New Life Church
Berryville, Arkansas
Leadership Conference
Identifying where your next level is — and inspiring you to rise and reach it.
Heart of the Ozarks · Berryville, Arkansas
Everybody talks about the next level. Very few ever actually reach it. This July, that changes.— Mickey Shields
World-Renowned Voices
We've assembled three extraordinary leaders whose combined influence spans decades of ministry, music, finance, and transformational executive leadership. Come ready to be challenged, changed, and commissioned.
Senior & Founding Pastor · Ray of Hope Church · Duncan, Oklahoma
Pastor Mike McCord is the Senior and Founding Pastor of Ray of Hope Church in Duncan, Oklahoma — a church he and his wife Cary have built from the ground up into one of the most vibrant congregations in the region. With over 40 years in ministry, Pastor Mike has given thousands of messages, yet those who know him say each one carries the same fire and conviction as the first.
His passion is unmistakable: communicating God's love, mentoring leaders, and watching young families and emerging leaders rise up to carry the mission of Christ into the world. He and Cary have raised three boys — Nathan, Aaron, and Matt — and make their home in the country, where Pastor Mike raises cattle and finds renewal in the land. Teaching, encouraging, and calling people toward their God-given best is not just his ministry — it is his life.
Featured Sessions
Sunday AM · 10:00 Sunday PM · 6:30 Monday PM · 6:30 Tuesday Panel · 11:00World-Renowned Fingerstyle Guitarist · Grand Ole Opry · Devout Christian & Minister
Cited alongside legends like Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel as one of the greatest fingerstyle guitarists in the world, Doyle Dykes is a one-of-a-kind artist whose playing has left audiences speechless on every continent. His early years took him around the globe touring with the Stamps Quartet and Grand Ole Opry star Grandpa Jones — and he has since returned to the Grand Ole Opry for numerous performances, many broadcast live on national television.
Influenced by everyone from Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed to U2 and the Beatles, Doyle developed a sound so distinct and so masterful that Guitar Shop Magazine once wrote: there are good fingerpickers, great fingerpickers, and then Doyle Dykes. He is a devout Christian who has served as a minister, and the fingerprints of faith are woven through everything he plays. To sit in a room while Doyle Dykes holds a guitar is to witness something you will not forget for the rest of your life.
Featured Sessions
Monday Workshop · 11:00–1:00 Tuesday PM · 6:30President & CEO · Arkansas Bankers Association · Historic Trailblazer
Lorrie Trogden is one of the most respected executive leaders in the state of Arkansas. As President and CEO of the Arkansas Bankers Association — founded in 1891 and the state's oldest and largest banking industry organization — she serves as the chief advocate for Arkansas's $100 billion banking industry, representing institutions that collectively employ more than 26,000 people across the state.
When she was unanimously selected by the Board of Directors in 2018, Lorrie made history as the first woman ever to lead the ABA in its 130+ year existence. Self-described as dedicated, fiercely loyal, and a little bit stubborn, she leads with a rare blend of intellect, tenacity, and warmth. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Central Arkansas, a Master's in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas, and is a Certified Association Executive. She serves on multiple boards including the Graduate School of Banking at Madison, Wisconsin, Economics Arkansas, and the American BankPac Board. She is exactly the kind of voice that belongs at a leadership conference — and her presence here is a gift to every person in the room.
Featured Session
Tuesday Leadership Luncheon · 11:00 AMFull Program
Sunday Morning Service — “Identify Your Next Level”
Featured Speaker: Mike McCord
The conference opens with a keynote designed to shake you awake. Define where you are. Discover where God is calling you. And understand why most leaders never close the gap between the two.
Main AuditoriumSunday Evening Service — “The Cost of the Climb”
Featured Speaker: Mike McCord
Great leadership is never free. Sunday evening, Pastor McCord unpacks the sacrifices, disciplines, and decisions that separate those who reach the next level from those who merely desire it.
Main AuditoriumMaster Guitar Workshop — “The Craft Behind the Calling”
Featured Speaker: Doyle Dykes | Sponsored by Todd the Music Guy
This is not a panel. This is not a lecture. This is an intimate, up-close workshop with one of the top three guitar players in the world — Doyle Dykes, who has played alongside the Rolling Stones, toured with U2, and graced the Grand Ole Opry stage time and again. Seating is strictly limited to 20 people on a first come, first served basis. For $100 per person, you will sit closely, learn directly, and leave transformed. A catered lunch will be served courtesy of our generous sponsor.
