THRIVE Cape Cod is a partnership between Cape Cod's gospel-centered churches and Vision New England. THRIVE started in 2017 so that participating churches would develop a spirit of unity and collaboration. We gather each year for a weekend of worship, fellowship, learning and growth. At THRIVE you can gather new ideas while collaborating with and being inspired by passionate people. Join fellow Christians for worship, keynote speakers and breakout sessions focused on helping the Cape's churches thrive and bless their communities!
Join us for THRIVE Cape Cod this year by clicking the button below! Mark your calendars—THRIVE is coming fast, Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Cape Cod Church in Falmouth, MA. We can't wait to see you there!

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6:00pm
● Doors open
6:30pm
● THRIVE Young Adults Gathering in The LOFT
7:00pm
● A United Night of Worship for Cape Cod
● Multi-Church Worship Team
● Featured Speaker
● Conference Registration Post-Service
7:30am
● Registration and check-in
● Light continental breakfast provided
8:30am
● Opening Session
● Worship
● Featured Speaker
9:30am Break
9:45am Session I
10:45am Break
11:00am Session II
12:00pm Lunch
1:00pm Session III
2:00pm Break
2:15pm Session IV
3:15pm Conference ends

Dr. Loritts has been a church planter, served for 27 years on the staff of Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) and served for 15 years as Senior Pastor of Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, Georgia. He currently serves as the President and Founder of Beyond Our Generation. Crawford is committed to helping shape the next generation of Christian leaders.

Ethan and his family moved to the Cape in March of 2022. After serving active duty in the Marine Corps, Ethan went on to receive a Master of Divinity degree from Westminster Seminary California. He now serves as Pastor of Forestdale Church in Sandwich, MA where he is committed to preaching, prayer, and pastoral care for the members of his church and his local community.

Would you like to lead with greater contentment, joy and confidence, rather than being consumed by fear, anxiety and insecurity? Join Pastor Dave Ripper as he shares his journey toward becoming a less easily threatened person and leader. You'll learn how an experiential life with God brings the inner spiritual freedom and peace we need to lead and serve like Jesus - without worry.
Dave Ripper is the lead pastor of Crossway Christian Church, a multi-congregational church in Southern New Hampshire. He previously served as the Young Adults Pastor at Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA. He earned a Doctor of Ministry in spiritual direction from Fuller Theological Seminary and The Martin Institute for Christianity and Culture and Dallas Willard Research Center at Westmont College. He is coauthor of The Fellowship of the Suffering and the author of Experiencing Scripture as a Disciple of Jesus and serves as the team chaplain for the Boston Bruins. Dave and his wife, Erin, a mental health therapist, have three children and make their home in the woodlands of New England near Nashua, NH.

Many churches are faithful at gathering people and calling them to follow Jesus—but far fewer have clarity on how people actually grow from new life in Christ into mature, reproducing disciple-makers. This workshop explores the often-missing stages of disciple formation—from spiritual death to spiritual parenthood and into multiplication. Participants will examine a simple, biblical framework for recognizing spiritual stages, naming what people need at each stage, and building clear pathways that help everyday believers know where they are, what they need next, and how to take their next faithful step.
Gina Mueller is the Disciple Making Catalyst for Vision New England. She lives with her family in southern Maine. Gina has 20 years of ministry experience, 15 focused on discipleship, contextual and relational mission, and building organizational and team cultures that produce healthy disciples that multiply. Gina has a masters degree in Missional Church Movements from Wheaton, has led in a large church context, planted a church, and multiplied a network of scattered expressions of church. As a missional practitioner, Gina has trained leaders in New England and across the US for over a decade. Most recently, Gina led 3DM North America, an international non-profit organization that trains churches, pastors, and everyday people in missional discipleship.
There continues to be a great need for foster families on Cape Cod, as more and more children are awaiting safe, loving homes where they can find the shelter of a caring family. This panel – consisting of practitioners, recruiters and supporters of foster care on Cape Cod – will discuss the need for and importance of fostering and lay out ways the church can make a difference for foster children and families.
Bruce and Sarah Hanlon have been residents of Cape Cod since 2015 after several years on the mission field. Growing up in the same church in Framingham, Massachusetts, Bruce and Sarah were married in 2004 and had two biological children, daughters Grace and Beth. In early 2021 God began to work in their hearts to consider fostering to adopt. A short time after completing their licensure in the spring of 2023, they received a call to meet a 10-year-old boy to consider taking in. Two years later, his adoption was finalized, and the family of four became a family of five. God continues to challenge and shape the Hanlon family as they traverse the rewarding and often challenging road of adoption through the foster system.
Courtney Davis McDonald is a licensed social worker as well as the Foster Parent Recruiter for the Cape and Islands DCF office with over 10 years of experience at the Department. She is passionate about finding loving and safe foster homes for the most vulnerable children and youth in our state.
Ali Geroche is the Executive Director of the Cape CodFoster Closet, a non-profit that exists to support foster, pre-adoptive, andkinship caregiver families by providing essential material goods for childrenin care. As a previous kinship caregiver, she understands the challenges andjoys of fostering. Previously, Ali served as Program Manager at the Martha’sVineyard Family Resource Center, developing programs for families with varyingneeds. She is pursuing her Master’s in Social Work through the MetropolitanState University of Denver and intends to use her to degree to support childreninvolved with the child welfare system.

Most of us go to the doctor every year or two for a check-up to see how healthy - or not - we are. For churches, though, what are the indicators available that would show leaders whether or not their church is healthy? If asked, most might point to attendance or giving numbers to conclude that "we're fine," but what's really at the heart of a healthy church? And is your church really healthy? This session will look at some recognized indicators/metrics of healthy churches, introduce an assessment tool for measuring those indicators, and provide some coaching for leading your church toward "a great check-up."
Jamie Sipsma is the Regional President of Converge Northeast. With over 25 years of experience in various leadership roles, he has served churches in Ann Arbor, Baltimore, and Connecticut. Prior to his current position, Jamie was a ministry consultant for twelve years, guiding churches across the nation in leadership transition, congregational health assessment, board and team coaching, and succession planning.Jamie holds a Master of Divinity from Western Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree in religion from Hope College. He lives in Southern Connecticut with his wife, Heather, and their three children.

Last year at Thrive Cape Cod, we spent some time processing "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt together and asking what our role could be in the collective solution needed in response to the mental health crisis faced by our youth and young adults. Finding ways to combat the rise of anxiety and overwhelm in this generation is vital, but we also must help them be ready to navigate the challenges we know they are facing. In this breakout session, we will spend time thinking through some "Anchors for an Anxious Generation." What does it look like to provide anchors youth and young adults can use to remain steady in the middle of the uncertain water we know they are going to face? Join us as we explore practical, intentional anchors that can give hope to an anxious generation.
Kyler Barr has 20+ years of ministry experience with youth and young adults. He currently supports adolescent and emerging adult ministries across New England, helping students and young adults discover their God-given potential. Kyler also assists churches in reimagining ministry for the next generation and is currently working for Gordon College to help them better connect with churches and ministries around New England.. He lives in Newtown, CT, with his wife, Heather, and their four boys. Kyler graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary and previously served as youth and young adult pastor at Walnut Hill Community Church.
Addiction is a whole-person issue (physical, mental and spiritual), so the journey of recovery is a life-long one that is best undertaken when all three areas are addressed. As the Church, we recognize that addressing the spiritual side of recovery is only truly successful when the addict encounters and chooses to follow Jesus – the Ultimate “Higher Power.” Hear from the directors of New England’s Christian recovery centers, as well from a local Celebrate Recovery director, about how the church can partner in Christ-centered recovery.
Armand Palladino (moderator) serves as the Director of Operations at His Mansion Ministries. Armand has served in various roles of ministry, including Area Director of a Men’s Discipleship ministry, Church Elder, ministry boards, and multiple church ministry roles. He believes the work projects at His Mansion provide a great opportunity for discipleship with staff and residents. Armand and his wife, Madeline, have been married since 1987, and have four children and five grandchildren.
Peter and Shondi Fabiano – Peter Fabiano is the Director of the Adult and Teen Challenge Massachusetts – Brockton men’s center. He entered the program as a resident in 2000 after a Christmas-Eve suicide attempt, and graduated in September of 2002, when he fully embraced God’s calling on his life. While on staff with Teen Challenge, he met his wife Shondi Fabiano, currently the Director of the ATC Southern New England women’s home in Taunton and also a graduate of the Adult and Teen Challenge program. Together they have two children, Madison (17) and Lucas (16).
Courtney Jones is the Executive Director at His Mansion Ministries. He has served in the ministry in several capacities including counselor, teacher, Director of Programs, and most recently as the Chief Operating Officer. Having been led to His Mansion in 2009 when he entered the Resident Program, the Lord used this time to turn Courtney’s life around and in the process, opened doors for Courtney to join the staff. The call to serve and minister at His Mansion has been a blessing to Courtney in many ways. He and his wife, Noelle, met at the ministry while she served as a counselor and instructor. They married in 2015 and have since had three beautiful children.
Chris St. John is the Celebrate Recovery coordinatorfor Cape Cod Church. Along with his team of CR leaders, he re-started CCC’s dormant CR ministry in 2023, offering weekly hope to dozens of attendees dealing with life’s hurts, habits and hang-ups. Chris has been a small-group leader, men’s ministry leader, and active member of Cape Cod Church since 2015.

