CCC 27-4_LR 1

LEAD ARTICLES

A Format That Fits Your Personal and Professional Needs The 2026 Mega National Christian Counseling Conference offers two ways to participate, depending on your personal and professional needs. Option One: Specialization Counselor Training and Coaching Intensives. The 12-hour intensives are a good option for those who want to focus on one area of counseling or coaching. Each track runs across the main conference schedule and is led by trusted voices in the field. Intensive sessions are practical and hands-on, perfect for questions, discussion, and interaction in a smaller group setting. Option Two: Pre-conference and Conference Workshops. This path allows for maximum flexibility. Arrive early for full or half-day pre-con ference sessions, then choose from a wide range of track workshops cov ering today’s most relevant topics in professional mental healthcare and coaching. Ten professional tracks will be available, including addiction and recovery, trauma and grief, child and adolescent issues, marriage and fami ly, neuroscience, spiritual formation, biblical counseling, and more. Whether you are new to the field, a seasoned practitioner, or a coach, you will find content that speaks directly to your work. Keynote Speakers and Program Confirmed keynote speakers include Dr. Jack Graham, Senior Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, and Dr. George Barna, one of the most respected Christian researchers of our time. Both bring timely messages for leaders working at the intersection of faith, culture, and care. Additional speakers will be announced in the coming months. In addition to general sessions, attendees can expect dynamic worship, professional networking, and moments set aside for encouragement and reflection. Four Core Streams The AACC continues to structure its national gatherings around the follow ing four key ministry streams: 1) Counseling, 2) Recovery, 3) Marriage and Family, and 4) Professional Coaching. These focus areas shape the content and give attendees a clear path to choose sessions that align with their work, calling, and growth goals. Why It Matters As the demand for competent, biblically grounded care continues to grow, Christian counselors and leaders need spaces to connect, recharge, and sharpen their skills. The 2026 AACC “Faith and Flourishing” Mega National Christian Counseling Conference will offer just that! With a new venue, a renewed mission, and four decades of shared commitment behind it, this gathering will help set the tone for the years ahead. Mark your calendars for September 10-12, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. We look forward to seeing you there! ; As the demand for competent, biblically grounded care continues to grow, Christian counselors and leaders need spaces to connect, recharge, and sharpen their skills. The 2026 AACC “Faith and Flourishing” Mega National Christian Counseling Conference will offer just that!

Curt Thompson, M.D.

Daniel Amen, M.D.

George Barna, Ph.D.

Jack Graham, D.Min.

Karl Benzio, M.D.

Mark Crear, Ph.D.

Jennifer Ellers, M.A.

Shannae Anderson, Ph.D.

Zach Clinton, Ph.D.

Tim Clinton, Ed.D., LPC, LMFT

Sharon May, Ph.D.

Ron Hawkins, Ed.D., D.Min., LPC

Christian Counseling Connection 9