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CGN International Ministry Conference

For Such a Time as This: The Church in the World

June 28 – July 1, 2026

Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa

 

It is hard to believe that 2026 has arrived, but here we are—and the world seems crazier than ever! Yet, this is the perfect context for the church to shine! As I have been considering the moment we are in, I could not help but think of those familiar words from the story of Esther: For Such a Time as This. Those words spoken by Mordecai challenged Esther to recognize that the place of significant influence she was in at that specific time was not by chance, but by the providence of God. So, we also are here in this time and in the places we serve not by chance, but by the sovereign will of God. With this in mind, our conference theme this year is, For Such a Time as This: The Church in the World. Together we will be diving into Scripture in order to discover afresh God’s intended purpose for the church in the world today.

We have a great line up of main session speakers scheduled and we will be adding even more in the coming days. In thinking and praying about this year’s conference, we felt that an emphasis on fellowship needed to be a priority. So, you can expect additional time to deepen and strengthen your connection with others serving, like yourself, in ministry. 

All this to say, we are looking forward to a great time of encouragement and expectation of the Spirit’s impartation of fresh vision and faith to be all that God has called us to be at this strategic moment in history. 

Register

This conference is designed for church leaders and their ministry teams to connect, collaborate, and grow together. Whether you are a pastor, ministry worker, or volunteer, this event is for you! Join us for an inspiring time of learning, fellowship, and renewed vision for the work God has called us to!

Speakers

Meet our 2026 speaker lineup. Click an image to learn more.

Main Session Speaker

Andrew Ollerton

Dr Andrew Ollerton is a theologian, pastor, author and presenter who makes complex ideas simple and relevant. Andrew lives in Wales (UK) and regularly speaks at conferences, festivals and churches and films video content on locations around the world. Andrew recently developed a new edition of The Bible Course with Bible Society and published a new title with Hodder called God’s Book: An Honest Look at the Bible’s 7 Toughest Topics. Andrew also works closely with the explorer Bear Grylls. They’ve published a Bible called the NIV for Young Explorers, produced a TV series in Israel and Andrew recently helped Bear develop a brilliant new book called The Greatest Story Ever Told. Andrew has degrees in Geography (BSc), Theology (BTh) and History (MA). He completed his PhD in Historical Theology and is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
Main Session Speaker

Dr. Carmen Joy Imes

Dr. Carmen Joy Imes is associate professor of Old Testament at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, in Southern California. She is the author of Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters, Being God’s Image: Why Creation Still Matters, and Becoming God’s Family: Why the Church Still Matters. Her primary areas of expertise are Exodus and the Psalms. Carmen has a YouTube channel where she releases weekly Torah Tuesday videos and you can find her writing on various websites, including Christianity Today, Substack, The Well, and The Politics of Scripture blog. Carmen has appeared on over 150 podcasts and radio outlets. She enjoys traveling to speak at churches, schools, conferences, and retreats. Carmen is passionate about equipping the church to engage the Old Testament well and to see its relevance for the Christian life.
Main Session and Workshop Speaker

Brian Brodersen

Brian Brodersen is pastor emeritus of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. He also serves as president of the Calvary Global Network, chancellor of Calvary Chapel Bible College, and co-founder and director of Creation Fest UK. Brian is the featured speaker on the Back to Basics radio program and a regular contributor on the live call-in program Pastors’ Perspective. Brian holds an M.A. in Ministry and Leadership from Wheaton College.
Main Session Speaker

Heath Hardesty

Heath Hardesty serves as the lead pastor of Valley Community Church and is a founder of Inklings Coffee & Tea in the heart of downtown Pleasanton, California. Heath grew up in a blue-collar home and was a plumber’s apprentice in Colorado before becoming a pastor on the edge of Silicon Valley where he, his wife, and four kids now reside. He holds degrees in literature, leadership, biblical studies, and theology from the University of Colorado Boulder and Western Seminary in Portland.
Main Session Speaker

Brad Hall

Brad Hall began serving in pastoral ministry in 1995, planting a church in Maui, Hawaii, in 1998. After serving as senior pastor for 12 years, Brad and his wife, Christy, along with their three kids, moved to Australia. They arrived on the Northern Beaches of Sydney in 2010. After 7 years of itinerant ministry and being on staff with a few denominational churches, they planted One Love Church in 2017, where Brad is serving as lead pastor. Brad holds a MTh degree, is an author, and has spoken at various ministry conferences around the world.
Main Session Speaker

Mark Foreman

Mark Foreman is the Pastor Emeritus at North Coast Calvary Chapel (NCCC) in Carlsbad, California. He served as Lead Pastor of NCCC for 30 years and has also served as a strategist, church planter, counselor, and seminary professor. He has authored the books Wholly Jesus and Never Say No: Raising Big-Picture Kids which he wrote together with his wife, Jan.

Mark has spent his life studying the subject of personal and cultural transformation. He holds an undergraduate degree in Sociology and Religious Studies, and graduate degrees in Theology, Counseling and Pastoral Care.

Mark and Jan, his “best friend and favorite Bible teacher,” have been married for 52 years. Together they’ve been parents to two grown sons, Jon and Tim, who are part of the band Switchfoot. They reside in Cardiff, California. Mark and Jan’s joys are their four grandkids, surfing, traveling to underprivileged parts of the world, and discovering partners and fellow believers who want to see the world transformed.

