God made the 2008 International Leadership Conference (ILC) for the International Churches of Christ a huge step forward in our passion to love God and our mission to serve people by making disciples of all nations.

The Denver Church invites leaders from around the world to the 2009 ILC at the foot of the Rocky Mountains September 3-7, 2009. This is by far the earlest the conference has been announced so that churches and leaders can plan their budgets, travel, etc.

The most pleasant surprises in Kiev were the lessons I learned from having an international conference outside of the US. Five positive advantages illuminated the value of holding the International Leadership Conferences in new lands.

As the event drew near, my expectations for the International Leadership Conference in Kiev, Ukraine were lowering due to the reduced number of registrants from the U.S-about 250. Many, including myself, questioned the call to have an ILC on soil other than the U.S. where a majority of our leadership and missions support resides.

For me that all changed.