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At Work in the Garden: Creativity, Cultivation, and Care

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Sep 17, 2026 - Sep 19, 2026
6:15 PM - 3:00 PM

About the Conference

At Work in the Garden is a conference for Christian teachers, academics, workers, pastors, and scholars to celebrate work and to reclaim a robust theology of work as God’s good design, entrepreneurship, free enterprise, and vocational calling.

Opportunities for learning, networking, and encouragement provided for churches, businesses, schools, organizations, and institutions of higher education.

Featured Presenters

Jordan Raynor

is a leading voice of the faith and work movement.

Through his bestselling books (, , , , etc.), keynote , and , Jordan has helped millions of Christians in every country on earth connect the gospel to their work.

In addition to his writing and speaking, Jordan serves as the Executive Chairman of , a venture-backed tech startup which Jordan previously ran as CEO following a string of successful ventures of his own.

Jordan has twice been selected as a Google Fellow and served in The White House under President George W. Bush. A sixth-generation Floridian, Jordan lives in Tampa with his wife and their three young daughters. The Raynors are proud members of The Church at Odessa.

The Porter's Gate

is a sacred ecumenical arts collective reimagining and recreating worship that welcomes, reflects and impacts both the community and the church.

The group was founded in 2017 by Isaac and Megan Wardell with a mission to be a "porter" for the Christian Church - one who looks beyond church doors for guests to welcome. It started as a group of 50-plus songwriters, musicians, scholars, pastors and music industry professionals from a variety of worship traditions and cultural backgrounds who gathered to discuss challenges in the church and write songs in response.

Artists of The Porter's Gate include Audrey Assad, Aaron Keyes, Casey J, Diana Gameros, Josh Garrels, Joy Ike, David Gungor, Latifah Alattas, Lauren Goans, Madison Cunningham, Leslie Jordan, Liz Vice, Paul Zach, Sandra McCracken, Urban Doxology, Wendall Kimbrough, Zach Bolen, and more.

Michaela O'Donnell, Ph.D.

is the Mary and Dale Andringa Executive Director Chair at the Max De Pree Center for Leadership. She is also an assistant professor of marketplace leadership and the lead professor for Fuller Seminary's program.

Michaela’s role at the De Pree Center is to oversee the center’s vision, strategy, and dynamic team all toward the goal of resourcing leaders like you as you grow in your sense of purpose and seek the flourishing of the people and systems entrusted to your care.

She is the author of two books, written with Lisa Pratt Slayton (Baker Books, 2024), and (Baker Books, 2021).

In addition to her academic work, Michaela has over 15 years of experience as a leader in the marketplace. Principally, as the Owner and Managing Director of, a vibrant creative agency that helps brands make social impact through multi-media content. Long Winter Media’s roster of clients includes Google, YouTube, NBC Universal, the University of Southern California, Presbyterian Church (USA), and many more.

Event Schedule

Thursday, September 17

  • 6:15 p.m. Registration
  • 7 p.m. Opening Worship | Welcome | General Session 1 (Jordan Raynor)
  • 8:30 p.m. Dessert and Networking

Friday, September 18

  • 8 a.m. Registration, Breakfast
  • 8:30 a.m. Opening Remarks
  • 9:15 a.m. Breakout Block 1
  • 10:30 a.m. Break and Refreshments
  • 10:45 a.m. Breakout Block 2
  • 12 p.m. Lunch
  • 1:30 p.m. Industry Tours | Networking Time | Workshop
  • 7 p.m. Optional Networking/Worship Event (Porter’s Gate)

Saturday, September 19

  • 8:30 a.m. Prairie Walk or Art Walk | Breakfast
  • 9:30 a.m. Breakout Block 3
  • 10:45 a.m. Break and Refreshments
  • 11 a.m. Breakout Block 4
  • 12:15 p.m. Lunch
  • 1:30 p.m. General Session 2 (Michaela O’Donnell)
  • 3 p.m. Conference Concludes

Registration

Registration will go live in March 2026.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

The Lilly Network of Church-Related Colleges and Universities seeks to strengthen the quality and shape the character of church-related institutions of higher learning in the twenty-first century.

The Center for the Advancement of Christian Education (CACE) is dedicated to facilitating this process of sharing best practices in Christian education – collaborating with Christian school thought leaders, innovative practitioners, and Christian education supporters of all shapes and sizes to promote, innovate, advocate, improve, and sustain Christian education at all levels.

The K and K Dooyema Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation provides students and alumni with best business practices and guidance rooted in a reformed Christian context, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship and innovation in non-profit, for-profit, and family business organizations. The center seeks to equip students, alumni and the broader community for Christ-centered renewal through unique leadership and entrepreneurial thinking and practices.

Where to Stay

A block of rooms has been reserved and will remain available at a reduced rate until August 19. Guests should mention they are with the "At Work in the Garden" group when booking. The direct hotel phone is (712) 722-3500. A valid credit card is required to reserve a room.

Other options in Sioux Center include:


A picture of campus behind yellow prairie flowers