2026 Annual Convention
Our vocations (callings) are our compass for everyday life. Vocations like spouse, parent, teacher, or engineer, are the answer to the perennial question a pastor hears immediately upon absolving sinners and setting them free: “But Pastor, would you please just tell me what I should be doing?” Being justified through the hearing of the Word and receiving the sacraments, the old Adam is brought back down to earth from her or his ambitious climb to be like God, to be unshackled from the needs of our bodies and the demands of earthly life. Christ Jesus became incarnate and went to the cross to give us life eternal life in him, conquering our sin and death. In doing so, and hearing that promise for you, you become truly human, once again. By faith, trusting our eternal life is already secured by Christ Jesus, our life on earth is turned towards care of the earth and God’s creatures whom he daily sets before us in our families, our church, and our work. In these vocations we find both a cross and a new freedom.
Registration Deadline
Early-bird pricing ends after April 1, 2026. Final registration date is April 13, 2026.
Cabin Space
Cabin space is limited and will be assigned in the order of registrations as long as there is availability.
**Please make sure to view the specific roles of registrants. If you are a Voting Delegate, make sure to register as such.
** All vendor participants must be registered at the daily rate. Please read over our vendor policy to make certain you understand.
| Refund Policy | |
|---|---|
| 28+ Days before Event | 100% |
| 14 - 27 days prior to the event | 50% |
| 13 days or less prior to the event | 0% |
TIP: Register Before Holy Week So You Don’t Forget!
Hourly Schedule
Saturday
- 9:00 AM
- Registration
- 9:30 AM
- Opening Worship
- 10:15 AM
- Presentation 1
- with Rev Nick Hopman
- 11:00 AM
- Break
- 11:15 AM
- Business Meeting & Distinguished Service Award
- 11:45 AM
- Lunch
- 1:00 PM
- Presentation 2
- with Rev. Mike Hanson
- 1:30 PM
- Break
- 1:45 PM
- Breakout Sessions
- 2:45 PM
- Coodinator Reports
- and Q&A
- 3:30 PM
- Blessing & Sending
Date
- Apr 25 2026
Location
- 800 Mount Carmel Drive NE, Alexandria, MN 56308
-
Website
https://www.mountcarmelministries.com/
Organizer
-
Augustana District
-
Phone
320.234.8403 -
Email
[email protected]
Speakers
-
Rev. Nick HopmanNicholas Hopman serves as Senior Pastor of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain, Michigan (UP) and has a PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary, specializing in the Reformation in Strasbourg. He teaches at the Institute of Lutheran Theology and is an editor and translator for Lutheran Quarterly. His work has been published by the Neue Zeitschrift für Systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie, Lutheran Quarterly, Baker Academic, Fortress Press, and Lutheran Forum.
-
Pastor Michael HansonPastor Michael Hanson has served at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Morris, Minnesota for the past 15 years and has been part of the Augustana District since its beginning. He lives with his wife, Martha, and their four boys. Much of their time is spent watching their boys compete on the golf course and the basketball court, or simply out in the dirt on the farm. Michael enjoys coffee roasting, golf, and reading—especially good theology books that get to the heart of handing over the benefits of Christ.