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ECO National Gathering

Schedule

Welcome to our 2027 schedule! The event kicks off with pre-conferences on Monday and the first main session on Tuesday morning. Enjoy a range of engaging workshops, keynotes, and networking opportunities. The full schedule will be printed on the back of your name badge for easy reference. We look forward to a fantastic week together!

Monday, February 1

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM       Pre-Conferences
Pre-conferences provide an excellent opportunity to connect with others and explore a particular ministry area in greater depth. 
Pre-conferences run from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST on Monday, February 1st unless otherwise indicated. 

View Pre-Conference Options Here

6:30 PM     Ordination Candidate Fellowship Night

Join the Ordination Team and fellow candidates as we fellowship together before the National Gathering officially kicks off! Please note this event is intended only for current Ordination Candidates. If you know of anyone interested in the ordination process please invite them to the Ordination Informational Lunch. 

Location: TBD       Time: 6:30 PM

RSVP directly on your National Gathering registration

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM     Flourish Institute of Theology (FIT) Happy Hour

Join us for an evening of connection and conversation! Prospective students, current students, faculty, and student spouses are all welcome to stop by for a relaxed happy hour. Grab a drink, meet fellow students and faculty, and connect with the FIT community.

Location: TBD       Time: 7:00–9:00 PM (stop by anytime!) 

RSVP directly on your National Gathering registration

Tuesday, February 2
 7:30 AM Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Breakfast (offsite) - RSVP only  (details to come)
 7:30 AM Women Pastors & Candidates Breakfast (see details below)

9:00 AM

 Main Session 1
11:00 AM  Breakout Session #1
12:00 PMLunch Provided + Special Interest Groups
2:00 PM Main Session 2
4:00 PM Breakout Session #2
5:15 PMDinner Provided

7:00 PM 

Improv Night with Dallas/Fort Worth’s Four Day Weekend (see details below)
 8:00 PM 

End of Day 1 

Wednesday, February 3

7:30 AM

FIT Breakfast (see details below)

 8:30 AM Presbytery Meetings

8:30 AM

Pastor Spouse Breakfast (see details below)

10:30 AM

Main Session 3
12:00 PM

Lunch + Special Interest Groups

2:00 PM 

Breakout Session #3

3:30 PM

Main Session 4

5:30 PM

End of Day 2

6:00 PM

Global Engagement Dinner (see details below)
Post-National Gathering

Wednesday 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM &  Thursday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM      
Building the ECO "Order" for Retired and Retiring Pastors: A Retreat
We continue with our second retreat to shape a group of retired pastors into an “order” (the O in ECO) for the purpose of helping us navigate the new sense of calling that comes with retirement from the ministries we once had. The retreat will focus on identity, purpose, community, vision, mentoring, and resilience. Led by Jim Singleton, Senior Professor of Ministry, Gordon-Conwell Seminary & Faculty Member, Flourish Institute of Theology 

Location: Hackberry Creek Church, Irving
$50 (Includes Wednesday dinner and Thursday breakfast)
RSVP directly on your National Gathering registration

Monday, February 1

Ordination Candidate Fellowship Night

Join the Ordination Team and fellow candidates as we fellowship together before the National Gathering officially kicks off! Please note this event is intended only for current Ordination Candidates. If you know of anyone interested in the ordination process please invite them to the Ordination Informational Lunch.

Tuesday, 6:30 PM

TBD

Free

RSVP directly on your National Gathering registration

Monday, February 1

Flourish Institute of Theology (FIT) Happy Hour

Join us for an evening of connection and conversation! Prospective students, current students, faculty, and student spouses are all welcome to stop by for a relaxed happy hour. Grab a drink, meet fellow students and faculty, and connect with the FIT community.

Tuesday, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

TBD

Free

RSVP directly on your National Gathering registration

Tuesday, February 2

Women Pastors & Candidates Breakfast

Join us for coffee, croissant sandwiches, and connection with fellow women pastors and candidates!

Tuesday, 7:30 AM

Texican Court, Little Chapel

$20

RSVP directly on your National Gathering registration

Tuesday, February 2

Tuesday Special Interest Groups

These gatherings take place during the provided lunch and give attendees an opportunity to connect around specific areas of ministry and shared interest.

Tuesday, 12:00 PM -  During Lunch

Tuesday, February 2

Improv Night with Dallas/Fort Worth's
​ Four Day Weekend!

You’ve spent all day learning, talking and reflecting on ministry. No note taking tonight - just laughs! Grab your team and join us for IMPROV NIGHT with Dallas/Fort Worth’s best live comedy group - Four Day Weekend! Make lasting and joyful memories with your ECO family.

Tuesday 7:00 PM 

Irving Convention Center

Included in your National Gathering registration

Wednesday, February 3

FIT Student & Faculty Breakfast (Invite Only)

The Flourish Institute of Theology will host a breakfast for faculty, students, and student spouses. 

Pre-registration is required.

Wednesday, 7:30 AM

Irving Convention Center - Junior Ballroom

Free

RSVP directly on your National Gathering registration

Wednesday, February 3

Pastor Spouses: You’re Invited!

Spouses (our unsung heroes!), this breakfast is just for you! Come have a light breakfast together, meet other pastor spouses, and enjoy a little time together before the day gets going.

Wednesday, 8:30 AM

Texican Court, Little Chapel

$20

RSVP directly on your National Gathering registration

Wednesday, February 3

Wednesday Special Interest Groups

These gatherings take place during the provided lunch and give attendees an opportunity to connect around specific areas of ministry and shared interest.

Wednesday, 12:00 PM (During Lunch)

Wednesday, February 3

Global Engagement Dinner :
​The Book of Acts, Continued

Come hear from movement expert Dr. Emanuel Prinz about the extraordinary advance of disciple-making and church-planting movements around the world and how ordinary disciples are participating through prayer, Scripture, and obedience.

Wednesday, 6:00 PM 

Irving Convention Center - Junior Ballroom

$40

RSVP directly on your National Gathering registration

Wednesday, February 3

Building the ECO "Order" for Retired and Retiring Pastors: A Retreat

We continue with our second retreat to shape a group of retired pastors into an “order” (the O in ECO) for the purpose of helping us navigate the new sense of calling that comes with retirement from the ministries we once had. The retreat will focus on identity, purpose, community, vision, mentoring, and resilience. Led by Jim Singleton, Senior Professor of Ministry, Gordon-Conwell Seminary & Faculty Member, Flourish Institute of Theology 

Wednesday 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM & Thursday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM 

Hackberry Creek Church, Irving 

$50 (Includes Wednesday dinner and Thursday breakfast)

RSVP directly on your National Gathering registration