Pastors, lay leaders, chaplains invited to participate in ABHMS’ virtual conference

VALLEY FORGE, PA (5/28/20)—American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) invites pastors, lay leaders chaplains and spiritual caregivers to participate in “You Are Not Alone: A Space for Grace Retreat,” a virtual three-day conference to be held 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays June 16, 23 and 30. Participants can join the retreat from the comfort of their own homes via ministrElife, ABHMS’ online platform for ministry professionals with meeting capabilities powered by Zoom.

The purpose of the conference is to address the grief and concern that pastors are feeling as they minister to individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each day’s subject will differ; participants can participate in as many or as few days as they prefer:

• June 16 will feature stages of grief and loss: denial, anger, bargaining and depression.
• June 23 offers discussion about God’s intervention in the process of the stages of grief and loss.
• June 30 features the topic of acceptance.

“My heart goes out for these pastors that I see really struggling right now with no template, no guide book, no whatever—and they’re just expected to minister to people, and they’re broken,” says ABHMS Executive Director Dr. Jeffrey Haggray.

Spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Register at youarenotalone.ministrelife.org.

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.