EQUIP 2026: Hundreds of church leaders strengthened as they receive tools and training at annual conference

COLLEYVILLE—Pastors and church leaders from across Texas converged on CrossCreek Church on Aug. 1 for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s annual Equip Conference. The event was led by more than 70 speakers and 200 breakout sessions covering nearly every ministry area relevant to the local church.

For the first time, Equip included multiple keynote sessions—one led by Robby Gallaty, senior pastor of Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., another by Shane Pruitt, national next gen director for the North American Mission Board, and a third led by José Pacheco, pastor of Hispanic ministries at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Cedar Hill.

Gallaty: ‘Discipleship … is the course of your life’

Gallaty, who has authored several books on disciple-making, titled his keynote, “A strategy to change the world,” rooted in Jesus’ Great Commission found in Matthew 28. Gallaty highlighted three progressions in the text that continue to impact the church’s call to make disciples: the posture of the disciples, the providence of God, and a plan of action.

Gallaty noted that upon seeing the resurrected Jesus, the passage shows some people worshipped Him but others assumed a posture of doubt despite all they had witnessed during His ministry. That doubt, Gallaty said, was likely due to uncertainty about the mission ahead and a failure of focus.

“Faith focuses on God,” Gallaty said. “Doubts and fears put the focus on self.”

Focusing on Jesus will empower church leaders to pour into His followers in a way they could never do in their own strength. That focus begins with a personal commitment to Christ before it can be applied corporately.

“You can’t expect from others what you’re not emulating yourself,” he said. “I really believe the disconnect we’re seeing today in churches comes from people and leaders who are not doing what they’re instructing their people to do.”

Jesus’ Great Commission lays out a clear plan of action: to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them His ways. Gallaty said that mission will be fulfilled as the church continues to grasp the reality that discipleship is a lifelong endeavor that reaches far beyond baptism.

“Discipleship is not a Bible study you complete. It’s not a seminar you sign up for. It’s not a degree you receive. It’s not a program you go through. It’s not a home group. It’s not a weekend event,” he said. “Discipleship is not a class you take. It’s the course of your life. … Baptism in your church should never be the finish line. It’s the starting line.”

Pruitt: ‘Equip young people to obey the king’

Pruitt’s keynote was drawn from Acts 5, when members of the Sanhedrin accuse Jesus’ disciples of continuing to teach in His name in defiance of their orders. The response of His disciples in the passage—“We must obey God rather than people”—forms the foundation for four things next gen leaders in the church can teach today. Church leaders, Pruitt said, must teach Gen Alpha—those born between 2010 to 2024—to obey the king, preach the gospel boldly, understand that truth cannot be stopped, and understand the mission.

Next gen ministries serve “on the front lines” and have an overwhelmingly critical role to play in claiming the world for Christ, Pruitt said. He cited a recent survey that revealed 77% of all Christians surrendered to Christ before the age of 18. Ninety-five percent of all Christians make the decision to follow Jesus before age 30, underscoring the importance of ministries reaching college-aged people and young adults in their 20s.

Reaching them does not require new strategies or ancient truths repacked in attractive ways. While admitting he is a fan of innovation and creativity in the local church, Pruitt said the power of next gen ministry is found in “sticking to what’s always been true,” namely, the Word of God.

“You have the greatest next gen leader there is living inside of you—the Spirit of the living God,” Pruitt said. “He’s been reaching people for a long time. And here’s the good news, friends. The same gospel that has worked for 2,000 years to reach young people still works today. Share the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Pacheco: Grasping deep spirituality

Pacheco, who has extensive pastoral experience in church leadership and in training leaders and teachers, led off a full day of training for Hispanic churches during Equip en Español.

In a culture that continues to attempt to redefine basical biblical truths, Pacheco spoke about the importance of having cultural intelligence during his keynote session. That intelligence, he said, will help followers of Jesus navigate the ever-changing cultural landscape while remaining grounded in God’s truth.

“Superficiality is the curse of our age,” Pacheco said, quoting Richard Foster’s 1978 book, Celebration of Discipline. “The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.”

Equip en Español breakout session topics included discipleship, evangelism, prayer, and women’s and men’s ministry.