13,000 people gathered in Atlanta for the 2009 Catalyst Conference. Photo from catalystcouch.com.

Wow.

As a first-time participant in the Catalyst experience, I can honestly say that I am impressed. I didn't really have any preconceived ideas or expectations about the event, so I was ready for anything. Here are some indelible impressions that remain with me as I recall Catalyst '09:

• Tremendous times of worship
• Encouraging and challenging messages (especially Louie Giglio!)
• Dave Ramsey stepping on my foot and falling into me with an awkward 'hug'
• Thoughtful, engaging labs
• Impressive creative genius
• Technological wizardry
• Professor Splash!

I attended the conference on assignment, but I received much more than just a story. I was bombarded with ideas about leadership, vision, culture, church planting, and missiology -- most of which I highly value and appreciate, and some that stretched me and challenged me.

All said, Catalyst was a tremendous experience! I know I'll be looking forward to next year's conference . . . and maybe Ed Stetzer will let me tag along again to get an insider's look onstage and backstage!

Entry by Micah Carter

Speaking of Stetzer, here's a great photo taken by Kent Harville of Stetzer offering his personal reflections and insights about church planting during one of the labs at Catalyst:

This entry was posted on October 12, 2009 2:09 PM and is filed under On assignment . You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.