The first few years in Pastoral ministry are often thrilling and demanding. God sends many challenges to both humble and excite you in His service. One moment, you feel overwhelmed by the difficulties. The next, it’s the sheer privilege of seeing Christ work through your ministry, and it’s all part of a day’s work for God’s servants. These formative years mould your thinking and character as a man of God for future service. They are also years when the friends you make may be some of the greatest encouragements for your future ministry.
We’ve designed the conference to help men in their first ten years of ministry. You will make friends, with plenty of time set aside for prayer, fellowship, and recreational activities. You will find support through mentoring from the speakers who are in ministry. Through the Bible-centred ministry sessions, you will explore and grapple with real ministry issues. You will also be able to access free books and other resources. All of this is in the comfort of the Bryn-y-groes conference centre, which has excellent food, coffee, and refreshments!
So why not join us? And above all, join us in praying for the Lord to bless our time together as we work together for His glory.
- 19-21 October 2026
- Bryn-y-groes Conference Centre, Bala
- Speakers: Pete Campbell, Rob Owens, Jonathan Hodgins, Matt Francis, and Ben Midgley
Who can attend?
The Conference is open to any man who is in the first ten years of pastoral ministry (please contact us if you are unsure if you qualify).
What will be happening?
Deeply relational, the sessions will include preaching meetings, seminars and workshops, prayer times, and informal activities. There will be plenty of good food, coffee (or tea!), and warm fellowship with plenty of opportunities to relax with others.
- Pete Campbell ‘Strengthened: harnessing Romans for pastoral ministry!’ – three main sessions
- Matt Francis –‘Pastoral Visits’
- Rob Owen – ‘Discipleship’
- Jonathan Hodgins – ‘The practicalities of pastoral ministry – managing time and what to prioritise when you
can’t do everything’ - Ben Midgley – ‘Tradition vs religion in churches (what is helpful tradition as opposed to unhelpful
religion?)’
Who will be taking part?
All our speakers are men who are actively involved in pastoral Church work and will be present throughout the conference to share, mentor, and encourage. Speakers this year include Pete Campbell (Tabernacl, Penrhyndeudraeth), Matt Francis (Christ Church Deeside), Rob Owens (Caersalem, Swansea), Jonathan Hodgins (Deeside) and Ben Midgley (Ebenezer, Mold).
Accommodation
Attendees can stay on-site (in shared rooms) or off-site. Due to the nature of the conference (and the opportunity for fellowship), meals are provided for all.
- Whole Conference On-Site £180
- Whole Conference Off-Site £140
Bursaries and Discounts
The EMW runs a fund to help those who might struggle with costs. The fund (Elwyn Davies Fund) provides a 60% discount. Please contact the office for further information. There is also a 50% to all those who attended the 2026 Bala Conference.
Programme
Monday 19 October
- 1:00 pm – Lunch
- 2:30 pm – Pete Campbell session 1
- 3:30 pm – Coffee, cake and fruit
- 4:15 pm – Prayer, fellowship and worship
- 6:00 pm – Dinner
- 7:15 pm – Discipleship (Rob Owen)
Tuesday 20 October
- 8:00 am – Breakfast
- 9:00 am – Prayer
- 10:00 am – The practicalities of pastoral ministry – managing time and what to prioritise when you can’t do everything (Steffan Jones)
- 11:15 am – Coffee
- 11:45 am – Pete Campbell session 2
- 1:00 pm – Lunch
- 2:00 pm – Free times and activities
- 4:30 pm – ‘Tradition vs religion in churches (what is helpful tradition as opposed to unhelpful religion?)’ (Ben Midgley)
- 6:00 pm – Dinner
- 7:15 pm – Pastoral care visits (Matt Francis)
Wednesday 21 October
- 8:00 am – Breakfast
- 9:00 am – Prayer
- 10:00 am – Pete Campbell session 3
- 11:15 am – Coffee
- 11:45 am – Prayer and fellowship
- 1:00 pm – Lunch
