As global populations grow and many regions remainspiritually unreached, church planting continues to be a vital strategy in advancing the gospel.Cedarville Universityis responding bylaunchingitsspring semesterwith the2026 GOConferencefromJanuary6–8, focusing on missions,churchmultiplication and the local church as God’s chosen instrument for reaching the world.

Church Planting Takes Center Stage at Three-Day Student Event

This year’sconference highlightsthe role of church planting in fulfillingthe Great Commission.Withmore than30ministryrepresentatives andfivefeaturedspeakers,thethree-dayevent willchallenge students and attendees to live on mission, whether intheirlocal communities or across continents.

Conference Encourages Students to Live on Mission Locally and Globally

The GO Conferencehelpsset thespiritualtone forthe semester, encouragingstudentstoparticipatein global outreachand to consider how their gifts—regardless oftheir major orcareer path—can be used in service of the gospel. Chapel services,seminarsand evening panels aim to deepen students’ understanding of missions and give them direct access to experiencedchurchplanters and missionaries.

The conference programsare scheduled forTuesday andWednesday at10a.m.and 7p.m.,with seminars and panelsbetween8:30p.m.to 10p.m.The conferenceconcludesThursday morningduring Cedarville’s daily chapel programat 10a.m.“At Cedarville, we long to see 10% of our student body going to the ends of the earth to reach the unreached for thegospel and the other 90% of our students living on mission inmultiplying churches in the U.S.,” saidDr. Jon Wood,vicepresident ofStudent Life and ChristianMinistries.

GO Conference Aims to Equip Students for Gospel-Centered Service

The conference theme emphasizes thatevery student—no matter the degree—can be usedas gospel instrumentsby God.Organizers hope to show that missions startin thechurch,andbecause ofmissions,newchurchesare born.

“The collection of disciples are the ones who take on the task of reaching those far from Christ,” said Wood. “Then,when people are reached in a new place, it results in a new gathering of disciples we call a church.”

Featured Speakers Highlight Church Multiplication and Global Outreach

Speakers this year include:LukusCounterman,lead pastoratGospel Grace Church(Salt Lake City, Utah), Mark Hallock,leadpastoratCalvaryChurch(Englewood,Colorado) andpresidentof theCalvary Familyof Churches,Aaron Cavin,pastoratLife Community Church (Quincy, Massachusetts), Jeremy Kimble,directorof the SynergyInitiativeat Cedarville University,and Rob Maine,lead pastoratRenaissance Church(Pittsburg, Pennsylvania).Theirselectionreflects a growing trend within American evangelicalism:Church planting is increasingly diverse and adaptive, responding to shifting cultural and demographic landscapes.

The conference underscores how church plantingremainsa critical strategy for supporting or forming new congregations — including among unreachedpeoplegroups globally.

Whether students go overseas or serve in their local neighborhoods, the GO Conference is designed to cultivate a mindset of gospel urgency and purpose. As the global church continues to grow in complexity and opportunity, Cedarville aims to equip a generation ready to lead, plant, and serve wherever God calls — with a vision rooted not in comfort but in the call to make disciples of all nations.

About Cedarville University

Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts,sciencesand professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.