Workshop Venue Lunch Served $100 Per Person · 20 Seats · First Come First ServedWorkshop Sponsor
Todd the Music Guy
Musical Instruments · Sales and Repairs
Monday Evening Service — “Leading Through Tough Times”
Featured Speaker: Mike McCord
Monday evening brings one of the conference's most anticipated moments. Pastor McCord delivers a message forged in the real-world fire of decades in ministry leadership — honest, powerful, and practically transformational.
Main AuditoriumLeadership Luncheon
Panelists: Mike McCord · Lorrie Trogden, President & CEO, Arkansas Bankers Association · Special Guests TBA
An intimate, high-caliber leadership luncheon unlike anything else on the schedule. Seated around the table with Mike McCord, Lorrie Trogden, and special guests, attendees will dig into the conversations that actually grow leaders — how to build teams that outlast you, how to lead with clarity under pressure, how to develop the next generation before they walk out the door, and how to cultivate the kind of culture where excellence becomes the standard. This is not a lecture. It is a conversation. Ask the hard questions. Bring your real challenges. Leave with the kind of perspective that only comes from sitting across the table from people who have actually done it. Lunch will be served.
Luncheon Venue Lunch ServedTuesday Evening Service — “The Send”
Featured Speaker: Doyle Dykes
The conference closes the way the greatest moments always do — with music that moves mountains and a message that sends you forward. Doyle Dykes brings the final evening to life in a night of worship, artistry, and holy commissioning. You will not leave the same person who walked in.
Main Auditorium Closing CelebrationPlan Your Stay
Host Hotel
Inn of the Ozarks
Our official conference hotel nestled in the natural beauty of Arkansas's Ozark region — the perfect setting to rest, recharge, and connect with fellow leaders.
Call Front Desk — Request the “Next Level Conference Rate”Conference Dates
July 19–21, 2026
Three days. Six sessions. One guitar workshop. One leadership panel. And an entire region waiting to be explored. Plan to arrive Saturday and depart Wednesday to maximize your experience.
Location
Berryville, Arkansas
Heart of the Arkansas Ozarks. A region of stunning landscapes, rich culture, and genuine Southern hospitality — the ideal backdrop for a gathering that will reset your leadership trajectory.
Extend Your Experience
While you're here, explore one of America's most beautiful and underrated regions. Bring your family. Stay an extra few days. The Ozarks reward those who linger.
The Jewel of the Ozarks · A Victorian Wonderland
A Victorian-era gem carved into the limestone bluffs of the Ozarks — with streets that spiral and buildings that cling to hillsides. Eureka Springs is unlike any other town in America: timeless, artsy, and full of beauty that points you toward the Creator.
Faith & Heritage
The Great Passion Play & Christ of the Ozarks
One of the largest and most celebrated outdoor Christian dramas in America. The 7-story Christ of the Ozarks statue stands as a beacon of faith over the entire region — a deeply moving experience for believers of all ages.
Spiritual Wonder
Thorncrown Chapel
Named one of the greatest buildings of the 20th century by the American Institute of Architects. This breathtaking glass-and-wood chapel nestled in the Ozark forest is a sanctuary of peace where God's creation and human artistry meet in perfect harmony.
Architecture & History
Historic Downtown Eureka Springs
Walk streets listed entirely on the National Register of Historic Places. Victorian architecture, locally owned shops, handcrafted galleries, and a small-town warmth that feels like stepping into a simpler, more beautiful era of American life.
Outdoor Adventure
Lake Leatherwood City Park
Over 1,600 acres of mountain biking and hiking trails surrounding a stunning natural lake — all within the city limits. One of the top trail systems in the entire mid-South, perfect for families and solo adventurers alike.
Wildlife & Nature
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
A remarkable big cat sanctuary just outside town, home to rescued lions, tigers, leopards, and more. A humbling and awe-inspiring experience for the whole family — a reminder of the majesty of God's creation on full display.
