Recourage
Recourage
A one-day conference designed to refresh your soul, renew your strength and remind you of the hope we have in Christ.
New This Year: Choose Your Day — Same Powerful Conference
Why Recourage
“While there are outstanding conferences focused on strategy and team building, our desire is to offer something different. ReCourage exists to invest in the heart of the leader—to provide practical tools to serve from a healthy heart for day-to-day ministry.” – Jeff Manion
Choose Your Day & Register
March 4, 2026 or March 5, 2026
Leading faithfully over time is both meaningful and demanding. As leaders, it doesn’t take long to feel drained when we’re constantly pouring out.
ReCourage creates space to pause, refocus, and be reminded of the One who sustains us—so we can continue leading from a healthy heart.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“From the inspiring speakers to the delicious food to the uplifting worship music, we all left feeling incredibly encouraged in the Lord. We are so grateful for your investment in our local ministries and for the difference it’s making!”
“My cup was filled, and our team was so divinely blessed by Recourage. The speakers, the food, the band, the fellowship, laughter and tears, the singing!!”
“Truly refreshing and life-giving! I didn’t realize how close to burnout I was running, but the encouragement from the speakers and the opportunity to simply receive in worship made this year’s conference exactly what I needed.”
Recourage Speakers
This year, you’ll learn from a trusted group of voices shaped by decades of ministry and leadership experience:
Jeff Manion
Jeff and his wife, Chris, have served Ada Bible Church for over 40 years. Jeff covets the opportunity to train and encourage leaders and is a strong believer in the power of slow and steady faithfulness. He is the author of three books: Satisfied, Dream Big, Think Small, and The Land Between. Jeff and Chris have three adult children and are proud grandparents.
Amelia Rhodes
Amelia Rhodes is passionate about helping people grow as followers of Jesus and live out their faith in everyday life. As Director of Discipleship Resources at Ada Bible Church, she loves encouraging ministry leaders and volunteers to stay rooted in Christ and connected to community.
Amelia writes and speaks to encourage hope and perseverance in the journey of faith—work that has led to authoring two books and contributing to more than a dozen others. She brings creativity and practicality to her leadership, drawing on over 20 years of ministry and non-profit experience. She and her husband have been married for 28 years and delight in life with their two young adult children.
Joe Jones
Joe Jones is the founder of the Hekima Group, a Grand Rapids-based consultancy providing crisis management and strategic communications expertise across multiple industries. He also serves as senior pastor of Brown Hutcherson Ministries, a role he has held since 2021.
A lifelong advocate for equity and opportunity, Joe previously served as president and CEO of the Urban League of West Michigan, leading initiatives focused on economic empowerment in under-resourced communities. He also served as Grand Rapids City Commissioner for the Second Ward (2016–2022) and was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the Oakland University Board of Trustees, where he most recently served as chair.
Joe holds a bachelor’s degree in communication arts from Oakland University and a master’s degree in ministry leadership from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, with additional executive leadership training from Dartmouth, Stanford, and NYU. He currently serves on several corporate and civic boards and lives in Grand Rapids with his wife, Jessie. Together, they are the parents of four children and grandparents to five.
Steve Cuss
Steve is the author of “Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs” and the founder of capablelife.me, an online community that helps individuals lower anxiety, relieve pressure, and address relational tension, so they can be connected, aware, and present. Steve learned these tools while serving as a trauma and hospice chaplain. He has served in various pastoral roles for 26 years, with the majority of those years as a lead pastor. He has served a variety of companies, including Colorado University Hospital’s Neuro Research, Magnolia Home Furnishings, Chick-fil-A, and the BeMobile Verizon Franchise.
Steve was privileged to grow up in Perth, Western Australia, with an adventurous family. After moving to the United States for theological study, he married Lisa, and they have two sons and a daughter, in whom they take great delight. When Steve is not working, you can find him laughing with his family, knee-deep in a trout stream, or trying out a guitar he cannot afford at a local music store.
ReCourage FAQ
What is the schedule for ReCourage?
RECOURAGE 2026 SCHEDULE
9 – 10:15 AM | Session 1 – Jeff Manion
10:15 – 10:45 AM | Break 1
10:45 – 11:50 AM | Session 2 – Amelia Rhodes
11: 50 AM – 12: 50 PM | Break 2
1 – 2 PM | Session 3 – Joe Jones
2 – 2:20 PM | Break 3
2:20 – 3:30 PM | Session 4 – Steve Cuss
Where is the ReCourage being held?
RECOURAGE LOCATIONS
East Paris Campus & Online
March 6 from 9 AM- 3:30 PM EST
Spring Creek Church (WI)
n35w22000 W Capitol Drive, Pewaukee, WI
March 6 from 9 AM- 3:30 PM CST
What if I need help with the cost?
This conference is so important to people in church vocational ministries that we do not want the conference fees to prohibit ministries from sending staff. Financial assistance is available for those who need help.
Please send us an email to let us know.
What happens if I need to cancel my registration?
Please send us an email if you find you need to cancel your registration for any reason. We’ll get back with you with details.
WHO IT’S FOR
ReCourage is designed for:
- Church and ministry leaders
- Pastors, staff and volunteers
- Non-profit leaders serving in mission-driven work
Whether your leadership season feels strong or stretched thin, ReCourage meets you where you are and reminds you that you’re not alone.
WHAT TO EXPECT
ReCourage is not about quick fixes or hype. It’s about slow and steady faithfulness.
You’ll experience:
- Christ-centered teaching
- Encouragement for the long road of leadership
- Practical wisdom rooted in real ministry experience
- Space to rest, reflect and be renewed
ReCourage 2026
- Ada Bible Church – East Paris Campus & Online
- Wednesday, March 4 or Thursday, March 5, 2026
- Conference begins at 9:00 AM
- $29 per person
- Group discounts available for groups of 10 or more
Both days offer the exact same conference, so you can choose the day that best fits your schedule.
