DRAFT SCHEDULE
NEXT LEVEL CONFERENCE 2026
Leverage the Bag: Believe Act Grow
DAY 1
Morning
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM — Registration / Check-In
Conference registration, materials pickup, sponsor engagement, and hospitality area open throughout the day.
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM — Opening Worship
Rev. Kenneth Cain, Presiding Elder, Eighth Episcopal District
A high-energy worship experience setting the spiritual tone for the conference—anchoring leadership, stewardship, and purpose in God’s presence.
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM — Program Break
Transition and reset between worship and teaching.
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM — Session 1 (Keynote / Bible Study)
“Wrapped in a Napkin: The Tragedy of Unused Calling”
Bishop Charley Hames, Jr., Presiding Bishop
A theological and practical reframing of blessing, responsibility, and stewardship—challenging leaders to stop spiritualizing what God has entrusted them to manage strategically.
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM — Session 2 (Individual Speaker)
Mrs. Jackie Folk, Chief Executive Officer – Folk Williams Financial Management
“The Write-Off Revival: Deducting Like a Grown-Up, Not Guessing Like a Rookie”
A practical, pastoral, and financially liberating guide—because a tax deduction is stewardship with a suit on.
Attendees will gain clarity on tax strategy, compliance, and financial discipline for clergy, churches, and faith-based leaders navigating real-world finances.
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM — Lunch (On Your Own)
Time to explore local dining options and network informally.
Afternoon
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM — Candidate Connect
2:30 PM- 3:00 PM
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM — Break
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM — Session 4
Rev. Kaloma Smith, Senior Pastor -University AMEZ, Palo Alto, CA
“From Survival Mode to Strategy Mode: Breaking the Scarcity Spirit in the Black Church”
A liberative, culturally grounded conversation on rewriting generational narratives.
Participants will examine historical realities while learning how to lead congregations from reactive survival toward intentional, faith-filled strategy.
4:15 PM – 4:30 PM — Day One Recap
Key insights, themes, and takeaways from Day One—preparing hearts and minds for continued growth.
Evening
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM — Evening Worship
Rev. Angel Jones, Sixth Episcopal District
A powerful evening worship encounter designed to refresh, restore, and reignite leaders after a full day of learning.
DAY 2
Morning
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM — Registration / Check-In Area Open
Hospitality, sponsor engagement, and conference services continue.
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM — Empowerment Service
Rev. Adam D. Stevenson, Pastor- Southern California Region
A focused worship and word experience centering faith, resilience, and leadership empowerment.
9:45 AM – 10:45 - Session 3 (Worship & Teaching)
Rev. Dr. Lisa Allen-McLaurin, Professor of Worship Music and Spirituality- Methodist Theological School Delaware, OH
“Tools to Build a Worship Culture That Elevates Stewardship”
Practical strategies for pastors, musicians, and worship teams to weave stewardship into liturgy, music, testimony, and prayer—without manipulation or guilt.
This session equips leaders to align worship theology with faithful financial discipleship.
10: 45:- 11:00 A.M. Break
11:00 A.M. -12:30 P.M.— Spring Gathering Reports
Regional and district updates highlighting ministry progress, leadership initiatives, and collective vision across the connection.
Afternoon
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM — Lunch (On Your Own)
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM — Session 5 (Closing Plenary)
“The Bag Belongs to God, But the Strategy Is on You”
Stasia Washington, Lido Advisors, LLC
& Bishop Charley Hames, Jr., Presiding Bishop
A dynamic closeout blending spiritual discipline, financial intelligence, and practical next steps—challenging attendees to live a leveraged life that honors God and secures future generations.
3:15 PM – 3:30 PM — Break
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM — Closing Worship
Rev. Dr. Claybon Lea, Jr., Senior Pastor, Mount Calvary Baptist Church
A climactic worship experience sending leaders forth renewed, focused, and committed to faithful stewardship and generational impact.
Standing In Grace,
Bishop Charley Hames, Jr.
Presiding Prelate
Ninth Episcopal District - CME Church