Workshop Speaker

Cheryl Brodersen

Cheryl Brodersen is a gifted speaker and Bible teacher. She is the author of several books, including When a Woman Lets Go of Her Fears and A Woman’s Battle for Grace, as well as Bible Study books for women. Her Bible teaching can be heard on the Gracious Words radio and podcast programs. In addition, Cheryl co-hosts the popular Christian podcast Women Worth Knowing. Cheryl holds a Master of Applied Biblical Leadership degree from Western Seminary. She is a wife, mother of four adult children, and “grammabee” to seven grandchildren. She and her husband, Brian, live in Southern California and serve at their home church, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Brian and Cheryl lead Echoes of Mercy, a new ministry focused on encouraging believers through teaching, writing, and media, building on decades of pastoral and discipleship experience.
Main Session Speaker

Phil Metzger

Phil Metzger is the lead pastor of Calvary San Diego in Chula Vista. Phil is a graduate of Veritas International University (M.A. in Theology/Theological Studies) and Western Seminary (Ph.D. in Intercultural Education). His podcast, “Crossing Cultures,” is dedicated to helping people connect to those who live, think, and believe differently than they do. Phil is also the co-author of “A Story of Grace: Beyond the Iron Curtain.”

Registration    

The Early Bird registration rate of $200 will be available until April 15, 2026!  

Individual

$200

This includes all sessions, workshops, and livestream during and recorded archives after the conference for an individual. This early bird price will go up to $250 after April 15, 2026.

Married Couple

$350

This includes all sessions, workshops, and livestream during the conference and recorded archives after the conference for a married couple. This early bird price will go up to $400 after April 15, 2026.

Day Pass

$80

Your choice of Sunday ($40), Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday ($80). This includes all materials and workshops for the day that you choose. Livestreams during and after the conference are also included for an individual. This early bird price will go up to $100 after April 15, 2026.

Virtual Access

$50

Virtual access to the live-streamed event during the conference, all main sessions and one workshop are available to watch online. This early bird price will go up to $75 after April 15, 2026.

Group Registration

$800

$800 for a group of five. Your fifth registrant is FREE! You must select "Group Registration" for each registrant to receive the discount of $200. This early bird price will go up to $850 after April 15, 2026.
Register

Event Schedule   

Below you will find our tentative conference schedule. This schedule is subject to change slightly within the dates.

Sunday, June 28

5:00–7:00 PM Check-In

7:00–9:00 PM  Exhale: An Evening of Worship

Monday, June 29

8:00–9:00 AM   Check-in

9:00–10:30 AM  Session #1 Brian Brodersen

10:30 AM–12:00 PM  Session #2 Dr. Carmen Joy Imes

12:00–2:00 PM  Lunch Break

2:00–5:00 PM  Free Time

5:00–7:00 PM  Dinner Break

7:00–8:00 PM  Session #3 Heath Hardesty

8:00–9:00 PM Heath Hardesty Interview

Tuesday, June 30

9:00–10:30 AM  Session #4

10:30 AM–12:00 PM  Session #5 Brad Hall

12:00 PM–2:00 PM  Lunch Break

2:00 PM–3:00 PM Free Time

3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Workshops

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM  Dinner Break

7:00–8:00 PM  Session #6 Andrew Ollerton

8:00–9:00 PM  Extended Worship

Wednesday, July 1

9:00–10:30 AM  Session #7

10:30 AM–12:00 PM Communion

 

Helpful Information  

AREA HOTEL

Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa/Newport
325 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714 – 549 – 0300

Deluxe Room Rate
$149 per night
Single / Double Occupancy

Complimentary Amenities
Parking fees waived for our group
Shuttle to/from John Wayne Airport
Cookies in the lobby each evening
Shuttle within a 3-mile radius

Use the link above to reserve your room online or book your reservation by phone with the code “Calvary Chapel / Calvary Global Network”.

CONFERENCE DISCOUNTS

  • Calvary Chapel Cross-Cultural Missionaries/Leaders Rate of $100 (Calvary Chapel/Calvary Global Network missionaries working outside North America) Please request a coupon code for this option by sending an email to cgn@calvarychapel.com
  • Special Discounted Rate of $50 for Calvary Chapel Bible College Students! (Student ID Required) To find out more, contact us at cgn@calvarychapel.com.
  • Group Discount: A discounted rate of $200 for your team of 5 is automatically generated when you register together online.

Event Location

Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
3800 S. Fairview Rd,
Santa Ana, CA 92704

Questions? You can reach us at cgn@calvarychapel.com

WE ARE FAMILY-FRIENDLY 

We will have a family room available for families and nursing moms.

PROPHETIC PRAYER

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 other believers.

SPANISH TRANSLATION

Will be made available for in-person attendees with special headphones in the Main Sanctuary as well as virtually through the Spanish livestream. One workshop on Tuesday and Wednesday will be included. This option will also be available for viewing on our Spanish website at calvarychapelesp.com, during and after the conference.

HOST HOMES 

We have made arrangements for approved CGN pastors and leaders, looking for a room to stay for the duration of the conference, at no cost, in the homes of various church congregants. A limited number of homes are available. If you are interested, please contact us at cgn@calvarychapel.com.

Conference Sponsors & Partners

Calvary Global Network is a family of churches working together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches.

Website

Resources

CGN invites any resources, organizations, ministries, and/or exhibitors who would like to participate in this year’s International Conference to complete the form below.
Request to be a Resource