2022: “Testify!”
fofor the
After a pandemic-related hiatus, Space for Grace returned in 2022
The 2022 Space for Grace theme—Testify!—spoke to the need for diverse voices sharing genuine, honest dialogue about issues of Christian leadership, discipleship and justice, especially in a world emerging from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The biblical foundation for the theme came from 2 Corinthians:
“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 destroyed.” — 2 Corinthians 4: 6 – 9
In the days preceding Space for Grace, ABHMS hosted the inaugural Spiritual Caregivers Conference and an event titled Converge at Space for Grace.
Spiritual Caregivers Conference
The Spiritual Caregivers Conference— Sept. 19 & 20—will offer rest and renewal to chaplains, pastoral counselors, spiritual directors and specialized ministers.
Converge at Space for Grace
Testify! will offer a place and space for telling God’s good news … and hearing it too. When we testify to each other in God’s love, our testimonies become gifts of grace that strengthen and affirm the faith we carry into facing the challenges of daily life.
Just like previous Space for Grace gatherings, “Testify!”—at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center—will provide opportunities to connect with passionate speakers and network with workshop leaders and fellow participants.
Space for Grace 2022 Speakers
Rev. Amy Butler
Intentional Interim Senior Minister, National City Christian Church
Kathy Khang
Author, Speaker and Co-Host of the Fascinating Podcast
Dr. Eddie Glaude
James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor and chair of the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University
Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre
Professor of Social Ethics and Latinx Studies at the Iliff School of Theology
Rev. Dr. Neichelle R. Guidry
Dean of the Chapel and Director of the WISDOM Center at Spelman College
Rev. Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams
Professor of Old Testament at Virginia Theological Seminary and the Senior Assistant to the Pastor for Teaching and Preaching at the Alfred Street Baptist Church
Learning Experience Presenters:
Rev. Jermine Alberty – Executive Director of Pathways to Promise and author of Bottled Up Inside: African American Teens & Depression
Jennifer Jones Austin, Esq. – CEO and Executive Director of FPWA, radio host, and author of Consider it Pure Joy
Rev. Laura Ayala – Senior Pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista de Rio Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Rev. Janell Bloem – Pastor of First Baptist Church, Boone, IA
Rev. Dr. Debbie Buchholz – Senior Pastor of Deaf International Community Church, Olathe, KS
Ryan Burge, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor of Political Science and Graduate Coordinator, Eastern Illinois University
Rev. Dr. Mia Chang – Founder and Senior Pastor of NextGen Church, West Windsor, NJ
Ray Chang – President, Asian American Christian Collaborative
Kelli Foreman – Assistant Executive Director of Kodiak Baptist Mission and American Baptist Home Missionary
Tony Gapastione – Founder and Executive Director of BraveMaker, a non-profit film arts organization
Molly Grisham – Experiential facilitator
Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Tamez Mendez – Founder and Executive Director of New Generation3
Dr. Linda Mercadante – Founder of HealthyBeliefs – HealthySpirit
Rev. Eddie Smith, Sr. – Pastor of Tuxedo Park Baptist Church, Indianapolis, IN
Rev. Wallace Smith – American Baptist pastor and author of Baptism Ahead (Judson Press)
Justin Thang – Executive Director, Hope for Tomorrow
