Charis Fellowship Conference is a three-day gathering of pastors, ministry leaders, and committed church members for the purpose of studying the Bible, fellowshipping with other believers, and equipping for ministry. During main sessions we will worship together and receive biblical insight and instruction that will refocus our hearts on Jesus, what He did for us, and our call to proclaim that Good News to the world. Below are the speakers who will help guide us in that.
Keith Minier is the Lead Pastor of Grace Fellowship, a multi-site church in Columbus, Ohio. Since leaving his career as a chemist, Keith has led the church through a significant movement of God. Keith also really enjoys raising up and developing leaders and seeing those leaders thrive. Keith has served on multiple boards and leadership teams over the years in a variety of capacities and currently sits on the Trustee Board for Grace College and Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Ind. Keith is married to Kelly and they have four children. He loves spending time with his family, golfing, fishing, watching sports, waterskiing, and traveling to see new spots on the globe.
Kip Cone is lead pastor at Winona Lake Grace Church in Winona Lake, Ind. Kip graduated from Grace College, where he met his wife, Mary. After completing Grace Theological Seminary, Kip and Mary moved to Germany where they served for almost a decade with Grace Brethren International Missions (now called Encompass World Partners), mostly in Berlin. Since 2006 Kip has ministered on the pastoral staff of Winona Lake Grace Church, first as teaching pastor and more recently as lead pastor. In addition to pastoring, Kip teaches as an adjunct professor in the School of Ministry Studies at Grace College, where he has served on the Board of Trustees since 2010. Kip and Mary have two married sons and four grandchildren, in whom they take great joy.
Dr. Jeremy Kimble is a professor of systematic and applied theology at Cedarville University in Ohio and is passionate about teaching college and seminary students the truth of God’s Word. His hope is that through his courses and preaching ministry, Christians will grow in their love for God and others, rightly understand the grand narrative of Scripture, and apply theological truths to everyday life. Dr. Kimble is committed to teaching in the classroom, mentoring students, and speaking in church, camp, and conference settings. He served in pastoral ministry for eight years and is currently an active member and minister at University Baptist Church.
Andrew Royer holds an M.Div. from Grace Theological Seminary and has spent over 20 years as a pastor, missionary, and Bible teacher. He currently serves as President of Ethnos360 Bible Institute in Waukesha, Wis. (formerly New Tribes Bible Institute). Together with his wife, Sara, they mentor and train missionaries for cross-cultural church planting, particularly to peoples with little or no access to Scripture.
Bartley Sawatsky is the co-founder and Lead Pastor of Renew Church in the Toronto area. He grew up in Nova Scotia, Canada, and received his Masters of Divinity degree from Capital Bible Seminary in Washington, D.C., graduating magna cum laude. It was there that he first connected with the Charis Fellowship, co-founding the first Charis church in Canada just a few years later. He served as the Executive Director of the Charis Fellowship from 2014–16 and currently serves on the Executive Team of the Charis Alliance. Bartley has been married to his wife, Sarah, for 33 years. They have four children and four grandchildren.
Charis Fellowship Conference will be July 21–23, 2026 at Grace Fellowship Church in Pickerington, Ohio.
At Charis Fellowship Conference, we will draw inspiration from the book of Acts. We’ll discuss what it means to be a bold witness, empowered by the Spirit, anchored in prayer, strategic in mission, and faithful amid suffering. Join us this summer as we look at what it means to be unhindered in our Gospel proclamation.
“Proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” Acts 28:31
Get more information and register here.