Frequently asked questions

This interactive workshop addresses the financial pressure many churches face, redefining financial resilience as the habits and systems needed to sustain and grow their mission over time. Participants will explore core principles, learn a simple framework to evaluate their church’s financial health, and identify one practical step they can put into action right away. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/052b01_fe306ffad90542cf8673969f5ad3084e~mv2.jpg Kurt Lange is Lead Pastor of East Coast International Church in Lynn, Massachusetts, where he has served for over 25 years. A recognized expert on financial resiliency for churches, nonprofits, and marginalized communities, he has led his church to integrate ministry with real estate development and social enterprise. As Co-Founder and Board President of The Haven Project, Kurt has helped secure tens of millions in mission-driven real estate for young adults experiencing homelessness. A dynamic communicator, he leads training programs that combine spiritual wisdom with practical financial strategies, helping churches build sustainability and long-term impact. Jarrod Spalding is a vision-driven leader and coach with over 20 years of church leadership experience, including roles as pastor, youth minister, police chaplain, and nonprofit leader. As founder of Vision Partners, he helps churches move from survival to sustainability through workshops, coaching cohorts, and practical tools that equip leaders to create ministry plans honoring their history while focusing on the future. Drawing from his experience coaching both churches and entrepreneurs, Jarrod specializes in building sustainable, scalable models that serve mission and community. He and his wife of 22 yea rs are raising four children and enjoy life with their three-year-old grandson.

There are no asterisks to the Great Commission for people with disability. The Bible does not say, *except for anyone with a disability. How can you ensure that everyone belongs? Effective strategies and accommodations to encourage inclusion in worship, education, fellowship, and service will be shared. Note: Did you know? In partnership with Vision New England, a Disability Ministry Network has formed that meets quarterly. You're invited to a social networking hour on May 6th at 4:30 p.m. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/052b01_4d0aec1dc92f41538ed21d63053c6f13~mv2.jpg Liz Babbitt, M.Ed., has served as Senior Ministry Relations Manager for Joni and Friends New England since 2009 and loves coaching ministry leaders about welcoming and sharing the Gospel with people of all abilities. She attends New Life Community Church in Georgetown, MA where families with disabilities are enthusiastically embraced as indispensable members of the body of Christ. Liz has five grandchildren; the youngest grandson is diagnosed on the autism spectrum. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/052b01_a5046ac86a86443da4c016b7aa7978f5~mv2.jpg Melena Sorena, Interim Special Needs Ministry Coordinator, is a highly respected ministry leader at Walnut Hill Community Church for more than 20 years and is instrumental in starting and developing their 'Everybody is Somebody' special needs ministry. Melena currently serves with Joni and Friends on the Area Engagement Team and Family Retreat Family Coordinator. She has been part of the disability community since the birth of her second son in 1991. Melena and husband of 35 years have four adult children plus two by marriage and two beautiful grandchildren.

Are you leading your church, ministry, or nonprofit through change in our rapidly shifting culture? Sometimes leaders can grow frustrated attempting to evoke change, resulting in damaged relationships, broken trust, and lost momentum. This workshop is designed to equip leaders with practical skills to lead change relationally and systemically to move forward with the mission God has entrusted to them. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/052b01_1a99ccfbf9d9455ba05b0aefc0330530~mv2.jpg Greg Mozel has served as Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church of Amherst for 27 years, leading the church through significant growth and cultural change. Located at the entrance to University of Massachusetts Amherst, the church has developed into a vibrant, multicultural community representing over 30 nations. Greg brings extensive experience in helping churches navigate change, having served as a church coach with Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and as a consultant with Vision New England. He is a graduate of Western Evangelical Seminary, George Fox University, and Portland State University. Greg and his wife, Carolyn, have been married for 39 years and have two adult children active in ministry. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/052b01_f637ac07ee4247d1b119dbf711d4558b~mv2.jpg Bishop Lawrence Ward serves as Pastor Emeritus of Abundant Life Church in Cambridge, MA, and as Presiding Elder and Bishop for the New England District of the United Pentecostal Council of the Assemblies of God, Inc. With decades of leadership experience, he specializes in guiding churches and organizations through seasons of transition and growth. As co-founder of Wards of Wisdom Associates, he equips leaders in leadership development, team building, systems thinking, and succession planning, helping ministries move forward with clarity and cohesion. Bishop Ward holds degrees from Northeastern University, University of Massachusetts Boston, and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He lives in Boston with his wife of 41 years, Rev. Dr. Virginia Ward, and they are proud parents of two adult sons.

