There Will Be Fruit Conference Builds Growing Faith-Driven Network of Christian Professionals

By Tracey Khan

For the second consecutive year, Christian professionals, entrepreneurs and creatives from across New York City gathered in person for the There Will Be Fruit Conference, a growing faith-based leadership experience focused on the intersection of spirituality, work and community. 

Held in April, the one-day conference welcomed more than 150 attendees for a series of keynote conversations, panels and networking sessions designed to help participants strengthen both their professional development and their spiritual foundation. Founded by Filipino American entrepreneur and marketing strategist Denya Hamilton and her husband Cellus the conference was created as a space where faith-driven professionals can connect across industries while remaining grounded in Christian values. Originally launched virtually in 2020 during the pandemic, the event transitioned to an in-person gathering in 2023 and has continued to expand its reach and influence.

Hamilton said the conference was born out of a need for community among believers navigating business, creativity and leadership. “This conference is more than an event,” Hamilton said. “It’s a space where people find encouragement, build relationships and gain clarity about how they can use their gifts in the work they do every day.”

Faith meets professional development

The theme “There Will Be Love,” challenged attendees to reimagine leadership, entrepreneurship and workplace culture through the lens of compassion, service and intentional impact. Speakers and facilitators led discussions on purpose-driven leadership, building ethical businesses and maintaining spiritual grounding while pursuing professional success. Sessions emphasized that faith is not separate from work, but an active force that shapes decision-making, creativity and collaboration. Attendees described the experience as both practical and spiritual, offering tools for career advancement while reinforcing values of integrity, empathy and purpose.

A growing community of connection

Beyond programming, much of the conference’s impact was found in the connections formed throughout the day. Attendees networked across industries, shared personal testimonies and explored opportunities for collaboration in business, ministry and creative work. For many participants, the conference served as a catalyst for mentorship relationships, partnerships and new friendships within a faith-centered professional community. Hamilton said those outcomes reflect the heart of the initiative.

“We’ve seen business partnerships form, mentorships begin and lifelong friendships grow from this space,” she said. “That is what makes it meaningful.”

Building a faith-based leadership ecosystem

The There Will Be Fruit Conference has grown into more than a single-day gathering. It has become part of a broader movement to support Christian professionals, particularly Black and Brown believers, navigating careers and entrepreneurship in competitive industries while maintaining spiritual identity.

Organizers say the event fills a gap by offering a culturally relevant space where faith and professional ambition are not in conflict, but in alignment. Sponsors and mission-driven partners supported this year’s programming, helping to expand access and enhance the experience for attendees. Their involvement reflects a shared commitment to leadership development, community empowerment and faith-based education.

As momentum continues to build, Hamilton has already announced plans for the next conference, scheduled for April 10, 2027, under the theme “There Will Be Peace.” She said each year’s theme is designed to reflect both spiritual principles and real-life challenges faced by attendees in their personal and professional journeys.

For participants, this year’s gathering reinforced a central message: success is not defined solely by career achievements, but by the ability to lead with purpose, build community and remain rooted in faith.

As the conference continues to grow, it is positioning itself as a developing hub for Christian professionals seeking not only advancement, but alignment, where faith, work and community exist in the same space, and reinforce one another rather than compete.