Dining
Local Restaurants & Family Dining
Eureka Springs is filled with beloved locally owned restaurants serving fresh Ozark cuisine. From Ermilio's Italian Home Cooking to the Local Flavor Café, you'll find warm hospitality and exceptional meals that feel like a Southern Sunday dinner.
Culture, Art & Innovation · A City Transformed
Once a quiet Ozark town, Bentonville has become one of the most talked-about small cities in America — home to world-class art, legendary trail systems, inspiring history, and a community that values family, faith, and hard work.
World-Class Art
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Free admission. A stunning architectural masterpiece set among Ozark forest, housing one of America's finest art collections spanning Colonial times to the present. A celebration of creativity, history, and the American story — genuinely moving for every visitor.
Outdoor Adventure
Oz Trails & World-Class Mountain Biking
Over 400 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails make Bentonville the mountain bike capital of the world. The trails wind through stunning Ozark beauty that refreshes the body and the soul — for experts and first-timers alike.
History & Inspiration
Walmart Museum & Sam Walton's Original Five and Dime
Walk through the story of one of the greatest entrepreneurial legacies in American history. Sam Walton's original store on the historic downtown square is a free museum — an inspiring testament to vision, hard work, and servant-hearted business leadership.
Family Fun
Slaughter Pen Hollow & Coler Mountain Bike Preserve
Family-friendly trail systems winding through breathtaking natural landscapes. Pack a picnic, rent bikes, and spend a half-day in the kind of God-given beauty that slows you down, clears your mind, and fills your heart.
Arts & Culture
The Momentary
A contemporary arts venue from Crystal Bridges housed in a beautifully converted building. Live music performances, visual art exhibitions, and community cultural events — a creative space that celebrates human expression at its best.
Dining & Community
Downtown Bentonville Square
A vibrant, walkable downtown square lined with locally owned restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, and boutique stores. Enjoy an outstanding meal and experience the warmth of a community that takes pride in welcoming every visitor well.
Entertainment Capital of the Midwest · America's Family Destination
Just over an hour north of Berryville, Branson has long been one of America's most beloved family destinations — built on clean, wholesome entertainment, natural beauty, and the kind of hospitality that makes every visit feel like coming home.
Live Entertainment
Gospel & Country Music Shows on the Strip
Branson's famous 76 Country Boulevard hosts more live theater seats than Broadway — with a strong tradition of gospel concerts, patriotic tributes, family comedy, and country music legends. Clean, uplifting entertainment the whole family will love.
Outdoor Adventure
Table Rock Lake
One of the most breathtaking lakes in the Midwest — 745 miles of Ozark shoreline, crystal-clear water, and endless outdoor activity. Go fishing, rent a pontoon, hike the shoreline trails, or simply sit at the water's edge and let God's peace wash over you.
Family Theme Park
Silver Dollar City
An 1880s-themed Christian family amusement park consistently ranked among the best in the world. World-class rides, craftsman demonstrations, incredible food, and a culture rooted in faith and family. Their annual festivals are legendary — don't miss it.
History & Culture
Titanic Museum Attraction
A life-size replica housing over 400 authentic Titanic artifacts. An immersive, educational, and deeply moving experience that tells the stories of real people with courage, sacrifice, and humanity — wonderful for families and history lovers alike.
Family Fun
Aquarium of the Ozarks & Sight & Sound Theatre
The Aquarium of the Ozarks captivates with 1.3 million gallons of fresh and saltwater exhibits. And Sight & Sound Theatre delivers world-class Biblical productions on a massive stage — some of the most powerful Christian storytelling you will ever witness live.
Dining & Atmosphere
Branson Landing & Waterfront Dining
The Branson Landing waterfront district offers family-friendly boutique shopping, lakeside restaurants, and the iconic fire-and-water fountain show. A beautiful evening setting for the whole family or your entire conference group.
Get In Touch
Whether you're ready to register, interested in sponsorship, or simply want more information about the Next Level Leadership Conference — reach out. We'd love to connect.
✉ newlifechurchberryville@gmail.comNew Life Church · 32 Wilson Drive · Berryville, Arkansas 72616
Reserve your seat. Book your hotel. Bring your team. Your next level is waiting — and this is where the climb begins.
Register Now