HOW WILL YOU LEAD?

REDEEMER LEAD CONFERENCE

February 20-21, 2026

Thriving

healthy leaders for healthy organizations 


At the REDEEMER LEAD CONFERENCE, you will be encouraged to be a healthy leader so you can lead healthy people, organizations, or churches.

Speakers


Mark Dever

Mark Dever has served as the senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church since 1994 and as president of 9Marks (a ministry to churches and church leaders) since its founding in 1998. He’s married to Connie and they have two adult children, both married, and one grandchild. Mark has authored a number of books, including Nine Marks of a Healthy Church.

Erik Reed

Erik Reed is the Lead Pastor of The Journey Church in Lebanon. He also founded Knowing Jesus Ministries, a non-profit organization which exists to proclaim timeless truth for everyday life. He is married to Katrina, and has three children: Kaleb (who went to be with the Lord), Kaleigh Grace, and Kyra Piper..  

John Dirkse

John Dirkse is the Senior Pastor at Redeemer Church in Loves Park, IL just outside of Rockford. John joined the staff of Redeemer Church as Senior Pastor in 2005. He has a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s of Divinity from the Masters University and Seminary. He was born in Moscow, ID and has lived in Washington, California, Kansas, and now Rockford, IL. He married Betsey in 1993 and together they have 5 adult children: Luke (Megan), Alyssa (Sam), Lauren (Andrew), Emma (Gabe), and Olivia. They also have six grandchildren. 


Books

Check out some of the books written by or forwarded by our speaker.


Schedule

Schedule is subject to change prior to conference.


Friday, February 20

12pmDoors Open
(Coffee/Bookstore/Market)
1pmSession 1: John Dirkse
2pmBreak
(Coffee/Bookstore/Market/Gym)
2:30pmSession 2: Erik Reed
3:30pmBreak
(Coffee/Bookstore/Market/Gym)
4pmSession 3: Panel Discussion
5pmDinner Break (On Own)
7pmSession 4: Mark Dever
8:15pmFellowship & Dessert

Saturday, February 21

8:30amDoors Open
(Coffee/Bookstore/Market)
9:15amSession 5: Erik Reed
10:15amBreak
(Coffee/Bookstore/Market/Gym)
10:45amBreakouts*
11:30amLunch (Boxed, Signup)
12:30amBreakouts*
1:15amBreak
1:30amSession 6: Panel Q&A
2:30pmBreak
(Coffee/Bookstore/Market/Gym)
3pmSession 7: Mark Dever
4pmConference Ends

Location

Redeemer Church

5501 Windsor Rd, Loves Park, IL

“But if you establish the priority of the Word, then you have in place the single most important aspect of the church’s life, and growing health is virtually assured because God has decided to act by his Spirit through his Word.”

mark dever

Registration & rates


Student
registration
$50
  • Student (seminary, college, high school) rate – registration includes lunch on Saturday.
Early-Bird registration
$75
  • Registration includes lunch on Saturday.

FAQ

Redeemer Lead Conference is geared towards anyone who holds positions of influence: pastors, church ministry leaders, elders, deacons, business and non-profit leaders, educators, parents, etc. Do you have a position of leadership or influence in your community, school, or workplace? This conference is for you!

We are about 75 miles, or 1.5 hours west of Chicago. We don’t recommend staying in Chicago on Friday night. However, if you wish to extend your stay, Chicago would be a great place to visit before or after the Lead Conference.

We do not have a rate for attending only part of the conference. You are welcome to register for the whole thing and attend what you are able to.

Childcare will not be provided. We recommend making arrangements as soon as you’re able.

It is, and we welcome you if that is the case. Our building is all on one single level, we have parking available near the doors of the building, and each of the public bathrooms have stalls that are accommodating for wheelchair use.

For additional questions, please fill out the form below or email us at [email protected].

Contact us

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Have questions?

[email protected]

5501 Windsor Rd, Rockford, IL