CRM Ascent December 2025

Converge Rocky Mountain is a movement of dynamic, Christ-centered churches. We seek to transform lives and communities by strengthening and multiplying Jesus-filled believers and congregations in the Rocky Mountain West.

CRM Featured Church

Orchard Church

Orchard Church began in 2005 with a few faithful people in a tiny apartment in Denver, Colorado, one of the most unchurched parts of the country, and has now grown into a thriving church community impacting thousands each week—locally and globally. Orchard has over 3,000 people gathering in-person for its weekly services across three different locations in Colorado, including Brighton, Green Valley Ranch in Denver, and our Spanish-speaking location, Iglesia Orchard in Thornton. In the past two years alone, Orchard has seen over 11,000 decisions for Christ and 1,258 baptisms...Click link to learn more about Orchard

Incredible Presenters!

Together To Transform 2026

"Redefining Success" 

with Dr. Karl Vaters

Date: March 20-21, 2026

Host: Authentic Life Church

Cost: Early Bird Rate

$19.00 a piece for groups of five or more.

$29.00 for solo registration.

Regular registration fee $49.00

Main Stage Presenter and Breakout Leader

Dr. Karl Vaters: pastor, author, and movement shaper

With over 40 years of ministry experience, Karl is dedicated to aiding pastors of all churches. His mission is to equip pastors to lead effectively in the unique context of their churches. Karl advocates for collaboration between big and small churches, fostering mutual benefits.

Friday Leader Lunch Keynote Speaker

Dr. John Jenkins, Converge President, Pastor of First Baptist Glen Arden

Dr. Jenkins will bring a message from God's Word and inspire you with the growth and activity of our movement. He is passionate about evangelism and discipleship and desires that all churches thrive in these areas. He will also present the upcoming, historic, Together, meetings this June, and special offers you can take advantage of.

Friday Afternoon Seminar

Engaging And Deploying Gen Z For Kingdom Growth - Dr. Ken Castor

Equip pastors and ministry leaders to better understand Gen Z adults, authentically engage their hearts, and intentionally deploy a new generation of Jesus-centered pastors, missionaries, and Kingdom leaders to carry on God's mission in the world.  

Bethel Update and Saturday Breakout

"AI and the Church: Promise or Peril."

Dr. Peter Vogt

As the Dean of Bethel Seminary today, Peter is passionate about striving to be a radically counter-cultural follower of Jesus and helping others grow in their capacity in this area as well. Dr. Vogt will discuss the potential of AI while addressing the theological, and ethical concerns that may tempt some leaders.

Friday Pastor's Wives Seminar

Getting to the Heart of the Matter - From Chaos To Calm - Coletta Smith, Alongside Ministry Wives

As pastors’ wives, we often walk with people in the middle of chaos, helping them find clarity, hope, and God’s direction. This breakout introduces PEEL—a simple, memorable tool to get to the heart of the matter and navigate complex emotions. Designed for pastors’ wives and women in ministry, with men welcome too.

Saturday, March 21st, will also include a variety of practical breakout sessions and the annual CRM business meeting.

A few of the breakouts confirmed:

1. “Walls for Protection and Bridges for Transformation” Alliance Defending Freedom
2. Small Church Essentials: Karl Vaters  
3. Finance Made Fun- Jill Bryant
4. "AI and the Church: Promise or Peril."- Dr. Peter Vogt
5. The Worship/Tech Adventure- Danny Erbaugh
6. Caring For Challenging Kids- Kayla Maxey
7. Equipping Your Church to Reach LDS Neighbors: Building the heart and strategy for reaching Latter-day Saints - Loren Pankratz
8. Winning the Unseen Battle- Paul and Jan Mitton

Make plans now to bring a team and experience

this faith-building event.

Registration Is Now Open!

Together 2026

This call goes out to every member of Converge’s global family, whoever you are and whatever you do to help people meet, know, and follow Jesus.

You’re invited to Converge Together 2026, a historic gathering to celebrate 170 years of mission, build each other up, and get fueled up for the future.

Thanks in large part to our premier sponsor, the Wesleyan Investment Foundation. Over three days in Washington, D.C., you’ll hear stories from across our movement, get ministry training designed for a variety of contexts, and grow your network of friends.

Hosted at First Baptist Church of Glenarden, this historic gathering celebrates 170 years of mission and ministry and is for everyone to gather for what will feel like a family reunion. So you can go back to your ministry life refreshed and ready to see Jesus change lives, wherever you serve.

Special "Together" Offers

Converge and CRM are partnering with Karl Vaters to offer a six-week online cohort for small church pastors, which will also include an on-site connection at the Converge Together 2026 conference. All pastors who are a part of the cohort will receive this 6+ week transformative experience at no extra cost and three nights of hotel stay (Monday–Thursday) during Converge Together 2026.

To apply for this cohort experience:

1. Contact Regional President, Paul Mitton, PMITTON@aol.com, to be part of this special offer.
2. Register for the June Together conference (conference registration required and paid separately).
3. Your name will be submitted to Bruce Hopler, National Vice President of Church Strengthening, to finalize your registration. You'll then be connected with Alicia, a Converge Together Leader, about start dates and final enrollment steps.   Cohort size is limited. First-come, first-served, so act fast.

Please note that this offer does not include:

• Conference registration
• Travel to and from the event
• Local transportation, meals, or entertainment not already provided at the conference.

If cost is still an issue for you, some scholarship funding may be available.

But Wait, There's More For CRM Planters!

For Church Planters...

The first fifty planters to register for "Together" will receive three nights of free hotel. Planters, take these steps:

1. Register at Together - Converge
2. Let me know you registered
3. I will pass your name on to the national office for the free hotel rooms.

Important Updates to the Converge Retirement Plan

The Converge Retirement Plan has served pastors, staff and missionaries since 1967, helping them prepare for the future with confidence and security. We’re excited to announce new updates that make it even more accessible and affordable for churches and staff members to participate.

• Minimum age for eligibility has been lowered to 21 from 23
• Part-time staff are now eligible to participate in the 403(b) plan
• Employees can now contribute to the 403(b) plan without an employer match
• Required minimum employer contribution reduced from 6% to 3%

These changes make it easier than ever for churches to care for their staff and for staff members to take steps toward long-term financial security. For details, visit https://www.guidestone.org/converge or contact Guidestone directly with questions.

Let's Pray!

Take some extended time to give thanks to God for the Gift of His Son. Immanuel has come. God is with us- to save us, transform us, and invite us into life in the family of God.

Pray that God will draw many into His Kingdom during Christmas services and outreach into our neighborhoods through the efforts of CRM churches.

Pray for facing emotional heartache this Christmas. Illness, remembering the loss of a loved one, despair, and so many other difficulties can make this a hard season for many. Look for ways you can love the "broken reeds" around you.

Pray that God will provide for churches facing financial needs through their end of the year offerings.

Pray for Grace Mountain, Colorado Springs, as they seek a new Lead Pastor.

Pray for several churches seeking worship or youth staff.

Please pray for our CRM Regional President search team as they seek a movement leader to guide us into a preferred future.

Continue to pray that God will provide all the resources we need as a movement to reach our region for Christ.

Pray for Regional President Paul Mitton

Developing a national pastor placement process

Leads a preaching cohort for Denver Seminary.

Preparing for the Philippines mission trip.

Search Team Coaching

Affiliating new churches

Protection as he travels

Pray that he will stay centered on Jesus in all things, at all times.

Merry Christmas from Your

Converge Rocky Mountain Family!