The Church that Sends
Laying the Foundation for Global Mission
A three-day gathering for pastors, leaders, missionaries, church planters, and faithful
believers committed to recovering God’s design for the sending church.
October 1-3, 2026 | Louisville, KY | dtnchurchnetwork.org
The DTN Gathering
2026
Why This Gathering Exists
The Great Commission was not given to organizations; it was given to the Church.
Yet in most cases, the responsibility of sending has shifted away from the local church. Often, missions in the church is supported from a distance rather than something owned, stewarded, shepherded, and passionately carried out by the church itself.
The DTN Gathering exists to call the Church back. Back to clarity. To conviction. To God’s design.
This is not a conversation about missions strategy, it is a call to biblical faithfulness.
Why This Gathering Exists
The Great Commission was not given to organizations; it was given to the Church.
Yet in most cases, the responsibility of sending has shifted away from the local church. Often, missions in the church is supported from a distance rather than something owned, stewarded, shepherded, and passionately carried out by the church itself.
The DTN Gathering exists to call the Church back. Back to clarity. To conviction. To God’s design.
This is not a conversation about missions strategy, it is a call to biblical faithfulness.
THE THEME: The Church that Sends
From Acts 13, we see a clear picture:
The church fasted, prayed, and then, in agreement with the Holy Spirit, they set apart, and sent. Missions was not outsourced, it was embraced and the church owned it, as stewards. This is still the way forward. When the church sends as God designed, the gospel advances with strength and endurance.
This gathering will focus on recovering the biblical model that a church:
- Raises up its own to send
- Sends with clarity and conviction
- Shepherds those they send
- Sees missions as central to her purpose
THE THEME: The Church that Sends
From Acts 13, we see a clear picture:
The church fasted, prayed, and then, in agreement with the Holy Spirit, they set apart, and sent. Missions was not outsourced, it was embraced and the church owned it, as stewards. This is still the way forward. When the church sends as God designed, the gospel advances with strength and endurance.
This gathering will focus on recovering the biblical model that a church:
- Raises up its own to send
- Sends with clarity and conviction
- Shepherds those they send
- Sees missions as central to her purpose
What You Can Expect
Who This Gathering Is For
What Makes This Gathering Different
Over these three days, we will labor together to:
- Establish a biblical theology of sending
- Strengthen the role of the local church by recovering her responsibility in identifying, equipping, and sending
- Provide practical pathways for churches toward great commission obedience
- Encourage and refresh senders and sent-ones
- Cultivate meaningful fellowship between churches and leaders who can cooperate together for missions and church planting
Whether your church is just beginning to think about sending, or already actively engaged, this gathering will serve you.
The DTN Gathering is designed for:
- Pastors and elders
- Church leaders and missions teams
- Aspiring and current missionaries and church planters
- Faithful church members burdened for the nations
This is not a typical conference. We are intentionally shaping this gathering
to include:
- Deep, Scripture-driven teaching
- Unhurried fellowship and conversation
- Intentional time for rest and connection
- Passionate prayer for the nations
Over these 3 days, we will labor together to:
- Establish a biblical theology of sending
- Strengthen the role of the local church by recovering her responsibility in identifying, equipping, and sending
- Provide practical pathways for churches toward great commission obedience
- Encourage and refresh senders and sent-ones
- Cultivate meaningful fellowship between churches and leaders who can cooperate together for missions and church planting
Whether your church is just beginning to think about sending, or already actively engaged, this gathering will serve you.
