By Stuart Welch
Over three long days, I traveled hundreds of miles, searched for absurdly expensive parking, navigated thousands in foot traffic and tight seating, succumbed to high food prices at multiple concession stands, and waited in squirmy restroom lines, just to witness the March Madness Women’s Northern Regional Finals in Sacramento, California.
From the Sweet 16 to the Elite 8, my joy exploded as the team I rooted for punched their ticket to the Final 4. Being a former women’s college basketball coach, I was excited to watch basketball royalty, Coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks and her team execute at a high level during the heightened March Madness atmosphere that dazzled like fireworks.
Toward the end, however, I began to reflect on my time at Exponential 2026 Global Conference just a few weeks prior. Surprisingly, right in the middle of enjoying March Madness, I found myself wondering: What if the greatest competition for our spiritual growth isn’t persecution but entertainment? In a world overflowing with scores and shouting, a question arose that I haven’t forgotten since:
Are we consuming what builds us up, or simply what keeps us entertained?
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“What if the greatest competition for our spiritual growth isn’t persecution but entertainment?”
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Exponential 2026 Global Conference (with the theme of “Multiplier: How Healthy Leaders Create Lasting Impact”) built me up like few things I have ever experienced. The conference presents one big idea — being a “multiplier.” In essence, you reproduce who you are and what you do. For me, the opportunity to travel thousands of miles to Orlando, Florida, to navigate Transportation Security Administration lines that would take hours to process and bear with airline delays and cancellations was worth the reward waiting for me at the conference.
Overflow at FMX
First came the FMX Summit, facilitated by Larry and Deb Walkemeyer, where I gathered with more than 300 of my Free Methodist brothers and sisters in the Upper Room as well as our bishops to discover “The Impact of Healthy Leaders Through the Seasons of Life” and to participate in engaging worship where we collectively honored Jesus.
We heard frontline storytelling of the multiplication work of so many and the powerful stories of God’s grace moving in the world. We experienced Spirit-fueled intercessory prayer moments led by Bishops Linda Adams, Kenny Martin, Keith Cowart and Kaye Kolde. We connected or reconnected with brothers and sisters from all over the world who are of the same heart and mind, serving and sharing Jesus in a dark and dying world that is swept away more by screens and entertainment than by Scripture. By the end, my cup was overflowing, and the conference hadn’t even started yet.
Edified at Exponential
Then came Exponential. My heart came alive in a fresh way. It was like a glorious glimpse of the final scene in Revelation 7:9, where the Apostle John speaks of “a great multitude … from every nation, tribe, people and language,” worshipping our great God together.
The Sweet 16 provided me with entertainment, but Exponential offered me something richer: edification. Every scroll, every stream, every stage is shaping us — forming what we love, what we believe and ultimately who we become. The question is no longer whether we are being formed, but by what: entertainment or edification? Not everything that feeds your attention feeds your spirit. In 2026, the battle isn’t just for time; it’s for your formation. Entertainment fills moments; edification transforms lives.
Exponential 2026 Global Conference gathers thousands of the world’s most forward-thinking people into one giant global classroom, not for one more entertainment moment, but a season of revelation and edification for your soul. Moments and inspiration will fade, but revelation, edification and growth change the direction of your life. And the in-between moments of main sessions and workshops may be the most precious time of all — time for God to connect His children.
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“The Sweet 16 provided me with entertainment, but Exponential offered me something richer: edification.”
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There were table conversations and bench chats with people from all over the world seeking to take away just one thing that could change their lives and the lives of those they serve. One such conversation I will never forget.
During a break, I crossed paths with a group of three incredible young adults (ages 19–25), and it lit me up. These incredible young people were determined to learn, grow and connect with others who are passionate about making a difference in the world. Three young voices — full of faith, vision and purpose — left me with the impression that the church is in great hands, and this current and upcoming generations are being well-equipped by God’s precious Spirit to take the church into tomorrow and beyond.
I found myself once again dazzled. This time, it wasn’t basketball. It was about three young voices, full of faith, leaving me with the impression that the church is in great hands.
The true value of attending a conference like Exponential 2026 — beyond the keynotes, the workshops, the networking lunches — is that some things actually change when you show up. Being with people who “get it” will cause a shift.
We tend to sit in our seats of comfort, hanging around the same places and faces we know best. But God wants so much more for us. Pastor Scott Ehle put it well, “We can get a fish-eyed mindset where all we see is what’s in front of us [and] around us. … We need to get out of our bubbles and comfort zones.”
We need to sit, listen and learn from those in the winter season of life. Those who have planted, watered and seen God bring increase to the work of their hands speak with such humility and meekness — nothing about them, but everything about Him.
Multipliers don’t hoard influence. They release it and release others — even when they don’t seem ready. Identify emerging leaders and trust them sooner than what may feel comfortable. Give them less you, more Jesus.
Exponential provides a rich resource community for everyone and every ministry. Strategic connections can spark collaboration with the ability to access research, insights, perspectives and tools to assist in taking action and making moves. If you’re a creative person, you will find space and community that are built to help you think bigger and grab hold of new opportunities. Exponential also greatly encourages you to be health-conscious with information about how to gauge your health and longevity relationally, physically, spiritually and emotionally to go the distance.
God’s vision has always been global — not just one people, but all peoples. Exponential is a beautiful glimpse of a prophetic picture of nations coming together to learn God’s ways, how His kingdom never stops multiplying. The sessions help you think bigger and grow deeper in faith. The workshops offer research, insights, perspectives and tools to take your next steps.
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“Multipliers don’t hoard influence. They release it and release others — even when they don’t seem ready.”
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Few things have proven more satisfying to my soul than experiencing such unified edification, all for the praise of our glorious God. Indeed, the Psalm rings true once more:
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.” (Psalm 133:1)
Come hungry. Leave healthy.
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Stuart Welch serves as the lead pastor of Life Connection Church in Modesto, California. He also serves the Network of Undeniable Blessing as a member of the conference MEG Board and as a blessing catalyst (assistant superintendent) for the conference, serving 10 of the conference pastors. He oversees his church’s robust sports ministry, which provides services for nearly 1,000 children a year in basketball and volleyball. He is heavily involved in his community, serving the StanCo Coalition as its faith-based member, and he sits on the board of directors for a local charter school as well as providing devotionals and prayer at the senior centers in Modesto. He is a retired high school and college basketball coach. He is married to Chrystal, and they have a blended family with five adult children. They are currently enjoying the “empty nester” season of their lives.
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