How is Bonfire different this year?
What we call Bonfire has taken on several different iterations over the years. At its core Bonfire was always designed to gather NAB leaders together around a shared purpose – a commitment to our missional/formational journey as the NAB.
Just like a bonfire itself brings people together who may not otherwise interact, these gatherings have morphed and expanded as different NAB groups – Multipliers, Governing Board, Missions Advisory Team, just to name a few – have caught wind of and bought into the shared purpose of mission and formation.
This year, based on much feedback, we are streamlining this event in a way we hope reflects this purpose. “Bonfire” will now be the name we use to refer to the overarching event, the main umbrella under which these various gatherings of NAB leaders meet. There will be two main evening sessions for the entire group, including dinner, fellowship, worship, and a unified speaker. During the days, each attendee will join their specific group gathering, or Ministry Track – Multipliers Summit, MAT, Missional Initiatives alum, etc. – to engage with each other.
It is our hope that Bonfire 2026 will serve you, equip you, and encourage you in ways both specific to your individual group but also in broad ways as a vital member of our conference of churches.
General Schedule:
Tuesday, May 5th
- Travel Day
- 9am - 4pm | Regional Minister Meetings
- 6pm | Blue Ocean, YOE, and Missional Initiatives Alumni Dinner
- 7pm | Multipliers Summit Kickoff
Wednesday, May 6th + Thursday, May 7th
- Ministry Tracks - All Day
- 5:30pm | Bonfire (All Groups)
Friday, May 8th
- 8am-10:30am | Blue Ocean, YOE, and Missional Initiatives Alumni - Closing Sessions
- *Multipliers have no Friday sessions, and may leave anytime.*
- Travel Day
- 9am - 4pm | Governing Board Meetings
MINISTRY TRACKS
Blue Ocean + Year of Equipping
Tuesday at 6pm - 10:30am Friday
Venue: Holiday Inn Express
Blue Ocean is an entry point into the missional movement of the NAB, meeting three times a year. In this 3rd Module, participants will focus on "Becoming a Missional People."
Year of Equipping is another three-part cohort for young leaders, and participants will join with Blue Ocean for their 3rd Module.
Missional Initiatives Alumni
Tuesday at 6pm - 10:30am Friday
Venue: Holiday Inn Express
An increasing number of churches have begun to participate together as we seek to join God on mission.
Missional Initiatives Alumni are those who have previously participated in Blue Ocean, Year of Equipping, and Ethos. There will be a focused learning track and sessions designed specifically for Alumni throughout the event.
Multipliers Summit
Tuesday at 7pm - Thursday PM
Venue: 4001 Foskett Rd.
Gathering annually with the NAB’s Multiplier Community is a rich and crucial part of our movement together to plant and/or revitalize ministries and churches in the NAB. This gathering is centrally focused on caring for the souls of our planting and revitalizing leaders, and we encourage those who are married to attend as a couple if possible.
Group Meetings
Regional Ministers
- Tuesday, 9am-4pm
- Venue: Heartland
Missions Advisory Team
- Wednesday + Thursday, 9am-4pm
- Venue: Heartland
Governing Board
- Friday, 9am-4pm
- Venue: Heartland
VENUES
Bonfire 2026 will be held at Heartland Community Church in Medina, OH. Heartland is a large NAB church and is also the host of Triennial 2027. We're excited to be partnering with them! Medina itself is located about 25 minutes south of Cleveland International Airport (CLE), and is a picturesque small town reminiscent of a Hallmark movie, but with lots of amenities nearby.
Missional Initiatives will host their Ministry Tracks (Year of Equipping, Blue Ocean, and Missional Initiatives Alumni) at the nearby Holiday Inn Express.
NAB Multipliers will host their Ministry Track (Multipliers Summit) at a large home/venue just a few minutes from Heartland.
All groups will gather back at Heartland on Wednesday + Thursday evenings, starting at 5:30pm, for dinner and our main sessions.