Across North America, the Church is navigating a season of upheaval and change unlike anything seen in recent memory. Amid cultural unrest, declining institutional trust, and questions of identity, many are asking: What does it mean to faithfully witness to the gospel today?

On March 10-12, 2026 at Columbia Baptist Church in Falls, Church, VA, the inaugural Ascent Summit will gather leaders, pastors, and believers from across traditions to explore this very question. The theme, “A Hopeful Witness for a Joyful Church,” captures the heartbeat of the movement: rediscovering joy and hope as central characteristics of the people of God, and reclaiming the gospel’s core calling for this generation.

Featured speakers include Beth Moore, author and Bible teacher; Ed Stetzer, dean of the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University; Joy Moore, president of Northern Seminary; Mia Chang, lead pastor and planter of NextGen Church in Princeton Junction West Windsor, NJ; Jason Persaud, national director of church engagement at Alpha Canada; Carey Sims, project coordinator for the Junia Network; and leadership coach Jorge Acevedo.  

Presenters are Wayne Faison, executive director of BGAV and Ascent; Julio Guarneri, Texas Baptists executive director, Raphael Anzenberger, executive director of the French-speaking Baptist Union of Canada, and Charles E. Dates, senior pastor of two Chicago churches.

For Chris Backert, senior director of Ascent, the 2026 Summit represents the fruition of years of preparation. Since late 2023, Backert has spearheaded Ascent’s efforts, building upon several years of others’ discussions and collaboration. “Instead of starting with a big splash, we have been hard at work in a quiet manner, cultivating a mission and ministry ripe for this appointed moment in time,” Backert said. “Now, as we begin a more public phase, we already see significant progress toward reengaging North America with the gospel.”

That sense of anticipation is echoed by leaders across the Ascent movement. Wayne Faison, Executive Director of BGAV and Ascent, believes the Summit will be nothing short of transformational: “Our world is hungry for a spiritual movement of hope and joy, and I’m confident Ascent is rising to meet that need.”

For Eliseo Mejia, author, missiologist, and pastor, the Summit represents a catalytic moment: “I expect the Summit to be catalytic—where prayer, practice, and partnership converge for the sake of mission across North America, and where we are passionate about rediscovering the gospel’s core calling in our current cultural moment.” He also sees it as a vital space to celebrate the resilience and growing influence of Latino communities, the fastest-growing segment of the church in North America. “I look forward to engaging with other leaders to embrace the growing implications of the Hispanic community’s already deep and influential role in the future of the church.”

Andrea Gallegos, executive minister of operations at Sea Change Church in La Jolla, CA, agrees that Ascent is creating something unique. “The Ascent initiatives are so in line with the mission of our church that we seemed part of it before we even knew about it. It has been so encouraging to have a collective of other leaders to bounce ideas off and partner with as we work through these intersecting mission initiatives.” She notes that the Summit will be unlike any other: “I’ve never been to a summit with so many like-minded brothers and sisters from different denominations. I’ve been energized and inspired each time I’ve learned more about Ascent.”

Former Executive Director of BGAV and Ascent, John Upton, highlights the unity Ascent is cultivating: “Finally, fellow centrist believers from across North America are gathering together for the sole purpose of re-engaging North America with the gospel. It will be refreshing to discover and serve alongside energetic brothers and sisters who have been up to this point unknown to us due to denominational or geographic divides.”

For some, like Rick and Donna Lamothe of inSPIRE Church in Canmore, Alberta, the Summit is deeply personal. Planting a new church for the unchurched and de-churched, they see Ascent as the family they longed for—one that remains rooted in the teachings of Jesus, welcomes women in leadership, prays in the Spirit’s power, and celebrates cultural diversity. “We love Ascent and can’t wait to be there at the inaugural event!”

Pastors and leaders from diverse contexts share this enthusiasm. Brad Hoffman, of Cool Spring Baptist Church in Virginia, describes Ascent as a refreshing movement more than a camp: “The identity seems to be the mission. That kind of focus is both refreshing and compelling.” He looks forward to attending the Summit because “it will be a movement-centered connection—an opportunity to be encouraged, equipped, and sent forward together.”

The Ascent Summit indeed promises to be more than a conference—it is a movement moment. It will be a gathering where prayer, practice, and partnership converge; where joy and hope are rediscovered; and where the Church finds fresh courage to witness faithfully in a restless age.

For more information and to register, visit the event webpage.

‍