We offer two tracks—a speaking track and a writing track. In addition to four general sessions, there are seven breakout sessions, with six options available during each of these time periods. During each breakout, you can select a topic that focuses on speaking, writing, or a combination of the two. All attendees need to select a specific track, but you are welcome to mix and match your breakout sessions to best meet the needs of your ministry. In other words, if you are in the writing track but you’d like to select a couple of breakouts in the speaking track, that’s fine. If you’ve attended in the past, you’ll discover we offer many new breakout sessions every year. Perhaps that’s why so many of our alumni come back multiple times.

The unique component of Speak Up is that in the speakers’ track, you have an opportunity to try out what you are learning in small interactive groups with a trained professional leading the feedback. In the writers’ track, unlike other conferences, you’ll have an opportunity to pre-select up to four 15-minutes appointments with writing professionals, including acquisition editors, publishers, agents, and author mentors. If you are in the speakers’ track, you have the opportunity to meet with ministry professionals, helping you move to the next level.

Our dynamic keynote speaker is Liz Curtis Higgs. She is biblical, encouraging, down-to-earth, and profoundly funny, helping people to embrace the truth of God’s amazing, unchanging grace.

You will have the opportunity to register for one of eight pre-conference options, covering both speaking and writing topics.

This year we have a number of additional ministry-enhancing opportunities. If you need assistance with updating your look, image consultant Shari Braendel will be available for appointments. If you are in the writing track, you’ll have the opportunity of submitting a short story, article, devotional, or poem (300-1,000 word limit) to Cheri Cowell, publisher of EABooks. If your submission is selected, it will be published in a book that you will be able to purchase at a discounted rate for resale, making you a published author. You will also have the opportunity to submit ten pages of a book proposal or manuscript to Blythe Daniel for review before the conference. Are you in need of a new head-shot? Photographer Joe VerWeire will be on site.

One of my favorite evaluations from a past participant is: “I thought I was registering for a Christian equipping conference, but beyond the extraordinary training, my heart was revived and encouraged. This conference more than met my expectations and it has revolutionized the way I do ministry.”

I’m praying for you as you consider attending and I hope to see you there!