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ABCUSA Biennial Academy Tracks and Sessions Announced

ABCUSA > Bringing Together American Baptists > ABCUSA Biennial Academy Tracks and Sessions Announced

ABCUSA Biennial Academy Tracks and Sessions Announced

ABNS1.23.18

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 1/24/19)—On Saturday, June 22, 2019, an ABCUSA Biennial Academy will be held during the American Baptist Churches Biennial Mission Summit. The ABCUSA Biennial Academy will offer continuing education and spiritual growth opportunities for both clergy and lay leaders. Many different options will allow for something for everyone, including learning tracks with credit available, Bible studies, and educational seminars.

trackthemesThe 2019 Biennial Mission Summit, June 21-23, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is just five months away! Registration for the event will open on Friday, January 25.

The ABCUSA Biennial Academy will offer options including Full Day Tracks, Full Morning Sessions, Full Afternoon Sessions and Individual Sessions.


Full Day Tracks

Two Full Day Tracks will be offered:

  • Called to Send, Called to Serve, a track focused on individuals who are exploring a personal call to join God in global mission, led by the International Ministries Mission Mobilization Team made up of global servants and staff from around the world
  • Transformational Leadership and the Renewal of the Church, a full day track focused on the health and vitality of the local church


Full Morning and Full Afternoon Sessions

A number of Full Morning and Full Afternoon Sessions will be available. Attendees who select one of these extended sessions will commit to the entire morning and/or afternoon session, and cannot select another session for the same time-period. Sessions include:

  • Church Beyond the Walls: Innovating Mission & Ministry Through Fresh Expressions of Church, led by Rev. Dr. Chris Backert, Rev. Dr. Mia Chang, and Rev. Dr. Verlon & Melodee Fosner
  • Dinner Church Movement: Finding Traction Among Those Outside the Church Around the Table, led by Rev. Dr. Chris Backert, Rev. Dr. Mia Chang, and Rev. Dr. Verlon & Melodee Fosner
  • Fresh Expressions & Latino Communities: Introducing Expresiones Divinas –an Introduction to Fresh Expressions, in Spanish, led by Rev. Dr. Eliseo Mejia-Leiva
  • Jesus was an Inmate: A Movement to End Mass Incarceration, led by The Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock, Sr.
  • Responding to Crisis: Restorative Practice Circles as an Act of Christian Love, led by Christine Lafferty, Laura Chanchien Parajón, and David Parajón
  • Sharing Good News in a Social Media Age: A Matter of Integration, led by Rev. Wesley T. Allen
  • Sharing Good News in a Social Media Age: What’s the Purpose?, led by Rev. Wesley T. Allen
  • Transition-Interim Ministry for Today’s Church, offered twice, once as a full morning session and once as a full afternoon session, led by Rev. Dr. Patricia Hernandez and Rev. Dr. Lawrence O. Swain
  • Whole, Healthy, Hopeful Children in Every Community, led by Dr. Marilyn P. Turner-Triplett and a panel of Community Outreach Ministries specialists


Individual Sessions

Individual Sessions will be available. Attendees may mix-and-match Individual Sessions, and/or Full Morning or Full Afternoon Sessions. Individual Sessions include:

  • Advanced Accordance Bible Software Features, led by Richard Mansfield
  • Become a Climate Ambassador! Be a Voice in Your Church and Community on Creation Care, led by Ani Fête Crews
  • Being a Caretaker of God’s Creation: A Bible Study, led by Rev. Thomas Carr
  • Being Jonah in a World of Ninevites, a Bible Study led by Rev. Kyle Witmer
  • Bible Study with Accordance Bible Software, led by Richard Mansfield
  • Cause and Issues-Based Fundraising, led by Denise Gray-Felder
  • Community Organizing: Learn About Living Your Faith and Environmental Ethics in the Wider World, led by Shantha Ready Alonso
  • Embracing a Noisier Table, led by Rev. Dr. Sandra L. DeMott Hasenauer
  • Fleeing to the Sea: Jonah’s Prophetic Journey, a Bible Study in French led by Rev. Dr. Older Azard
  • Help, We Need a Pastor!, led by Rev. Miriam Méndez
  • Huyendo al mar: La jornada profética de Jonás, a Bible Study in Spanish led by Rev. Lilibeth Bosch
  • Introduction to Accordance Bible Software, led by Richard Mansfield
  • Jonah and the Scariest Truth of Missions, a Bible Study led by Professor Gregory Mobley
  • Jonás y la voz profética: Retos para la iglesia de hoy, a Bible Study in Spanish led by Rev. Abner Cotto-Bonilla
  • Leading and Succeeding for the Future, led by Rev. Dr. Debora Jackson
  • Making Sure ‘Born-Digital’ is ‘Born-Again’: The Salvation of Your Church’s Story, led by Jenny Manasco
  • MMBB: Financial Planning—Start Today!, offered twice, once as a morning session and once as an afternoon session, led by Colin E. Nass, CFP®, AEP®, RICP®
  • MMBB: Taking Advantage of Your Benefits, offered twice, once as a morning session and once as an afternoon session, led by Rev. Patricia L. Hunter, CFP®
  • Preaching and Teaching with Accordance Bible Software, led by Richard Mansfield
  • Small Things Matter: Become a Creation Justice Congregation, featuring a panel of Pastors whose congregations are actively engaged in the “small things”
  • Walking with Jesus on the Sea, a Bible Study in the Burmese Language led by Rev. Dr. David C. Laisum

Full session descriptions and presenter bios will be available when registration for the 2019 Biennial Mission Summit opens on Friday, January 25. Visit us at http://www.americanbaptists2019.com/ to learn more.

American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.

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