The DTN Gathering is designed for:
- Pastors and elders
- Church leaders and missions teams
- Aspiring and current missionaries and church planters
- Faithful church members burdened for the nations
This is not a typical conference. We are intentionally shaping this gathering to include:
- Deep, Scripture-driven teaching
- Unhurried fellowship and conversation
- Intentional time for rest and connection
- Passionate prayer for the nations
SCHEDULE
Thursday, October 1
Friday, October 2
Saturday, October 3
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Arrival & Registration
6:00 PM: Dinner Fellowship (Hamburger Cookout)
7:30 PM: Session 1
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM: Dessert Fellowship
8:30 AM: Coffee & Fellowship
9:15 AM: Session 2
10:30 AM: Session 3
12:00 PM: Lunch Fellowship (catered sack lunch)
1:30 PM: Breakout Sessions
3:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Free Time for Connection & Dinner on Your Own
7:15 PM: Session 4
8:30 PM: Prayer Gathering for the Nations
8:30 AM: Coffee & Fellowship
9:15 AM: Session 5 – Q&A Panel
10:30 AM: Session 6
12:00 PM: Dismiss
SCHEDULE
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Arrival & Registration
6:00 PM: Dinner Fellowship (Hamburger Cookout)
7:30 PM: Session 1
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM: Dessert Fellowship
Friday, October 2
8:30 AM: Coffee & Fellowship
9:15 AM: Session 2
10:30 AM: Session 3
12:00 PM: Lunch Fellowship (catered sack lunch)
1:30 PM: Breakout Sessions
3:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Free Time for Connection & Dinner on Your Own
7:15 PM: Session 4
8:30 PM: Prayer Gathering for the Nations
Saturday, October 3
8:30 AM: Coffee & Fellowship
9:15 AM: Session 5 – Q&A Panel
10:30 AM: Session 6
12:00 PM: Dismiss
Louisville, KY
Hotel Accommodations
The DTN Gathering will be hosted at
Bullitt Lick Baptist Church,
2975 Hwy 44 W
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
Best Western Shepherdsville
211 S Lakeview Drive
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
Hampton Inn Louisville I-65 @ Brooks Rd
180 Willabrook Drive
Brooks, KY 40109
The DTN Gathering will be hosted at
Bullitt Lick Baptist Church,
2975 Hwy 44 W
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
Hotel Accommodations
Best Western Shepherdsville
211 S Lakeview Drive
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
Hampton Inn Louisville I-65 @ Brooks Rd
180 Willabrook Drive
Brooks, KY 40109
Built for Fellowship
One of the primary aims of the DTN Gathering is meaningful time together. We have intentionally created space throughout the schedule to allow conversations to go beyond surface level and provide opportunity for encouragement among pastors, missionaries, and church planters. We hope to support this goal through shared meals, informal connection, prayer, and times of spiritual refreshment.
Faithful ministry is not built in isolation, but it is strengthened through partnership. We hope those in attendance can find a place for them and their church to network together for missions and church planting.
Built for Fellowship
One of the primary aims of the DTN Gathering is meaningful time together. We have intentionally created space throughout the schedule to allow conversations to go beyond surface level and provide opportunity for encouragement among pastors, missionaries, and church planters. We hope to support this goal through shared meals, informal connection, prayer, and times of spiritual refreshment.
Faithful ministry is not built in isolation, but it is strengthened through partnership. We hope those in attendance can find a place for them and their church to network together for missions and church planting.
Registration Information
What Your Registration Includes
We offer several registration options to serve different stages of life and ministry:
- Seminary Students – $40 (Early-bird pricing – Until September 1st). For those currently enrolled in seminary or theological training programs.
- Individual Registration – $50 (Early-bird pricing – Until September 1st). For pastors, church leaders, missionaries, and attendees registering on their own.
- Spouse – $30
- Child (ages 6-17) – $15 (children 5 and under are free)
- Family – $100 (Early bird pricing – Until September 1st). For a husband, wife, and 2 or more children.
Your registration includes access to all sessions, coffee and light refreshments, conference materials, and the following meals:
- Thursday Dinner Fellowship (hamburger cookout)
- Thursday Night Dessert Fellowship
- Friday Lunch Fellowship (catered sack lunch)
We’re committed to making this gathering accessible. If cost is prohibitive, please contact us for scholarship opportunities.
Registration Information
We are committed to making the DTN Gathering accessible while providing a meaningful, well-supported experience for all who attend.
Your registration helps cover meals, materials, and the overall cost of hosting the gathering. We offer several registration options to serve different stages of life and ministry.
We offer several registration options to serve different stages of life and ministry:
- Seminary Students – $40 (Early-bird pricing – Until September 1st). For those currently enrolled in seminary or theological training programs.
- Individual Registration – $50 (Early-bird pricing – Until September 1st). For pastors, church leaders, missionaries, and attendees registering on their own.
- Spouse – $30
- Child (ages 6-17) – $15 (children 5 and under are free)
- Family – $100 (Early-bird pricing – Until September 1st). For a husband, wife, and 2 or more children.
What Your Registration Includes
Your registration includes access to all sessions, coffee and light refreshments, conference materials, and the following meals:
- Thursday Dinner Fellowship (hamburger cookout)
- Thursday Night Dessert Fellowship
- Friday Lunch Fellowship (catered sack lunch)
We’re committed to making this gathering accessible. If cost is prohibitive, please contact us for scholarship opportunities.
Join Us in Recovering the Church’s Role
If the Church is going to faithfully carry the gospel to the nations, she must recover her identity as the sending body. This gathering is an opportunity to step into that work together.
Come be strengthened, challenged, and equipped. For the glory of God and the advance of the gospel among all nations.
Join Us in Recovering the Church’s Role
If the Church is going to faithfully carry the gospel to the nations, she must recover her identity as the sending body. This gathering is an opportunity to step into that work together.
Come be strengthened, challenged, and equipped. For the glory of God and the advance of the gospel among all nations.
Sponsors
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