The Gathering
Registration for The Gathering opens soon!
When: Sept. 7 - 9, 2027
Where: San Diego, CA | Sheraton San Diego Resort - Harbor Island
True to our mission, “For the Support of Ministry,” we know that the needs of ministers and their families are many and great. As we expand Ministerial Relief and Assistance and renew our commitment to walk with clergy throughout all stages of ministry, we invite you to attend The Gathering: A Retreat for Pastors. The Gathering is a conference that helps you connect with other clergy as you join together to learn and connect. Our hope is that you will leave The Gathering feeling refreshed and inspired.
During this event, we will launch new cohorts of our Cornerstones Pilot Project – an initiative emphasizing clergy health and wellness. Cornerstones is based on the guiding scripture from Exodus 17. In the passage, Moses grows weary from holding up his arms, but he finds support when a stone is placed under him and his hands are held up for the benefit of the community.
At Pension Fund, we know leaders sometimes need support when they grow weary and tired. We are committed to supporting you in retirement and along the journey.
Event Speakers
SILAS HOUSE | OPENING SPEAKER
Silas House is an American writer best known for his novels. He is also a music journalist, environmental activist, and columnist. His fiction is known for its attention to the natural world, working-class characters, and the plight of the rural place and rural people. House is the Poet Laureate for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
House was born in Corbin, Kentucky. He also spent much of his childhood in nearby Leslie County, Kentucky, which he has cited as the basis for the fictional Crow County, the setting for his first three novels. He has degrees from Eastern Kentucky University - BA in English with emphasis on American literature, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Spalding University. In 2000, House was chosen as one of the ten emerging talents in the south by the Millennial Gathering of Writers at Vanderbilt University.
DR. DAVID C. WANG, Th.M., Ph.D. | WEDNESDAY KEYNOTE SPEAKER
David C. Wang, Th.M., Ph.D. is the Cliff and Joyce Penner Chair for the Formation of Emotionally Healthy Leaders at Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, CA, USA). He is also pastor of spiritual formation at One Life City Church (Fullerton, CA) and a licensed psychologist (drdavidcwang.com). His academic and applied work focuses on the holistic formation of Christian leaders, inclusive of the formation of emotional health and resilience alongside the leader’s intellectual and spiritual formation. He was the editor of the Journal of Psychology and Theology from 2017-2024 and conducts research on trauma and traumatic stress, spiritual formation and spiritual theology, clergy mental health, and various topics related to multicultural psychology, peace, and justice. He also oversees research grants funded by the John Templeton Foundation, Templeton Religion Trust (on the human and spiritual formation of global and ecumenical Christian leaders; globalformationproject.com) as well as the Lilly Endowment (on mobilizing diverse local congregations to meet the spiritual and mental health needs of trauma survivors).
REV. VIRZOLA LAW | PREACHER
A prophetic voice and bold disruptor, Rev. Law is a bridge-builder who shapes communities with resilience, tension, and sacred chaos. She made history as the first woman and African American to serve as Senior Minister of Northway Christian Church in Dallas, Texas, leading a congregation rooted in ecumenical and interfaith movement-building for over 118 years. As Chair of the Board at Brite Divinity School, she continuously pushes institutions toward inclusion and transformation.
Rev. Law holds a Master of Divinity from Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, OK, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, TX. She also completed graduate coursework at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX.
Registration Details
Cost
- $100 for clergy
- $100 additional for spouses/partners
Cost includes registration, 2-night hotel stay, Tuesday dinner, Wednesday breakfast and lunch, and Thursday breakfast.
Additional discounted room rates are also available three days before or after the conference.
Location
The Gathering will take place in San Diego, CA.
Hotel: Sheraton San Diego Resort - Harbor Island, 1380 Harbor Island Dr., San Diego, CA 92101