CELEBRATION 2026
Our Central Conference Celebration is designed to celebrate the ministries of the Central Conference as well as incorporate the business of the Central Conference Ministerial Association, and the Central Conference Annual Meeting. Harbor Point Ministries annual meeting also takes place during the conference annual meeting.
God is at work in local Covenant churches and ministries of the Central Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church (CCECC). We are grateful that we are moving mission forward together in our conference. We praise God for Celebration 2026, where we will be celebrating 140 years of Central Conference ministry. We look forward to gathering for this three-day event, in Princeton, IL., April 30 - May 2, 2026.
In 2026, we will gather in-person in Princeton, IL. We hope you can join us. Save the following dates:
Central Conference Ministerial Association (CCMA) Gathering: April 30 – May 1, 2026
Central Conference (CCECC) Annual Meeting: May 1-2, 2026
Harbor Point Ministries (HPM) Annual Meeting Gathering: May 2, 2026
Location: Evangelical Covenant Church, 24 N Main St, Princeton, IL 61356
We hope ministers and delegates sign up for this important gathering when online registration opens in early 2026!
MAKING HOTEL RESERVATIONS
The Central Conference has courtesy room blocks with several hotels located near the Celebration 2026 site. Special rates will only be available through the dates noted by each hotel or until the courtesy room blocks fill up (whichever comes first).
Comfort Inn - Princeton, IL
2238 N Main St, Princeton, IL 61356
Make reservation by phone: 815-875-3371, and mention "Central Conference Group"
Rate: $130/night (rates will vary based on days selected)
Reservation must be made by March 31, 2026
AmericInn - Princeton, IL
2120 Claude Bailey Pkwy, Princeton, Illinois 61356
Make reservation online (click on link)
Rate: rates will vary based on days selected
Reservation must be made by March 28, 2026
REGISTRATION CATEGORIES AND FEES
Central Conference Ministerial Association Registration Categories and Fees
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Credentialed Minister: $55
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Retired Minister: $30
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Non-Credentialed Minister: $30
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Spouse / Guest: $30
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Late Fee (after April 24): additional $15
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CCECC Annual Meeting Registration Categories and Fees
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Delegate: $95
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Non-Delegate or Advisor: $55
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Exhibitor: $70
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Friday Lunch (early arrival): additional $10
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Late Fee (after April 24): additional $15
As a member church of the Central Conference, your church is entitled to select delegates for the Central Conference Annual Meeting (May 1-2). The number of delegates is based on the number of members in your congregation. Member congregations shall be entitled to representation as follows:
Church Members Delegates
Up to 99 2
100 to 224 3
225 to 449 4
450 to 699 5
700 to 999 6
1000 to more 7
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Each association recognized by the Central Conference shall be entitled to one delegate.
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Each affiliated corporation and institution shall be entitled to one delegate.
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A church plant within the Central Conference that is not yet a member congregation may send two advisors to the Conference Annual Meeting.
SUBMIT REGISTRATION PAYMENT
When registering online at www.centralconf.org/celebration, you will also pay for registration (if payment is required). Delegates will receive materials digitally on/around April 15.
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If you need assistance with registration or payment, please contact the Central Conference office at info@centralconf.org or at 773-267-3060.
schedule
CCMA ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULE
for ministers, and those attending the Central Conference Ministerial Association (CCMA) annual meeting
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​Thursday, April 30
10:00 am
Registration and Display Area Open
11:00 am
Q&A with Rev. Kara Stromberg
Noon – 1:15 pm
Lunch on your own
1:30 – 2:30 pm
Workshop #1: Rev. Edgar Torres
3:00 – 3:45 pm
Ministry Reports
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Workshop #2: Rev. Anthony Thomas
5:00 – 6:30 pm
Registration Open
5:30 – 6:45 pm
CCMA Dinner*
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Evening Worship
Guest Speaker: Rev. Kara Stromberg
After Hours
Dessert and Fellowship, following worship, hosted by the CCECC
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Friday, May 1
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8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Registration Open
8:00 am
Grab and Go – coffee and light breakfast
8:30 am
Devotional - Rev. Leslie X Sanders
9:00 am – noon
CCMA Annual Meeting
Noon – 1:30 pm
CCMA Lunch*
The CCMA gathering concludes with lunch.
