New Ground Conference 2026
It was an unforgettable weekend here in Greater Manchester as All Nations Community Church hosted the New Ground Conference 2026.
With an atmosphere charged with expectation, we welcomed Pastors Ben and Gale Dowding from Influence Church in North Yorkshire. Over three powerful sessions, we were challenged to stop settling for the comfortable wilderness, let go of past heavy nets, and boldly step into the new territories God has prepared for us.
Whether you missed the weekend, want to re-watch a specific message, or want to share these teachings with a friend, we have compiled all three full sessions below.
Grab your notebook, hit play, and get ready to take new ground!
Session 1: Thankful for the Past, Expectant for the Future by Pastor Ben Dowding
"We must be thankful for the past, appreciative of the present, but radically expectant for the future."
In our opening session, Pastor Ben set the foundation for the weekend by looking at Hosea 10:12 and Joshua 1. We learned that while we honour the incredible 950-year heritage of Christian worship in our region, we cannot afford to be held back by old traditions or past griefs.
God is inviting every believer into a new season, promising three specific things for the journey: His Promise, His Protection, and His Presence. Our only requirement? Preparation.
Session 2: God is Working Upstream: Stepping Into New Ground by Pastor Gale
"God is always working upstream."
In Session 2, Pastor Gale Dowding brought an incredibly moving and challenging word rooted in Joshua 3. Often, God allows us to sit at the edge of our own "Jordan Rivers" facing our limitations, lack, and insecurities so that we are forced to actively choose faith over fear.
Pastor Gale also shared the miraculous, medically documented healing testimony of her son Noah, proving that our God is not a God of the mundane, but a God who moves mountains when we dare to stretch our faith muscles.
Session 3: Vision Before Victory: Stepping Into Your Promised Land by Pastor Ben
"See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands."
We closed out the conference with a powerful challenge from Pastor Ben: Do not get stuck. Drawing from 2 Peter 1 and the Battle of Jericho in Joshua 6, this final message focused on the critical importance of spiritual vision.
God often gives us the revelation of victory before He ever gives us the instructions for the battle. Through incredible stories, including one about a young boy finding provision in a Cambodian wasteland, Pastor Ben taught us to fix our eyes on the eternal and stop being defined by temporary earthly circumstances.
Which session challenged or encouraged you the most? What "new ground" are you believing God for in your own life this year? Let us know in the comments below!
If these messages blessed you, don't forget to share this page with your family, friends, or small group.
