August 2026 U&I Together: Stories from churches
We started U&I Together in UI Connections to provide a place where churches can promote upcoming events or celebrate what God has been doing in and through our churches. Send your submissions to State Missionary Jason McNair at jmcnair@uisbc.org.
This month, U&I Together brings reports and celebrations of some of this summer’s activities, including Sonfest, across our two states.
August 2026
Family Conference attracts community
Iglesia Gracia e Verdad in Treasure Valley Baptist Association hosted a three-day Family Conference in late June with the assistance of a NAMB/UISBC evangelism grant that 60 people attended. Ten people were engaged in a gospel conversation and one person made a profession of faith.
“We planned this event as an opportunity for growth and discipleship for our members and an outreach opportunity for unbelievers,” Pastor Tim Martin reported. “We were encouraged to have 14 new families attend over the weekend, and hope to follow up with them.
“We were also so encouraged that after an extended session of questions and answers with the speaker after the last session Saturday, one of our single young men received the Lord as his Savior. God is at work, and we are so grateful for His grace and mercy.”
Movie and pizza night intrigues community
Risen Life Church in Midvale, Utah, with the assistance of a NAMB/UISBC evangelism grant, hosted 55 people at the downtown Pearl Theater July 3, for a free showing of The Sandlot movie about pre-teen boys and baseball, set in the 1960s.
“We were able to meet a lot of individuals in Midvale who said they had wanted to connect to our church but were afraid to connect until an opportunity like this,” Church Planting Pastor Jonathan Perkins reported. “We were able to share about our church and the free gift of the gospel before the movie and invite people after the movie to church service. We were able to have a gospel conversation with three individuals, separately, throughout the evening!”
Abide Church plant joins God and Country Festival
About 5,000 people gathered in Nampa, Idaho, June 30 for the 60th annual God and Country Festival. About 30 churches from eight southwestern Idaho towns participated, including Abide Church, which Cameron Stevens is starting. A NAMB/UISBC evangelism grant assisted.
“We were able to engage with hundreds of people,” Stevens reported. “We handed out over 500 ‘little Jesus’s’, multiple gospel tracts, ‘Jesus loves you’ bracelets, Jesus films, and more. The gospel was shared in various ways through conversation, gospel tracts, the ‘Evang-a-cube,’ and our visiting mission team from Florida.
“One gentleman committed to coming to our in-home Bible study. Multiple others signed up to receive information on our church plant. Our Bible study reconvenes on Aug. 19. Lord willing, we’ll see some fruit from this event.”
Longtime women’s leader dies
Carol Timberman, 84, died June 27 after a fall in Clearfield, Utah. According to her obituary, “During her [early years] in Utah, she served her Lord and Savior faithfully through both her volunteer positions at Mountain View Baptist Church (formerly First Southern Baptist Church of Clearfield) and as their church secretary. During the early 1990’s, she felt God leading her to worship and serve at First Baptist Church in Roy.
“In 1995, she joined with Layton Hills Baptist Church and held many positions of leadership in the Sunday School, mission programs, and jail ministry.” Timberman served in several leadership positions in UISBC’s WMU, including president for a five-year term, and in 1986 was also on the organizational board of Fish ‘n Loaves Food Pantry. A financial gift from her estate is to be used for women’s events and ministry training.
Price pastor receives community award
Chris Polito, general contractor business owner and bivocational pastor of Gospel Community Church in Price, received from the Carbon County Commission July 1 a Super Service Award “for his constant and quiet dedication to helping those in need throughout the community,” according to a local news report.
One example that was cited: Recently he “personally funded and arranged a hotel room for a stranded patient who had just been discharged from the hospital with nowhere else to go.”
Polito deflected the recognition. “It truly takes a village” to support those in need, Polito said.
Sonfest 2026 Youth Event equips 80 students for gospel engagement
Our annual Sonfest Youth Evangelism Conference featured worship led by Florida worship leader Paul Samson and challenging messages from God’s Word were presented by Mississippi Student pastor, John David Fortenberry. The students represented seven Utah and Idaho churches and totaled 97 in attendance at Mountain View Baptist Church in Layton who hosted the gathering.
Students were introduced to RAGE ministries’ Emoji Wristband Evangelism during one of the breakouts where 80 students were trained and equipped with wristbands that have NFC tap technology within every band. While at Lagoon Amusement Park in Farmington, students had a final gathering for worship and encouragement, and four students reported using either their Sonfest shirts or wristband to share the gospel with at least one person. Others raised their hand that they shared in ride lines, as well. More information about Wristband Evangelism can be found at JesusSave.Me.
One church reported that three students from their church prayed to receive Christ after the Friday night opening session. Over 75% of the students present raised their hand that this was their first time attending Sonfest. Students were also challenged to heed a call to ministry by grabbing a copy of Jeff Iorg’s book, Is God Calling Me?.
Sonfest has been the primary Student Evangelism equipping tool used by UISBC network of churches since 1994. A gathering of student leaders on Saturday morning of day 2 at this year’s Sonfest pledged to expand the reach of the event beginning in Summer 2027.
Reminders of Upcoming events in our network of churches
- The Fall semester of Salt Lake School of Theology begins Aug. 24 with two classes: New Testament 1 taught 6-9 p.m. Mondays until Dec. 12 at Gospel Grace Church, 62 E 1300 S in Salt Lake City, by Matt Emadi PhD, and Old Testament 1 taught remotely by Jared Jenkins PhD.
- Christology Conference with Dr. David Rathel from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at Risen Life Church, 2780 E 3900 S in Salt Lake City, sponsored by the Salt Lake School of Theology and funded in part through the UISBC State Missions Offering. Registration is live now for only $10 (increases to $15 at the door) and includes dinner at 5 p.m.
- Ministry Wives Gathering from 8a-5p Friday and Saturday, Aug. 28-29, at Redemption Church Ogden, 585 39th in South Ogden. Sponsored by UISBC Women’s Network.
- Week of Prayer for Utah Idaho State Missions Offering, Sept. 6-13. Visit uisbc.org/smo to order promotional materials.
- Prophecy Watchers Conference Sept. 18-19 at Pine Ridge Baptist Church, 108 Pine Road in Kamiah, Idaho.
- Words Matter Weekend at Mountain View Baptist Church. The 2026 Women’s Conference is scheduled to take place on September 18-19 with author Cheryl Marshall. Cost is $35 and includes meals and a copy of Cheryl’s book, When Words Matter Most. More information is on our Facebook page, and on the registration page for the event.
