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.
Judson Press Anniversary
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.
Image Gallery
ABHMS Board President Welcomes Guests S4G2024
ABHMS Photo Booth S4G2024
Abner Cotto Bonilla Delivers Plenary Address S4G2024
Animated Lunchtime Conversation S4G2024
Asian Dance Troupe S4G2024
Audience Listening to Opening Plenary Remarks S4G2024
Breaking Bread During Closing Worship Service S4G2024
Chaplaincy Award Luncheon S4G2024
Charisle Indian School Presentation S4G2024
Completed Wings of Grace Community Project S4G2024
Courtney Boggs Leads Learning Experinece S4G2024
Don Ng Addresses Plenary Attendees S4G2024
Ecclesiastical Endorser Welcomes Chaplains S4G
Erica Van Brakle Describes ministrElife S4G2024
Exhibitors S4G2024
Full Learning Experience Session S4G2024
Full Panel of Judson Press Authors Book Signing S4G2024
Gina Jacobs Strain Chaplaincy Awards Luncheon S4G2024
Grace Kim Delivers Plenary Address S4G2024
Growing Youth Ministry Learning Experience S4G
Jeffrey Haggray Opening Welcome S4G2024
Jeffrey Haggray Welcome S4G2024
Jeslyn Richarson Young Adult Panelist S4G2024
Judson Press Authors Book Signing S4G2024
Judson Press Ice Cream Social S4G2024
Kerwin Webb Addressing Young Adult Panel During Learning Experience S4G2024
Learning Experience Presenter Tamara S4G2024
Lisa Ng Farewell S4G2024
More of that Sweet Sweet Music S4G2024
More Worship Music S4G2024
Opening Plenary Address S4G2024
Presenter Preps for Learning Experience Session S4G2024
Sara Drummond Delivers Plenary Address S4G2024
Setting Up Exhibit Space S4G2024
Starsky Wilson Delivers Plenary Address S4G2024
Tamara Learning Experience S4G2024
Thursday Evening Worship Service S4G2024
Thursday Luncheon Presentation S4G2024
Thursday Luncheon Speakers S4G2024
Tony McNeil Being Recognized for His Service to ABHMS S4G2024
Tony McNeil National Treasure Award S4G
Vibrant Worship Music S4G2024
Will Leads Learning Experience S4G2024
Wings of Grace Community Project S4G2024
Writers Workshop S4G
Writing Workshop with Rebecca Irwin-Diehl S4G2024
Yet Another Young Adult Panel S4G2024
Chaplaincy Award Recipients S4G2024
In the Media
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.
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.”