of some who attended the 2011 Conference

          “Would you rather be sclerotic or arthritic?
It’s best to be neither—spiritually as well as physically.  And for spiritual purposes, the Ohio Conference’s annual Innovation Conference is as fine a preventive medicine as you’ll ever find.  I just attended the 2011 event, and speakers on health and health ministry were farmer’s market fresh.  Then came riveting takes on both the Christian and the specifically Adventist futures.  Both of these look grim—unless an ethos of renewal and innovation kicks in.  On this front, the Innovation Conference is the best place anywhere to renew your hope and energy.”

Dr. Charles Scriven
President, Kettering College
Kettering, Ohio

          “Every pastor needs a time to reflect on new ideas and be challenged by creative ways of thinking. Since its beginning in 2004 the Conference on Innovation has been that time for me.  Each year a new theme and variety of speakers gives me fresh insight and creative tools to help me become a more effective Seventh-day Adventist professional.   The Conference on Innovation has helped renew my faith in the institutional Seventh-day Adventist Church and confirms my belief that innovation can take place within the organizational church.”

Pastor Tim Garrison
Moorpark Community Seventh-day Adventist Church
Southern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists     

   “This was my first Innovation Conference.  I came in with high expectations based on what I’d heard about previous conferences.  Not only were these expectations exceeded….they were blown away!  The speakers were provocative but pragmatic and reasonable.  The collegiality was Spirit-led and driven.  I’m already planning to attend next year…and this time I’ll be bringing my wife!”

Ed Fry
President/CEO
FaithSearch Partners, Inc.
Houston – Charlotte -- Dallas – Denver – Los Angeles

          “This was only my second consecutive “Innovation Conference” and it proved to be another “Wow!” event.  Eye-opening.  Inspiring.  Refreshing.  Challenging (sometimes discomfiting, pushing me out of my comfort zone).  I wondered when I arrived whether it could match last year’s experience.  I was not disappointed.”

Pastor Lonnie Melashenko
Vice President for Spiritual Care and Missions
Kettering Health Network, Kettering, Ohio

          “I've attended nearly all of these events since its inception. I find them invaluable as they stretch me in practical Kingdom concepts every year. I may not agree with every presenter, but I appreciate the challenge and the opportunity to determine whether my filters need the exercise or whether I have just allowed myself to become too narrow and intolerant. The 2011 conference was no exception. From concepts of corporate brainwash to expensive failures of "the health message" to Gabe Lyon's prophetically fresh visioning... Each year these varied Kingdom-voices urge me to be better and to do better.”

Pastor Don Pate
Senior Pastor, College Church
Atlantic Union College, Massachusetts

          I prioritize this conference every year. Though traveling from California, I have made the last six of seven of these conferences. It’s ALWAYS worth it!

          This year’s conference was conducted much as the others have been: with fabulous speakers and moments of profound insight!; in the presence of colleagues and friends; in wonderful Ohio cities of interest and import; with hospitality provided by top flight hotels, and partner/sponsors like the Kettering Health Network; punctuated by profound moments of spiritual reflection; and guided through great inspiration! I realized, in this context, that shifting culture via innovation and the productivity of Spirit-led work was the way of opportunity, influence, and kingdom growth. I leave so full!

Pastor Greg Hoenes
Southern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists