Building Faith and Friendships at JOY Camp
JOY Camp 2026 brought together 61 campers and 27 volunteer counselors for a week of faith, friendship, and outdoor fun at Camp Reynoldswood in Dixon, Ill., June 21-27. Centered on the…
Location: First United Methodist Church, 503 N. Lily Creek Rd., Freeport, IL.
March 19
Registration fee: $20 - lunch box provided
Speaker: Dirk Elliott
Churches come in all forms of health: some are healthy and growing, others are maintaining the status quo, and some are declining. But they all have one thing in common – they want to be fruitful and healthy. One way this can happen is through partnerships or mergers. Attend this workshop and explore new ways your church might become healthier through a merger.
Dirk Elliott
Speaker Bio: Dirk Elliott is Director of Congregational Vibrancy and Leadership Development for the Michigan Conference. Dirk has been a congregational developer for 21 years after serving 18 years in pastoral ministry. He serves on the Path 1 Strategy Team, the New Church Start division of the United Methodist Church. Dirk authored "Vital Merger: A New Church Approach that Joins Church Families Together to Change Lives and Communities."
Sponsored by the Office of Congregational Development and Redevelopment
Watch below the inspiring story of the merger of two churches in Elgin, Wesley UMC and Epworth UMC, to form Journey of Hope.