Schedule and Registration Information
2026 National Church Development Conference
Meeting Location
First Congregational Church of Lodi
114 Church Street, Lodi OH 44254
www.fcclodichurch.wixsite.com
(330) 948-1109
Registration Fees
Early Bird Registration - $150 (valid through April 15, 2025)
Regular Registration - $225 (after April 15, 2025)
Registration Deadline is May 10, 2026 ~ No Refunds After That Date
Airports & Transportation
Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE) is a 40-minute drive straight down I-71. The airport offers flights from United Airlines, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines, and also includes Frontier and Spirit for the bugdet-conscious.
Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) is 30 minutes via I-76 and is served by American, United, Allegiant and Breeze Airways.
Because of the distance to the airports, this year there will not be a provided shuttle for airport transportation.
Hotel Information
Hawthorne Extended Stay
5025 Park Avenue
Seville OH 44273
(330) 769-5025
Our recommended accommodations are at the Hawthorne Extended Stay by Wyndom in nearby Seville OH (15 minutes from the Church). Your stay includes breakfast. A single queen room is $80 per night. A double queen is $100, and a King room is $120. Contact the hotel directly for our special pricing, noting that you are with the Nehemiah Summit. This is a small hotel and rooms are limited, so register soon. The deadline for reserving these special rates is April 15, 2025.
We have a second hotel option about 25 minutes from the Church. We have special pricing with Comfort Inn & Suites in Wadsworth OH, with regular rooms at $139 and suites at $159. Be sure to note that you are with the Nehemiah Summit when making your reservation. The hotel phone number is (330) 336-7692. The deadline for reserving these special rates is April 15, 2025.
Meals
The Hawthorne has a hot breakfast for guests. The Comfort Inn provides a continental breakfast.
Monday's dinner, Tuesday's lunch and dinner, and Wednesday's lunch are provided for in the registration fees and served at the church.
Schedule
Speakers
CCCC Conference Minister
Lake Elmo, Minnesota
Marc began as Conference Minister (Executive Director) of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference in September 2025. He started in ministry at West Congregational Church in Haverhill, MA with Pastor David Midwood. He then served as a chaplain in the US Army (rank of Colonel) for 26 years where he had four combat deployments, served with Special Operations, and provided strategic leadership, planning and advice to Commanding Generals.
After completing his military ministry, Marc became Pastor of Discipleship and Leadership Development at Lake City Community Church in Lakewood, Washington.
John Kimball
Lead Pastor of Palmwood Church &
CCCC Director of Church Development
Oviedo, Florida
John has served as the CCCC Director of Church Development since January 2007. Holding a doctorate in Missions & Evangelism, he has worked with hundreds of local churches over the years to improve their spiritual health and fruitfulness through disciple making.
Having planted Palmwood Church in 2014, John and his leadership team regularly put the principles they teach into practice. Focusing heavily on "marketplace ministry," John serves as chaplain of the Oviedo YMCA (where Palmwood Church meets). Most of John's ministry each week is with with people who have yet to surrender to Jesus.
LIfe-on-Life Partner Development, Trainer and Coach for Perimeter Church
Atlanta, Georgia
As a PCA pastor, Scott served the congregation at Covenant Life Church (Sarasota, Florida) beginning in 2006 and as the Pastor of Discipleship and Mission in 2011. Scott joined the Life-on-Life team as a part-time associate in 2017, joined the full-time staff in 2022 and has been privileged to train and coach churches in Atlanta, Charlotte, Florida, Chicago, Ireland and Uganda.
Scott is passionate about making mature and equipped followers of Jesus as fueled by the gospel through the model and tools of Life-on-Life Missional Discipleship. Scott enjoys playing golf, fishing, watching the Pittsburgh professional sports teams and most passionately enjoying Janna and their children.
Breakouts
Breakout sessions hosted by our Ministry Priorities of Church Development, Church Multiplication, and Conference Care are designed to provide practical help on specific topics related to this year's Summit. Detailed descriptions and notes for each offering will be provided in the Nehemiah Summit Booklet, available at the registration table. We have also added a Roundtable Discussion to this year's schedule for further interaction with our practitioners.