We Are Not Alone
Two weeks ago (March 2026) around 20 leaders from KC Underground had the privilege of helping host The Microchurch Conference in Tampa.
In many ways, it felt more like a summit than a conference.
More than 200 networks were represented, with around 550 people gathered from across North America, South America, Europe, and Australia. Most came carrying stories, questions, and insight from their own local contexts, hoping to bring something meaningful back home.
That alone says something about the moment we are in.
When many of us gathered in 2022, there were only a fraction of the networks represented this year. What we experienced in Tampa points to something that has been steadily emerging for some time now: microchurch networks are taking shape in hundreds of cities and contexts across the West.
“In one of our breakout sessions we noticed someone who seemed familiar but couldn’t quite place her. Then we realized she had been in one of our KCU Intensives, two years prior.
As we were reacquainted, she explained the reason for her change in appearance—she had undergone treatment for breast cancer and her hair was growing back (rather stylishly). We had the privilege of agreeing with her in prayer for complete healing!
Even though we live in different cities, our lives have been strung together by these God moments, reminding us once again that we are not alone.”
- DeAnn Garrett & Bre Wiebe, KCU Disciple-Makers
What stood out most was not just the size of the gathering, but the posture people carried.
There was an openness to learn from one another and a shared attentiveness to what God is doing in different places. Conversations were marked by humility, hunger, and a desire to receive and keep growing.
That created space for different expressions of the church to be celebrated without needing to be standardized. As stories were shared, it became increasingly clear that Jesus is forming His church in deeply contextual ways, all rooted in Him.
At the center of it all was a shared commitment to the lordship of Jesus. There was a clarity that whatever is emerging belongs to Him.
“Hospitality was the theme of the conference. One speaker and panel focused on hospitality to the stranger. There were several avenues for practical application for me to take back home, and I'm excited to explore them with our spiritual family in our neighborhood. Leviticus 19:33-34 hit home:
"Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 19:33-34
"Foreigners" or "strangers" can be defined in many ways. But the Bible is clear that "foreigners" residing among us must be treated as neighbors and we are to show them love. This was a reminder about people in our neighborhood who are not connected to our spiritual family. I am challenged to welcome in more people who are not directly connected.”
-Ryan Wiebe
We left encouraged and reminded that we are not alone. What God is doing in Kansas City is part of a much larger work unfolding across cities and nations.
For those laboring in ordinary places, this kind of gathering matters. It reminds us that simple obedience, local disciple-making, and embodied expressions of church are not isolated efforts. Jesus is at work in many places, and we are grateful to be part of what He is forming.