Many churches are faithful at gathering people and calling them to follow Jesus—but far fewer have clarity on how people actually grow from new life in Christ into mature, reproducing disciple-makers. This workshop explores the often-missing stages of disciple formation—from spiritual death to spiritual parenthood and into multiplication. Participants will examine a simple, biblical framework for recognizing spiritual stages, naming what people need at each stage, and building clear pathways that help everyday believers know where they are, what they need next, and how to take their next faithful step.
Gina Mueller is the Disciple Making Catalyst for Vision New England. She lives with her family in southern Maine. Gina has 20 years of ministry experience, 15 focused on discipleship, contextual and relational mission, and building organizational and team cultures that produce healthy disciples that multiply. Gina has a masters degree in Missional Church Movements from Wheaton, has led in a large church context, planted a church, and multiplied a network of scattered expressions of church. As a missional practitioner, Gina has trained leaders in New England and across the US for over a decade. Most recently, Gina led 3DM North America, an international non-profit organization that trains churches, pastors, and everyday people in missional discipleship.
On May 29-30, volunteers from THRIVE Cape Cod’s 30+ churches will come together to pack over 100,000 meals for hungry children around the world. Come hear about the details of the event and how you and your church can be involved!
Steve and Amanda Carter moved to Cape Cod in 2022. Amanda retired after a career in investment banking, institutional investment management, and teaching finance and economics at Bethel University. She grew up in New York and studied at Yale and UPenn (Wharton). Steve currently works as a strategic growth consultant to private companies across multiple industries. Prior to this role, he served in supply chain leadership roles for several companies after retiring from the Army as a Colonel. Steve is from Ohio and studied at West Point and UPenn (Wharton and Engineering). The Carters have two adult children, and together they have packed food many times at Feed My Starving Children's permanent sites in Minnesota. In addition, Steve served on the FMSC Board from 2010 - 2019.
Doug Scalise is the Senior Pastor of Brewster Baptist Churchin Brewster, MA. Born in Boston and raised in Brookline, MA, Doug is the son and grandson of pastors. He and his wife Jill have been married since 1989 and began serving at Brewster Baptist Church on October 1, 1995. They have two grown sons, Nathan, who is married to Zoe, and Greg, who is married to Marci.
Addiction is a whole-person issue (physical, mental and spiritual), so the journey of recovery is a life-long one that is best undertaken when all three areas are addressed. As the Church, we recognize that addressing the spiritual side of recovery is only truly successful when the addict encounters and chooses to follow Jesus – the Ultimate “Higher Power.” Hear from the directors of New England’s Christian recovery centers, as well from a local Celebrate Recovery director, about how the church can partner in Christ-centered recovery.
Armand Palladino (moderator) serves as the Director of Operations at His Mansion Ministries. Armand has served in various roles of ministry, including Area Director of a Men’s Discipleship ministry, Church Elder, ministry boards, and multiple church ministry roles. He believes the work projects at His Mansion provide a great opportunity for discipleship with staff and residents. Armand and his wife, Madeline, have been married since 1987, and have four children and five grandchildren.
Peter and Shondi Fabiano – Peter Fabiano is the Director of the Adult and Teen Challenge Massachusetts – Brockton men’s center. He entered the program as a resident in 2000 after a Christmas-Eve suicide attempt, and graduated in September of 2002, when he fully embraced God’s calling on his life. While on staff with Teen Challenge, he met his wife Shondi Fabiano, currently the Director of the ATC Southern New England women’s home in Taunton and also a graduate of the Adult and Teen Challenge program. Together they have two children, Madison (17) and Lucas (16).
Courtney Jones is the Executive Director at His Mansion Ministries. He has served in the ministry in several capacities including counselor, teacher, Director of Programs, and most recently as the Chief Operating Officer. Having been led to His Mansion in 2009 when he entered the Resident Program, the Lord used this time to turn Courtney’s life around and in the process, opened doors for Courtney to join the staff. The call to serve and minister at His Mansion has been a blessing to Courtney in many ways. He and his wife, Noelle, met at the ministry while she served as a counselor and instructor. They married in 2015 and have since had three beautiful children.
Chris St. John is the Celebrate Recovery coordinatorfor Cape Cod Church. Along with his team of CR leaders, he re-started CCC’s dormant CR ministry in 2023, offering weekly hope to dozens of attendees dealing with life’s hurts, habits and hang-ups. Chris has been a small-group leader, men’s ministry leader, and active member of Cape Cod Church since 2015.
