00 PM

  • 1714 Saamis Dr NW, Medicine Hat, AB T1C 1W7

    This is the location for everything happening on Friday, April 24th. See Good Eats In the Area (below) for offsite dinner options.

  • 3785 13 Ave SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1B 1J2

    This is the location for everything happening on Saturday April 25th.

  • Dinner will be offsite on Friday evening, with time to eat from 4:30-7pm.

    This selection of restaurants is organized by distance from The Link Church.

    Happy’s Restaurant & Pub (~10 min)
    1177 1 St SW, Medicine Hat
    Large local restaurant with a relaxed pub atmosphere serving burgers, pasta, breakfast, and comfort food. Great for groups.

    Sammy’s Kitchen & Bar (~10–12 min)
    1731 Dunmore Rd SE, Medicine Hat
    Upscale casual restaurant known for steaks, seafood, and chef-inspired dishes in a comfortable setting.

    Accents Kitchen (~12–15 min)
    450 Vista Dr SE Unit 102A, Medicine Hat
    Modern restaurant offering international and fusion-style dishes with a creative menu.

    Blowers & Grafton (~12–15 min)
    105 Carry Dr SE Unit 93, Medicine Hat
    Lively casual restaurant famous for Halifax-style donairs, poutine, wings, and pub favourites.

    Moose & Squirrel Bistro (~10 min)
    651 2 St SE, Medicine Hat
    Small local bistro with a relaxed atmosphere serving elevated comfort food and seasonal dishes.

    Takumi Japanese Restaurant (~10 min)
    23 8 St NW, Medicine Hat
    Popular Japanese restaurant offering sushi, ramen, and traditional Japanese dishes in a casual sit-down setting.

  • Photography Disclaimer:

    Photos and videos will be recorded at this Regional Gathering event to share news and promote future activities. These may be used in press releases, print materials, and online.

Networking Table Topics

Preview discussion table topics and facilitators. This list is subject to change.

#1 Decoding Complaints: The Request Inside with Ruth Esau

Have you ever experienced a complaint that was harsh, caught you off guard or didn't expect? Come explore how we navigate complaints and learn what people are really asking for.

#2 What Shall We Carry? with Gen Epp

A conversation for those who have walked with Jesus a long time about what still matters and how it can be passed on to younger generations.

#3 Apprenticing Better: The Stuff Nobody Talks About with Martin Nieuwets

Practical ways to build real partnerships between younger and older leaders.

#4 Made to Multiply with E3 Ministry

Come share and explore how we equip God's people to evangelize His world by establishing healthy, multiplying, transformative churches and the part we as leaders play in it.

#5 Co-Vocational Ministry: A New Ministry Model with an Old History with Blayne Banting

Bivocational Ministry: This ancient, yet current global ministry model offers a sustainable approach to those entering ministry in either smaller, solo pastoring roles, multi-staff roles, or church planting teams. Rather than being stigmatized as an inferior ministry model, many are embracing it intentionally to increase both connection with their surrounding community and commitment to the priesthood of all believers. Come for a discussion on the model of ministry for church and how Briercrest College helps equip leaders for a modern ministry landscape.

#6 Holy Spirit: From Theology to Practice with Mike Landry

How does the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit move from theology to practice in our own lives as pastors?  How do we lead a local congregation in living a Spirit filled, Spirit led life in practice and not just aspiration?  Through my connection with Church Renewal International, the Lord has me and our congregation on a journey of living out our theology of the Holy Spirit in daily practice.  Come join the discussion as we learn from one another’s experience.

#7 Re-Churching Education- How Learning Meets Discipleship with Mike Swalm

Education is an important facet in discipleship, but robust learning with limited resources can be a serious challenge. Join Mike Swalm for a discussion on what it might look like to re-engage with education within the local church context to raise up disciples!

#8 After the Pulpit: Honest Conversation on Life and Calling in Retirement with Lynn Dietz

So, you’re recently retired, or you’re soon to be.  Now what? Let’s connect and share our hopes and challenges for retirement.  We can learn from each other how to best follow Jesus in this new chapter of our lives. 

#9 Building Belonging: The Heart of Disability Ministry Within the Church with Corinne Thomas

Come be part of an important and meaningful conversation about how we can better support individuals and families impacted by disability within the church. With 1 in 4 Canadians living with a disability, and 44% experiencing moderate to severe challenges, this is a real and present need within our own church family. Join the round table to share ideas, ask questions, and help shape a ministry rooted in intentionality, discipleship, and community where everyone can belong and grow in their faith.

#10 Remain in Him as You Work with Him with Marty Bennett

Remaining in the state and condition where Jesus operates from within is challenging at the best of times.  Join us to learn what it means to remain in him, identify the challenges we face and what actions we can take to remain in him.

#11 Developing and Cultivating Multi-generational Worship Ministries with Chris Neufeld

Discussing the merit of thinking multigenerational with our worship ministries and what have been helpful ways to serve the spectrum of generations in our Churches while continuing work toward excellence and progress.

#12 Following the Christian Calendar as a Congregation to Develop Disciples who Desire the Kingdom of God with Bernd Heyde

As James K.A. Smith has noted, humans are “liturgical animals - embodied, practicing creatures whose love/desire is aimed at something ultimate.” And since our desires are shaped and molded by the habit-forming practices in which we participate, using the Christian Calendar and its liturgical rhythms to anchor and shape a congregation’s worship and life together increasingly orients their hearts towards the Kingdom.

Following the two-thousand-year-old Christian Calendar and its liturgical practices helps congregations resist the liturgies (habit forming practices) of the world (mall, stadium, university, etc.) and helps them resist the pull of the world's competing calendars. We will look briefly at the Calendar, and how it can be used to shape spiritual practices, social rhythms, praise and the preaching plan.

#13 A Listening Space: Those Who Drift Away From the Church with Nicole Nowochin

For those who love a young person who has drifted from church or faith, and who long for a place to pray, share and be held in community.

#14 Small Group Ministry: A Spiritual Family with Joseph Steeves

Have you ever seen a hunger of spirit for congregation members to dive deeper together into the word and time together? Small Group Ministry can fill an amazing space for people to be disciples and learn to make disciples in a spiritual family. In our discussion we will explore the ‘family’ model of blessings that small group ministry can become.

#15 Dealing with Disappointments with Steve Schaufele

What do we do when seasons look like they were taking off and now things are down 20% and it feels like having to start over again. Come discuss how to put one foot in front of the other again and work to take steps forward.

#16 Missional Alignment: Finding our Path Together as Leaders with Rob Ford

Is your leadership team feeling out of sync? Different schedules, learning styles, and constant interruptions can make it hard to move forward together.Come be part of a meaningful discussion on how we can develop strong spiritual leaders and build teams that are unified, focused, and aligned on Jesus Mission.

#17 Welcoming People To Church: Cultivating a Culture of Invitation with Jamie MacDonald

Many people come to church during moments of need, searching for meaning, hope, and connection. How can we intentionally cultivate a healthy church culture where both believers and those exploring faith — across diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds — can encounter Jesus and experience His healing?

This session invites participants to reflect on their own experiences and engage in meaningful discussion about how to foster a genuine culture of invitation and hospitality, helping people move from belonging to believing. 

Need Help?

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Photography Disclaimer:

Photos and videos will be recorded at this Regional Gathering event to share news and promote future activities. These may be used in press releases, print materials, and online.

Event Follow-Up

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