Pre-Conference Ministry Workshops

This full-day, immersive workshop is designed for pastors, church leaders, and communicators who want to sharpen their ability to craft biblically sound, engaging, and life-changing messages. Led by Jonathan Pokluda, this workshop will explore both the art and science of preaching--from sermon preparation and structuring compelling messages to refining delivery through feedback and real-time coaching.

In addition to time-tested preaching principles, we’ll also dive into how modern tools like AI (including ChatGPT) can enhance sermon preparation - helping you generate ideas, clarify biblical insights, and refine your message without sacrificing authenticity or dependence on the Holy Spirit. Whether you’re a seasoned preacher or just starting out, this workshop will equip you to preach with clarity, conviction, and confidence--ensuring that your messages resonate deeply and lead to real transformation.

Get an inside look at Watermark’s worship ministry and our desire to lead worship in a way that points to Jesus and builds up the body of Christ. This workshop facilitates in-depth conversations about the heart of worship, set planning and vetting songs, auditions, development, building a healthy relationship with your production team, pastoring your team, collaborating with your pastors, writing and producing original music, and so much more! Note: this workshop includes repeated content from previous years.

Kids Ministry is one of the most influential opportunities churches have to lay a foundation of faith in the lives of the next generation. We’ll have a conversation about ways we see and welcome kids, teach them about Jesus, and make sure they are safe and secure. Come join us for a dialogue about the opportunities and challenges faced by our kids ministry and yours!

Healthy marriages are the building blocks of a healthy church. If you’re looking for resources and tools to start or improve your church's marriage ministry, check out re|engage, our discipleship-based ministry for every marriage – the healthy, the struggling, and the broken. This workshop is designed for those interested in learning about the distinctives of Re|engage as a marriage ministry and how to implement it at their church.

Struggles like porn, substance abuse, codependency, and depression are common in the Church--but they don’t have to be. In Christ, people can be set free. Does your church have a place for those who are searching for hope and healing? We’d like to introduce you to re:generation, our biblical 12-step care and recovery ministry. This workshop is designed for those interested in learning about the distinctives of the ministry and how to implement in their church or organization.

John Cox—Executive Pastor, and Luke Friesen—Executive Director of Operations, discuss best practices for leading your church’s operations. This workshop will touch on the unique organizational challenges senior church leaders face, including leadership best practices, strategic planning and execution, decision-making, hiring, staff care, finances and budgeting, and more. Note: this workshop includes repeated content from previous years.

The Watermark Student ministry is on a mission to be a place where every student in grades 6 -12 in our community is known, accepted, taught about Jesus, and challenged to grow. This workshop invites you to learn about Watermark’s vision and strategy for discipling students while reflecting on your youth ministry’s strategy for reaching and guiding future generations to follow Jesus, and be the church. Note: this workshop includes repeated content from previous years.

Watermark's young adult ministry, The Porch, serves over 3,000 young adults weekly on campus, plus many more through partner churches and online streams. This workshop explores our ministry's vision, strategy, and methods. We'll focus on how to engage and motivate young adults to see Jesus and surrender fully to life with Him while offering practical solutions for common ministry challenges. Note: this workshop includes repeated content from previous years.