Thousands Attend 2025 ARC Conference Hosted by Association of Related Churches

The Association of Related Churches hosted the 2025 ARC Conference at Milestone Church in Keller, TX, where over 3,000 pastors and leaders gathered to be equipped, inspired, and united in their mission to build life-giving churches.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Association of Related Churches (ARC) welcomed more than 3,000 pastors, leaders, and ministry teams to the 2025 ARC Conference, held April 29–30 at Milestone Church in Keller, Texas. The two-day event brought together voices from across the ARC church network and beyond, all united by a common vision: to see a thriving church in every community.

Hosted by Jeff and Brandy Little, Lead Pastors of Milestone Church, the ARC Conference created space for encouragement, equipping, and relational connection. Focusing on the power of the local church and the impact of church planting, attendees left energized to return to their cities and lead with renewed passion.

Main session speakers included Dino Rizzo, President and Executive Director of ARC; Chris Hodges, Founding Pastor of Church of the Highlands and the first-ever ARC church plant; and John Siebeling, Lead Pastor of The Life Church in Memphis. They were joined by other influential voices such as Aaron Burke of Radiant Church in Tampa, Steve Robinson of Church of the King, Charlotte Gambill, Priscilla Shirer of Going Beyond Ministries, and several pastors representing more recent ARC church plants: Matthew Davis (Blueprint Church, Houston), Amby Ehiemere (The Well Church, Rockville), and Mark Francey (Oceans Church, Orange County).

Throughout the event, attendees participated in specialized App Sessions covering leadership, ministry operations, youth and kids ministry, worship, creative arts, and production. These smaller gatherings provided practical takeaways designed to strengthen churches in every area of ministry.

One standout moment of the conference was the ARC Women Lunch & Learn. This event was a gathering focused on encouraging and equipping women in ministry, and emphasized ARC’s commitment to supporting leaders at every level and in every role within the church.

Dino Rizzo noted the significance of this year’s gathering, saying, “The ARC Conference continues to be a place where relationships are formed and vision is renewed. There’s nothing like seeing thousands of leaders gathered with one heart to build life-giving churches.”

The 2025 ARC Conference was a reflection of the Association of Related Churches’ growing influence in shaping the future of church planting and leadership development. With over 1,160 churches planted through ARC since its inception, the momentum continues to build as more leaders step into their calling.

To learn more about ARC, future events, or how to plant a church through the Association of Related Churches, visit www.arcchurches.com.

About the Association of Related Churches (ARC):

The Association of Related Churches (ARC) represents a collaborative network comprising independent congregations from various denominations, networks, and backgrounds. Its primary mission is to provide essential support and resources to church planters and pastors, enabling them to effectively share the teachings of Jesus Christ. ARC’s operational approach revolves around empowering and equipping church leaders, thus helping them foster the widespread dissemination of Christ’s life-changing message. Established in 2000, the Association of Related Churches has evolved into a worldwide entity and has played a pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of over 1,160 new churches globally.