
June 25–28, 2023 | Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
We invite you to join us for the 2023 CGN International Conference! This year’s theme is “The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me” from Isaiah 61. We are looking forward to seeing you at the conference this summer, either virtually or in person!
This conference is open to all Ministry Workers! Men & Women!
Pastors, Elders, Ushers, Administration, Worship, Children’s Ministry, and Youth Leaders!
Main Session Speakers
Check out our lineup of 2023 speakers featuring leaders from around the world. Click on an image to learn more.
Workshop & Panel Speakers
As an avid reader, lifelong learner, and dedicated Bible teacher, Aaron is passionate about helping young people navigate the challenges of our post-Christian culture. He prioritizes the ministry of peacemaking in a divided world and finds great happiness in mentoring others on their journey with Christ.
With the heart of a pastor and the hands of an artist, Aaron brings a unique blend of spiritual passion and creativity to his work. He lives in Oklahoma with his best beloved wife Brooklynn and their son Jack, and considers his role as a husband and father to be the most rewarding ministry role he has ever had.

Susan is the author of “Life After Breath - After Her Husband Takes His Last Breath, and After She Tries to Catch Hers” (Morgan James Publishing) and has been a contributor to several other publications as well, including “Stories of Faith and Courage from Firefighters and First Responders.” Her most recent project - “Catching Your Breath,” a booklet on spousal loss with Our Daily Bread’s Discovery Series is now available at discoveryseries.org.
Susan is a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and is certified in Grief, Crisis and Trauma Counseling, Grief and Loss Coaching, Master Life Coaching, Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support, Grief and Trauma Care/Military Application, Victim Response, and Basic and Family Mediation. Her speaking engagements include a keynote at the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation’s World Congress, The California State Firefighters Convention, the Honor Guard at the International Association of Firefighters Memorial, Fire Rescue International, and Firehouse World.
Susan homeschooled her three children without ever succumbing to pressure to wear Birkenstocks, and now lives with her husband whom she shamelessly manipulated into falling in love with her. He obliged by sweeping her off her feet with a large broom. They now reside in Michigan.
For more info or to connect with Susan: www.mattersoflifeandbreath.com

Bruce Zachary was raised in a Jewish home, and came to faith in Christ as Messiah over 30 years ago. He has been teaching the Bible for 30+ years. He and Karen, his lovely bride have been married since 1991, and are blessed by their sons Joshua and Jonathan. Bruce taught at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa’s School of the Bible, and is a graduate of CCCM’s School of Ministry. He has been an ordained pastor for near 30 years, and was an attorney for 25 years. In 1996 he planted Calvary Nexus in Camarillo, Ca. where he continues to serve as teaching pastor. Bruce is the author of 17 books, and has directed the Calvary Church Planting Network [CCPN] a global church planting initiative.
Concerning Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery, she has a passion to advocate for the rights of the oppressed and exploited, and to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” Kelly is a volunteer for Riverside County’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and oversees the Justice Ministry, working to help people figure out how to use their gifts, talents, and finances in fighting this battle. She also volunteers with other community organizations, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters in the Inland Empire and the Murrieta Food Pantry.

Calvary Coastlands reaches Corpus Christi through radio and a coalition of local pastors keeping those with political authority accountable to the truth of God’s word. In addition, they have sent missionaries worldwide and are actively involved in prison ministry and church planting.
Rod loves education and continues to take classes to better minister to those in need. Additionally, the Carvers mentor pastor couples and have a burden for the emotional, spiritual, and marital health of those serving in ministry positions. They often travel to help train ministers and strengthen marriages through conferences and seminars.
Krista has been involved in ministry for over 15 years. She is currently pursuing her doctorate’s degree in counseling focusing on trauma as her heart’s desire is to see the hurt healed and walking with the Lord.


Consultation Services



He also started a nonprofit called The Jewish Road with his dad, where they help Christians make sense of the roots of their faith and help the Jewish people make sense of Jesus.
Matt is thankful for the opportunity to help others tell their story - something that has been so instrumental in his own life journey. But he is most grateful to be doing life with his wife of more than 20 years, Marilee, and their amazing three teenagers, Noah, Jed, and Karis. They now live in Lexington, Kentucky, and have dreams of life on a farm, surrounded by horses, beauty, and a connected community.
Church Administration and Pastoral Care/CGN Connect Team
We are available during the conference for consultation. This may include coaching in areas of logistics, staffing, board structure, budgeting, etc., or even confidential pastoral care for you or your staff.
Consultation with a Book Coach and Ghostwriter/Mary Pero
Are you thinking about writing a book? Do you have questions about how publishing works? Are you wondering if writing a book is the right step for you? Mary Pero specializes in helping authors navigate the writing and publishing process with ease. Mary will be available during the conference to answer questions, offer feedback, and provide strategies to help you take the next step on your writing and publishing journey.
Acts 19 Ministries/Paul Berry
Are you wondering how to ignite, or re-ignite, Holy Spirit power in your church. Are you missing the essential power of the Holy Spirit in your ministry? Do you feel dry and without a visional compass for your church or ministry? Come and get help tapping into what the Holy Spirit has been waiting to develop in your life and church. We help churches, ministries, and individuals get back to the foundational power of the Holy Spirit, how to develop church intercessory prayer groups, how to choose the right worship leaders, and how to set congregations on fire for Jesus.
Prophetic Prayer/Paul & Lucy Berry, Kris Olsen, and team
Are there things that you are talking to God about, but nobody else knows? Have you ever said, “I just need to hear from the Lord,” in various situations? Are you in need of a word of prophetic encouragement? The Lord knows the cry of your heart! Come and let the prophetic prayer team pray over you! Let your heart be lifted, and come prepared to hear from the Lord! He is always ready to encourage you through His Word and through other believers.
Pastoral Transitions/Matt Davis
If you have ever had to let a member of your staff go – for whatever reason – it is never easy. With his roots in the original Calvary Costa Mesa as a child, Matt Davis has been in the large church executive and teaching pastor role and knows all too well the difficulty in pastoral transitions. If you are facing an upcoming ministry transition, either for you, or someone on your team, grab a consultation time to understand best practices and what healthy change can look like for the unity of your church body.
Worship
Our 2023 worship lineup. Click on any artist to read their bio.
“My hope is that through the Holy Spirit, our teams create a safe atmosphere where people express their love, adoration, thanksgiving, and praise towards the Living God with songs and prayer. I pray that this focus on God’s goodness enhances our ability to love the people we encounter on a day-to-day basis.”
Event Schedule
Each main session will consist of worship and a 30-minute teaching followed by a 50-minute interactive dialogue with panel conference guests.
Sunday, June 25
5:00 PM – Check-In/Registration
6:00–7:00 PM – Meet & Greet Dinner
7:00–9:00 PM – An Evening of Worship/The Exhale
Monday, June 26
8:00–9:00 AM – Morning Prayer with Wayne Taylor
9:00–10:00 AM – Session #1 Ministry in the Power of the Spirit- Brian Brodersen
10:00–11:00 AM – Panel Discussion
11:00 AM–1:00 PM – Lunch Break – Youth Workers Lunch
1:00–2:00 PM – Session #2 Gospel Proclamation- Joel Turner
2:00–3:00 PM – Panel Discussion
3:00–4:30 PM – Free Time/Networking
4:30-5:30 PM – Meet with your Team! (Unpack what you have learned!)
5:30–7:00 PM – Dinner “CGN Family Feast”
7:00–8:00 PM – Session #3 Pastoral Care – Bill Clem
8:00–9:00 PM – Extended Worship
Tuesday, June 27
8:00–9:00 AM – Morning Prayer with Wayne Taylor
9:00–10:00 AM – Session #4 Liberty: Free Indeed– Nate Holdridge
10:00–11:00 AM – Panel Discussion
11:00 AM –1:00 PM – Lunch Break
1:00- 2:00 PM – Session #5 Setting the Prisoners Free: Deliverance – Tommy Cota
2:00–3:00 PM – Panel Discussion
3:00–4:30 PM – Workshops
4:30-5:30 PM – Meet with your Team! (Unpack what you have learned!)
5:30–7:00 PM – Dinner Break
7:00–8:00 PM – Session #6 The Gospel of Grace– Mike Neglia
8:00–9:00 PM – Extended Worship
Wednesday, June 28
8:00–9:00 AM – Morning Prayer with Wayne Taylor
9:00–10:00 AM – Session #7 Holistic Life– Justin Thomas
10:00–11:00 AM – Panel Discussion
11:00 AM–1:00 PM – Lunch Break
1:00–2:00 PM – Session #8 Renewal– Manolo Matos
2:00–3:00 PM – Panel Discussion
3:00–4:30 PM – Workshops
4:30-5:30 PM – Meet with your Team! (Unpack what you have learned!)
5:30–7:00 PM – Dinner Break
7:00–8:30 PM – Session #9 The Day of the Vengeance of Our God– Tim Chaddick
8:30–9:00 PM – Extended Worship
What’s Included?

