Leaders' Conference 2025
Our annual conference for church leaders of all kinds across Britain.
Mission can feel like just another thing the church does. But what if mission is what the church is?
The risen Jesus gave his people the joyful task of reaching the nations (Acts 1:8). What a privilege to be involved in this work! What joy comes from participating in the growth of the church around the world! What a solemn responsibility to stand with those who are persecuted for Christ!
But in our mobile world, this mission field is constantly changing. It’s on our doorstep. It’s on our screens. It’s in far flung places, and just around the corner. It’s receiving a missionary as much as sending one.
Restoring mission to the heart of church life and identity is rewarding, refreshing, and honouring to Christ, who died for people of every tribe, tongue and nation.
Join us for our Leaders’ Conference to see and rejoice in what Jesus’ church already is: serving God’s mission in a mobile world.
Mission has the potential and power to run like a golden thread through all our activities – so our conference is for every kind of leader – and their spouses.
Pastors, elders, deacons, women’s workers, seniors and youth workers, evangelists, administrators, musicians, and other leaders: let’s embrace mission as a defining characteristic of the church, rather than just another thing to do.
As always, the conference will also provide lots of opportunity to take time out, share meals, and meet with friends old and new. You will also be able to browse a bookstall of relevant and affordable resources provided by 10ofThose.
The conference opens from 1pm on Monday for arrival and registration with the first gathering at 3pm. The conference will end after the final gathering on Wednesday afternoon at 3pm.
See what last year's conference was like
Venue
The conference takes place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool - one of the country’s best-known venues, on the seafront in the north west of England.
There’s lots of space, it's easy to get to, and there are plenty of accommodation options nearby.
Programme
Our programme is designed to share stories that will excite and motivate you, stir your hearts with the ‘old, old story’, and explore how a mission-centred church exalts our Saviour Jesus.
And, acknowledging the world mission field that is on our doorstep, the programme is interwoven with help and encouragement as we seek to be truly intercultural in ways the Scriptures anticipate.
Speakers across our main gatherings and seminars include: Julian Hardyman, Leonardo di Chirico, Emanuel Tundrea, Mary Hodson, John Stevens, Debbie Dickson, Graham Beynon, and others.
The programme for the conference is large so please don't feel you have to attend everything. We advise that you plan your time wisely to suit your own needs and limits.
Main gatherings
Our main gatherings will include teaching from the book of Acts to help us see Jesus’ commission to the church, the empowering of the Spirit, the message of the gospel, and the local church as God’s mission strategy.
There will also be time to hear stories of mission work that FIEC churches are involved in – stories to inspire and to encourage you in your own work and ministry.
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Julian Hardyman
Julian is part of the missionary team at Good News Hospital in Mandritsara, Madagascar, with his wife Debbie. He was previously pastor of Eden Baptist Church in Cambridge for more than 25 years. -
John Stevens
John has been FIEC's National Director since 2010. He also serves on the Affinity Council and teaches on courses at Bible colleges across the country. -
Graham Beynon
Graham is FIEC's Head of Local Ministries, helping churches and their leaders by managing our team of Local Directors and leading our Pastors' Network.
Seminars
Three seminar sessions will help you dig deeper into more specific areas of world mission including: developing mission partnerships; reaching specific people groups; intercultural church ministry; raising future mission workers; the exclusivity of Christ; and more.
More details to be announced.
Seminar tracks
There are three tracks available to help you focus further on a particular area:
- Understand why coaching and mentoring is important for developing leaders and learn some basic skills to enable you to make a start yourself.
- Managing change in church life – whether through church planting, church growth, sending out on mission, or otherwise - can bring difficulties to church life. Find some help and share with others in a similar situation.
- There are almost 2 billion Muslims in the world and 4 million (and growing) in the UK. Hear from gospel workers with experience of reaching Muslims both a home and abroad and explore how we can work together to see the gospel break into the lives of Muslims.
Post-Conference Event
In his vision of heaven, John saw a multitude from “every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne” (Revelation 7:9). As we anticipate this future reality, what would it look like to see it reflected in our churches today? How can we get there?
To welcome the nations the Lord is bringing from across the world into our churches, we need to think about becoming intercultural: embracing our differences as we serve God and grow in faith together.
Tim McMahon, Mission Trainer for Serving in Mission (SIM), will lead us though 24 hours of teaching, discussion, and sharing with one another.
This event is an additional cost to the main conference and extends the conference programme through to Thursday lunchtime: £50 includes three sessions, an evening meal, and a light lunch.
Places are limited and will be given on a first-come first-served basis (a reserve list is available).
You will receive details to book for Reflecting Heaven via email once you have booked your Leaders' Conference pass. Please get in touch if you have any questions or issues with booking.
Still undecided?
Hear what other church leaders had to say about the conference.
Accommodation and travel
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included in your conference booking so you will need to book your own. Although there is no accommodation at the venue, there is a wide range to choose from in Blackpool: from Travelodge and Premier Inn to B&Bs and self-catering.
Many options are within walking distance of the conference venue and there is also a regular tram service which stops nearby if you need it. We advise booking your accommodation early!
To find more hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering options in Blackpool, you might find the Visit Blackpool website helpful.
Travel
By car
Blackpool has a motorway link direct to the heart of the town – take Junction 32 off the M6, and the M55 will lead you almost to the beachfront. There is no parking at the venue so we recommend parking at your accommodation and using public transport to travel to the conference - there is a tram stop very close by.
If you do need to park for the conference, there is a multi-storey, pay-on-return car park available nearby within the Houndshill Shopping Centre (FY1 4NY) or ground level, pay-and-display parking available on the corner of Adelaide Street and Alfred Street, also close to the venue (FY1 4LA).
By rail
Blackpool North Station is a ten-minute walk from the Winter Gardens and there are direct train routes into the town from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and York.
From Edinburgh and Glasgow, there are direct train routes to Preston with one change on to Blackpool.
Booking
Please use the button below to book your place. If you are making a group booking, please include a separate email address for each person/ticket. Please note full payment is required at the time of booking.
You can read the conference terms and conditions here.
Prices are as follows:
- Early bird
Before 7 July: £245 - Advance
Before 6 October: £265 - Standard
From 6 October: £285
Bookings will close on Friday 31 October.
Your event pass includes access to all the conference sessions, meals (excluding breakfast), and tea and coffee in the scheduled breaks.
If cost is a barrier to you being able to attend, please get in touch and we may be able to help out.
Don't forget that you must book your accommodation in Blackpool separately. We are not able to accommodate children at the conference.
Can you help?
We want to be able to encourage gospel workers from deprived communities to attend the conference with bursaries. We usually have a collection at the conference itself, but this year would love for churches to ‘pay it forward’ before the conference itself.
So please can we ask your church – only if it is able – to consider such a gift? £15 would pay towards a meal, £50 would contribute towards someone's accommodation, or £235 would pay for the entire conference for one delegate.
You can donate as an option when booking your conference ticket, or choose your own gift amount on our Bursary donation page.