The Gathering 2026
Step Up! Step Out!
The Church of God in North Carolina Gathers to Worship
October 2 & 3 at Transformation Church in Hickory
Schedule:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
8:30 A — Continental Breakfast
9:00 A — Opening HYMN SING
10:30 A — DI Conference Session 1*
Noon — Lunch (donation only)
1:30 P — DI Conference Session 2*
4:00 P — Church History w/ Rev. Hartwell Neal (Heritage Hall)
Credentials Connects sessions
7:00 PM — Keynote Service
Speaker: Rev. Handel Smith STEP UP!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
8:30 A — Continental Breakfast
9:00 A — General Assembly Meeting
Meet and greet with Rev. Handel Smith following
Noon — Lunch (donation only)
YOUTH “STEP BEYOND” Project (Elizabeth Todd)
CHILDREN “STEPPING STONES” (Cheryl Ingram)
1:30 P — DI Conference Session 3*
4:00 PM — Credentials Connect sessions
6:00 PM — Ordination Service
Speaker: Rev. Handel Smith STEP OUT!
* DI CONFERENCE: LEADING WITH COURAGE, WISDOM AND PURPOSE:
For such a time as this, the book of Esther. Bishop Ophelia Livingston, facilitator.
Rev. Handel Smith is the new Regional Pastor for Carolina Ministries. He has served the Church of God at the local and national level for over 35 years. He served as Lead Pastor for the Celebration Church at Arrow Heights in Anderson, Indiana. He and has been happily married to his wife Vickey for 36 years. They have three children: Darius, Josiah, and Mariah. Rev. Smith and his wife are dedicated to the mission of the Church of God. He desires to help Church of God in the Carolinas discover God’s purpose and to help people and organizations to reach their full potential in God, with a focus on discipleship.