VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 5/18/18)—Registration is now open for American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ (ABHMS) highly anticipated “Thy Will Be Done”-themed Space for Grace 2018 conference planned for Nov. 14-16 in Philadelphia.
Join faith leaders, community service leaders, social justice advocates and others considering critical issues facing Christians today in the 2½ day-conference at Loews Hotel in the heart of a top-10 largest U.S. city. This urban retreat will allow participants to engage with passionate speakers, workshop leaders and fellow participants in conversation about mission engagement and discipleship development as well as church and community transformation.
The national event will feature these keynote speakers:
• the Rev. Dr. Amy Butler, senior minister, The Riverside Church, New York City;
• Dr. Molly T. Marshall, president and professor of Theology and Spiritual Formation, Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Shawnee, Kan.;
• the Rev. Dr. Corey D.B. Walker, vice president, dean and Professor of Religion and Society, Virginia Union University, Richmond; and
• the Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock, senior pastor, the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta.
More than two dozen workshops offer take-home ideas and skills for enhancing personal ministry. Focusing on the themes of “Leadership,” “Discipleship” and “Healing and Transforming Communities,” workshops range from “Dinner Church as Engaging Worship” and “Drama, Intimacy & Vulnerability: Spiritual Challenges of Digital Culture” to “It Matters…Brave Conversations About Race” and “Discover God’s Economy: Using Finance as a Strategy for Social Change.”
In addition, pre-conference activities—available for a nominal fee—include opportunities to volunteer with Broad Street Ministry’s Hospitality Collaborative and explore Philadelphia’s Asian American Community. Participants of the Broad Street Ministry opportunity will serve as the hands and feet of Jesus in the organization’s indoor dining ministry. With the Asian American opportunity, participants will meet Asian American pastors and community organizers during lunch in Chinatown, tour Chinatown’s Chinese Christian Church and volunteer at its after-school tutoring program.
Even in the midst of this dynamic gathering, with its speakers, workshops, worship, mission opportunities and dialogue, there will be “space for grace”—time for reflection, refreshment and renewal.
Early-bird registration through Aug. 15—which includes three evening receptions, two lunches and two breakfasts—is $229.
For more details, call 800.222.3872, x2452, or find out more online and register today!
American Baptist Home Mission Societies partners with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.