A network of churches that have over 500 people in attendance at their weekend services, aimed at connecting to influence, inspire and inform one another.
Churches of this size often have more in common with each other than they do with smaller churches within their own denomination or movement.
To this end we host two conferences, every 18 months respectively:
- Senior Pastors Conference - A gathering of Senior Pastors and their spouses from across the globe.
- Business Conference - A gathering of executive ministers, general managers, senior associate ministers, financial controllers, business managers, and IT managers.
what others have to say about the 500Plus conferences:
"As a busy leader of a growing church, I'm not interested in another conference for the sake of it. 500Plus however is part of an international revolution that the Holy Spirit has underway. Phil Baker and Mark Pomery are great at linking and equipping those internationally that want to learn from God and each other. All the 500Plus events I have attended encourage me to believe for more, being challenged and informed by the best new thinking, while celebrating what has always produced great results in advancing the kingdom.
Great locations, great food, good friends and belly laughs. Clear your diary."
Anthony Delaney, Senior Minister, L1FE Surrey, England
"Having attended 500Plus since its beginnings, it has been a great inspiration with great connections made over the years. I have so appreciated Phil and the team at Riverview as they have given of themselves in pulling this gathering together.
It is an atmosphere of relationship, gleaning and being encouraged with other like-minded people around the common cause of church building. I have and do encourage Pastors to take the opportunity and attend the 500Plus Pastors Conference."
Peter Mortlock, Senior Minister, City Impact Church Auckland, New Zealand
"We found that the 500Plus Conference was beneficial for us to have the opportunity to connect with other Pastors of larger churches. It was great to be able to ask questions that related to either where we were at now or where we are going. We made some very significant relationships over the few days we were together. Thank you presenting the opportunity."
Steve Fleming Senior Minister Koinonia Christian Fellowship Toronto, Canada
"Just a note of thanks for 500Plus. It has revolutionised our lives and our church. Rosalind and I have been Senior Ministers in Newcastle, Australia, for 14 years. When we first went to 500PLUS in Queenstown, New Zealand, we had been on 500-600 people for 5 or 6 years. We needed a breakthrough. Sitting in the atmosphere and anointing of 500Plus was like having the window opened to see more clearly. As we talked to people over dinner the light really started to switch on and, most importantly, God spoke to us.
We are now between 800-1000 people and need 500Plus more than ever as we seek to transition from a church of hundreds to a church of thousands. Thank you for your ministry. God has used 500Plus as an amazing tool to shape and reshape our lives and to increase the capacity and sustainability of our church."
Mark and Rosalind Zaia Senior Minister's Macquarie Christian Life Centre Newcastle, Australia
"I see the 500Plus Conference as one of, if not the most important conferences to attend in my year. Pastors of larger churches need to network, need encouragement, need other Pastors to speak into their lives, and they need this to happen in an open, candid, authentic and generous atmosphere which is found in such a conference.
I highly recommend the conference to you. It has literally recharged my flagging spirit and energized me through God's Spirit to continue on and make a difference, knowing there are many others in the field fighting for the same cause."
Ric Benson Senior Minister Kenmore Baptist Church Brisbane, Australia
"Just a quick message to say thanks for another excellent conference. I found it really valuable and something I will be trying to get more guys from NZ along to in future. I really appreciate the effort you and your team goes to in order to benefit the wider church community through the 500 plus initiative. A lot of sacrificial time, energy and hard work has clearly gone on behind the scenes to put the whole thing together.
I know I speak on behalf of the other delegates who also found this years conference particularly helpful and relevant. The addition of devotion at the start of the day and the importance of spiritual health echoed by some speakers was excellent and for me a good reminder about what we're up against.
The other thing I want to congratulate you on is the really positive staff culture you've built. I'm very aware with our staff that you need to be intentional about building a great culture and it certainly doesn't happen by itself. All of your team have a servant hearted attitude and genuine willingness to help that is a credit to you and the church leadership. Kelley, Cathie, Mali, Raymond and Asiri have clearly got that heart of wanting to share everything you've learned so that smaller churches like ourselves don't need to "re-invent the wheel" in the same areas."
Tony Walter, Manager, Grace Vineyard Church, Christchurch New Zealand.
