InterGenerate Global conference: Gathering Heads, Hearts, and Hands of Every Generation Around the World

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Today is Conference Day! If you registered and have not received an email with your Digital Conference Guide and Session Links, please email intergenerate.ig@gmail.com

Join us for our 2026 Online conference, Feb. 24 (25 Aus). See times below. We are extending the wonderful theme of our 2025 In-person Conference to literally hold out our hands around the world - InterGenerate Global: Gathering Heads, Hearts, and Hands of Every Generation Around the World. We are inviting people from around the world (YOU!) to attend and join us - to participate in a community of support, resources, stories, connections. We will have engaging speakers and resources, along with connection points and worship to extend the theme already begun last June. We will be partnering with our affiliates, InterGenerate UK, InterGenerate Australia, and InterGenerate Toronto. As always, we will focus on facilitating connection between the academic and the practical, but also to make connections between ministries, context, and friends. We hope you will plan to join us. Questions? Reach out to intergenerate.ig@gmail.com

Our Keynote Speaker

Josh Packard, PhD |USA, CO|- “The Future Is Listening: Faithful Futures and the Shape of the Church Ahead”

Description: What if the most important skill for the future of the church is not better programming, clearer theology, or stronger leadership, but deeper listening?

 Drawing on research from Future of Faith and his new book, Faithful Futures, sociologist Josh Packard explores how faith actually takes root across generations today. Communities that practice deep, relational listening see stronger intergenerational bonds, greater resilience, and more durable forms of belief.

 This keynote frames effective ministry through the lens of Sacred Listening Practices. Rather than treating generations as problems to solve or audiences to manage, Packard shows how listening functions as a formative practice that rebuilds trust, transmits values, and creates space for faith to grow across age, experience, and difference. The future of the church will belong to communities that know how to listen well to everyone: to younger people, to elders, and to one another.

 This talk offers research-grounded insight and practical implications for faith communities committed to intergenerational connection, vitality, and hope.

Bio: Dr. Josh Packard is the co-founder of Future of Faith and one of the foremost experts in the spiritual lives of American youth and religious trends in the United States. He is an accomplished researcher in the sociology of religion and new forms of religious expression. He has authored numerous books and articles in both popular and academic outlets including the recently released Faithful Futures: Sacred Tools for Engaging Younger Generations. Previous books include Church Refugees: Sociologists reveal why people are DONE with church but not their faith and Meaning Making: 8 Values That Drive America’s Newest Generations. Josh was previously a professor, founding Executive Director of Springtide Research Institute and Vice President of Strategy with the National Catholic Educational Association. He has a B.A. in English from Texas Lutheran University and Ph.D. in Sociology from Vanderbilt University. He lives in Greeley, Colorado with his wife and teenage son where he is quickly becoming the third best golfer in his family of three.

Generational Panel Discussion - Hosted by the IYS Youth Story Project

Host: Rev. Dr. Larry Green |USA, MD/JAMAICA| - Come listen to a generational panel engage in discussions about mutuality, empathetic listening, and how we can work together to gather hearts, heads, hands of every generation.

Breakout Speakers

Note - We have 10 Fantastic Breakout Speakers from around the world. Please stay tuned for a complete list with Titles and Descriptions by January 20.

Breakout A (#1-5)

BREAKOUT  #1 - Rev. Tammy Preston |AUSTRALIA|, “Heads, Hearts, Hands: a Process to Help Change Mindsets Towards Being Together” | Description: The process of connecting heads, hearts and hands is a Biblical and practical sequence of moving soiled communities toward being more connected and wholsitic. As we unpack these words we will see how these key phrases draw us together and help us engage across all ages in lifelong formation as one.

Bio: Tammy Preston was the founding pastor of an Intergenerational faith community in Australia for 18 years and a founding member of Intergenerate Australia/New Zealand. Tammy is a trained teacher, has a degree in theology, is currently doing her Ph.D. in Intergenerational ministry at Cardiff University in Wales. She has written two books and contributed to 4 other books in the area of Intergenerational ministry. Tammy speaks and teaches regularly throughout Australia, NZ, USA, Lebanon, UK, Asia and Cambodia. Seeing the “family of God” be empowered to grow and walk the lifelong journey of faith together is something she is passionate about.

BREAKOUT #2 - Rev. Dr. Dave Csinos |CANADA| and Rev. Traci Smith |USA, IL|- “Church Together: Ideas for Ministry with All Ages” Description: Based on their forthcoming book Church Together: An Essential Guide to All-Age Ministry (Chalice 2026) the Rev. Dr. Dave Csinos and the Rev. Traci Smith will give an overview of all-age ministry in practice. This presentation will offer practical ideas for ministry that you can implement immediately along with some important theoretical principles that undergird them. You’ll leave this session equipped and inspired to try out some simple all-age practices in your context!

Bios: Dave Csinos is associate professor of practical theology at Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he directs the unique Diploma in Intergenerational Faith Formation program. He is also founder of Faith Forward and research director of Family Faith Every Day. Traci Smith is the program director of Family Faith Every Day, a Chalice Media Group initiative that helps parents and caregivers incorporate faith practices into everyday family life. An ordained Presbyterian minister and coffee lover, she and her husband, Elias Cabarcas, are parents of three children.

