I’ve attended a dozen or so of the annual No Regrets Conferences since moving to Wisconsin in 2003 and discovering (albeit at a very slow pace) the unique men’s ministry at my new church. Retired Executive Editor Dave Kanicki and I started going to the event around 2010 and in recent years, the attendance has included 3 generations of Lessiters. It’s a date that I circle on my calendar and protect a year in advance. (The 2026 conference date is February 7, 2026).

I’ve drawn lots of ideas for leadership articles (and sources) from the conference speakers over the years, but never before tossed my own personal takeaways out in front of our audience here. 

But 24 hours after one of the most impactful conferences I’ve attended, I needed to capture my notes – and to share with you, too, as I’m told by an industry colleague that “knowledge not shared is knowledge wasted.”

What is the ‘Men With No Regrets Conference?’

First, a few words about the No Regrets Conference, which just completed its 32nd annual event. The 2025 numbers themselves are amazing – 2,500 in-person attendees at Elmbrook Church (Brookfield, Wis.), 145 satellite viewing centers, 180 small groups (groups meeting in homes, workplaces and even college-dorm basements) and attendance throughout 25 nations. In total, 20,000 men were locked in yesterday from 8 a.m. til 1 p.m. CST. My day was extended through lunch and dinner with friends and family to share the insights and observations drawn from the conference.

NRC

The event was launched in 1994 by pastor, consultant and author Steve Sonderman – one of Brookfield’s favorite sons – who grew up and still lives within 1 mile of Lessiter Media’s offices. The founder and executive director of No Regrets Men’s Ministry, Sonderman has made a tremendous impact not only in this area (including but not limited to his service as the longtime chaplain for the Milwaukee Brewers) but worldwide. He is credited as one of the pioneers of the men’s ministry movement in America. 

In fact, my Tuesday night men’s group was repurposed about 15 years ago to take deep-dive into his 8-book “No Regrets Study Series.” Considering that some of my best friends today – and across many career disciplines and backgrounds – were born from that group studying Sonderman’s content, I’m indebted to him. I’ll also say he isn’t shy about pushing us up and out of our comfort zones, which we know is where growth happens.

He and I get together to break bread (or deep-dish pizza) a couple times a year and to hear his stories of the transformation he’s seeing around the globe. He is an international road warrior to “train the trainers” in Christian leadership, including areas of the globe where Christians aren’t welcome. 

I’ve recapped a few of the conference sessions and takeaways below. All the content – and lots more – is available free of charge by downloading the No Regrets Men’s Ministries app from the App Store, which includes videos, audio and volumes of resources.


“When you’re born, you look like your parents, but when you die, you look like your decisions.” – Dr. Crawford Lorrits, Roswell, Ga., opening speaker


‘Scar Stories: How Battle Wounds Bear Witness’ by Tim Breen

In a session with an “overcoming adversity” theme, Elmbrook Church Lead Pastor Tim Breen opened up by noting that “Scars are evidence that you’ve overcome adversity. The scars belong to the survivors. They are the signs of recovery and transcripts of triumph and grit.”

He described 4 types of scars – self-inflicted scars (through overconfidence, carelessness, etc.), sabotage scars (those inflicted onto you by others), surgical scars (redemptive healing) and saving scars. He encouraged all to note their scars and to use them to tell the story. 

Personal Takeaway: Your failures and the setbacks are important truths and shouldn’t be self-stigmatized; they can be used for others’ benefit (avoid the landmines!) and to inspire others that there is an “other side” to the problems. 

‘Draw the Circle’ by Mark Batterson

Mark Batterson, is the lead pastor of National Community Church (NCC) in Washington, D.C., and gave an inspiring talk about bold faith and a startling momentum swing from near bankruptcy. 

Batterson oversaw a colossal church failure in Chicago and found himself staring down another one in D.C. His message was motivating to anyone who’s found themselves in such a crisis of confidence.

Mark Batterson

“It’s not about giving up or avoiding additional failures,” he says. Instead, he says, failure should be looked at as a pathogen that one can develop an immunity against. And he inferred that egos and fear of failure are resulting in dreams that have become “too-small” in today’s world. 

“Instead of worrying about what one of us can do, think about what He can do. Dream big.” 

His talk also introduced me to the incredible story of Dr. Stanley Tam, who Batterson says “made God a co-founder of his U.S. Plastics Corp.” 

In 1940, when Tam was earning only $14/week, he gave up control of his struggling manufacturing business to God – by placing most of the stock in a private foundation. Tam said if God chose to prosper the business, he would use 51% of the profits to spread the gospel. Tam died at 107 in 2023, but his promise – and that of his maker – continues to this day.

Batterson shared one amazing story after another of the “door-opening opportunities” for his ministry in D.C. The struggling but prayerful church was able to take on near-abandoned and drug-infested real estate that it turned into houses of good. Today, the church operates Ebenezer’s Coffeehouse, The Miracle Theatre, the DC Dream Center and Capital Turnaround, all of which have become gathering places for the community (even politicians) and sources of additional funding to pursue the church’s mission. 

