Becoming Whole Conference: Oct. 1-2

What does it truly mean to see human flourishing restored? Join us October 1–2, 2026, in Birmingham for a transformative two-day conference series featuring Dr. Brian Fikkert, bestselling author of When Helping Hurts. Through three distinct gatherings designed for church members, ministry leaders, donors, and practitioners, this conference series will equip our community with a biblical framework for poverty alleviation that moves beyond charity toward genuine, lasting wholeness.

Understanding God’s Design for Poverty Alleviation

A Conversation with Dr. Brian Fikkert for Marketplace Leaders

Country Club of Birmingham – East Room (3325 Country Club Road, Birmingham, AL 35213)

Join us for a breakfast that will reshape how you think about generosity. Hosted by NCF Gulf South at The Country Club of Birmingham, this special morning features a presentation by Dr. Brian Fikkert, author of Becoming Whole and When Helping Hurts. Marketplace leaders, donors, and friends of the generosity community will gather for an hour-long session exploring how biblical wisdom can shape giving that creates real, lasting impact.

• Audience: Marketplace leaders
• Format: Hour-long breakfast presentation
• Content: A combination of “Becoming Whole” and “When Helping Hurts” focused on building effective generosity strategies

Please use the form below to register for breakfast only.

You’re welcome to register for and attend additional events as well.

Becoming Whole: Sharing God’s Heart for the Poor

An Evening with Dr. Brian Fikkert, Author of “When Helping Hurts”

Thursday, October 1

7:00-8:30 PM

Covenant Presbyterian Church (65 Old Montgomery Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35209)

Why is the opposite of poverty not the American Dream? Join us Thursday evening at Covenant Presbyterian Church as Dr. Brian Fikkert challenges the assumptions behind how we think about human flourishing and what it means to truly help. Through a 75-minute presentation and open Q&A, this accessible, thought-provoking evening is open to all — church members, nonprofit leaders, volunteers, and anyone who wants to understand God’s design for a whole city.

• Audience: Church members, congregants, volunteers, nonprofit leaders and board members, general public
• Format: 75-minute presentation + 15-minute Q&A with Brian Fikkert
• Content: Core theological message and broad framework of “Becoming Whole: Why the Opposite of Poverty Isn’t the American Dream”

Designing Ministry for Becoming Whole

A Practitioners’ Workshop for Transformational Programs

Friday, October 2

9:00-11:45 am

Covenant Presbyterian Church (65 Old Montgomery Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35209)

Built for those on the front lines of ministry, this hands-on practitioner workshop equips nonprofit leaders and ministry professionals with the foundational principles of effective poverty alleviation work. Led by Justin Lonas of the Chalmers Center, the three-module session draws from A Field Guide to Becoming Whole to explore what healthy, sustainable ministry looks like — and gives you practical frameworks to apply within your own context. Peer discussion and collaborative learning are built into every module, giving you the chance to connect with others doing the same work across our city.

• Audience: Ministry leaders and practitioners seeking deeper application
• Format: Three 45-minute modules led by Justin Lonas, Chalmers Center Director of Foundational Products and Regional Partnerships
• Content: Principles from “A Field Guide to Becoming Whole”, ministry design guidance, peer-to-peer discussion times,  a framework for transformational outcomes.

Speakers:

Dr. Brian Fikkert is the Founder of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development and Professor of Economics and Community Development at Covenant College.

He is coauthor of the best-selling book When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor…and Yourself, as well as Becoming Whole: Why the Opposite of Poverty Isn’t the American Dream and A Field Guide to Becoming Whole: Principles for Poverty Alleviation Ministries. Dr. Fikkert earned a Ph.D. in economics from Yale University, specializing in international economics and economic development. He is the author of numerous articles in both academic and popular journals. Before coming to Covenant College in 1997, he was a professor at the University of Maryland, College Park, and a research fellow at the Center for Institutional Reform and the Informal Sector. He and his wife Jill have 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren and live in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Justin Lonas serves as Senior Director of Foundational Products for the Chalmers Center at Covenant College, helping churches and ministry organizations grasp core concepts of a biblical framework for poverty alleviation and apply these ideas in their ministry programs. In this role, he coordinates the Chalmers Ambassador network of poverty-alleviation practitioners and has co-created and contributed to multiple books, articles, blog posts, online courses, and in-depth trainings for Chalmers since 2016. Justin and his wife, Rachel, live in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with their four daughters. He holds a B.A. in communications from Bryan College and an M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary (Atlanta).

Event sponsors: