Conference Schedule

Wednesday
The Kick-Off

The doors open—and so does heaven. Day 1 is all about arrival, orientation, and expectation-setting. From check-in and campus tours to the exclusive Shepherd’s Connection welcome, it all leads to The Encounter: GOTSCon Edition—a powerful night of worship and impartation. Then we celebrate with the official After Party: DJs, food trucks, and your first taste of the GOTSCon experience.

  • Pick up your badge, explore the space, and get a behind-the-scenes look at The Word Church’s systems and spaces.

  • The Spot Café | Invite-only


    An exclusive gathering for pastors and leaders in The Shepherd’s Connection to connect and prepare for the week ahead.

  • This isn’t just the kickoff—it’s a divine collision. Join Word City Worship, Todd Galberth, and Tony Fresh for an unforgettable night of powerful praise, prophetic moments, and fresh fire. The Encounter sets the tone for everything that follows—come expectant, come hungry, come ready.

  • Convention Center
    Live DJ, food trucks, and GOTSCon merch—your official welcome to the GOTSCon family.

Day Two - June 26

Thursday is where the heart meets the blueprint. From early morning prayer to strategy-packed sessions, you’ll hear from Dr. Vernon, Pastor Ray, and the executive team as they unpack The Word Way—a proven model for scalable, spirit-led ministry.

Breakouts dive into staff culture and co-leadership, and the afternoon features a transparent conversation between Dr. Vernon and Dr. Jamal Bryant.

The night ends with Pastor Mike Jr. bringing a powerful word—and another high-energy After Party to celebrate what God is building.

Morning/Afternoon

  • Led by Pastor David Jacques. Start the day in intentional prayer, aligning your spirit before receiving strategic downloads.

  • 🔊 Speaker: Dr. R.A. Vernon
    Topic: Soul + Science: The Odd Couple

    Explore what happens when spirit and strategy meet. Dr. Vernon sets the stage with a foundational word on why your next level demands both spiritual depth and organizational clarity.

  • 🔊 Speakers: Dr. Vernon, Pastor Ray Vernon, Parrish Purnell, Sheldon Andrus

    Topic: The Word Way – Our New Ethos
    What does a scalable, spirit-led ministry actually look like? This session unpacks the operational mindset and ministry culture that undergird The Word Church’s explosive growth.

    • Our New Ethos Part 2
      📍 Main Sanctuary
      🔊 Pastor Ray Vernon, Parrish Purnell, Sheldon Andrus
      The conversation continues as we unpack the operational mindset and ministry culture in Our New Ethos

    • Pastors and Leading Ladies
      📍 Jr. Sanctuary
      🔊 Drs. R.A. & Victory Vernon
      Senior leaders will gather with our lead pastors about leading through our New Ethos and Shepherding Growth.

  • Cleveland’s top food trucks are on-site. Grab a bite, share takeaways, and connect with leaders from around the country.

    Executive Roundtable (Ticketed)
    📍 Reception Hall
    🔊 With Drs. R.A. & Victory Vernon + Guests
    A high-level strategy lunch for senior leaders looking to scale with clarity, health, and conviction.

  • 🔊 Speakers: Dr. R.A. Vernon + Dr. Jamal Bryant
    Topic: Don’t Lose Your Soul

    A transparent, timely conversation on staying grounded in your identity while navigating visibility, pressure, and success.

  • Not just downtime—this break is part of the rhythm. Use these hours to reflect, rest, or debrief with your team. Grab coffee, recharge, or get some fresh air. Great ideas often show up in the margin, and this is that space

Evening

  • 🔊 Speaker: Pastor Mike McClure Jr.
    A passionate, prophetic experience designed to challenge and charge.

  • 📍 Convention Center
    Keep the momentum going with live DJs, late-night eats, and curated spaces to laugh, connect, and celebrate your wins.

Day Three - Friday

Day 3 is all about sealing what was stirred. You’ve received vision, systems, strategies, and Spirit—now it’s time to cement it all.

From a powerful morning session with Drs. Vernon to final breakout intensives and a closing charge from Pastor Dharius Daniels, Friday sends you home ready to build what God has shown you.

  • Led by Pastor David Jacques. Cover the final day in prayer, setting a tone of clarity and focus.

  • 🔊 Speakers: Drs. R.A. & Victory Vernon

    Get an inside look at the philosophy behind Vernon’s Village—bridging discipleship, mentorship, and digital content to develop people wherever they are. A model for building leaders, strengthening relationships, and stewarding generational impact.

  • Choose your focus:

    • First & Leading Ladies
      📍 Reception Hall
      A session curated for women navigating influence, identity, and leadership in ministry and beyond.

    • Pastor’s Forum
      📍 Junior Sanctuary
      🔊 Dr. R.A. Vernon
      A space for senior pastors to receive challenge, insight, and coaching with vulnerability and boldness.

    • Systematics
      📍 Main Sanctuary
      🔊 Pastor Ray Vernon, Parrish Purnell, Sheldon Andrus
      A deep dive into ministry systems that support health, growth, and sustainability—from staff structure to Sunday strategy.

  • A focused time of worship to unify the room and prepare hearts for the final word.

  • 🔊 Speaker: Pastor Dharius Daniels

    A closing keynote filled with insight, challenge, and inspiration—delivered with surgical precision.

  • 🔊 Speaker: Dr. R.A. Vernon
    You’ve got the soul. You’ve got the science. Now go build.