Last Thursday was NewSpring’s annual church leadership conference affectionately known as Unleash.  Church leaders from all over the U.S., and even outside the states, descended onto Anderson, SC for this one-day intensive designed to equip, encourage, and challenge church leaders and volunteers to be all God has called them to be.  I’ve had the opportunity to shoot this event for the past three years, and I absolutely love being part of a church that’s passionate about ministering to other churches.  Perry and the rest of the staff go all out every year to make this conference entirely about lifting up Jesus and His church, both nationally and internationally.  As a result, Unleash is bigger and better each year.  I think it’s safe to say that Unleash 2011 was a huge success.

The morning started out a little wet as the rain from the day before was just finishing its pass through the upstate.  Our incredible volunteers didn’t seem to mind and welcomed everyone in spite of the weather.  With doors opening and registration beginning at 7:30, Awake coffee was buzzing early.

First main session!

After the first main session, attendees burst out of the auditorium to find the breakout session of their choice.  Breakouts are spread throughout the campus, each focused on a specific area of ministry.

The student facility was home to several breakout sessions – Perry’s “senior pastors only” session…

…Lee’s session for worship leaders/staff, and Trevor’s on discipleship ministry.

Back in KidSpring, our children’s building –  Suzanne, Shua, and Cristin’s session on communication, print, web, and branding.

Chick-Fil-A plays a huge part at Unleash every year by catering lunch for all 3,000ish attendees, volunteers, and staff.  Best fast food and customer service PERIOD!

Lunchtime.

After lunch, breakout set #2 began.  Lucretia, Perry’s wife, held an incredible breakout for pastor’s wives while Shane taught on creativity and service planning.

Karla and Adrienne’s session for ministry assistants was so jam packed that it turned into “teaching in the round” since the only seats left were on stage.

Ken, Will, Adam, Amanda, and Darrin’s session on video and motion graphics was just as packed.

Outside in the tents – Sherry’s session on creating and managing a great volunteer culture, Brad’s on student ministry…

…and Cherie’s on children’s ministry.

Intermission fun with a golf cart in the parking lot.  Huge thanks to my good friend Chandler (who’s driving this golf cart) for helping me out this year.  Not a word of complaint the whole conference – just a pure servant’s heart all day long.

After breakouts were over, everyone headed back to the auditorium for main session #2.  Seriously, the main sessions were incredible.

During the last portion of the second main session, Perry ended with encouragement for senior pastors and asked for their staff/volunteers to pray over them and to be “with them heart and soul”.  One of the best parts of the day.

Perry – Hold faithful to the vision and leadership that God has given you for His church.  You’re worth following, and we’re with you heart and soul.

Check out the video recap of the day…

Recap: Unleash 2011 from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.