In 2025, Learning and Collaboration Tour participants
responded with an average of 9.1 out of 10
on how likely they are to recommend this offering.

We hope you will join us for our 2026 Tours!  

This fall, two Methodist Ministries members will be hosting an on-site experiential day of learning showcasing programs and service models, exploring leading practices, and exchanging ideas and strategies to advance the work. This is a collaborative peer-to-peer education opportunity and a good fit for CEOs, leadership, service teams, managers, and anyone who wants to learn and grow in their position.

Fee per tour, which includes lunch - Members: $150; Non-members: $180. Receive a 20% discount with five or more registrations. Registration closes two weeks prior to each tour. 

Learn more about each tour and register below. 

Wednesday, September 23 - Mount Vernon, IL 

Spero Logo

Founded in 1913, Spero Family Services offers hope, help, and healing by providing Christ-centered human services to meet the ever-changing needs of individuals, families, and communities and serves over 35 counties across Illinois.

Join us at Spero Family Services for a behind-the-scenes look at how a rural residential service provider became a comprehensive organization serving children, youth, and families across Southern Illinois. 

Tour Information:

Learn how we have expanded beyond our residential roots to include community mental health, high-fidelity wraparound, parenting support, early childhood education, workforce development, and other preventative services. Participants will also explore how our evidence-based, trauma-informed model is integrated throughout the entire organization. 

Tours are available in the following areas: 

  • Residential Treatment & Transitional Living 
  • Community Mental Health 
  • Early Childhood Education (Daycare) 
  • Workforce Development (YouthBuild) 
  • Presentations on in-Home Services, including Wraparound, Nurturing Parenting, Parents as Teachers, and Doula Services 

This experience will highlight the strategies that supported our growth while maintaining a unified mission and culture across multiple programs, locations, and levels of care. Ideal for organizations interested in service expansion, organizational growth, rural service delivery, and creating alignment across multiple programs and levels of care.

Optional dinner on Tuesday, September 22:

  • Double Overtime at Double Tree by Hilton 

Airports:  

  • St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) (90 miles) 
  • Evansville Regional Airport (EVV) (90 miles) 

Hotels: 

Thursday, October 15 - Waco, TX

Methodist Childrens Home

At Methodist Children's Home (MCH), our focus is equipping children, youth, and families to flourish by offering hope through Christ-centered relationships, services, and support.

For more than 135 years, we have adapted to meet the changing needs of those we serve while remaining grounded in our mission and committed to serving with excellence. 

Tour Information:

We invite you and members of your team to join us for a guided tour of our 130-acre Waco campus. While you'll learn about MCH's unique ministry and model of care, this experience is designed to spark broader conversations around organizational culture, leadership, strategy and mission-driven service, topics that resonate across the human services sector. 

As you tour our campus, you'll visit our family-style residential homes, charter school, chapel, recreation facilities, independent living homes, and other spaces that support our ministry. Along the way, you'll hear how our strategic vision and ONE MCH culture shape the way we lead, support our staff, and serve children, youth, and families. More importantly, we hope this experience creates space for authentic conversations among peers. We look forward to sharing what we've learned, hearing about your organization's journey, and exploring together how strong leadership, collaboration, and shared purpose can strengthen the communities we collectively serve.

Maximize your time in Waco by joining us for MCH's Willson-Johnson Lecture Series on October 14, creating an even richer opportunity for learning, collaboration, and meaningful connection. The Willson-Johnson Lecture Series brings nationally recognized leaders to share emerging research, innovative practices, and thought-provoking perspectives that inspire excellence across the human services sector.

Following the lecture, you're also invited to an evening reception and fireside conversation at the AC Hotel. This gathering provides a relaxed setting to connect with peers, engage with our featured speakers, exchange ideas, and continue meaningful conversations.

Whether you join us for the tour, the lecture, or the full experience, we hope you'll leave with new relationships, fresh perspectives, and ideas that strengthen your own organization and the communities you serve.

Optional Lecture Series and reception on Wednesday, October 14:

  • Following the Willson-Johnson Lecture Series from 2:00 - 3:30pm at MCH, a special evening reception at the AC Hotel Waco Downtown.

Airports: 

  • Waco Regional Airport (ACT) (8 miles) 
  • Dallas Love Field (DAL) (~100 miles) 
  • Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) (~100 miles) 
  • Austin-Bergstorm International Airport (AUS) (~100 miles) 

Hotels: