Join us for Access 2023!
July 11–13 | St. Petersburg, Florida
Each one of us has a story of how we’ve been captivated by the Gospel. But how do we share the unchanging hope we’ve found in Jesus with a rapidly changing world? At Access 2023, a variety of speakers will share their own stories of how the Gospel changed their lives and offer encouragement as we look forward to the future of ministry.
What is the Access Conference?
Access is the national conference of the Charis Fellowship. Held annually in July, it is a vital connection point for people in Charis churches and ministries. The three-day conference is designed to build relationships, deepen biblical knowledge, and strengthen ministry. Each day consists of teaching and worship during celebrations, smaller group instruction and discussion, shared meals, and time for fellowship.
Access 2023 Schedule
Tuesday
12:00 pm Check-in begins
1:00 pm Charis Symposium Presentation One
5:00 pm Dinner
6:30 pm Session One
8:00 pm Party at the Pier
Wednesday
8:00 am Breakfast
10:00 am Session Two
12:00 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Workshops
3:15 pm Session Three
4:30 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Steven Curtis Chapman Concert
Thursday
8:00 am Breakfast
10:00 am Session Four
12:30 pm Lunch
2:00 pm Workshops
4:00 pm Charis Conversation
5:30 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Session Five
8:15 pm Party on the Lawn
Registration
Rate through May 31: $275
Rate through June 30: $325
Spouse Rate: $125
Registration closes July 1, 2023.
Lodging
A limited number of group rate rooms are available for $161 each (plus taxes and fees) at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront on a first-come, first-served basis.
Account
If you’ve already registered, you can log into your account to edit your registration and add concert and meal tickets.
Additional Activities
The Charis Symposium is a gracious place for thoughtful, theological dialogue. At Access, they will present on year three of their study in gender identity and introduce their new topic, men and women in ministry.
Join us after the main session for this fun opportunity to reconnect with friends and enjoy some frozen treats on a world class pier!
Award-winning artist Steven Curtis Chapman will perform with special guest Cochran & Co on Wednesday night of Access. The concert is open to the general public, but Access attendees get a special rate.
Those attending access have access to purchase tickets at a discounted rate. Tickets must be purchased through your registration no later than June 15. Tickets bought at the door will be full price.
Birth–2: FREE
3–12: $5
13–17: $10
18–65: $18
66+: $5
All are invited for this Charis family conversation where we will discuss important details and decisions relating to the Charis Fellowship. Local church delegates should plan to attend and participate in this meeting.
Let’s end Access with a bang! Join us after the last session for a party right outside the theater.
Conference Staff
Phil Sparling
Charis Fellowship Executive Director
Phil has served as executive director of the Charis Fellowship since July 2019. He is also the senior pastor at Grace Community Church in Auburn, Calif. The church was launched in 1980 by three families, including Phil’s parents, and continues to thrive. Phil and his wife, Ruth, have four children and eight grandchildren.
Tim Hodge
Charis Fellowship Coordinator
Tim has served as the Charis Fellowship coordinator since October 2020. Born and raised “down under” in South Australia, he trained and worked as a tradesman for General Motors for six years before pursuing ministry training in the United States. Tim is a graduate of Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary. He previously served 19 years as a Charis Fellowship pastor in Bethlehem, Pa., and at Grace Family Church in New Holland, Pa. He currently serves on the executive committee of the Charis Alliance. Tim and his wife, Heidi, have been married for 22 years and they have four children.
Andrew Saunders
Charis Fellowship Networking Coordinator
Andrew has served the Charis Fellowship as networking coordinator since October 2021. His responsibilities include coordinating networking opportunities with leaders in Charis churches and ministries. He also serves on the executive team of the Fellowship Council by helping to plan and lead Focus Retreats and Access conferences. Andrew is a graduate of Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary. Andrew previously served 19 years as a Charis Fellowship pastor at Palmyra Grace Church in Palmyra, Pa., and at Penn Valley Church in Telford, Pa. Andrew has been married to his wife, Elizabeth, for 23 years and they have six kids.
Mischelle Hill
Charis Fellowship Events & Registration Manager
Mischelle has served as the registration & events manager of the Charis Fellowship since February 2023. Mischelle attends Community Grace Brethren Church in Warsaw, Ind., where she is on staff part-time as the office and family ministries assistant. Mischelle and her husband, Zach, have been married since March 2021 and they have one daughter.
Randi Walle
Charis Fellowship Editor & Communications Manager
Randi has served as the editor & communications manager for the Charis Fellowship since October 2021. Her main responsibility is managing Charis Connect where she connects with people and shares stories about how God is working in the lives of individuals and churches within the Fellowship. She attends Grace Polaris Church in Westerville, Ohio, where she has been on staff for four years in the communications department. Randi has been married to her husband, Jesús, for eight years and together they enjoy traveling and hunting for the best local tacos.
Wade Ringiner
Charis Fellowship Creative & Design Manager and Conference Emcee
Wade has served as the creative & design manager for the Charis Fellowship since October 2021. Wade helps with creative planning, session coordinating, graphics, and print materials for Access, and he has served as conference emcee for two years. He has been involved in church planting and campus starting for fifteen years in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Canada. Wade also works part time with Assist Church Expansion as a project coach and media & communications assistant. He is currently planting Formation Church in St. Petersburg, Fla., and working towards launching later in 2023. Wade has been married to his wife, Anna, for 15 years, and they have four children.
Dayne Carraway
Conference Emcee
Dayne has served as conference emcee for two years. Dayne planted Church at the Well in Towson, Md., which launched in January 2023. Prior to moving to Towson, Dayne was a youth pastor at Clinton Grace Brethren Church in Clinton, Md., for seven years. Dayne and his wife, Ana, have been married for 11 years and they have three children.
Erica Shelton
Charis Kids Coordinator
Erica has led Charis Kids at several conferences in the past. She is a seasoned pro and is looking forward to providing a safe, fun, and interactive environment for kids during Access this year. Erica has served on staff at Grace Fellowship in Pickerington, Ohio, for 15 years, working with kids and families. Her educational background and personal experience have led to her love for helping kids meet, follow, and share Jesus.
Rich Davies
Conference Worship Leader
Rich has served on staff at Grace Church in Akron, Ohio, since 2020. He is originally from southern California but has called northeast Ohio home since 2016. He has been deeply involved in worship and arts since he picked up a guitar as a sixth grader. Rich has had the opportunity to lead worship in hundreds of churches and events all over the United States. Rich and his wife, Renee, have two children. When he is not milling around Grace, you can find him having fun with his family, hunting for the ever-elusive good sushi place, or planning the next family trip to Disneyland.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Log in to your account using your email registered
- Click “registrations” at the top of the account page
- Click Access2023
- Click the green button labeled “edit” on each registration
- Select your meal tickets and/or concert tickets
- Click “Save” at the bottom of the page to charge your previously used credit card.
Please note if you’re looking to add meals to other members under your account you must go back to their name and then click the “edit” button and add the appropriate meals you would like to purchase for them.
Award-winning artist Steven Curtis Chapman will perform with special guest Cochran & Co on Wednesday night of Access. The concert is open to the general public, but Access attendees get a special rate.
Those attending access have access to purchase tickets at a discounted rate. Tickets must be bought through your registration no later than June 15. Tickets bought at the door will be full price.
Birth–2: FREE
3–12: $5
13–17: $10
18–65: $18
66+: $5
Once you have registered for Access, you can get your discounted tickets here!
There is no need to rent a car for Access! The Mahaffey Theater is a 30-minute Uber or Lyft ride from both Tampa International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, and the Hilton Hotel is directly across the street from the theater. St. Pete Pier is half a mile away, and downtown St. Petersburg is just a few blocks away.
There are three options for airports in the area. Tampa International Airport and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport are both about 30 minutes from the Mahaffey Theater and Hilton Hotel. Orlando International Airport is about two and a half hours away.
Meal tickets for all sponsored meals will be available in April. Once available, they can be purchased through the registration site. Stay tuned for more details.
Parents will drop off and pick up their kids in a banquet room inside the Hilton Hotel. Charis Kids will have outings and planned activities during their meeting times.
Yes. A limited number of group rate rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Hilton Hotel. Contact the Hilton Hotel directly to inquire about arriving early or staying late.
Yes! We are inviting all of our local Charis churches to join us for our last session, so it will be a full night of worship and a meaningful message. Plus, there’s a dessert party afterwards!
There is a small beach on the Bay near the St. Pete Pier, which is about half a mile from the theater and hotel. There is also a free local bus that offers transportation to and from the beach on the Gulf, with several destination stops along the way. Read more about that here.
See highlights from Access 2022!
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