Step Out of maintenance mode
At some point, every leader hits a wall. The systems work. The Sundays keep coming. But vision turns into maintenance—and momentum into muscle memory. Next Level 2026 is about breaking out of that loop. It’s about asking a better question: What’s possible?
What’s possible if we stop leading on autopilot and start leading with purpose? If we prioritize what matters most, invest in people over programs, and trust the God who called us in the first place?
This isn’t about more activity—it’s about greater intentionality. Change isn't going to come from just striving harder, but from trusting deeper, leading with clarity, and making space for what only God can do.
That’s the Next Level.
What’s possible if we stop leading on autopilot and start leading with purpose? If we prioritize what matters most, invest in people over programs, and trust the God who called us in the first place?
This isn’t about more activity—it’s about greater intentionality. Change isn't going to come from just striving harder, but from trusting deeper, leading with clarity, and making space for what only God can do.
That’s the Next Level.
Main Speakers
Marcus Johnson
Marcus Johnson stepped into the role of Lead Pastor at Compassion Christian Church
in September 2024, after being on staff in various roles over the last 15 years.
Marcus studied Philosophy at the University of Georgia and holds a Masters of Biblical
Exposition from Liberty University. He and his wife, Lauren, have been a part of the Compassion family for over 25 years.
in September 2024, after being on staff in various roles over the last 15 years.
Marcus studied Philosophy at the University of Georgia and holds a Masters of Biblical
Exposition from Liberty University. He and his wife, Lauren, have been a part of the Compassion family for over 25 years.
Chris Hodges
Chris Hodges is the Founding Pastor of Church of the Highlands. Since it began in 2001, Highlands has grown to have campuses across the state of Alabama and Georgia.
Pastor Chris has a deep passion for developing leaders and planting life-giving churches. He is also the founder and Chancellor of Highlands College, a ministry training school that trains and launches students into full-time ministry careers.
Pastor Chris has a deep passion for developing leaders and planting life-giving churches. He is also the founder and Chancellor of Highlands College, a ministry training school that trains and launches students into full-time ministry careers.
Cam Huxford
At the age of 27, Cam was called to lead Savannah Christian Church, a congregation that would later be renamed Compassion Christian Church to better reflect its expanding mission to the surrounding communities.
After 40 years of dedicated service, Cam recently retired from the same church, having seen it grow from 260 members to more than 10,000 across seven campuses.
After 40 years of dedicated service, Cam recently retired from the same church, having seen it grow from 260 members to more than 10,000 across seven campuses.
Find your breakouts
Choose from practical sessions designed to equip and inspire you. Each session fits into a focused track, but you’re free to mix and match to build the path that fits you best.
You Professionally
What’s possible in your leadership calling and skill development
- Breakout 01: Leading At The Next Level – developing strategic leadership capacity for larger influence
- Breakout 02: Communicating For Transformation – preaching, teaching, and casting vision that move people
- Breakout 03: Building Healthy Staff & Team Culture – navigating conflict, accountability, and collaboration
- Breakout 04: Staying Sharp As A Leader – professional growth practices (mentorship, reading, continued learning)
You Personally
What’s possible in your soul, relationships, and spiritual health
- Breakout 01: What’s Possible With A Healthy Soul – spiritual practices that sustain long-term ministry
- Breakout 02: Marriage & Ministry – strengthening your home while leading God’s house
- Breakout 03: Resilience & Renewal – overcoming burnout, anxiety, and emotional fatigue
- Breakout 04: Friendship & Accountability In Leadership – building trusted relationships to stay grounded
Your Church: Leadership
What’s possible when your leadership team is aligned and growing
- Breakout 01: Developing Leaders At Every Level – creating a leadership pipeline
- Breakout 02: Elders, Staff, And Volunteers Working Together – unity in multi-layered leadership
- Breakout 03: Building A Healthy Organization – cultivating culture, systems, and structures that help your church thrive
- Breakout 04: From Vision To Reality – practical steps for moving from strategy to execution
Your Church: Innovation
What’s possible with creativity and fresh approaches in ministry
- Breakout 01: Embracing Technology Without Losing Your Soul – using digital tools for discipleship and evangelism
- Breakout 02: Grassroots Innovation - 360 Leadership and Leading up to innovate
- Breakout 03: Breakthrough Thinking - Learning to think bigger than you ever have before
- Breakout 04: Start With Why - Taking ideas from other places and putting them into action where you are
The Church
What’s possible for the wider Body of Christ today and tomorrow
- Breakout 01: The Global Church Is Rising – lessons and encouragement from the worldwide movement
- Breakout 02: Unity In Diversity – breaking down walls across race, gender, and culture
- Breakout 03: The Church & Culture – engaging a post-Christian world with truth and grace
- Breakout 04: Future Church Trends – what’s coming in the next 10–20 years and how to prepare
Your Ministry 01
What's possible in specific ministry areas of the Church
- Breakout 01: What's Possible For Kids Ministry?
- Breakout 02: What's Possible For Student Ministry?
- Breakout 03: What's Possible For Worship Ministry?
- Breakout 04: What's Possible For Guest Experience Ministry?
Your Ministry 02
What's possible in specific ministry areas of the Church
- Breakout 01: What's Possible For Discipleship?
- Breakout 02: What's Possible For Care Ministry?
- Breakout 03: What's Possible For Serving?
- Breakout 04: What's Possible For Outreach Ministry?
Find your breakouts
Choose from practical sessions designed to equip and inspire you. Each session fits into a focused track, but you’re free to mix and match to build the path that fits you best.
You Professionally
What’s possible in your leadership calling and skill development
- Breakout 01: Leading At The Next Level – developing strategic leadership capacity for larger influence
- Breakout 02: Communicating For Transformation – preaching, teaching, and casting vision that move people
- Breakout 03: Building Healthy Staff & Team Culture – navigating conflict, accountability, and collaboration
- Breakout 04: Staying Sharp As A Leader – professional growth practices (mentorship, reading, continued learning)
You Personally
What’s possible in your soul, relationships, and spiritual health
- Breakout 01: What’s Possible With A Healthy Soul – spiritual practices that sustain long-term ministry
- Breakout 02: Marriage & Ministry – strengthening your home while leading God’s house
- Breakout 03: Resilience & Renewal – overcoming burnout, anxiety, and emotional fatigue
- Breakout 04: Friendship & Accountability In Leadership – building trusted relationships to stay grounded
Your Church: Leadership
What’s possible when your leadership team is aligned and growing
- Breakout 01: Developing Leaders At Every Level – creating a leadership pipeline
- Breakout 02: Elders, Staff, And Volunteers Working Together – unity in multi-layered leadership
- Breakout 03: Building A Healthy Organization – cultivating culture, systems, and structures that help your church thrive
- Breakout 04: From Vision To Reality – practical steps for moving from strategy to execution
Your Church: Innovation
What’s possible with creativity and fresh approaches in ministry
- Breakout 01: Embracing Technology Without Losing Your Soul – using digital tools for discipleship and evangelism
- Breakout 02: Grassroots Innovation - 360 Leadership and Leading up to innovate
- Breakout 03: Breakthrough Thinking - Learning to think bigger than you ever have before
- Breakout 04: Start With Why - Taking ideas from other places and putting them into action where you are
The Church
What’s possible for the wider Body of Christ today and tomorrow
- Breakout 01: The Global Church Is Rising – lessons and encouragement from the worldwide movement
- Breakout 02: Unity In Diversity – breaking down walls across race, gender, and culture
- Breakout 03: The Church & Culture – engaging a post-Christian world with truth and grace
- Breakout 04: Future Church Trends – what’s coming in the next 10–20 years and how to prepare
Your Ministry 01
What's possible in specific ministry areas of the Church
- Breakout 01: What's Possible For Kids Ministry?
- Breakout 02: What's Possible For Student Ministry?
- Breakout 03: What's Possible For Worship Ministry?
- Breakout 04: What's Possible For Guest Experience Ministry?
Your Ministry 02
What's possible in specific ministry areas of the Church
- Breakout 01: What's Possible For Discipleship?
- Breakout 02: What's Possible For Care Ministry?
- Breakout 03: What's Possible For Serving?
- Breakout 04: What's Possible For Outreach Ministry?
Schedule
Monday, February 02
11:00AM ••• Check In
& Food Trucks
12:00PM ••• Main Session 01
1:15PM ••• Breakout 01
2:30PM ••• Breakout 02
3:45PM ••• Main Session 02
11:00AM ••• Check In
& Food Trucks
12:00PM ••• Main Session 01
1:15PM ••• Breakout 01
2:30PM ••• Breakout 02
3:45PM ••• Main Session 02
Tuesday, February 03
9:00AM ••• Main Session 03
10:30AM ••• Breakout 03
11:30AM ••• Lunch
12:30PM ••• Main Session 04
2:00PM ••• Breakout 04
3:15PM ••• Main Session 05
9:00AM ••• Main Session 03
10:30AM ••• Breakout 03
11:30AM ••• Lunch
12:30PM ••• Main Session 04
2:00PM ••• Breakout 04
3:15PM ••• Main Session 05
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up;
do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19
Pricing
$110
Early Bird Pricing
Sept 01 - 30
$139
REgular Pricing
Oct 01 - Jan 31
$30
Student Pricing
Full-time students
Students, please email a picture of your student ID to tickets@compassionchristian.com to receive a promo code for purchasing your ticket.
Still have Questions?
Every great step starts with a few questions. Whether you’re figuring out travel details, pricing, or what your team can expect, we want to make it simple for you to get here—because the real win is what happens once you’re in the room. If you don’t see your answer after clicking the button below, reach out. We’d love to help remove anything standing between you and what’s possible at Next Level 2026.