Dear CNC Leaders,

As I’ve travelled around our region to meet new pastors, visit churches, pray with leaders, and introduce myself to Converge North Central, one of the most common questions that I’ve heard is some version of: “What is your vision for CNC?” The answer to that question is both simple and complex. The vision hasn’t changed – CNC partners with influential leaders to help their churches move forward. The reality is we can go farther and be better when we work together. So, we partner to build healthy leaders and congregations so they can more effectively share the gospel. That’s the simple answer.

But there is also complexity, because the very next question should be: “How are we going to do that?” Answering that question is where I begin this journey as God has called me to serve our region. A few days ago, I was at Trout Lake Camps with a wonderful group of pastors for the Pastors’ Study Break. It was great to be together to laugh, pray, strategize, and build relationship. These kind of leader-to-leader relationships are at the heart of how CNC lives out its vision. While I don’t have the answer to the “how” question nailed down quite yet, I do know that it only comes through listening well – to the Lord’s leading and to the leaders who are out there – from the Iron Range to the rural landscape of Iowa, to the suburban church leaders trying to hire their next associate pastor to the large church figuring out how it can leverage the next event for even greater gospel impact. We all lead out of relationship.

During my first year, I know I’ve got to do a lot of listening and building relationship. I’ve been encouraged already by so many of you who are ready to lean in to what God is doing across our region, through our churches, and together through the work of our regional team network.

The other common question I’ve heard is: “How’s the new job going?” I can answer that one easily. God has given me incredible joy. You all know that there’s joy in following Jesus. And God has added to that joy through the opportunities that I’ve had to see new ideas, meet capable leaders, and witness spiritual fruit that God is growing through your gospel ministry.

I look forward to where God is leading us – together.

In Christ,

Andy Kumpel
Regional President

Camping

Friends, Faith and Fun

One of the biggest impacts of summer camp is the chance to stretch and grow. Kids experience new things—and it can be pretty amazing. There’s a reason why campers say it’s the ‘best week of the summer’.

Here’s what parents had to say about new things:

• New experiences: “I love that he gets a week in the summer to practice being more independent, stretching his comfort zone, and connecting with friends and the Lord’s Word.”
• New friends: “They loved it so much and would love to go now every year! At first, they were scared a little because they didn’t know what it was like or how people would be. They said that was the most fun they had while learning and making friends! They said they were really comfortable; everyone was very nice and had each other’s backs.”
• New songs: “(He) loves this Bible camp. He came home singing songs that I didn’t know he knew when they came on LIFE 97.3. He loved all the activities. I hope he can go next year.”

A week at a camp creates milestone moments with Jesus.

Thank you for supporting Trout.

Starting

Exponential 2026 Global Conference

Come this time of year, a number of CNC church planters and pastors are looking ahead to March where they will leave the cold, dog days of the upper Midwest winter and head to Orlando for the Exponential Conference. As usual, CNC will have a healthy representation of pastors and planters attending!

With origins as a church planting conference, Exponential now draws 5000 attenders from across the globe. The focus is on multiplication through movement makers. With only seven percent of American churches actively involved in multiplying and reproducing, Exponential exists to bring thousands of like-minded leaders together to inspire and equip.

This year’s theme is Multiplier: How Healthy Leaders Create Lasting Impact. 

Multiplication is a high value in ministry. We seek to multiply disciples, leaders, groups, churches and more. The theme for Exponential 2026 centers on multiplication, specifically on how leaders who are healthy spiritually, emotionally, and relationally can intentionally reproduce themselves and the work they do with others. An emphasis of the Gospel message and outcomes flows from the leader outward into even greater disciple-making, multiplication, and kingdom impact. We are all called to equip and add value in the context of our ministry through healthy leadership and intentional reproduction of disciples and ministries.

If you are planning on attending Exponential 2026, please let Joel Nelson know. He’d love to connect with you. There may be a meal involved!

Over the past few years, Exponential has sold out within a few weeks after tickets have gone on sale. If you missed getting tickets for the in-person event and were hoping to attend, all is not lost. Joel knows a guy who knows a guy who might be able to find a ticket or two. Send him a note and he’ll see what he can do.

To learn more about the Exponential Conference, check out their website.

National Office

CNC partners with the Converge National office as we start, strengthen, and send together. Converge National is sharing an update from the home office in Orlando, FL.  Follow this link to read the update. Contact the CNC office if you have any questions.

Events & Opportunities

January – June 24, 2026 170 Days of Prayer Online

January 2026 The Good Ministry Life (A support ministry for Pastors’ Wives)

February 23-25, 2026 Pastor’s Prayer Retreat Trout Lake Camps

June 23-25, 2026 Converge Together 2026 Washington, D.C.

Community of Nations Lead Pastor Roseville MN  (job opening)

Prairie Lakes Church Campus Pastor Cedar Falls, IA  (job opening)

Prayer

Faithful love and truth will join together;
righteousness and peace will embrace.

Truth will spring up from the earth,
and righteousness will look down from heaven.

Also, the Lord will provide what is good,
and our land will yield its crops.

Righteousness will go before him
to prepare the way for his steps.

Psalm 85:10–13

Lord,
Amid these turbulent and unsettled times, remind us again that in Your kingdom, love and truth, righteousness and peace are not in conflict, but are companions. You have taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come.” So may we not only remember that truth, but may our prayers, words, actions, and attitudes reflect it. May our posture be that of a people who walk with You.