The MCC Schedule is packed with opportunities for learning, fellowship, worship, and networking. Join us on the campus of Great Lakes Christian College (6211 W. Willow Highway, Lansing MI 48917) from April 16-18, 2026.

A Children's Program, led by Shelley Gilpin and Jessica Prieto, will be offered for Preschool through Middle Schoolers. This year's theme is "Armor Up," and Shelley and Jessica are planning age-appropriate Bible lessons, activities with a castle inflatable, and a safe environment for the children that will run concurrently with the adult program. The Children's program is located in the Woodard Administration Building, Room 101.

THURSDAY
6:00-7:00pm  On-site Registration and exhibit area open

7:00-8:30pm  Main session with Ken Idleman: 1 Corinthians 15:58 and Being Immovable. Worship led by Wally Lowman.

8:30pm -- GLCC Alumni Reception

FRIDAY
8:15am  Registration and exhibit area open
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8:30-9:15am  Coffee and Bible with Ken Idleman

9:15-9:30am -- Break

9:30-10:45am  Main session with Marty Solomon: Immovable in My Faith. Worship led by Wally Lowman.

10:45-11:00am -- Break

11:00-12:00  Breakout Sessions
     -- Dr. Sam Long: Standing Firm in Sacred Struggles--An Exploration of Mental Health in the Old Testament
     -- Marhley Parks: Standing Firm in Building Margin--Slowing Life's Pace to Make Room for His Plan
     -- Todd Jones: Standing Firm in Our Words--A Biblical Understanding of How Words Move
     -- Dr. Frank Weller: Standing Firm in Christian Higher Education

12:00-2:00pm  Lunch Break (on your own).

2:00-3:30pm  Main Session with Ronda Paulson: Isaiah 117 House Story.  Worship led by Wally Lowman.

3:45-4:45pm  Breakout Sessions
     -- Marty Solomon:  Going Deeper with Abraham's Immovable Trust
     -- Ben Cachiaras: Standing Firm in My Marriage
     -- Voices of the Kingdom winners.
     -- Dr. Esther Hetrick: Standing Firm in the Practiced Shape of the Christian Life

4:45-7:00pm  Dinner Break (on your own)

6:30pm  Registration and exhibit area open

7:00-8:30pm  Main session with Dave Stone: Immovable in Culture. Worship led by Wally Lowman.

8:30-9:00pm  Afterparty with GLCC

SATURDAY
8:15am  Registration and exhibit area open

8:30-9:15am  Coffee and Bible with Ken Idleman

9:15-9:30am -- Break

9:30-10:45am  Main session with Ben Cachiaras: Immovable in My Work of the Lord.  Worship led by Wally Lowman.

10:45-11:00am -- Break

11:00-12:00  Breakout Sessions
     -- Ronda Paulson: Standing Firm in My Calling.
     -- Dr. Ed Rockett: Standing Firm in the Workplace
     -- Dr. Charlie Starr: Standing Firm in Fun: C.S. Lewis on the Importance of Pleasure and Play
     -- Devin Robertson & Matt Schantz: Standing Firm for Revitalization of Jesus' Church

12:00-1:30pm  Lunch Break (On your own).

1:30-3:00pm  Main session with Marty Solomon: Immovable in My Focus on Eternity.  Worship led by Wally Lowman.
Breakout Descriptions

Friday 11:00 am-12:00

Standing Firm in Christian Higher Education -- Dr. Frank Weller
Why does Christian Higher Education matter? Studies show that 70% of Christian teens who attend a State college will lose their faith by their junior year.  Now more than ever, it is crucial to establish a strong biblical foundation that fosters both academic excellence and spiritual growth during the formative years.
 
Standing Firm in Sacred Struggles: An Exploration of Mental Health in the Old Testament -- Dr. Sam Long
What can the heartbreak of Job, the prayers of David, and the courage of Nehemiah teach us about anxiety, grief, and faith today? This presentation dives into the Bible’s most honest moments and shows how these ancient stories speak powerfully into our modern mental health challenges. Come discover how Scripture meets us in our lowest valleys—and points us toward real hope and resilience.

Standing Firm in Building Margin: Slowing Life’s Pace to Make Room for His Plan -- Mahrley Parks
In 2026 the world is moving at a pace in which we were not created to live. With the constant inundation of news alerts, scandals, social media feeds and the like constantly pulling for our attention - no wonder we are all constantly exhausted. In this breakout, we will discuss the ways in which we give our attention to things that don't serve us well and how to redirect it into things that do - genuine relationships with our communities and with God. Our hope is to leave the session feeling a little bit lighter than when we entered...

Standing Firm In Our Words: A Biblical Understanding of How Words Move Reality -- Todd Jones
No take-backs! Have you ever wondered why Isaac didn't simply withdraw his blessing from Jacob once he realized he had been deceived? Isaac's words moved reality and our words do too.

Friday 3:45-4:45 pm

Going Deeper with Abraham's Immovable Trust -- Marty Solomon
What does it look like to keep trusting when faith has failed you (or so it seems)? Come examine what the Jewish wisdom tradition has to offer as we look at Abraham's intense family dysfunction.

Standing Firm in My Marriage -- Ben Cachiaras
In a day when it seems like everything is disposable and flimsy, how can we anchor our marriage to make them solid and immovable?  Let's pull from Scripture and practical experience to find some help for everyone who wants to shore up a marriage and make it immovable.

Voices of the Kingdom Winners
Hear the messages presented by the first and second place winners of this friendly competition. The MCC is passionate about encouraging young men and women to grow in the art of sharing the message of Jesus with clarity, creativity, and conviction. To celebrate this calling, MCC provides opportunity for students at Great Lakes Christian College to practice and demonstrate their ability to communicate God’s truth in a way that impacts our generation. Students who excel in presenting a Biblically faithful and engaging message on the convention's theme are recognized with awards of $1,000 (first) and $500 (second). More than just prizes, these honors are meant to highlight the meaningful and excellent work being done by GLCC students in lifting up Christ and His cause.

Standing Firm in the Practiced Shape of the Christian Life (Worship) -- Dr. Esther Hetrick
This breakout will explore how worship is a “rehearsal” for life, helping to shape our everyday habits so that our words and actions are motivated by our love for God. We know that worship is expressive (what we do for God), but sometimes we miss the idea that worship is also “impressive” (what He does to us, impressing His shape and character on us, teaching us kingdom values). Using scripture, worship resources and anecdotal experience, Esther will share how to stand firm by shaping “up.”

Saturday 11:00 am-12:00

Standing Firm in My Calling -- Ronda Paulson
What happens when you say "yes" to God? Ronda will use examples from the Bible, as well as her own personal journey of obedience, and invite participants to discover how they, too, can respond faithfully to what Jesus is calling them to do.

Standing Firm in the Workplace -- Dr. Ed Rockett
This session will equip Christian professionals to remain faithful to Biblical values while navigating the challenges and pressures of today’s workplace. Participants will learn practical strategies for demonstrating integrity, courage, and Christlike character in environments that may challenge their beliefs. Through Scripture, real-life examples, and practical application, attendees will be encouraged to live out their faith boldly and wisely at work.

Standing Firm for Revitalization of Jesus’s Church -- Devin Robertson and Matt Schantz
Many churches are feeling the strain of decline, but it does not have to be the final outcome. Jesus is still building His Church. This breakout will highlight the common threads found in revitalized congregations and introduce a proven Great Commission framework that centers the church on disciple-making, leadership strength, and renewed mission. If you long to move from maintenance to movement, this session will offer practical steps and a clear path forward to help your church stand firm for revitalization and the mission of Christ.

Standing Firm in Fun: C.S. Lewis on the Importance of Pleasure and Play --  Dr. Charlie Starr
In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis writes of a damned soul who, upon arriving in hell, realizes that in his life on earth he had done neither what he should have done nor what he wanted to do. Lewis believed that Christians should both carry their cross in suffering and delight in good pleasures that give us encounters with beauty, opportunities for adventure, and/or the chance to be creative. Dr. Starr will explore the importance of positive pleasures in the Christian life.

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