Ken Willard challenges UNY churches to become “beacons of hope”

By UNY Communications / Email

During the 2026 session of the Upper New York Annual Conference, clergy and laity gathered for a dynamic and encouraging learning session led by Ken Willard, this year’s Annual Conference study leader.

Drawing from decades of ministry leadership, coaching, and church revitalization experience, Willard invited attendees to rediscover evangelism and witness not as intimidating church buzzwords, but as central practices of Christian discipleship rooted in hope, relationships, and authentic faith-sharing. 

Willard currently serves as Director of Faith Communities ReNEWal for the West Virginia Conference and is widely known for coaching pastors and congregations across the country. He is also the author of several books for church leaders, including Beacon of Hope: Your Guide to Reaching, Witnessing, and Welcoming New People, which served as the foundation for the learning session. 

Opening with Psalm 62, Willard centered the gathering around the reminder that true hope comes from God. “My hope comes from God,” participants echoed together early in the presentation, setting the tone for a session focused on sharing that hope with others. 

Reclaiming evangelism and witness 

One of the central themes of the afternoon was reclaiming the words “evangelism” and “witness” from the fear and discomfort many Christians associate with them. Willard acknowledged that for many people, evangelism can feel overwhelming or confrontational, but he encouraged attendees to see it through a different lens. 

Referencing author Martha Grace Reese, Willard offered a simple but transformative definition: evangelism is “anything you do to help another person move closer to a relationship with God, or into Christian community.” 

Rather than expecting dramatic conversions or perfect theological conversations, Willard emphasized the importance of helping people take one step at a time on their spiritual journey. 

“Most of us don’t have the spiritual gift of evangelism,” he noted, pointing out that research suggests only a small percentage of Christians identify with that specific gifting. “But that doesn’t mean we cannot share the Good News.” 

He challenged Upper New York church leaders to create congregational cultures where discipleship and spiritual disciplines, including evangelism, are spoken about openly and regularly. Members in attendance were encouraged to publicly recognize signs of spiritual growth within their congregations and intentionally equip members to live out their faith beyond Sunday worship. 

Closing the gap between expectations and action 

A significant portion of the session focused on leadership and accountability within the local church. Willard introduced attendees to the “Gapology” framework, a leadership tool designed to identify the gap between a church’s current reality and its desired future. 

Using evangelism as an example, he explained that churches often expect members to share their faith or invite others to church without ever clearly teaching people how to do so or communicating that expectation directly. 

He described three specific gaps churches must work to close: 

• The knowledge gap — teaching people what to do and how to do it. 

• The importance gap — communicating why it matters and prioritizing it. 

• The action gap — encouraging accountability and follow-through. 

Willard stressed that accountability within the church should not be punitive, but rooted in the Wesleyan tradition of Christian community and encouragement.  

Relational evangelism: Sharing faith through relationships 

Another major focus of the session was relational evangelism—sharing faith naturally through existing relationships rather than through impersonal outreach. 

Willard reflected on the story in Mark 2 where four friends lower a man through a roof so he can encounter Jesus. The emphasis, he noted, was not on perfect theology or persuasive arguments, but on caring enough about someone to help bring them closer to Christ. 

Participants were invited to think about the people already present in their lives who may be disconnected from church or faith communities. Using the image of a “fishing pond,” Willard encouraged attendees to prayerfully identify just a few people within their immediate circles—family members, relatives, neighbors, or friends—and begin intentionally praying for opportunities to share their stories with them. 

He emphasized that personal testimony is one of the most powerful tools Christians possess because it is authentic, unique, and deeply human. 

“No one else has your story,” he reminded United Methodists in Upper New York. 

Rather than memorizing scripts or theological arguments, he encouraged members to reflect on a simple question: What difference has God made in your life? 

Willard suggested writing out that answer in short form in what he called an “elevator testimony” so individuals could be prepared to share naturally when opportunities arise. 

Building Bridges Into the Community 

The second half of the learning session shifted toward practical strategies churches can use to engage their communities, particularly through what Willard described as “bridge events.” 

He defined it as intentional gatherings designed specifically to connect with people who are not currently involved in a faith community and invite them into deeper relationship with the church in a welcoming and non-threatening way. 

Willard walked participants through several ministry models churches have used over the years, including attractional, engaged, and incarnational approaches. Rather than arguing for one model over another, he encouraged churches to embrace all three as complementary pathways for ministry and outreach. 

One example that resonated strongly with attendees involved a small church with a large parking lot that decided to host a community car and motorcycle show. The event included food vendors, children’s activities, and partnerships with local businesses. Though no visitors attended worship the following Sunday, over time several families who first encountered the church through the event eventually became active participants in the congregation. 

The story underscored one of Willard’s repeated themes: meaningful outreach takes patience, consistency, and intentional follow-up. 

A hopeful vision for the future 

Throughout the session, Willard consistently returned to the idea that churches are called to reflect God’s hope into the world. Whether through personal witness, intentional discipleship, leadership development, or creative community engagement, he encouraged attendees to view evangelism not as a program, but as a culture rooted in relationships and love. 

As the learning session concluded, Willard offered a hopeful vision for churches across Upper New York to become places where all people can experience belonging, grace, and the love of Christ. 

Click here to watch a video recording of the Learning Session.