Monday, September 8th 2025
Syracuse, New York
Healthy Churches Begin with Healthy Shepherds
Join us for Shepherds Network Connect on September 8th in Syracuse, New York where pastors and church leaders gather to pursue longevity, soul health, and Spirit-led leadership. We believe ministry is a marathon—not a sprint—and that healthy churches begin with healthy shepherds.
This one-day event is designed to equip you with biblical wisdom, renew your passion for the call, and provide practical tools to sustain you for the long haul. Come ready to breathe deep, build connection, and strengthen the foundations of your ministry—for today and for the future.
Event Details
Monday, Sept. 8th 9am - 2pm*
Abundant Life Church
7000 All Nations Blvd., East Syracuse, NY 13057
*Registration begins at 8:30am
$50
Single Registration
Get access to all general sessions, workshops and more. Lunch is included.
Sept. 8th Featured Sessions
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Time: 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM
Session Focus:The spiritual and emotional cost of leadership—how to recognize warning signs of burnout.
Establishing sustainable rhythms for a long, fulfilling ministry.
How soul care strengthens church leadership and community impact.
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Time: 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Session Focus:We’ll address many of the areas of burnout felt by pastors.
How to navigate the tension between ministry, marriage, and personal life.
How to set healthy boundaries to protect personal well-being.
The power of delegation and team-building in preventing pastoral exhaustion.
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Time: 12:45 PM - 1:30 PM
For the first time ever, The Shepherds Network Podcast will be recorded live at our event! Join Pastor John Carter as he sits down with Pastor Willie George, founding pastor of Church on the Move, Tulsa, OK, for a powerful and candid conversation on sustaining longevity in ministry, prioritizing personal soul care, and navigating the challenges of pastoral leadership.
Discussion Highlights:
✔️ Lessons from decades in ministry—what keeps a pastor strong over time?
✔️ How to combat isolation and build a network of encouragement.
✔️ Practical strategies for maintaining passion and avoiding burnout.
✔️ The role of soul care in leading a thriving church.
Schedule is subject to change*
What to Expect
✅ Gain Biblical and Practical Insights on sustaining longevity in ministry without burning out
✅ Engage in Real Conversations about navigating leadership pressure, staff transitions, and pastoral responsibility
✅ Develop a Personalized Soul Care Plan to help you stay spiritually healthy and emotionally resilient
✅ Learn from Seasoned Leaders who have weathered ministry storms with integrity and wisdom
✅ Leave with Tools and Encouragement to lead from overflow, not exhaustion
Why this Event?
In a season where burnout is rising and the demands of leadership are greater than ever, how do we stay faithful, focused, and spiritually strong? How can we lead with vision while protecting the well-being of our own souls? This event will address these questions as well as fostering honest conversations, encouraging fellowship, and leadership insights so you can be empowered to lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose.
Keynote Speaker
Pastor Willie George
Pastor Willie George is the founding and teaching Pastor at Church on the Move. Since 1987, Church on the Move in Tulsa, OK has been a leader in effective ministry for children and teenagers, with outreaches like Dry Gulch USA and Oneighty. Today, the effectiveness of his vision is revealed in the amazing second-generation leadership team at Church on the Move. The same communicative skills that marked Willie George as a children's minister have positioned him as the Founding Pastor of one of America's most innovative churches. Willie and Deleva George have four children and thirteen grandchildren.
Pastor John Carter
Pastor John Carter is known for his engaging and practical teaching style, he is the Founder and Senior Pastor of Abundant Life Christian Center. He also ministers internationally, speaking at church and leadership conferences throughout India, Africa, Eastern Europe, and North America. Pastor John has studied at Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, is a graduate of Rhema Bible Training Center and Nyack College with a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies from Alliance Theological Seminary. He is the author of The Transformed Life.
Pastor Lee Wilson
Pastor Lee Wilson is the founder of Lee Wilson Ministries, a non-profit organization that provides marriages, church and leadership ministry leaders and students with experiences that provide a path to purpose. Motivated by his personal experiences, Lee has made it his life’s mission to empower people to define their God-given purpose. Lee has served as Lead Pastor, Youth Pastor, Executive Pastor, and is the founder of the Face2Face National Youth Conference, NexGen podcast, Life on Purpose tour and the NexGen Academy. He and his wife Tonya live in Houston, Texas.
Travel & Accomodations
The nearest airport is Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR), just a short drive from our venue. For your convenience, we've compiled a list of recommended hotels close to the Abundant Life Church campus at 7000 All Nations Blvd East Syracuse, NY 13057. Whether you're driving in or flying, you'll find everything you need for a comfortable stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Shepherds Network Connect is a one-day, in-person event open to all shepherds – senior pastors and their pastoral ministry team members.
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No, you do not have to be a member of Abundant Life Church to attend. Shepherds Network Connect is open to all pastors.
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Yes, you can bring as many members of your pastoral team as you would like to attend connect events.
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Shepherds Network Connect is being hosted on the campus of Abundant Life Church located at 7000 All Nations Blvd., East Syracuse, NY 13057 on Monday, September 8, 2025.
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The cost for the Shepherds Network Connect is $50 for the event. Pricing includes all event programming, including lunch.
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Light refreshments will be available throughout the connect event and lunch will be provided.
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No, Shepherds Network Connect will not be live-streamed.
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Registration is only available online pre-event and will not be available at the door the day of the event.
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While you can register several members of your team on the same registration form, group pricing is not available at this time.
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All tickets are non-refundable. If you cannot attend, you can transfer your ticket to an available holder.
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The final day to register for Shepherds Network Connect for September will be Friday, August 29th.
This event is for you if…
✅ You’re seeking to thrive in ministry. You love what you do, but you’re asking how to keep going with strength, clarity, and spiritual endurance.
✅ You feel stretched thin by leadership demands. You're leading others while trying to stay grounded yourself—learn how to lead from a place of health, not depletion.
✅ You’ve neglected your soul care. You know how to pour into others, but it's time to prioritize your own spiritual and emotional health.
✅ You’re navigating a hard season. Whether it’s staff changes, burnout, or pressure to produce, this event offers space to reset and receive.
✅ You need wisdom and connection. Hear from leaders who have walked through long-haul ministry and build relationships with pastors walking a similar road.
If any of this sounds like you, Shepherds Network Connect on September 8th is for you. Come be refreshed, refocused, and re-equipped for what’s next in your calling.
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