BREAKOUT #3 - Dr. R. Drew Smith |USA, PA], “Western Christianity, Racialized Futurism, and Generational Visions of Earthly Destiny” Description: The presentation explores racialized Christian thought and practice and ways these racializations extend into eschatological visions of God’s future for humanity. Drawing upon popularly acclaimed end times and futurist constructs pertaining to the culmination of earthly history (including Tim LaHaye’s premillennialist eschatology and Octavia Butler’s afrofuturism), the presentation compares inclusivist and exclusivist visions of divine intentions for humanity within the temporal realm. The presentation also explores racial and generational alignments with these competing visions, borrowing on existing survey data on American religious attitudes and trends.

Bio: R. Drew Smith is a political scientist and clergyman, currently serving as the Henry L. Hillman Professor of Urban Ministry at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. In addition, he is co-convener of the Transatlantic Roundtable on Religion and Race, a network of scholars and community leaders focusing on intersections of religion, race, and social life. He has taught and lectured in many countries, especially within Africa where he served twice as a Fulbright Professor and more recently as a University of South Africa research professor. He has published widely on religion and public life issues.

BREAKOUT #4 Melanie Cave |ENGLAND| - Children at the Table: Exploring Intergenerational Communion

Description: Are children welcome at the communion table at your church? Responding to church queries how we could make Communion services more intergenerational, the team at Roots for Churches researched and published a series of case studies, articles, and ongoing bi-monthly prayers to help churches from various denominations think creatively about welcoming all ages to experience Christ in Communion.

Bio: Melanie is the Managing Director of Roots for Churches, a national UK charity resourcing 11,000+ subscribing churches with weekly and seasonal content for worship, discipleship, and intergenerational ministry. She has 20+ years of experience as a church leader, youth worker, children and families’ worker, both in the local church and national parachurch organisations.  She’s one of the ‘champions' leading Intergenerate UK & Ireland. 

BREAKOUT #5 Lyzette Hoffman |SOUTH AFRICA| - “Practical Theology and Human Flourishing: Sunday School as An Intergenerational Event for Flourishing”

Description: Human flourishing is the fulfillment of God’s good purposes for human creatures. Intergenerational engagement with children and youth through Sunday school can contribute to flourishing in the challenging times we are currently living in. The eudaimonic view on flourishing can be a useful frame for  enriching Sunday school as an event for flourishing.

Bio:  Lyzette is involved in intergenerational ministry in the Dutch Reformed Church Universitasrif, Bloemfontein, South Africa (a small congregation). She is also a part-time lecturer in faith formation and youth ministry at the University of the Free State, South Africa. Her research interest is faith formation.

breakout b (#6-10)

BREAKOUT #6 Lawson Murray |CANADA| - “Integrated Ministry: Reclaiming Generational Disciple Making” Description: What if ministry across generations could be more connected, more biblical, more whole? Blending biblical depth with practical wisdom, we’ll explore how pastors, parents, ministry leaders, and disciples of every age can reevaluate and reimagine how the Church passes faith from one generation to the next. Based on the recently published book Integrated Ministry this breakout session will reveal 12 interwoven “ingredients” to equip you to adopt an integrated approach to disciple-making.

Bio: Lawson is married to his best friend, Karen. They love spending time together with their children and grandchildren (12 so far!). Lawson is deeply committed to connecting children, youth, and families with Jesus and His Word. He is a writer/author, researcher, ministry innovator, conference speaker, adjunct seminary professor, international trainer, Bible engagement specialist, children’s, family and sports ministry specialist, and President of Scripture Union Canada.

Breakout 7: Stephanie Fritz |USA, CO|, “Bridging the Gap Between Home & Church: Nurturing Faith in Every Space”

Description: This Breakout explores how churches can equip parents and caregivers to integrate faith into daily life. Based on research from GenOn Christian Parenting Project, it highlights the importance of intergenerational faith formation and aligning church teachings with home practices. Takeaways include frameworks for home-based faith formation, curated resources, and a renewed vision for intergenerational ministry.

 Bio: Stephanie is the Project Director for Threads Within for GenOn Ministries. She has worked in congregational ministries and at the national level in the Presbyterian Church USA for 20 years. In the local church, she served in children and youth ministries as well as the Director of Faith Formation and Mission in downtown Denver. She served as the manager for the Office of Christian Formation in the PCUSA. This work supported church leaders in age and stage ministries and had a large focus on intergenerational ministries. Stephanie and her husband are empty-nest nomads who live in their RV as they travel the USA.

BREAKOUT #8 - Paola Montes-Roldan |USA, IL/PUERTO RICO|, “Intergenerational and Bilingual: A Taste of Eternity in a Small Group”

Description: This presentation will explore the experience of an intergenerational, bilingual small group in the Chicagoland area. Group participants include ages 5-50+ who are mostly a mix of anglo and first, second and third generation latino.

Bio: Paola is a wife and mother of two. She is a home educator and minister of the Missionary Church USA. Her interest in intergenerational formation was sparked by the experience of serving as associate pastor overseeing discipleship in an immigrant community, and of becoming a mother. 

