What if the biggest thing happening in 2020 is not an election … or some big-budget Hollywood sequel … or the relaunch of XFL?

Christians with a firm grasp on their Bible have a larger perspective on what matters in the new year: growing in loving God and loving one’s neighbor. After all, Jesus Christ said those directives sum up the law and the prophets.

One vital way to grow is to take time away from the daily routine and seek God in a focused way over a week or weekend with fellow Christians.

At such gatherings, believers encounter teachers with novel ways of delivering biblical reminders. More importantly, one can take time to hear the “still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12) of God in prayer and worship.

These large-scale events and conferences reflect the beautiful diversity of the Body of Christ. Some are loud and driven by youthful zeal. Others are rigorously intellectual, wildly creative, or solely outreach-focused. Past attendees testify to having a “mountaintop” experience while gaining new friendships that can sharpen one’s life for years to come.

Note this list is mostly U.S.-focused and not comprehensive. It does not include Christian music festivals (that’s another list), denomination-specific gatherings such as the SBC Annual Meeting, or issue advocacy events like Alive 2020. Click event titles to learn more.

1. One Conference 2020 (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) Jan. 17-18

Host: One Coalition
Speakers include: Dr. Caroline Leaf, Preston Sprinkle, Jo Saxton, David Kinnaman
Worship leaders: Tim Hughes, Brian Doerksen

Setting out to unify and empower the Christian church in Canada, One features a cross-section of Bible teachers alongside leading voices in creative arts, science, psychology and justice.

2. The Alpha Conference 2020 (Phoenix, Arizona) Jan. 30-31

Host: Alpha USA
Speakers include: Father James Mallon, author Margaret Feinberg, Francis Chan
Worship leader: Matt Redman

Alpha was birthed in an Anglican church and its tools are now used by millions in diverse Christian traditions. Presenting the basics of Christian faith, the movement keeps growing.

3. Worship Together 2020 (Franklin, Tennessee) Jan. 30-Feb. 1

Host: Worship Together
Speakers include: Pastor Matt Carter, Pastory Robert Madu, author Alex Seeley
Worship leaders: Elevation Worship, Bryan and Katie Torwalt (Jesus Culture), Kari Jobe

Their emphasis is on servanthood and keeping the worship environment focused on Christ. Worship Together empowers local leaders involved in music, creativity and production.

4. Gospel Hope (Minneapolis, Minnesota) Feb. 3-5

Host: Bethlehem College and Seminary
Speakers include: Dr. John Piper, Pastor Crawford Loritts, author Nancy Guthrie, Pastor J.D. Greear
Special music: rap artist Trip Lee

Reformed leader, author, and seminary chancellor John Piper opens up the Bethlehem campus to some of the nation’s top pastors, teachers and theologians.

5. The Send (Sao Paulo and Brasilia, Brazil) Feb. 8

Host: The Send Coalition
Speakers include: Teo Hayashi, Lou Engle, Andy Byrd, evangelist Daniel Kolenda, Todd White
Worship leader: Lindy Conant and the Circuit Riders

Spirit-filled leaders unite to pray for God to activate Brazilian believers in evangelism. Two massive stadiums are already sold out in Sao Paulo, with a third filling up in Brasilia.

6. She Loves Out Loud (National Prayer Simulcast) Feb. 15

Host: Diane Strack, She Loves Out Loud
Speakers include: Priscilla Shirer, Sheila Walsh, Christa Lynn, Claire Culwell
Worship leader: Christina Reynolds

Prayer unites believers in the highest of virtues: love. Women nationwide will gather to pray through the Scriptures via simulcast and rejoice in God’s work across the nation. See Stream writer Nancy Flory’s “She Loves Out Loud” series profiling some of the key women involved in the event.

7. Jubilee Conference (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Feb. 21-23

Host: Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO)
Speakers include: Andy Crouch, Jackie Hill Perry, Professor Steven Garber
Special music: rap artists KB, Propaganda

Nearly 50 years after its founding, CCO continues to call college students to serve Christ with their lives. Along with worship, Christian thought leaders and teachers explore pressing topics.

8. Entrusted with the Gospel (Louisville, Kentucky) April 14-16

Host: Together for the Gospel (T4G)
Speakers include: Pastors Mark Dever, H.B. Charles, David Platt, Richard Chin

Every other year, T4G gathers pastors from diverse denominations and nations to empower them in reaffirming the centrality of the Gospel.

9. Rethink Apologetics Student Conference (Birmingham, Alabama) Apr. 24-25

Host: Stand to Reason
Speakers include: Greg Koukl, author Christopher Yuan, Amy Hall, Sean McDowell

Leading thinkers engage the most-asked questions among Christian students. With additional events slated for Texas, California and Minnesota, sessions provide intellectual resources for students to answer classmates with truth.

