3-L Summit

September 20, 2025

“LIVING YOUR FAITH, LOVING GOD’S PEOPLE, LEARNING TO DISCIPLE”

@ Grace Lutheran Church, Little Rock, AR

REGISTER ONLINE NOW

The 3L Summit is a FREE ministry event perfect for lay people and pastors, featuring speakers Rev. Chris Paavola and Rev. Karl Vaters. These engaging pastors will share ministry insights on topics such as:

• Big Churches Small Churches — What’s the Difference?
• Redefining Success in Ministry
• Helping Small Churches Grow in Prayer
• How to Discover and Use What Your Church Does Well
• Helping Welcoming Churches Become Inviting Churches
• De-Sizing the Church
• Simple Witness in a Complicated World
• Click for complete agenda

Saturday, SEPTEMBER 20 is the ministry event at Grace Lutheran Church (5124 Hillcrest Avenue / Little Rock 72205) from 8:30 AM-3:45 PM, featuring engaging talks and fellowship. Lunch is provided for all attendees.

For those interested, Friday evening, SEPTEMBER 19 features a “meet and greet” time with the speakers from 7-9 PM at Delta Hotels by Marriott Little Rock West (201 S. Shackleford Road / Little Rock 72211). Attendees who would like accommodations at the hotel for Friday night can make a reservation with Delta Hotels by Marriott at https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/litde-delta-hotels-little-rock-west/overview/ (hotel cost to be covered by attendee).

QUESTIONS about 3L Summit? Please contact Angela Fowler at afowler@mid-southlcms.com.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS —

Rev. Karl Vaters

Rev. Karl Vaters is the author of five books, including the brand-new De-Sizing the Church: How Church Growth Became a Science, Then an Obsession, and What’s Next. Karl has served in small-church ministry for over 40 years, so he speaks and writes from decades of hands-on pastoral experience. His heart is to help pastors of small churches find the resources to lead well, and to capitalize on the unique advantages that come with pastoring a small church—something virtually every pastor will spend at least some of their ministry years doing. Karl also hosts a bi-weekly podcast, The Church Lobby: Conversations on Faith & Ministry. He and his wife, Shelley, have three children and two grandkids.

Rev. Chris Paavola

Rev. Chris Paavola is a frequent speaker and author of several books focused on prayer. Since 2022, he has served as the Senior Pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Battle Creek, Michigan (Cereal City USA!). Before that, his ministry included time as a church planter, Worship Director, and Youth Director. Chris and his wife, Ashley, have been married for twenty years and have five children through adoption and foster care. He’s a huge Texas Longhorn fan and can talk like Donald Duck (though his kids are tired of hearing it).