CRM Ascent November 2025

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

— Psalm 107:1 (NIV)

This Thanksgiving, we pause to thank God for His unmistakable work across the Rocky Mountain West. Through the faithful churches of Converge Rocky Mountain, we see Him strengthening congregations to proclaim the Gospel with clarity and courage, planting new churches to reach communities still waiting to hear the Good News, and advancing effective international partnerships that unite us with believers around the world.

In every story of renewal, every new church launched, and every heart transformed, we see His hand at work. May our gratitude deepen our dependence on Him as we continue to strengthen, start, and send for His glory.

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.

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

"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

Coletta Smith

Coletta loves seeing women in ministry embrace their Calling from God and walk in courageous faith. Come learn how to navigate the challenges of ministry, strengthen yourself in the Lord, and lead others to thrive in their spiritual journeys.

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. Reaching and Engaging Gen Z and Gen Alpha: Bruce Fosdick and Jeff Brundidge
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!

Let's Celebrate!

Pastor David Anderson reports that six people were baptized at North Hills Baptist Church, Lingle, WY, on Sunday. Two youngsters, two teens, and two adults. God is at work. Thanks, North Hills, for sharing the Gospel with your friends and neighbors! A great inspiration for all of us!

Give A Gift To CRM on December 2, 2025 And Help Us Reach The Rockies For Christ

No other ministry is working harder to bring the Good News of Jesus to the Rocky Mountain West. We are starting churches in urban Denver, rural Wyoming, and on Utah's backside of the Wasatch Mountains. CRM churches also work together to strengthen existing Rocky Mountain churches with training, resources, encouragement, and ministry opportunities worldwide. CRM partner churches are the main source of funding for CRM, but generous individuals are also key in providing the resources needed to reach our mission field.

If you'd like to support CRM, click the link below and invest in transformed lives!

Alongside Cohorts

Pastor's wives, you are not alone. A team of gifted women, coaches, and ministry practitioners is waiting to support, encourage, and better equip you for the challenging role of being a ministry wife. Registration for Spring cohorts is now open. Click the link below to find out more.

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 all His goodness in your life. For the blessings and even the lessons learned during challenging times. See your God high and lifted up. Praise Him for being your Abba Father, your Solid Rock, your Strong Tower, your Provider, your Joy, your Inspiration, your Redeemer, your Savior, and your King.

Praise the Lord for lives touched during fall banquets, wild game dinners, and pie and praise celebrations. May those connections lead to more people finding Christ as their Savior.

Give thanks for the Pastor Vision Camp, held at Crosswind Church. Pray that God's Spirit will move people to enter the mission field and minister to the most unreached people groups in the world. Pastor Ramon Navarro and his church were gracious hosts for the event.

Ask God to keep Jesus at the center of our upcoming holiday season. Great opportunities for the church to spread the Gospel, made much more powerful if we keep Jesus at the center, power up through prayer, and invite the Holy Spirit to work in big ways throughout all our activities.

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

Ask the Lord to heal ministry leaders and their families battling serious physical or emotional illness.

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

Leader coaching

Develops the National Converge 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.