Every year, the youth directors from the largest United Methodist Churches (800+ in average worship attendance) in America gather for unique and important discussions surrounding our ministry contexts. Each year’s topics are voted on and curated by those in attendance to reflect and honor the diverse perspectives that give strength to our denomination.
Leading Edge is more than a conference; it’s a conversation.
Each year, the time is full of worship, rest, best practices, prayer, and yes, plenty of food and coffee. Your voice at Leading Edge is now all that’s needed to ensure that this year’s gathering is the best yet!
JOIN US APRIL 14-16 IN KANSAS CITY
FOR LEADING EDGE 2026!
Pricing For Leading Edge:
$149 One Day Only Rate on 3-27-25
$165 Early Bird Rate ends 1-1-26
$199 Full Rate
Interested in a Registration Fee Scholarship?
Click Here For More Information
Additional Pricing Considerations:
Travel & Hotel will be at participant’s expense.
All off-site meals will be paid at participant’s expense.
Who Leads Leading Edge?
You! Me! All of Us!
But you probably want more specifics…
Every year, a group of folks part of Leading Edge offer to serve as the planning and lead team for the next year’s gathering. Some folks have been on the lead team for many years, and some joined after their first year attending Leading Edge.
We help set the course for the gathering, based off of everyone’s registration, which includes sharing about each church’s unique strengths and challenges from the past year.
Schedule
The airport is 45 minutes away from Resurrection and The Element, the nearest Leading Edge hotel located less than one block from the church. There are three other conference hotels, all within a 15-minute drive of the church and slightly closer to the airport. We have reserved hotel blocks Monday-Friday. Please plan your own transportation to and from the airport. We have a discount with Avis if you rent a car. Otherwise, carpool with someone by joining Group Me. https://groupme.com/join_group/111879118/3mIM1Ahs Join now to be informed of all things Leading Edge. Also, check the Facebook Group and Instagram Page for updates.
Monday
Come early to tour the city or meet with your team for team building. Contact steve.schneeberger@resurrection.church to book a room at the church if you plan on meeting.
4:00 PM Early Hotel Check In
Tuesday
The Well Bookstore Open 9:00-2:00 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
1:00 PM Pre- Conference Tour of other Resurrection locations. Meet at Building C of Resurrection Leawood, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS. We will travel to Resurrection West, 24000 W. Valley Pkwy, Olathe, KS 66061 and Resurrection Overland Park, 8412 W. 95th St. Overland Park, KS 6621.
4:00 PM Hotel Check-In
5:00 PM Check In at Chicken ‘n Pickle, 5901 W. 135th St. Overland Park, Kansas 66223, for all sorts of fun games and mingling. Reserve a court early if you want to play a game of Pickleball before dinner. You will receive your name tag. We will give you your swag bag when you leave.
6:00 PM Dinner and More Mixing and Mingling
Your registration covers your buffet dinner. Pickleball and added drinks are your responsibility.
Wednesday
Breakfast at Conference Hotels
Student Center Cafe Open for drinks and snacks throughout the conference.
8:30 AM Gathering at Resurrection Leawood – Building C Student Center, 13720 Roe Ave. Leawood, KS
9:00 AM Worship – Adam Hamilton Welcome
10:15 AM Collab Lab A
11:30 AM Collab Lab B
12:30 PM Lunch at the church – Joe's BBQ
1:45 PM Keynote Speaker – Dr. Rebeca Chow
Generational Differences
Mental Health in Students
Navigating Trauma
Dealing with the After Effects of Covid in Student Behavior
2:30 PM Collab Lab C
4:00 PM Tour of Resurrection Leawood
5:30 PM Meet at Resurrection Brookside, 5144 Oak St. Kansas City, MO 64112 for a progressive dinner/crawl down Kansas City’s Main Street on the KC Streetcar The KC Streetcar Route | Kansas City's Modern Transit Option. (meal and drinks are your responsibility)
Thursday
Breakfast at Conference Hotels
Student Center Cafe Open for drinks and snacks throughout the conference.
Luggage can be stored at the church.
8:30 AM Gathering at Resurrection Leawood
9:00 AM Collab Lab D
10:30 AM Worship & Communion & Closing Remarks
11:30 AM Boxed Lunches to take on the road (if needed)
AFTERNOON
Feel free to hang out and/or work in our space as long as you need while you wait for your flight. Or stay an extra day to enjoy the city.
Transportation
Choose Avis as your rental car provider and receive a discount. Use discount code J157629 when making a reservation. Call 1-800-331-1600 or use Avis link for Leading Edge 2026.
Join the Group Me to keep informed about all things Leading Edge.
https://groupme.com/join_group/111879118/3mIM1Ahs
It is also a great way to carpool to and from the airport.
Hotel
We have reserved hotel blocks from Monday through Friday. Feel free to book any days within this range.
The Element
5022 W. 137th St.
Leawood, KS
$139 for a standard room (6 rooms)
$149 for a suite (2 rooms with King, 2 rooms with Queen)
March 18 – cutoff date
5 minute walk
Rise Healthy Chef’s Choice complimentary hot breakfast
Relax Reception including complimentary beer, wine, and appetizers on Monday-Thursday
Complementary herbal teas on Monday-Thursday, 8pm-9:30pm
Book your group rate for Leading Edge - UMC
Hampton Inn & Suites
7521 W. 135th St.
Overland Park, KS
$134 for 5 King and 5 Queen Rooms
March 23 - cutoff date
5 minute drive
Free Breakfast
Indoor Pool and Fitness Center
Guests may now start calling our hotel directly at 913.681.6600 with code 91O to reserve in the block. Alternatively, they may also reserve via this link: Leading Edge Conference Room Block
Fairfield Inn & Suites
12440 Blue Valley Parkway
Overland Park, KS
$129 for King Suites or Double Queen Rooms
March 14 -cutoff date
10 minute drive
Free Breakfast
Fitness Center
Restaurant
Book your group rate for Leading Edge
DoubleTree
10100 College Blvd.
Overland Park, KS
$154 for 10 rooms
March 13 - cutoff date
15 minute drive
Indoor Pool and Fitness Center
Raquetball Court
15 miles of walking and biking trails
Restaurant
Book using this link https://group.doubletree.com/u1z4of
Contact us.
Have a question about Leading Edge? Drop us a question here!