[ LOUISVILLE, KY ] This Fall, Drs. Carl Toney and Kelly Dagley (Pacific Christian College of Ministry & Biblical Studies) took four current ministry students to Louisville, KY, to attend the Christian Church’s annual leadership conference, Spire. HIU students had the opportunity to meet numerous church leaders from across our movement, including Pastors Rudy Hagood, Ken LaMont, Gene Appel, and Rick Rusaw. They were inspired by messages from keynote speakers, including Ashley Weece, Tyler McKenzie, Drew Moore, and Max Lucado.

After the conference, the group traveled to the historic Cane Ridge Meeting House, where the Christian Churches movement originated. The students visited Barton Stone’s burial site and walked through the original meeting house, which is now enclosed and preserved by a newer stone church. Inside, Dr. Kelly and Dr. Toney spoke words affirming these students’ callings into ministry, and the group prayed together, asking God to work through them. 

“Our ministry students—Joyce Suraboyini, Mariana Fernandez, Kyle Zarate, and Noah Fort—had an amazing time at Spire this year,” remarked Dr. Toney. “This was a life-changing journey that will permanently mark God’s calling on their lives into ministry.” 

This amazing experience was made possible by a generous donation from West Valley Christian Church, thank you! If this is the kind of thing you and/or your organization would like to support in the future, please reach out to HIU’s College of Ministry & Biblical Studies.