Equipping the Saints 2026 set for Feb. 7

All day regional event to be held at Christ, the Cross and the Church

2026 is the 42nd anniversary of the Annual Equipping the Saints (ETS), a regional event for a 12-county area, sponsored by the Bluebonnet Conference of ELCA Congregations. The all-day event is being hosted by Trinity Lutheran Church, 106 North DeLeon, Victoria on Saturday, Feb. 7. This year’s theme is “Christ, the Cross, and the Church.”

Equipping the Saints is known for its many workshops that provide important insights and Biblically-based practical tools to equip persons to do congregational and community ministry and mission. There will be opportunities for personal and spiritual growth, table fellowship (a pork steak catered meal) with Christians of area congregations, child care for young children of attendees, and the experience of worship as the body of Christ. While the event is sponsored by ELCA (Lutheran) congregations, it is open to persons of all denominations. Join us for this special opportunity, and invite friends and neighbors to attend. Persons must register beforehand.

Pastor Herb Beyer, ETS Chair, commented: “It’s not easy being the Church in a changing culture. How can the Church be or become relevant, addressing a multitude of needs locally and globally?

Discover your purpose individually and as a community of faith—helping and healing, loving and forgiving, celebrating and serving, feeding and freeing, encouraging and strengthening healthy relationships, and showing up for folks in their time of need. We are blessed with the gifts of God to get the work that needs to be done in our communities because of the important connections we have—Christ, the Cross and the Church.” Persons can register in any of the following ways: Materials are available through area ELCA Congregations or Registration by E-mail: Secretary@TrinityVictoria. net; Registration by Phone: 361-573-4725 or 361-573-4796, Church Office. Registration Materials available through website: trinityvictoria.net; or contact Pastor Herb Beyer, ETS Chair 361-798-0155 beyerfam55@ gmail.com.

Speakers and workshop leaders include Rev. Dr. Norm Beck, retired Professor of Theology and Classical Languages at Texas Lutheran University; Lane Johnson, Chief Clinical Officer at Gulf Bend, a Licensed Professional Council and Life Coach; Levi Montgomery, educator, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach for Hallettsville ISD, and served in U.S. Army in Bosnia in the 1990’s; Pastor Sharon Wiggins who has traveled to Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Israel and been involved with the Christian Peacemakers; Dr. Maurice Wilkinson, a Family Practitioner for 48 years; Rev. Dr. Larry Green, pastor serving God’s Church, Victoria and Goliad Country Fellowship, Goliad, and full-time Chaplain with Hospice of South Texas; Rebecca Guengerich, Educator and Spiritual Director, and serves as the Leadership Chair for Rostered and Lay Leaders in the Southwestern Texas Synod; Pastor Herb Beyer, Lead Pastor for the Tri-County Cooperative Ministries serving Lavaca, Fayette and Colorado Counties and Founder/ Coordinator of St. Nicholas Ministries; Elva Villalpando Cope, President of the Women of the ELCA for the Southwestern Texas Synod, Founder of A Sole Experience, and Member of San Antonio’s Association for Hispanic Journalists; Rev. Katie Wegner, Program Director for Christ Trails Ministry (Camping and Retreat for Youth and Adults); Master Gardeners Catherine Koenig, David Hensley and Marcia Kauffman; Kristi McBride, an educational leader, instructional technologist, and non-profit Executor of Parents Teachers of Rural South-Central Texas; and Signe Fredrickson, Southwest Texas Synod Gift Planner for the Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest. The Rev. Ildiko Rigney is hosting pastor of Trinity Lutheran for this year’s event.