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Midwest on Mission: A Parish Renewal

Midwest on Mission is a transformative experience March 2-3 intended to launch sustained Catholic parish renewal. Each one of us is a catalyst for change. Rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus, we can be the spark that moves parish culture toward a renewed and energized community that sows God’s Spirit in the hearts and minds of people. Come Holy Spirit!

Register Today

*Register early for the best registration price! Early bird registration ends Dec. 1 at 5:00 pm. Regular registration closes February 16, 2027 at 6:00 pm.

Contact John Gaffney at jgaffney@dmdiocese.org for a volume discount* OR if you wish to pay by check and avoid the credit card fees.

*To encourage parish teams, receive a 15% discount per registration for 3 to 6 participants and 20% discount per registration for 7+ participants.

Why attend?

Feel the Holy Spirit guide us:

Hear inspirational leaders share a vision for renewal,
Learn how parish renewal has worked in similar, Midwest parishes
Connect with supportive organizations that show us the path and the tools to freshen our focus on mission.

See our internationally renowned speaker lineup below.

Father James Mallon

Author and founder of Divine Renovation Ministry, a maintenance-to-mission initiative that targets the core purpose of the Catholic Church: evangelization.

Jason Kidd

National director of Alpha in a Catholic Context, an evangelization model using small, faith-sharing groups.

Bishop William Joensen

Bishop, Diocese of Des Moines.

Matt Regitz

Director of Coaching for Divine Renovation, former youth minister, and co-founder of Survive and Thrive Ministries alongside his wife, Stephanie.

Father Mathias Thelen

Cofounder and president of Encounter Ministries

Jason Simon

President of The Evangelical Catholic

Brett Powell

Archbishop’s Delegate of Development and Ministries for the Archdiocese of Vancouver, and coach and consultant for business and Church leaders.

If you feel overwhelmed with day-to-day tasks, find yourself ministering the same way you did 20 years ago, or see the potential in people to transform into disciples for Jesus, then this conference is for you!

Stories of parish transformations:

FAQs

How do I get tickets?

Early bird tickets ($190) are available through the link on this page. Registration continues from December 1-February 16 ($240). Groups of 3-6 can use the Heartland discount of 15%. Groups of 7+ can use the Mission discount of 20%. If you are ordering for a group, contact John Gaffney at jgaffney@dmdiocese.org. Refunds are available up to February 15, 2027.

How do I make hotel reservations?

There are several hotels close to Interstate 35, which is only about 5-10 minutes east of Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Church in Ankeny.

What is the programming?

Midwest on Mission shares how (arch)dioceses and parishes can jumpstart parish renewal with increased enthusiasm and love for Jesus so that we can make disciples. We are tremendously grateful for our partnership with Divine Renovation Ministry and Alpha, and welcome representatives of other models like Evangelical Catholic.

Sessions will feature well-known leaders in parish renewal such as Father James Mallon (Divine Renovation), Jason Kidd (Alpha) Father Mathias Thelen (Encounter Ministries), Jason Simon (Evangelical Catholic), Jim Jansen (A Clear Path) and more.

Breakouts will include real-life experiences from parishes that have begun parish renewal, as well as practical aspects of implementing change, such as:

- Creating and Casting Vision

- The Sunday Experience

- Building a Leadership Culture

- Building Pathways of Discipleship

- Prayer and Renewal

- Small Parish, Big Mission

- Multiplying Disciples

- Hospitality Strategy

- Worship and Music

- Hispanic Language/Culture, Mixed Language Culture

- Missional preaching

- Healthy Interiority

- Finance in Mission

Transportation: How do I get there? Is there transportation from the airport/hotels? Where do I park?

Flying? Arrive at Des Moines International Airport and grab a cab or Uber/Lift to Our Lady's Immaculate Heart.

Driving? Take the 1st Street Exit on I-35 and head west. Our Lady's Immaculate Heart is on the north side of the street.

Parking is behind (north) of the church and parish center.

What do I need to bring?

Love for Jesus.

Trust that the Holy Spirit will guide us.

Openness to where the Spirit leads. Parish renewal involves change, and change is hard for people. Remain confident that the Spirit will lead your (arch)diocese or parish to opportunities for personal encounters with Jesus, both for existing parishioners and those who are not yet parishioners.

Questions for parish leadership who have walked this path and can share what change was like for them.

Members of your (arch)diocesan or parish leadership. To sow God's Spirit in the hearts and minds of people we must not rely only our clergy but look to leaders within the full Body of Christ.

What if I have special dietary needs?

When you register, there will be questions about special dietary needs. We will do our best to accommodate you.

What ADA accommodations are available?

When you register, there will be questions about special accommodations that may be needed from parking for those with disabilities, to assistance needed for those with visual, hearing, or mobility concerns.