Conference Endorsements

As a two-year attender of this conference, I can say with confidence that the strengths of our church has been advanced in many helpful ways. I have been to countless conferences, pastors weekends, etc. and while they are often helpful, none of them have encouraged and strengthened my leadership as this one.

As someone who has attended every Callahan Conference since 1995, I admit that it was because of Dr. Callahan's vision and passion for mission that changed my life and ministry. I was "most excellent" as a marathoner of a maintenance parish. After attending the conferences and reading his many insightful and resource-giving books, I have been able to move to MISSION, MISSION, MISSION. Our parish is now one of the fastest growing parishes in the Florida-Bahamas Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church, and will soon be breaking ground for our new 25 acres mission center. Thank you Dr. Callahan for "educating, inspiring, and equipping" me to be the pastor that I am now!

Dr. Kennon Callahan puts the "p" back in to 'practicality' when it comes to how to do ministry! I have found his wisdom in regards to "compassion, care and concern" vital in my understanding what motivates God's people to do mission in giving "help, hope and home' to people now. Dr. Callahan's insights concerning marathon and sprinter culture are profoundly important to me in accomplishing effective ministries within my congregation.

In my years attending his annual gathering at Callaway, I have found myself refreshed and energized by his calming, gracious, generous, gentle presence. I consider his mentorship significantly responsible for the blessing of a mission congregation I began from scratch that has grown to a congregation in excess of 1300 members in less than 9 years and is still growing. I consider myself fortunate to have found this wonderful pastor, teacher, preacher, professor, but most importantly, servant of Christ and sharer of grace. Thank you so very much, Dr. Callahan!

Callahan at Calloway Gardens is the wellspring for our community's rebirth as a place of meaningful mission, personal connection, and joyful worship. I was called to a church with a long history of deep conflict, signaled by 12 priests in the 15 years preceding my tenure. A significant difference between me and my predecessors is the 12 Keys. Generous coaching and successful examples at Calloway encouraged me and our lay leaders. In 3 years we have settled our conflict, developed concrete mission in our neighborhoods, tripled in size, and increased in diversity. We have many miles to travel, but now we are traveling together in the grace of God.