10. OneHope (College Station, Texas) April 25

Host: Fuel the Fire Ministries
Speakers include: Author and church planter Francis Chan, Chad Clark

Imagine tens of thousands of students packing out Kyle Field on the Texas A&M campus — for more than a game. With over 100 local churches involved, the “one hope” is for gospel unity through worship and engaging testimonies to change their city.

11. Orange Conference 2020 (Atlanta, Georgia) April 29-May 1

Host: The reThink Group
Speakers include: Reggie Joiner, Pastor Dharius Daniels, author Simon Sinek, producer Angela Santomero

Heart and light. Love and truth. With a simple idea, the Orange curriculum has for decades changed local family ministry. Their gathering spotlights Bible teachers and leading storytellers giving insights on reaching today’s kids.

12. National Day of Prayer (D.C. and nationwide) May 7

Host: Kathy Branzell, National Day of Prayer Task Force (NDP)

This year themed as “Pray God’s Glory Across the Earth,” NDP encompasses thousands of prayer events nationwide. Following in the footsteps of Shirley Dobson and Anne Graham Lotz, this year marks the first for Kathy Branzell to coalesce leaders for one purpose.

13. Do Something Church Conference (San Diego, California) May 14-16

Host: Pastor Miles McPherson, Rock Church

A megachurch invested in its community and region, Rock Church is involved in more than 140 different outreaches. From prison ministry to surf ministry to helping those trapped in sex trafficking, expert voices help pastors and lay leaders “do something” in their communities.

14. Jumpstart Conference (Chicago, Illinois) May 18-20

Host: New Life Covenant Church
Speakers include: Lisa Bevere, Marcos Barrientos, Samuel Rodriguez, Satish Kumar
Worship leaders: Michael W. Smith, Julissa

With an emphasis on multi-ethnic, multi-national ministry, Jumpstart facilitates conversations about the struggles leaders face and points to a higher view on difficult issues.

15. Jerusalem 2020 (Israel) May 31-June 3

Host: Empowered21
Speakers include: Jentezen Franklin, Samuel Rodriguez, Heidi Baker, Ed Stetzer, Daniel Kolenda
Worship leaders: Gateway Music, Lindy Conant and the Circuit Riders, Planetshakers

A cross-section of evangelical voices head to the Holy Land for a week of teaching sessions, worship with a Mideast flair, and Bible-based insights into complex global conflicts.

16. Together 2020 (Washington, D.C.) June 20

Host: Pulse Ministries
Speakers include: Nick Hall, Pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr., fashion influencer Natalie Manuel Lee
Worship leader: Hillsong Young & Free, music from Lecrae

Envisioned as a living tribute to the Bible through the arts, Together 2020 will be a day-long Saturday event on the National Mall featuring speakers and participatory music.

17. Claim Your Campus 2020 (Kansas City, Missouri) July 3-4

Host: Never the Same
Speakers include: Jeff Eckart, Nicole Smithee
Worship leaders: For King & Country, Zealand

For the past decade, Never the Same has helped middle and high students establish weekly prayer groups on campus. This large gathering is designed to immerse attendees in worship, mission, justice, and mercy to fuel culture change.

18. One Day LA (Los Angeles, California) July 19-26

Host: Dominic & Lindsay Russo, Missions.meschool 

It’s curious — but intentional — for a weeklong event not to list any speakers. One Day L.A. plans to mobilize students and adults for unique and needed outreach work across the region, from neighborhood projects to medical and dental outreach to sports camps.

19. Promise Keepers 2020 (Arlington, Texas) July 31-Aug. 1

Host: Promise Keepers
Speakers include: Dr. Tony Evans, Derwin Gray, Chad Hennings, Greg Stier

A roster of former NFL players-turned-ministers and other leaders are ready to coach men on what true strength looks like. Starting at the Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium, Promise Keepers hopes to reignite a movement.

20. Sing! The Scriptures Worship Conference (Nashville, Tennessee) Aug. 31-Sept. 2

Host: Keith and Kristyn Getty, Getty Music

The modern hymn writers of “In Christ Alone” blend Bible teaching, songwriting sessions, and more in their annual event. While this year’s lineup has not been announced, past voices include Alistair Begg, Joni Eareckson Tada, and worship leader Andrew Peterson.

For each event listed above, click the title to learn more. Which gathering(s) do you plan to attend? Share more below.

 

A graduate of the University of Colorado, Josh M. Shepherd covers culture, faith, and public policy issues for media outlets including The Stream and The Federalist.