2026 Kingdom Ecosystem Summit Reflection: God, Gold, and the City of Trees
By Partner Nancy McDougall
Last year, I left early. My son had an appointment, so at lunchtime I quickly packed up my notebook and pen and quietly slipped out. To be honest, I hadn’t expected to feel disappointed. After all, I am not a nonprofit leader. I didn’t think I had much to contribute to the conversation.
But by the time lunch came around, I was fully invested. The people in the room inspired me. Their comments and ideas uplifted me. When I left that day, I felt deflated—like I was missing out on something important.
So this year, when the Kingdom Ecosystem Summit returned, I was prepared. I made sure my son had a ride to and from school, and I blocked off the entire day. I was ready to soak in everything I had missed the year before. I was not disappointed.
As I’ve said, I am not a nonprofit leader. I am a housewife and a mother. My husband and I own a business, and we share a deep passion for supporting local, faith-based ministries we see advancing God’s kingdom. I currently serve on the boards of two such organizations: Alternatives Pregnancy Center and The Alliance, which serves vulnerable populations like children in foster care and at-risk families.
The Kingdom Ecosystem Summit is a one-day event that brings together faith-based nonprofits from across the Sacramento region. Its goal is to strengthen cooperation and collaboration—connecting leaders and fostering relationships that ultimately help these organizations better serve their communities.
Jeff Kreiser providing a fascinating look at the history of this ecosystem in the Sacramento region
So what does a wife, mother, and board member get from an event like this?
In one word: hope. There are many other words I could use—encouragement, excitement, even exuberance—and they would all be true. But most of all, I walked away feeling deeply hopeful for our region, our state, our country, and our world.
The day began with Jeff Kreiser providing a fascinating look at the history of this ecosystem in the Sacramento region. He shared stories I had never heard—like the account of four pastors from different denominations coming together during the Gold Rush to reach people searching for fortune. At the end of the day, they would wait under the shade of a tree—plentiful in this “City of Trees”—for weary miners to return. Their simple question, “God or gold?” touched many hearts, often after the miners’ search for gold had come up empty.
As Jeff explained, this history is our inheritance. From those humble beginnings, the Kingdom Ecosystem began to take shape: the evangelist sharing the gospel, the pastor caring for the community, and the businessperson helping build it.
Later, Jennifer Bressler shared data about the current state of our region, including the many areas of need—needs that are both great and growing. It became increasingly clear how each of us fits into this ecosystem. Speaker after speaker returned to the themes of community, cooperation, and collaboration.
Panelists offered insight into the work being done to address some of our community’s biggest challenges. Breakout sessions at the end of the day gave us the opportunity to dive deeper into areas of interest, including kids and families, homelessness, refugees, youth campus ministry, business, and international ministry.
Sprinkled throughout were beautiful moments of worship—including an opportunity to wash one another’s feet (yes, with water and everything). Leave it to the fearless mastermind Brian Dowd to find inspired ways to push us right out of our comfort zones.
We ended the day with prayer, just as we began it. As I drove away, I couldn’t stop thinking about the incredible leaders in that room. Their passion for their calling and their love for those they serve was palpable. Their commitment to their mission was unmistakable and deeply inspiring.
I imagine this day recharged their batteries, reminding them they are not alone—even when it feels that way. There are others across this region working tirelessly to fulfill the prayer: “Thy kingdom come… in Sacramento as it is in heaven.”
We are just one part of a much bigger Kingdom Ecosystem. And yet, what is happening here feels significant, special-as if we are on the verge of springing forth living waters into our surrounding communities and beyond.
How could I not walk away with hope?
About The Author: Nancy McDougall
Nancy McDougall is a founding partner of The Sacramento Barnabas Group. Nancy is originally from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico but grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in communications and spent time working as editor and producer of the local news for the Univision affiliate in San Francisco. Unexpected family events led her to a career change, and she went on to spend several years working as a longshore supervisor at the port of Oakland, where she retired from in 2013.
Nancy also served on the Board of Trustees of San Francisco City Impact from 2015 to 2018. City Impact is a nonprofit that serves the physical and spiritual needs of the residents of the Tenderloin District in San Francisco. Currently, she is involved in supporting her husband John in his endeavors as CEO of Monte Christo Communities. Her proudest achievements have been her decades of marriage to John and being a mom to their 3 kids. Nancy has a passion to see and be a part of the expansion of God’s kingdom locally and globally. She and John currently live in Sacramento.