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Featured Presenters

Dr. Joseph Tkach, Jr.
GCI President
Dr. Joseph W. Tkach is president of GCI and author of Transformed by Truth. Dr. Tkach travels around the world to visit, encourage, and affirm GCI’s international leaders. Dr. Tkach also serves on the board of directors for the National Association of Evangelicals. He and his wife Tammy live in Southern California and have two children, Joseph and Stephanie. Stephanie is getting married October 14.

Heber Ticas
GCI National Coordinator for Church Multiplication
Heber Ticas is a church planter and senior pastor of Comunion De Gracia Sun Valley Ca. (a GCI congregation). He also serves as national coordinator for Church Multiplication for GCI, facilitating the start and launch of new churches and participating with existing churches across the USA in their endeavors to renew their missional posture. Heber and his wife Xochilt live in Santa Clarita California and have three children, Ashley, Jessica and Cristian.

Rick Shallenberger
GCI Regional Pastor, North Central Region
Rick Shallenberger is regional pastor of GCI’s North Central region, serving, training, resourcing and supervising our pastors and congregations. Rick also serves as special assistant to President Tkach, traveling and writing for GCI. He and his wife Cheryl have three children, Kayla (married to Chris Elliott), Kyle and Lucas. Chris and Kayla have two children. Kyle is getting married to Dana Kist on October 14.
Thursday
General Session
Topic
The Sending God
A welcome address sharing four objectives and then sharing personal stories about God placing people in our lives – sometimes that person is our next door neighbor.
Presenter

About Presenter
Dr. Joseph Tkach, Jr.
GCI President
Dr. Joseph W. Tkach is president of GCI and author of Transformed by Truth. Dr. Tkach travels around the world to visit, encourage, and affirm GCI’s international leaders. Dr. Tkach also serves on the board of directors for the National Association of Evangelicals. He and his wife Tammy live in Southern California and have two children, Joseph and Stephanie. Stephanie is getting married October 14.
Schedule
4:00 - 5:30 p.m. |
Meet-and-Greet (Upper Dells Ballroom) All are invited for snacks and fellowship |
6:00 - 7:00 p.m. |
General Session (Main Hall) The Sending God GCI President Dr. Joseph Tkach |
Friday
General Session
Topic
Missional vs Missionary
Understanding our calling. See the difference between being sent to another culture, and being sent to live out the great commission in our lives.
Presenter

About Presenter
Heber Ticas
GCI National Coordinator for Church Multiplication
Heber Ticas is a church planter and senior pastor of Comunion De Gracia Sun Valley Ca. (a GCI congregation). He also serves as national coordinator for Church Multiplication for GCI, facilitating the start and launch of new churches and participating with existing churches across the USA in their endeavors to renew their missional posture. Heber and his wife Xochilt live in Santa Clarita California and have three children, Ashley, Jessica and Cristian.
Schedule
8:00 - 8:45 a.m. |
Devotional (Presidential Suite #3101) |
9:00 - 10:15 a.m. |
General Session (Main Hall) Missional vs. Missionary Heber Ticas |
9:30 a.m. - 12:15p.m. |
Children’s Activities |
10:30 - 11:15 a.m. |
Breakout Sessions, choose one: Individual Mission Engagement Heber Ticas (Main Hall, front) Engaging Neighbors John Torgerson (Presidential Ste #3101) I Need a New Friend Lisa Barker (Main Hall, rear) Preparing for Engagement Tamar Gray (Laguna Vista, 2nd floor) Starting Conversations with Coworkers Becky Deuel (Sierra Vista, 2nd floor) |
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions, choose one: Discerning Jesus Movements Heber Ticas (Main Hall, front) Becoming a Missional Family Lisa Barker (Main Hall, rear) Introverts in the Church Jen & Tony Gregory (Laguna Vista, 2nd floor) Jesus’ Missionary Model: How He Views Others Randy Bloom or Rick Shallenberger (Sierra Vista, 2nd floor) Engaging God’s Awesome Flower Power Ellen Swartz (Presidential Ste #3101 |
12:15 - 1:15 p.m. |
Free Hour: lunch served in hospitality room |
1:15 - 2:00 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions, choose one: Culture Shifts for Missional Living Heber Ticas (Main Hall, front) Write Your Story, Tell Your Story Kenneth Barker (Main Hall, rear) The “Art” of Engaging Stuart Mahan (Presidential Ste #3101) Millenial Track Open Forum: Wholeness in Christ Emily Carithers (Sierra Vista, 2nd floor) |
2:00 - 6:30 p.m. |
Free Time: Hospitality rooms open |
6:30 - 9:00 p.m. |
Family Night (Main Hall) |
Saturday
General Session
Topic
The Joy of Participation
Sharing stories of what it means to live a “sent out” life. A fulfillment of John 13:34-35 What does it mean to love as Jesus loves? Place-sharing, walking alongside someone.
Presenter

About Presenter
Heber Ticas
GCI National Coordinator for Church Multiplication
Heber Ticas is a church planter and senior pastor of Comunion De Gracia Sun Valley Ca. (a GCI congregation). He also serves as national coordinator for Church Multiplication for GCI, facilitating the start and launch of new churches and participating with existing churches across the USA in their endeavors to renew their missional posture. Heber and his wife Xochilt live in Santa Clarita California and have three children, Ashley, Jessica and Cristian.
Schedule
7:30 - 8:45 a.m. |
Senior Breakfast (Sierra Vista, 2nd floor) |
8:00 - 8:45 a.m. |
Devotional (Presidential Suite #3101) |
9:00 - 10:15 a.m. |
General Session (Main Hall) The Joy of Participation Heber Ticas |
9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. |
Children’s Activities |
10:30 - 11:15 a.m. |
Breakout Sessions, choose one: Individual Mission Engagement Heber Ticas (Main Hall, front) Introverts in the Church Jen & Tony Gregory ((Main Hall, rear) Write Your Story, Tell Your Story Kenneth Barker (Laguna Vista, 2nd floor) Personal Impact Stories Randy Bloom (Presidential Ste #3101) Millenial Track Listening Forum: “Gray Areas” Emily Carithers (Sierra Vista, 2nd floor) |
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions, choose one: Discerning Jesus Movements Heber Ticas (Main Hall, front) Becoming a Missional Family Lisa Barker (Main Hall, rear) My Ministry of Participating with God? Kenneth Barker (Laguna Vista, 2nd floor) Payer Walking Becky Deuel (Presidential Ste #3101) Millenial Track Open Forum: All ages welcome Emily Carithers (Sierra Vista, 2nd floor) |
12:15 - 1:15 p.m. |
Free Hour: lunch served in hospitality room |
1:15 - 2:00 p.m. |
Town Hall Meeting (Main Hall) EngageGCI Present and Future Jane & Michael Hill and Rick Shallenberger |
2:00 - 7:00 p.m. |
Free Time: Hospitality rooms open |
2:30 - 4:30 p.m. |
Teen Activity: Heightened Adventures |
7:00 - 8:30 p.m. |
Praise Café (Main Hall) |
10:00 - Midnight |
Midnight Church — Teens and Young Adults (Hospitality 2) |
Sunday
General Session
Topic
The Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37
Lessons from Jesus’ story. Working from love for others, not fear of repercussions. Who is being beat up in your circle who needs you to be their Good Samaritan?
Presenter

About Presenter
Rick Shallenberger
GCI Regional Pastor, North Central Region
Rick Shallenberger is regional pastor of GCI’s North Central region, serving, training, resourcing and supervising our pastors and congregations. Rick also serves as special assistant to President Tkach, traveling on behalf of the denomination and writing for GCI. He and his wife Cheryl have three adult children, Kayla (married to Chris Elliott), Kyle and Lucas. Chris and Kayla have blessed Rick and Cheryl with two grandchildren — Olivia Grace and Cora Leigh. Kyle is getting married to Dana Kist on October 14.
Schedule
7:00 - 9:30 a.m. |
Breakfast Buffet at Kilbourn City Grill |
10:00 a.m. - Noon |
Worship Service (Main Hall) The Good Samaritan Rick Shallenberger An offering will be received Communion will be served |
Maps/Venue
September 28 - October 1, 2017
Chula Vista Resort & Water Park • Wisconsin Dells
Use the links above to view daily schedule of events and details on general sessions.
Thursday, September 28
4:00 - 5:30 p.m. |
Meet-and-Greet (Upper Dells Ballroom) All are invited for snacks and fellowship |
6:00 - 7:00 p.m. |
General Session (Main Hall) The Sending God GCI President Dr. Joseph Tkach |
Friday, September 29
8:00 - 8:45 a.m. |
Devotional (Presidential Suite #3101) |
9:00 - 10:15 a.m. |
General Session (Main Hall) Missional vs. Missionary Heber Ticas |
9:30 a.m. - 12:15p.m. |
Children’s Activities |
10:30 - 11:15 a.m. |
Breakout Sessions, choose one: Individual Mission Engagement Heber Ticas (Main Hall, front) Engaging Neighbors John Torgerson (Presidential Ste #3101) I Need a New Friend Lisa Barker (Main Hall, rear) Preparing for Engagement Tamar Gray (Laguna Vista, 2nd floor) Starting Conversations with Coworkers Becky Deuel (Sierra Vista, 2nd floor) |
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions, choose one: Discerning Jesus Movements Heber Ticas (Main Hall, front) Becoming a Missional Family Lisa Barker (Main Hall, rear) Introverts in the Church Jen & Tony Gregory (Laguna Vista, 2nd floor) Jesus’ Missionary Model: How He Views Others Randy Bloom or Rick Shallenberger (Sierra Vista, 2nd floor) Engaging God’s Awesome Flower Power Ellen Swartz (Presidential Ste #3101) |
12:15 - 1:15 p.m. |
Free Hour: lunch served in hospitality room |
1:15 - 2:00 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions, choose one: Culture Shifts for Missional Living Heber Ticas (Main Hall, front) Write Your Story, Tell Your Story Kenneth Barker (Main Hall, rear) The “Art” of Engaging Stuart Mahan (Presidential Ste #3101) Millenial Track Open Forum: Wholeness in Christ Emily Carithers (Sierra Vista, 2nd floor) |
2:00 - 6:30 p.m. |
Free Time: Hospitality rooms open |
6:30 - 9:00 p.m. |
Family Night (Main Hall) |
Saturday, September 30
7:30 - 8:45 a.m. |
Senior Breakfast (Sierra Vista, 2nd floor) |
8:00 - 8:45 a.m. |
Devotional (Presidential Suite #3101) |
9:00 - 10:15 a.m. |
General Session (Main Hall) The Joy of Participation Heber Ticas |
9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. |
Children’s Activities |
10:30 - 11:15 a.m. |
Breakout Sessions, choose one: Individual Mission Engagement Heber Ticas (Main Hall, front) Introverts in the Church Jen & Tony Gregory ((Main Hall, rear) Write Your Story, Tell Your Story Kenneth Barker (Laguna Vista, 2nd floor) Personal Impact Stories Randy Bloom (Presidential Ste #3101) Millenial Track Listening Forum: “Gray Areas” Emily Carithers (Sierra Vista, 2nd floor) |
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. |
Breakout Sessions, choose one: Discerning Jesus Movements Heber Ticas (Main Hall, front) Becoming a Missional Family Lisa Barker (Main Hall, rear) My Ministry of Participating with God? Kenneth Barker (Laguna Vista, 2nd floor) Payer Walking Becky Deuel (Presidential Ste #3101) Millenial Track Open Forum: All ages welcome Emily Carithers (Sierra Vista, 2nd floor) |
12:15 - 1:15 p.m. |
Free Hour: lunch served in hospitality room |
1:15 - 2:00 p.m. |
Town Hall Meeting (Main Hall) EngageGCI Present and Future Jane & Michael Hill and Rick Shallenberger |
2:00 - 7:00 p.m. |
Free Time: Hospitality rooms open |
2:30 - 4:30 p.m. |
Teen Activity: Heightened Adventures |
7:00 - 8:30 p.m. |
Praise Café (Main Hall) |
10:00 - Midnight |
Midnight Church — Teens and Young Adults (Hospitality 2) |
Sunday, October 1
7:00 - 9:30 a.m. |
Breakfast Buffet at Kilbourn City Grill |
10:00 a.m. - Noon |
Worship Service (Main Hall) The Good Samaritan Rick Shallenberger An offering will be received Communion will be served |