It is intentional that a prayer time is offered at the start of this leader’s Gathering. Come and enjoy some space to focus your attention on our loving God, to pray for New England with others, and to prepare your heart to receive all that He has for you going into this Gathering.  https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ccaa61_58069e5e05d64bed8db0ca6a804e1558~mv2.png Noelle Jones serves as Director of Prayer with Vision New England and is passionate about helping leaders cultivate a deeper life of prayer. She studied at Wheaton College , earning degrees in Christian Education, Psychology, and a Master’s in Spiritual Formation and Ministry. Noelle serves at His Mansion Ministries in Deering, NH, a discipleship and recovery community, and is part of Hope Church Henniker, where she leads the prayer team. She also partners with 24-7 Prayer USA. She loves creating spaces for people to encounter God through prayer, including helping launch a prayer house in Henniker, NH called The Living Room.

As Christians, we know that we live not just in a physical world, but also in a profoundly spiritual one. Though often either fantasized or ignored, the presence of Satan, the demonic, and spiritual warfare are realities believers would be wise to take seriously. This workshop is designed to bring you into conversation with other leaders about their experiences, to stretch us in our various theological understandings, and to equip you with practical, ministry-oriented outcomes for your unique context. As John reminds us, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%204:4&version=NIV)” https://static.wixstatic.com/media/052b01_117e90cb7ab14c27babf0c5237d64ab4~mv2.jpeg Steven White is the pastor of First Baptist Church of Salem, MA,(https://www.firstbaptistchurchsalem.com/) and has served on the board of Vision New England since 2021. He is married to his wife, Sarah, and they have two daughters. In recent years, their church has been learning how to meet the needs of the spiritually curious in Salem. Over the past five years, they have seen people come to faith in Christ from a variety of backgrounds, including black magic, Romani traditions, and diverse New Age practices.

A disciple is a life-long learner who is becoming more like Jesus and learning to do the things Jesus did. Every believer can be a disciple-maker. “Making disciples” means everyday people learning to lead others to be more like Jesus and do the things Jesus did along with them. Through digital workshops, leader training, cohorts, and free tools, VNE equips both individuals and churches to make and multiply healthy disciples in their context.

• Disciple Maker Digital Workshops — 90-minute, interactive online sessions designed to equip you with practical tools and next steps to make disciples and live on mission in your everyday life. • Free Resources — Practical downloadable guides, prompts, and tools you can use right away in your discipling relationships.

• Leader Labs — workshop-style training days designed for church leaders and teams with practical teaching, team strategy time, and learning alongside other churches. • Learning Community Cohorts — Two-year cohorts featuring immersive retreats, strategic planning, customized application, and ongoing coaching to help teams build a disciple-making culture in their specific context.

Tune into the Church in Action Podcast, where VNE engages leaders about what God is doing—sharing stories, insights, practices, and encouragement for making disciples in real New England contexts.

Yes! VNE offers free resources—guides, prompts, and tools—that can be downloaded and shared with attribution, with no email required.

Reach out to Gina Mueller, VNE’s Disciple-Making Catalyst, at gmueller@visionnewengland.org (mailto:gmueller@visionnewengland.org)to explore hosting a Leader Lab.

After extensive listening with over 100 local leaders, VNE believes that disciple-making through unity, justice, and sharing Jesus is vital to renewing the Church in New England. This is our core mission focus—shaping a lasting movement of multiplying disciples.