Encouraging Followers of Jesus to Not Waste Their Lives
Encouraging Followers of Jesus to Not Waste Their Lives
Unwasted Day is an annual one-day conference co-sponsored by Anchor Church (Virginia Beach) & Redeemer Church (Chesapeake) to encourage Jesus-followers to not waste their lives. Of course, an unwasted life is made up of thousands of ordinary but sacred, unwasted days. Both Anchor Church and Redeemer Church are passionate about mobilizing you to live a life full of unwasted days that count for something beyond the grave!
This year’s theme, Empowered & Expectant: Exploring the Presence, Power, and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, invites believers to live with greater dependence on, and anticipation of, the Spirit’s work in their daily lives. Through the lens of God’s Word, we will consider how the Holy Spirit strengthens our faith, shapes our worship, and equips us for every unwasted day.
Conference Details
Sponsored By:
Anchor Church (Virginia Beach)
Redeemer Church (Chesapeake)
Hosted At:
Redeemer Church
508 Centerville Turnpike N
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Cost:
Free!
Time:
March 7, 2026, from 8:30-12:30
Childcare:
Childcare is provided, but you must register by March 1!
Conference Description
The Christian life was never meant to be lived in our own strength. God has given His Spirit to dwell within us, empowering us for faithful, everyday living. Yet many believers are unsure how to understand the Spirit’s work and power in daily life.
At this year’s Unwasted Day, we’ll explore what it means to live empowered by the Holy Spirit from a biblically faithful and theologically grounded perspective. Together, we’ll consider how the Spirit shapes our worship, fuels our mission, and transforms ordinary days into unwasted ones that count for something beyond the grave.
But what does that actually look like in real life?
Join Anchor Church (Virginia Beach) and Redeemer Church (Chesapeake) with Ian McConnell for a FREE half-day conference on Saturday, March 7, 2026 where we’ll explore answers to questions like:
- What if the Holy Spirit wants to do more in my life than I’ve experienced so far?
- How can I live each day aware of and responsive to the Spirit’s voice?
- What would change if our church truly depended on the Spirit’s power?
- Are the gifts of the Spirit meant to be active in our church today?
- How can we pursue the Spirit’s work without drifting from God’s Word?
- How can we cultivate a culture of expectancy for what God wants to do next?
We’ll answer these questions and many more (and we’ll hope you join us)!
Conference Speaker
Ian McConnell is the President of Trinity Fellowship Churches and a pastor at Grace Church in Frisco, TX.
Ian was born and raised in inner-city Philadelphia in a large rough-around-the edges Irish catholic family—the oldest of six boys. Ian was brought to faith in Christ at the age of 15 through a local church that held an evangelistic youth group in his neighborhood reaching out to troubled urban teens. After attending a university where he received a bachelor’s degree in theology and after completing his master’s degree in seminary, he returned to Philadelphia to work with urban youth and a few years later re-plant a church.
That church became a thriving church-planting church and for 20 years Ian helped plant neighborhood churches and train leaders throughout the Philadelphia area. Over that time Ian has also served as a denominational leader training church planters across the country. In 2019 Ian was a part of the founding leadership team in establishing Trinity Fellowship Churches where he currently serves as President and Executive Director.
Ian and Rachel have been married for almost 25 years and have three adult children—Payson, Piper, and Silas. Together they share a love for all things Philadelphia sports, being outdoors, enjoying long unhurried conversations with friends over meals, and wrangling their two Giant Schnauzers.
Conference Schedule
8:30-9:00 - Kids Drop Off & Light Breakfast
9:00-9:25 - Welcome & Sing
9:25-10:15 - Session 1 {The Person & Work of the Holy Spirit}
During this session, we will come to know who the Holy Spirit is and how He works in the life of the believer and the church.
10:15-10:25 - Break, Snacks, & Coffee
10:25-11:00 - Session 2 {Living in the Power of the Spirit}
During this session, we will learn how to live daily in the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
11:00-11:10 - Break, Snacks, & Coffee
11:10-11:50 - Session 3 {The Gifts of the Spirit for the Church}
During this session, we will explore how the Holy Spirit equips believers with gifts to serve and build up the church.
12:00-12:30 - Q&A
During this session, we’ll deal with some common questions and have the opportunity to ask some of our own.