CRM Ascent October 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.

Hill Memorial Services

Pastor Dean Hill, former pastor of Arise Church (Stapleton Fellowship) and past chair of the Converge Rocky Mountain Board, experienced an unimaginable loss last week when both his wife and his son passed away from unrelated viral infections.

As a family of churches, we want to come around our brother and provide support, prayer, and encouragement during this time of deep grief. A memorial gift link will be set up for those who would like to offer financial support to Dean and his remaining son. We will communicate when that link is active.

Memorial Services

Service for Jake Hill

Wednesday, October 22 at 11:00 a.m.

Living Hope Bible Church

105 S. Moline St, Aurora, CO 80012

Flowers may be sent to the church on Monday or Tuesday between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Service for Liz Hill

Saturday, October 25 at 11:00 a.m.

Living Hope Bible Church

105 S. Moline St, Aurora, CO 80012

Flowers may be sent to the church on Thursday or Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.



A final funeral service will also be held in Commerce, Georgia, at a later date (details to be announced).

Celebrations!

Roca De Refugio Bringing Light and Life to The Roaring Fork Valley For 21 years

Founding pastor, Juan and Ana Maria Lopez, and current pastor, Juan Carlos and Nohelia Alvarado

Orchard Church celebrates 20 years of incredible ministry

-32,000 conversions

-Over 4,000 baptisms

-New community Coffee Hangout and kids' play area announced.

-300-400 seat chapel to be added, which will enable Iglesia Orchard to meet on site.

Iglesia Orchard Celebrates 10 years of transformed lives

Together To Transform 2026

"Redefining Success" 

with Dr. Karl Vaters

Date: March 20-21, 2026

Host: Authentic Life Church

Cost: $39.00 

Look for early bird savings!

We’re excited to welcome Karl Vaters, a respected church leadership expert with over 40 years of pastoral experience. In addition to his keynote sessions during our large group gatherings, Karl will lead a Friday workshop focused on the core health essentials for small to mid-size churches—a can't-miss opportunity with practical insight and encouragement.

Main Stage Presenter and Breakout Leader

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

Friday Leader Lunch Keynote Speaker

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

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. Worship/Tech- Danny Erbaugh
6. Caring For Challenging Kids- Kayla Maxey
7. Understanding and reaching your LDS neighbors: Loren Pankratz
8. Spiritual Warfare- Paul and Jan Mitton

Make plans now to bring a team and experience

this faith-building event.

Registration opens November 1, 2025

Featured Church...

Prairie Hills Community Church

Prairie Hills, led by Pastor Ty DesEnfants, is a church located in Lusk, WY, which is the county seat of the least populated county in the least populated state in America. Cattle outnumber people in our county more than 50 to 1. Our town is the only town in the county with a grocery store, and we are about 90 miles from the nearest Walmart. The population of Lusk is around 1,500 people, with the total county population being just over 2,000. Despite these numbers,

Prairie Hills is a vibrant, growing church that loves its community and is seeking to see that every person in Niobrara County has a winsome opportunity to know and follow Jesus...

Click to learn more:

Featured Church - Converge Rocky Mountain

Thanks For Donating Clothes To Support "Ireland For Jesus!" Orchard Church took the lead on this project. Thanks Pastor Doug Dameron, and your incredible team!

CRM is building missional partnerships with churches in the British Isles and Ireland. Contact Paul Mitton if you want to be a part of ongoing planning and future vision trips. His email is: Paul@ConvergeRockyMountain.org

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.

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!

Stand in the gap for Dean Hill as they grieve the death of Liz and Jake

Pray for redemptive connections made through Trunk or Treat and other fall church outreach events

Praise the Lord for hundreds of baptisms this fall in CRM churches

Give thanks for the international missions work Drew Tarwater, Loren Pankratz, Ryan McBride, and Jimmy Smith carried out in Latvia. They are training leaders to increase their effectiveness in church planting.

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.

The Mitton's have successfully whelped five beautiful bulldog puppies from their little girl Beignet. The experience was interesting and exhausting. Several families are enjoying new puppies, and the Mittons have a little less mess to clean up. Thank you for your prayers!