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Here are some stories about how attendance at the National Gathering has had an impact on leaders and churches from around the country.

"As solo pastor of a tiny church in rural Montana, ministry can be very isolating and lonely. It's easy to start to believe that I'm the only one dealing with [insert any issue here]. The Fellowship Gathering in March was a game changer for my ministry and my personal narrative - connecting me with other pastors from small congregations, providing space for real issue conversations, and diving deeper into relationship with mentors and friends from different seasons. These relationships, although spread across the West, have continued to be a lifeline as we connect through the monthly Zoom calls.

As a small church, we have a tight budget. Traveling from Montana + hotel + conference is costly beyond what we have budgeted. Without the scholarships provided to leaders of small churches, it would have been challenging to attend the Gathering. Without the Fellowship, I would continue to feel isolated professionally, personally, and theologically in the denomination and in my region. Thank you to the Fellowship and to all those who support the scholarship fund. It truly makes a difference in the lives of pastors, congregations, and communities."

Sarah Tunall

Manhattan Presbyterian Church

Manhattan, MT

"I attended the 2024 National Gathering, and it completely changed the direction of my career. While there, my pastor introduced me to Dr. Richard Burnett who in turn introduced me to the Master of Arts in Reformed Theology (M.A.R.T) at Dubuque Theological Seminary. Prior to this I was attending seminary and paying out of pocket, but I was not receiving an education that I thought was preparing me for ministry. However, Dr. Burnett and the M.A.R.T program are preparing me for answering a call to ministry and so much more. I am now on track to be certified ready for call by the summer of 2027. I am confident that I will be able to serve the PC(USA), my local congregation, and the great cloud of witnesses that has gone before me well thanks to these introductions.

The national gathering also made it abundantly clear that churches want pastors who look, think, and act like me. I did not grow up in the church, so answering a call to pastoral ministry is not something I do lightly. Yet, there were many folks at the national gathering who asked me about where I was in seminary, where I was in the ordination track, and who gave me information to keep them in mind for the future (even though that future was years away). I was afraid that being a traditional, conservative Christian who wanted to study, follow, and preach the Bible may be abrasive to many churches; however, I found plenty who were excited to find a young man like myself. This really solidified my hope to find a good church that I and my family would be able to serve. I am grateful for the national gathering because it not only introduced me to Dr. Burnett and the M.A.R.T program, but it created a space for the Holy Spirit to stir my soul to enthusiastically say yes to the call the Lord has placed on my life."

Landon Rohrer

First Presbyterian Church

Maumee, OH

"I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read about the unique burdens of pastors, especially loneliness. My heart breaks for how many of us have experienced it firsthand. For this reason, I speak so highly of The Fellowship Community, because I’m also fortunate to have lost count of how many times TFC has kept me grounded in Christ.

Before one TFC gathering, a pastor with young kids asked if anyone in a similar stage wanted to meet, resulting in a years-long friendship of monthly, supportive phone calls. He then invited me into a small group of pastors across the country who I otherwise never would have met. At another gathering, God led me to a breakout seminar where I realized I was listening to an old family friend of my in-laws. He became a mentor for six years. TFC got me connected with the Elder Leadership Institute (ELI), where I met another pastor with whom I’ve been friends ever since. My current church probably would not have found our current associate pastor -- a young, great partner in ministry -- without our TFC affiliation.

I could keep on describing Spirit-led relationships that God has blessed me with through TFC. I haven’t even mentioned how much content has been a lifeline, too - like that ELI retreat introducing me to elders doing “spiritual autobiographies,” which I’ve done with all of my elders since then, reminding us that we are friends in Christ more than any item on the agenda. No matter how officially connected to TFC you are, I can’t encourage you enough to prioritize and take advantage of what TFC has to offer and to share it with others who you know also need the support."

Matt Pooley

Patuxent Presbyterian Church

California, MD