The Merger Marriage

About This Training

As churches across the country face changing seasons of ministry, many are exploring new pathways for long-term Kingdom impact. The Merger Marriage is a practical and honest conversation led by two pastors who successfully guided their churches through the merger process into one thriving church with two campuses. Through real-life experience, this training will explore how one church’s need for facilities and another church’s need for leadership became what they believe was a God-orchestrated partnership. Participants will hear the story behind the process, the challenges faced along the way, the importance of trust among leadership and congregations, and the many ways God’s hand was evident throughout the journey.

Using the framework outlined in Better Together: Making Church Mergers Work by Jim Tomberlin and Warren Bird, this training will walk through the key stages of a healthy church merger: identifying “where we are,” the courtship, the engagement, the marriage, and the honeymoon. While every church situation is unique, this training is designed to provide practical insight, open dialogue, and encouragement for pastors and church leaders prayerfully considering whether a merger may be a viable option for revitalization and future ministry effectiveness. Participants will also discuss other potential pathways churches often face, including revitalization, relocation, replanting, or closure, while focusing on how strategic partnership can become a powerful tool for Kingdom advancement.

About Nathan Wilder

Nathan Wilder serves as the Lead Pastor of University Baptist Church, where he regularly fills the pulpit at the Union Park campus while providing leadership and direction for both UBC campuses – Union Park and Bonneville. Serving in a bi-vocational ministry model, Nathan brings more than 20 years of pastoral experience marked by a deep passion for God, His Church, and the advancement of the Gospel.

Driven by a passion for Kingdom ministry and partnership, Nathan is committed to seeing the local church thrive and the Gospel reach the lost. In the summer of 2023, he began leading University Baptist Church through a church merger process that was successfully completed in February 2024, expanding UBC into one church with two campuses.

In August 2025, Nathan was diagnosed with Grade 4 Glioblastoma. Yet through every circumstance, he continues to faithfully trust God’s plan and remain steadfast in the calling God has placed on his life. Whether preaching, encouraging others, or sharing the hope of Christ at every opportunity, Nathan’s desire is to glorify God and point people to Him.

Above all, Nathan treasures his family – his wife, Amber, their five children, and his extended family, all of whom remain a constant source of joy and support in his life and ministry. 

About Bill Bishop

Bill Bishop serves as the Associate Pastor of University Baptist Church – Union Park Campus and brings more than 20 years of pastoral ministry experience. His ministry journey began in 2000 at Great Oaks Baptist Church, where he came to faith in Christ and developed a deep passion for serving alongside senior pastors in a supportive leadership role. He was ordained in 2006 and became the Assistant Pastor. Bill sensed God leading him to continue both his theological training and ministry service. While working full-time, he completed his Bachelor of Arts in Bible from Lake Charles Bible College in 2009 and joined First Baptist Church Union Park in 2008. He served in ministry leadership, including as a deacon, before becoming the Assistant Pastor in 2010.

He later stepped into the Interim Pastor role for 18 months until February 2024, when God brought Grace Journey and University Baptist Church together through a merger. Since that time Bill has continued serving as the Associate Pastor at UBC Union Park, faithfully supporting the Lead Pastor.

Bill remains passionate about reaching people for Christ while encouraging and supporting senior leadership. Outside of ministry, he enjoys studying God’s Word, fishing, and spending time with his wife of 30 years, Yvette, who faithfully serves alongside him in ministry, as well as entertaining with family and friends.