Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference 2024

Remembering the 2024 Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference

The 2024 edition of the national Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference—themed “Engaging Intergenerational Faith, Listen. Learn. Live.”—spoke to an immense need for transformational ministry in and beyond the local church and across generations. 

The event enabled faith leaders from the United States and Puerto Rico to exchange reflections on innovative approaches to nurturing lifelong faith formation and putting faith into action. The cross-generational gathering also encouraged rich conversations about divergent interpretations and practices among Christians of all ages, challenges of institutional Christian life, and more effective ways to bring Christ into believers’ lives.

Just like ABHMS’ previous biennial Space for Grace celebrations, “Engaging Intergenerational Faith, Listen. Learn. Live.” attracted hundreds of eager participants, both in person and—for the first time—virtual, and provided opportunities for them to connect with passionate speakers, network with workshop leaders and fellow conferencegoers, and offer periods of reflection and repose.

“Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.”

— Colossians 3:16 [CEV]

Thank you!

Our deepest thanks to everyone who attended the 2024 Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference! Your presence, enthusiasm and commitment to spiritual growth made the event a success. Together we strengthened our bonds, deepened our understanding and enriched our faith journeys. Blessings to all!

Plenary Speakers

Rev. Dr. Michael Koppel

Howard Chandler Robbins Professor of Pastoral Theology and Congregational Care,  Wesley Theological Seminary

Rev. Abner Cotto-Bonilla

National Coordinator for Latino Ministries, American Baptist Home Mission Societies

Rev. Dr. Sarah Drummond

Founding Dean, Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School

Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson

President & CEO, Children’s Defense Fund

Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim

Professor of Theology, Earlham School of Religion

Rev. Dr. Theresa Thames

Associate Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel, Princeton University

Click on an image to view a short clip from that speaker’s plenary address.

Spiritual Caregivers Conference

The Spiritual Caregivers Conference was a groundbreaking experience created especially for chaplains, pastoral counselors, spiritual directors, and all who discern a call to these ministries to gather in community for a time of holistic renewal.

Rev. Dr. Patricia Murphy, BCC

Ecclesiastical Endorder, ABHMS and ABCUSA

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Judson Press Anniversary

Party graphic celebrating the 200th anniversary of Judson Press, an ABHMS publishing ministry.

Judson Press commemorated its 200th anniversary at a special noontime jubilee on the second day of the conference. The Rev. Dr. G. Travis Norvell, a Judson Press author, and Judson Press Publisher the Rev. Dr. Cheryl Price opened the celebration honoring ABHMS storied publishing ministry, and the Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland, chief operating officer at the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, delivered the luncheon address. (To watch a video of Judson Press leadership reflecting on the legacy of this esteemed publishing house, click here.) 

Judson Press author Minister Tim Bonner

Judson Press author Rev. Dr. Clarence Wright

Judson Press author Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim

The church in American is at a crossroads concerning faith transmission across generations. To specifically address this real-life challenge, ABHMS crafted the 2024 Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference around the theme “Engaging Intergenerational Faith: Listen. Learn. Live.  Judson Press is now creating a book highlighting the work of the plenary speakers and workshop presenters to commemorate the event and make the conference learnings accessible to you and your church. Building on the dynamic presentations delivered during the conference, various authors reflect on the following themes:

Listen. How do we communicate across age, language, and cultural differences?

Learn. What do we learn from one another when we move beyond generational stereotypes?

Live. Building on the previous two topics, how do we move from listening and learning to action?

You will want to read and share this powerful compilation edited by Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, executive director of ABHMS, Rev. Dr. Cheryl Price, Judson Press publisher, and Rev. Dr. Rachael Lawrence, senior editor of Judson Press.

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In the Media

S4G 2024

A glance back: Reliving an electrifying 2024 Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference

Read the full article by Rev. Dr. Anna Piela, senior writer at ABHMS and assistant editor of The Christian Citizen.

Graphic of Good Faith Media logotype.

Intergenerational Faith on Display at American Baptist Home Missions Societies’ Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference

Read the full article by Starlette Thomas, associate editor at Good Faith Media, director of The Raceless Gospel Initiative, host of the Good Faith Media podcast “The Raceless Gospel” and author of “Take Me to the Water: The Raceless Gospel as Baptismal Pedagogy for a Desegregated Church.”