Mark your calendar! Space for Grace 2020 comes to Kansas City, Mo., in September
VALLEY FORGE, PA (2/3/20)—Building on the success of predecessor Space for Grace conferences in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) will host its third Space for Grace national gathering—Testify!—Sept. 21-25, 2020, at the Westin Kansas City (Mo.) at Crown Center.
This year’s conference will be offered in conjunction with the American Baptist Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors & Specialized Ministers Conference, planned to immediately precede the Space for Grace gathering.
The theme—Testify!—hails from 2 Corinthians 4:6-9 and speaks to the need in these times for many different voices having place and space for genuine, honest discourse about issues of faith, discipleship, mission engagement, and societal and church transformation. The opportunity to “testify” to one another in vulnerability or strength, sorrow or joy, turmoil or peace, is, ultimately, a gift of grace Christians can offer to each other.
“For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:6-9
“Space for Grace 2020 will remind us of the identity we receive as followers of Jesus Christ,” says ABHMS Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Haggray. “We don’t face the storm alone or ill-equipped. Our heavenly treasure manifests and empowers us in this earthly world.”
As with previous Space for Grace gatherings, “Testify!” will provide refreshment and renewal, along with the opportunity to connect with passionate speakers, workshop leaders and fellow participants.
In response to demand, the Space for Grace conference has been extended to three full days, and fewer workshops will be presented in two sessions to offer more depth of information and interaction.
Registration opens in March.
Watch for updates about speakers, workshops and other details at abhms.org, send an email to space4grace@abhms.org or contact Raquel Perez at 610-768-2452.
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.
