What comes to mind when you hear the word community? For some, it means connection. For others, it sounds appealing but feels difficult to build. In truth, community does not happen by accident. It is forged slowly, intentionally, and over time. The various experiences and interactions at the 2026 D6 Conferences were intentionally designed to cultivate this meaningful, lasting community.
Breakouts
On March 6-7, 2026, just over 500 attendees from around the globe gathered in Seattle, Washington, for D6 Northwest, the third conference held in the Pacific Northwest. One key element in building a discipleship community at D6 conferences are breakout sessions. These sessions provide “nuts and bolts” for implementing the strategies and philosophies introduced during general sessions.
At D6 Northwest, attendees chose from more than 50 breakout sessions covering areas such as apologetics, children’s ministry, discipleship, family ministry, grandparenting, leadership, parenting, student ministry, volunteers, and other special topics. A unique feature was the STARS track for preschool teachers in Washington, who are required to complete ten hours of annual training to maintain certification. By offering this training, D6 equips educators with tools to carry into their daily work, impacting families across the state with the principles of Deuteronomy 6.
April 23–25, 2026, approximately 850 attendees gathered for D6 Southeast. After several years in Orlando, Florida, the conference relocated to Nashville, Tennessee. This year’s event featured more than 70 breakout sessions, many aligned with those presented at D6 Northwest.
In addition, D6 Southeast offered “ministry meet-ups,” where leaders and volunteers gathered by ministry focus, such as children’s ministry, family ministry, lead pastors, parenting, and student ministry. They connected, shared ideas, and learned from one another. Conference speakers also joined these gatherings, creating space for meaningful interaction. For those serving in special needs ministry, a tour of the Brentwood Baptist Church special needs facility offered further insight and encouragement.
General Sessions
Another key ingredient in building a discipleship community happens on the main stage during four general sessions (at both D6 Northwest and D6 Southeast). At both conferences, Pray with Me author Erica Renaud shared her personal testimony using key moments in Scripture that helped attendees recognize God’s movement, invitations, and presence in everyday life.
D6 Family Ministry CEO Dr. Ron Hunter challenged attendees to consider “Backward Discipleship in a Forward World,” emphasizing the “Faith-Forging Five” that must be instilled in the next generation if they are to remain connected to their faith beyond high school.
Author of Grandparents Make Grand PartnersLori Wildenberg delivered a compelling message to remind grandparents they have a unique opportunity to become who God has called them — and who their adult children hope for them — to be. Her session was followed by Lissy Rienow Bailey, who urged parents to turn their hearts toward their teens and embrace their mission of leading them to follow Jesus.
Tommy Swindol, pastor of The Donelson Fellowship, and writer Carol Reid also took the stage to equip attendees with practical tools for meaningful spiritual conversations with their children.
A highlight of both conferences was a panel discussion featuring the authors of Reimagining Church as Family. Moderated by D6 Conference Director Derek Altom, the conversation explored the book’s central theme: God’s design for family is broader, deeper, and more comprehensive than we often think.
At D6 Northwest, Dr. Richard Ross delivered a core D6 message: “Infusing Lifetime Faith Through Heart Connection.” Jana Magruder, strategic initiatives director of Lifeway Next Gen, challenged attendees to “flip the script” on their ministry strategy by leveraging every generation to reach the next. D6 Northwest concluded with a powerful exhortation from the director of Via Families, Carissa Potter, calling attendees to shape parenting, discipleship, and Christ-centered community in everyday family life.
At D6 Southeast, Matt Hanson, executive director of the National Rite of Passage Council and catalyst for the Aion Path, challenged churches to intentionally engage dads and middle schoolers in ways that impact families for generations. The main stage concluded at D6 Southeast with Dr. Brian Dembowczyk, who highlighted the often overlooked “what” of family discipleship.
Worship
A third key ingredient in building a strong discipleship community at D6 is corporate worship. At D6 Northwest, host church Northshore Community Church in Kirkland, Washington, led worship. At D6 Southeast, attendees were led by members of the worship team from The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee.
At both conferences, youth ministry veteran Jon Forrest kept attendees laughing throughout the general sessions. D6 Southeast participants also enjoyed a special evening of stories and songs from musician Andrew Peterson.
Conclusion
The D6 Conferences are more than events. They are environments where discipleship community is intentionally formed. Through practical breakouts, Christ-centered main stage teaching, and meaningful moments of corporate worship, attendees are not only equipped, but they are also connected.
What makes D6 unique is not just the content but the culture it cultivates. It brings together leaders, parents, grandparents, and volunteers around a single shared mission: to pass faith from one generation to the next. In a world that often pulls families and ministries apart, D6 calls us to something deeper — to walk together, to invest intentionally, and to trust God to work through everyday moments.
As attendees returned home, the goal was not simply to remember what was learned, but to live it out, to build discipleship communities in their churches and homes that reflect God’s design for family. In the end, community is not created in a moment. It is forged over time, and D6 continues to be a place where that work begins.
The dates have been set for the 2027 D6 Conferences. D6 Northwest will take place March 5–6, 2027, at Northshore Community Church near Seattle, Washington. D6 Southeast will take place April 22–24, 2027, at Brentwood Baptist Church near Nashville, Tennessee. For more information on both conferences, visit D6conference.com.