And why a coffeehouse? “Coffeehouses are the modern-day wells; the wells were where Christ went out to be with and service the community.”

Personal Takeaway: “If you do the little things as though they are big things,” says Batterson, “God will in turn do big things like they’re little things.” 

‘Worship at Work Without Worshipping the Work’ by Dusty Davis

Work is a mainstay topic each year and this year’s conference offered multiple presentations. I chose to attend Davis’ talk as it hits close to home. After all, having a job in a market I enjoy – and pursuing a mission of great purpose and meaning – makes it challenging at times to keep work in proper perspective. I know that I’m not alone; many of you face the very same thing.

Davis started out with misconceptions about work. We work because God Works, he says, but cautioned against falling onto either of the extreme places on the wide spectrum of work – either treating it as if it’s life’s ultimate goal, or as an unpleasant necessary evil of life. 

He urges the “stepping into” one’s work – whatever that work is – as this is where we spend 80% of our lives. He cited Ecclesiastes 9:10 …“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” 

This passage reminded me of a near-octogenarian factory laborer of 30 years ago. His job at Missouri’s Superior Aluminum Foundry was to sweep the floor of sand and metal – to maintain a clean, safe and orderly setting for the casting business. He diligently performed his work with joy, certain he was serving a much larger purpose than what he’d describe as the “earthly work” in the plant.


“When men get it right, everyone wins. Transformed men means transformation in families, communities, schools, teams and – last but not least – the workplace.” – Steve Sonderman, Founder of No Regrets Men’s Ministry


Davis pointed out that work was a gift from the first description of the Garden of Eden, not the oft-mentioned “curse” that came only after the fall. Adam was called upon to plan, dream and create in the garden, he says, in reflection of the master he served.

Davis likes Tim Keller’s definition of work. That is, “rearranging the raw materials of a particular domain to draw out its potential for the flourishing of everyone.” 

Davis urged all to integrate one’s faith life into their work, not to compartmentalize by a business persona nor leave faith at home. Leaders can be uncommon in character, generosity, patience and service. And as he says, all should stop putting their faith on “silent mode” while at work.

Instead, he says, “Be the thermostat; not just the thermometer. The thermostat changes the space around you, and sets and affixes change.” His example was Britain’s William Wilberforce, whose film biopic I happened to watch the night before Davis’ talk. Wilberforce was the tireless politician known as the father of the British abolitionist movement, refusing to give up his mission despite steep odds at the time.

Interestingly to me was Davis’ explanation of the word “company,” which is derived from the Latin words “com” meaning “together” and “panis” — meaning “bread.” Thus, it conveyed the important fellowship that stemmed from merchants gathering, sharing stories and eating together in addition to their commercial trade. Thus, “the company” was key to the very origins of mankind.

Personal Takeaway: If you don’t view work and its purpose as a gift, consider someone unable to work due to their physical or mental limitations. Doing so may reorient your perspective over that Monday-morning alarm clock.

‘Commission: The World Needs a Rescue’ by Joby Martin

Joby Martin

The closing speech from this pastor in Jacksonville, Fla., was as powerful – and equally entertaining – of any I’ve heard at one of these conferences. I won’t be able to do it justice, but I’d encourage you to watch his presentation in full on the free conference app. It's also available online here 


Reflections a Day Later

On Sunday afternoon, I called a very exhausted Sonderman who was on the same “conference high” that I was feeling. A sports addict (with clear Wisconsin allegiances by the way), he understands how the conference he started in 1994 is a Super Bowl type event for so many of us.

We’d just seen 2,500 men who gave up their Saturday to, as Sonderman says, “avoid stagnation in their own development, to learn and grow as individuals.”

NRC 2025

And there’s the group of 35 who work year-round and already started planning the 2026 event (February 7), as well as the 300 volunteers who support the event onsite and with the technology needs of all the satellite operations – across 25 different nations. The entire story of the conference is an example of how change and impact are still possible in today’s world – when individuals are willing to give of their time and talents for a greater cause.

I picked up on his “3 E’s” that hit Sonderman in an emotional way – and how 20,000 spent their day being "encouraged, equipped and empowered.” It’s no secret to the conference vets how many lives and purposes were redefined – only a few hours after entering the chapel or logging onto the livestream presentations.

Sonderman’s description of the day as a “catalytic event” echoed again 24 hours later. “So much in life is about momentum and experiences like this ‘light the match,’” he says. 

While he says it won’t be known for some time how deep the impact is and the numbers taking the next step (that is, to embark on the new follow-up study) but he notes that his ministry is blessed to have another 55 more church leaders to work with – including some who are no doubt within your own community.

Personal Takeaway: Consider inviting local church leaders to leverage the technology in your modern showrooms and conference rooms for a satellite viewing of next year’s conference. You’ll be amazed at how a small effort – on a Saturday in a slow period – will return for you, and for your entire community. Some of you set up group viewing for our annual National Cover Crop Summits (and with local expertise there for discussion), and you could do the same with the No Regrets Conference.