FORT WAYNE, IN (June 29, 2026) -- Visit Fort Wayne and the Grand Wayne Convention Center are pleased to welcome Church of the Brethren for their 239th Recorded Annual Conference, June 29 - July 2.

The national group brings 1,450 attendees to Fort Wayne for the first time, over what would traditionally be a slower week for group travel leading into the holiday weekend.

Church of the Brethren will utilize 7 Fort Wayne hotels, resulting in an estimated $888,000 in direct economic impact over the 4-day event.

Community Service Projects:

At each of their conferences, the group participates in community service projects as a way to give back to their host community. In Fort Wayne, they are partnering with: Clothes for Joes, Fort Wayne Parks and Rec – Youth Programming, Fort Wayne Parks and Rec – Park Cleanup, Just Neighbors, Miss Virginia’s Food Pantry, and Blessings in a Backpack. Learn more about their projects with these organizations here (note: the project with Wellspring Interfaith Social has been cancelled).

Rhonda Pittman Gingrich, Director of Annual Conference for Church of the Brethren said, "Service is a core practice of Christian discipleship for the Church of the Brethren. In an effort to be the hands and feet of Christ in a hurting world, throughout our history, members of the Church of the Brethren have sought—as individuals, as congregations, and as a denomination—to serve those in need, friends and strangers alike. Our current vision is summed up by the call to meet and be 'Jesus in the neighborhood.' When we gather for our Annual Conference each year, it is a natural expression of our identity and vision to serve our host community in some way."

In addition to these service projects, they also sponsor a Witness to the Host City project. This year they are supporting Alive Community Outreach. Learn more about Alive and how they are supporting their mission here.

They also do a blood drive each year, this year partnering with the Fort Wayne chapter of the American Red Cross.

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For additional information or media interviews, please contact:

Nicolle Campbell, Director of Sales, Visit Fort Wayne
nicolle@visitfortwayne.com
(260) 424-3700

Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, Director of News Services, Church of the Brethren
cobnews@brethren.org
(224) 735-9692


Visit Fort Wayne, the Fort Wayne/Allen County Convention and Visitors Bureau, is the not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to expand Fort Wayne's economy by attracting convention and leisure visitors. Each year, millions of dollars from visitor spending generate increased commerce, sustained jobs and enhancement of Fort Wayne's Image.