In-Person
- 9 Keynote Speakers!
- 12 Workshops! One 90-minute gathering per day on two consecutive days! Forty-five minutes of instruction followed by 45 minutes of a roundtable discussion.
- We are Family Friendly! Although childcare will not be provided this year, we will be offering a place in the Fellowship Hall for you to enjoy the conference with your children. Children 15 and under attend for free! Children are required to be accompanied by an adult at all times. There will also be a nursing mom’s room available.
- Spanish Translation: Available in the Main Sanctuary and on our Spanish website at esp.calvarychapel.com during and after the conference.
- Discounted Registration for your whole team! Save 20% when you register five individuals.
- Consultation Services: Leadership Coaching, Prayer by Appointment, Writing Coach, and Pastoral Transitions!
- On-Demand Archives: After the conference, archives of all main sessions, panels, interviews, and workshops are free to watch on-demand.
- Free Coffee and snacks all week!
- “The Exhale” with Dinner Sunday, June 25, at 6:00 pm!
- “CGN Family Feast” Monday, June 26, at 5:30 pm
Virtual Access
- All Main Sessions and Two Workshops will be live-streamed to our virtual audience. (Spanish Translation will be available online and in person)
- On-Demand Access: During and after the conference, all main sessions and two workshops, are free to watch on-demand.
Workshops
Forty-five minutes of instruction followed by 45 minutes of a roundtable discussion. The “roundtable” portion of the gatherings will vary moderately and include a question & answer time or a dialogue with the facilitators and participants.
Tuesday, June 27
Counseling Techniques is a workshop dedicated to engaging and practicing effective counseling skills by introducing specific techniques and paring participants to work through scenarios.
The deconstruction movement is sweeping through the Christian church, as droves of young people who grew up in the faith are now abandoning it. How can ministry leaders respond to the claims and questions which are fueling this movement and stem the tide of struggle and loss in their communities? In this workshop, Aaron Salvato and Nick Cady provide insights and resources which can empower leaders to walk alongside those deconstructing their faith in hopes of restoring them. By understanding the complex challenges today’s Christians face and fostering open conversations, ministry leaders can help guide them to a transformed faith – one built not on assumptions but on the solid foundation of truth and a personal relationship with Jesus. For the next generation, faith can be rebuilt, but it starts with understanding leaders who guide with patience and love and who always point to the source of hope: Christ alone.
Wednesday, June 28
“When She Leads” Brenda Leavenworth and Cheryl Brodersen
What a treasure we have! Join us as Brenda Leavenworth interviews Cheryl Brodersen. With over 40 years of ministry experience, Cheryl has some incredible wisdom to share. In addition, with the recent release of the Jesus Revolution movie, we all have many questions and want to hear more of her story. In the second half of this workshop, the When She Leads team will join Cheryl on stage for a live Q&A panel. You won’t want to miss this!
“What If I Run into a Demon” Gerry Breshears
The demonic realm fascinates many people – and they are getting involved with demons. Knowing the types and limits of satanic stratagems against Christians and the church is essential in our increasingly pagan society. We will explore practical methodologies to help people find freedom from spiritual bondage.
“Church Planting with CGN” Nick Cady, Bruce Zachary, and Brian Kelly
“Bridging the Gap Between Creatives and Lead Pastors” Adam Dobbs, Shay Carlucci, and Noah Beumer
Creatives and Pastors are invited to join us for this workshop discussion on how to bridge the relational gap between the Pastoral team and your Creatives. In this workshop, we will be discussing the importance of unity, friendship and the value of this partnership for the Gospel of Jesus.
Helpful Information
Lodging
Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa/Newport
325 Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
800.322.9992 (Ask for the Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa rate)
Deluxe Guest Room $120 (single or double occupancy)
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DoubleTree by Hilton Santa Ana/Orange County Airport
201 East MacArthur Boulevard
Santa Ana, CA 92707
714.825.3333
2 Queen Beds or 1 King Bed $129
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Ayres Hotel Fountain Valley
17550 Brookhurst Street
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
714.861.5170
Deluxe Guest Room $169 (single or double occupancy)
Exhibitors
If you would like to request a table in our Expo Area at this year’s conference, please fill out the form by clicking on the button below.
Book List
A curated list of books suggested by our conference speakers and CGN leaders.
Media Packet
Promotional graphics to help you promote the conference with your church.
Conference Partners
Calvary Global Network – CGN
CGN is a family of churches working together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches.
We work collaboratively for Gospel-centered renewal, providing leaders with relationships and resourcing as we follow the way of Jesus. We’re committed to being a part of something bigger than just one church. We’re a family consisting of churches and ministries across national and denominational borders.
Together, we strive for the renewal of all things through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We believe the best way to do this is through providing relationships that will help disciples of Christ serve together and resources that will help disciples serve well.
Our mission is rooted in the core Great Commission emphases, which are the chief ways the church participates in the Missio Dei (mission of God). These emphases are: Proclaim the Gospel, Make Disciples, Plant Churches.
We work together for Gospel-centered renewal, providing leaders with relationships and resourcing as we follow the way of Jesus.
Want to know more? A great place to start is the CGN Mission and Methods Podcast.