This panel will explore how the church can walk alongside young adults in Gen Z to create welcoming environments for inter-generational discipleship. We'll discuss some of the unique hallmarks of GenZ, and opportunities for church outreach. This session aims to equip Cape Cod’s Christ-centered churches to create spaces where the next generation can explore faith, experience its beauty, and find a profound sense of belonging within the family of God.
Brittany Feldott (moderator) is the Executive Pastor of Ministry and Teaching at Cape Cod Church, where she launched and led the young adult ministry for five years and helped design the college internship program, now in its ninth year. She has a bachelor's degree in Psychology, a master's in Systematic Theology; and a master's in Biblical Studies.
Kyler Barr has 20+ years of ministry experience with youth and young adults. He currently supports adolescent and emerging adult ministries across New England, helping students and young adults discover their God-given potential. Kyler also assists churches in reimagining ministry for the next generation and is currently working for Gordon College to help them better connect with churches and ministries around New England.. He lives in Newtown, CT, with his wife, Heather, and their four boys. Kyler graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary and previously served as youth and young adult pastor at Walnut Hill Community Church.
Dave Ripper is the lead pastor of Crossway Christian Church, a multi-congregational church in Southern New Hampshire. He previously served as the Young Adults Pastor at Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA. He earned a Doctor of Ministry in spiritual direction from Fuller Theological Seminary and The Martin Institute for Christianity and Culture and Dallas Willard Research Center at Westmont College. He is coauthor of The Fellowship of the Suffering and the author of Experiencing Scripture as a Disciple of Jesus and serves as the team chaplain for the Boston Bruins. Dave and his wife, Erin, a mental health therapist, have three children and make their home in the woodlands of New England near Nashua, NH.
As food costs continue to rise and raising a family on Cape Cod becomes steadily more challenging, the issue of food insecurity becomes more and more real for more and more Cape residents. This panel will feature practitioners and organizers who work daily and tirelessly to ensure that Cape Cod children and families don’t go hungry, and will discuss various ways that THRIVE churches can help with that goal.
David Johnson (moderator) is a native of Massachusetts and a Graduate of Gordon College, Bethel Seminary (M.Div) and Salem State University (M.Ed). He spent 13 years as the College, Young adults and Singles minister at Grace Chapel Lexington and 4 Years as Development director for "The Integra Venture,” a Christian economic development NGO serving Central and Eastern Europe. For the last 23 years he’s served as Sr. Pastor of Grace Church of East Dennis and as the co-founder of Cape Kid Meals, a non-profit which serves and feeds food-insecure schoolchildren on the Cape.
Kerin Delaney is theExecutive Director of the Falmouth Service Center, Cape Cod’s largest food pantry serving the Upper Cape and beyond. Kerin has served in non-profit social services for decades, since her earliest days with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, and earned a master’s degree in non-profit management along the way. Since 2009 she has served as the Deputy Director and then Executive Director of FSC. In 2024 she was named a "Commonwealth Heroine" by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.
Jeni Wheeler is the co-founder, executive director, and creative mind behind the Family Table Collaborative, a Cape Cod–based nonprofit advancing nutritional security through food access, education, and community engagement. Founded in 2020, the Family Table Collaborative has distributed more than 205,000 meals to those in need. Jeni holds an MBA from Babson College with a concentration in Social Entrepreneurship and brings a values-driven, business-minded approach to leadership and systems change.

There are no asterisks to the Great Commission for those with disabilities. Does your church have an intentional discipleship strategy for people of all abilities? A recent study found that families with a loved one on the autism spectrum are 84% less likely to attend church than a family that does not experience disability. Meeting different participation and discipleship needs in your church can be done! Don’t miss this interactive discussion as we invite Doug and Liz Babbitt to share practical supports and accommodations needed in a culture that fully represents the unified body of Christ.
Liz and Doug Babbitt attend New Life Community Church in Georgetown, MA where families with disabilities are enthusiastically embraced as indispensable members of the body of Christ. Since 2009, Liz has served as Senior Ministry Relations Manager for Joni and Friends New England. Doug works in a Massachusetts public school system as a Speech-Language Pathologist, holding 30+ years' experience with children and adults affected by disability. The Babbitts have five grandchildren; the youngest is diagnosed on the autism spectrum.