*Meals will be served promptly at the times noted. These meals are included as part of the registration fee. Please be in the Community Life Center at the indicated times wearing your badge. Central Conference Ministerial Association (CCMA) meals include Thursday dinner, Friday coffee, and Friday lunch
CCECC ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULE
for delegates, and those attending the Central Conference annual meeting (CCECC AM)​
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​Friday, May 1
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Registration and Display Area Open
11:00 – 11:45 am
New Delegate Orientation
Noon – 1:15 pm
Lunch on your own
(OR add lunch to registration)
1:30 – 2:15 pm
Church Resourcing in Lobby
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Workshop #1
3:45 – 4:45 pm
Workshop #2 - Select your second workshop (repeat of all sessions)
4:00 – 6:00 pm
Registration Open
4:45 – 6:45 pm
Central Conference Executive Board Meeting
5:00 – 6:45 pm
CCECC AM Dinner*
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Evening Worship
Superintendent Danny Martinez
After Hours
Dessert and Fellowship following worship, hosted by Harbor Point Ministries
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Saturday, May 2
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7:00 am
Grab and Go – coffee and light breakfast
Registration Open
8:00 am
Devotional - Rev. Derek Boggs
8:30 – 10:30 am
Central Conference Annual Meeting (CCECC AM)
10:30 – 11:15 am
Harbor Point Ministries Annual Meeting
11:15 – 11:45 am
Central Conference Annual Meeting continues
11:45 am – 12:30 pm
Worship and Communion Service
12:45 pm
CCECC AM Lunch*
Celebration 2026 concludes with lunch.
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*Meals will be served promptly at the times noted. These meals are included as part of the registration fee. Please be in the Community Life Center at the indicated times wearing your badge. Central Conference Annual Meeting (CCECC AM) meals include – Friday dinner, Saturday coffee, and Saturday lunch
Central Conference
Annual Meeting Workshops
(for delegates)
Friday, May 1 (afternoon)
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Session #1: 2:30 – 3:30 pm
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Session #2: 3:45 – 4:45 pm (repeat of options mentioned below)
Church Finances: Are We Doing This Right?
Presenter: Steve Dawson
Tips on the right ways to handle and report compensation for pastors, managing benefits, and then how you handle the rest of staff (which could be very different than clergy). This workshop will include addressing expense reimbursements…. including sabbaticals, auto usage and
staying afloat.
Unleashing the Power of Hope
Presenter: Iesha Hawley
Equipping leaders, including evangelism leaders, ministry teams, and discipleship facilitators, with a renewed understanding of hope as a transformative force in
evangelism and discipleship.
Church Buildings Speak – Are You Listening?
Presenter: Rollie Persson and Angel Sinchi
This workshop will show you how your building can reflect your congregation’s values and
support ministry. Often, buildings send unintended messages. We’ll explore how to view your church as a ministry tool, where every dollar spent on your facility serves your mission. We will
introduce "The Undercover Visitor" to help you understand the first impressions your church leaves with visitors. The session will also cover recommended reserve funds and their importance.
The first session (2:30-3:30 pm), will be in English
The second session (3:45-4:45 pm), will be translated from English to Spanish
Church Planting Tips for the Established Church
Presenter: Abraham Bejarano
This practical workshop is designed to begin to equip your local church with effective tools and strategies for becoming more welcoming to your community. Join us as we learn together how to open our doors wider, grow in outreach, and invite more people to experience the life and fellowship of your church in the power of Jesus Christ.
The first session (2:30-3:30 pm), will be in Spanish
The second session (3:45-4:45 pm), will be in English