Breakout 9: Tina Clark |USA, CO|, “From Multi-Generational to Inter-Generational: Seeing Worship with Fresh Eyes”

Description: Many faith communities include people of all ages, yet generations often remain in separate lanes—worshiping together but rarely building deep, authentic relationships across age groups. Moving from multi-generational presence to inter-generational community takes intention and fresh ways of seeing. This Breakout draws on insights from anthropology and education to introduce ethnography and non-evaluative observation—practices that help us notice what’s happening in worship without judgment, uncover patterns we might miss, and imagine new possibilities for connection. We’ll begin with worship and reflection, then try a hands-on seating chart exercise to map where different generations sit in your sanctuary. You’ll learn how descriptive, non-judgmental note-taking—used by educators and anthropologists alike—can be applied to worship to reveal where intergenerational interaction is thriving and where it’s absent. Together, we’ll explore practical examples, share insights from the field, and consider how these tools might work in your own setting. Come ready to observe, reflect, and reimagine worship in ways that bring all generations closer together.

Bio: God called Tina Clark to his side at a very young age, and she's worked in ministry with children, youth, and their families for many years, currently serving as Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry at the Church of the Ascension in Denver, CO. She is the author of Arts Camp: A Creative, Customizable Alternative to Vacation Bible School and Beyond, of a novel, Little Gods on Earth, and of a not-yet-published children's book about God in creation. She serves on the design team for VTS' Roots and Wings Fellowship Program, which will help congregations of all sizes build and nurture intergenerational worship and community.

Breakout 10 - Rev. Dr. Michelle Junkin |USA, OK| - Every Child Known: Understanding Neurodiversity in Children’s Ministry

Description: Have you ever wondered, “How can our congregation intentionally create special events, seasonal activities, Sunday School and Worship accessible so neurodivergent children—and their families—feel seen, supported, and celebrated?” In this 30 minute workshop you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how the needs of neurodivergent and neurotypical children differ. We will explore why neuro-affirming practices are important and what steps of implementation might look like in different congregational settings. Together, we’ll examine how faith communities can build a ministry where neurodivergent children can truly belong and thrive in faith and community.

Bio: Michelle Junkin, MACE, M.Div, D. Min, is Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Michelle holds a Certificate in Non-Profit Management. She is a Director of Big Faith Resources, a Lilly Foundation, Inc. initiative supporting and equipping churches to minister to neurodiverse. Learn more at Big Faith Resources

Registration Fees

$49 Individual Registration

$39 Student Rate - Any Student from any institution, whether High School, University, or Doctoral Candidate.

$99 Church/Ministry Rate - All people in your ministry can attend, and access all the recordings afterward. After registering, send a list of names and emails to include to send our Welcome Packet to at intergenerate.ig@gmail.com

Special Multiple Student Discount for Colleges/Universities: *$149 - 10 or less students coming; *$249 - 11-20 students to register; *$349 - 21-30 students to register. Teachers would register at the individual rate ($49), or register with other colleagues/teachers from their institution together for the church ministry rate of $99. (Note: if you have more than 30 students coming, each multiple of 10 or less would be an additional $99; feel free to reach out to intergenerate.ig@gmail.com if you need further clarification.) *If you are registering multiple students at these discount rates, please use the InterGenerate | Donate rather than the registration link. Under "Additional Information" - write Group Student Rate . In addition, you will need to email intergenerate.ig@gmail.com with a complete list of Student's names and emails so that they can each attend the conference and receive conference recordings. Teachers/Professors can use the normal registration portal for the $49 individual or $99 group rate. Contact intergenerate.ig@gmail.com if you need further clarification.)

All participants will have access to all our recordings which should include Keynote from Josh Packard, 10 Breakout Sessions, and the IYS Generational Panel.

Refund Policy: Because all registrants will receive access to all recordings, we will not be issuing refunds for registrations.

 conference Schedule

All times listed here in Pacific Time - See below for your time zone with a customized time. NOTE: Links will be sent to registrants the day before the conference. All 12 Sessions will be recorded and available to those who register.

10:15-11:00 OPTIONAL Pre-Meet/Gather/Coffee & Tea/Discuss/Collaborate/Network/Affinity Groups/Vendors

11:00-12:10 Main Session 1 - Dr. Josh Packard - “The Future Is Listening: Faithful Futures and the Shape of the Church Ahead”

12:10-12:15 BREAK

12:15-12:55 Breakout A (Breakouts #1-5 - See List of Breakout Speakers)

12:55-1:05 BREAK

1:05-1:45 Breakout B (Breakouts #6-10 - See List of Breakout Speakers)

1:45-1:50 BREAK

1:50-2:30 Main Session #2

2:30-3:15 OPTIONAL - Post-Meet/Gather/Coffee & Tea/Discuss/Collaborate/Network/Affinity Groups/Vendors

Time Zones!

Are we missing your time zone? Let us know at intergenerate.ig@gmail.com and we will make you a personalized Time Zone Chart for this Conference. ALL Time Zones are welcome!