The American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) hosted their biennial gathering, Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference, in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, on April 9-11. The theme was “Engaging Intergenerational Faith: Listen. Learn. Live.” The event was hybrid, drawing attendees online and in person.
Inspired by Colossians 3:16, the event’s planners aimed to speak to the needs of the times for transformational ministry in and beyond the local church and across generations.
“This year’s theme is prompted by the growing sense of urgency to invite emerging generations of Christians to share leadership in casting the vision for the Beloved Community, shaping its cultural, moral and spiritual contours, and raising their voices concerning the issues and concerns that matter,” Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, the executive director of ABHMS, said. “Through interactive learning experiences and opportunities to connect via the conference virtual hub, we aim to create an immersive experience that transcends physical boundaries.”
“The Spiritual Caregivers Conference is a groundbreaking experience created specifically 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, the ecclesiastical endorser of Chaplaincy and Specialized Ministries, said.
The conference was marked with celebration. Judson Press celebrated its 200th anniversary with an anniversary luncheon and ice cream social. The featured luncheon speaker was the Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland, Chief Operating Officer at the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA.
At a luncheon on Wednesday for chaplains and spiritual caregivers, Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain, the General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches USA, preached on the importance of intergenerational faith. In her sermon, “A Stubborn Hope,” she told the audience, “We need to pass on our testimonies. We need to tell [them] about how God brought you through. We need to pass on a stubborn hope in Jesus.”
The celebration continued as Dr. Tony A. McNeill was honored with the National Treasure Award for his stellar leadership contributions as a music and worship educator, liturgist, music minister and conference musician. In honor of the late Elder Cal Murrell, McNeill was also presented with “The Happy Conference Musician Award.”
“In recent years, Dr. McNeill has become one of the best known and most beloved conference musicians in our time as he travels across the country planning worship, providing music, orchestrating concerts and directing choirs,” a statement from ABHMS read. “In all that he does, Dr. McNeill brings peace, love and happiness wherever he goes.”
Richard Blanchette, a captain in the U.S. Airforce, and Rev. Carol Ramsey-Lucas also received awards, The Lorraine K. Potter Military Chaplaincy Merit Award and The Paul Strickland Institutional Chaplaincy Merit Award, respectively.
Rev. Dr. John Simon received the American National Network of Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, and Specialized Ministers Merit Award, and Rev. Dr. Kristina R. Gutierrez received The Carolyn M. Piper Pastoral Counseling Merit Award.
Rev. Dr. Lauren Lisa Ng was also recognized for her years of service as director of Leadership Empowerment at ABHMS. She leaves to join the staff at Berkeley Theological Seminary.
The national gathering also featured six didactic keynote speakers: Rev. Dr. Michael Koppel, the Howard Chandler Robbins Professor of Pastoral Theology and Congregational Care at Wesley Theological Seminary, Rev. Abner Cotto-Bonilla, National Coordinator for Latino Ministries at ABHMS, Rev. Dr. Sarah Drummond, Founding Dean at Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School, Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, President and CEO of Children’s Defense Fund, Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim, Professor of Theology at Earlham School of Religion and Rev. Dr. Theresa Thames, Associate Dean of Religious Life and the Chapel at Princeton University.
“Why are they leaving? The question blames the youth for leaving the church,” Cotto-Bonilla said during his keynote speech. “Yet, we have not asked ourselves as a community of faith, ‘What are we doing that makes youth lose interest in the church?’”
“We can no longer take for granted an intergenerational transmission of faith. [It] can no longer be relied upon,” Rev. Dr. Sarah Drummond said. “That’s not good or bad. It just is.”
Delivering a message inspired by Jeremiah 8 on “Black Boy Joy” and positing Jeremiah as a weeping boy prophet against the backdrop of suicidal ideation among African American boys, the Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson said, “The cries of the boy are the word of the Lord. The work of the community is to restore the joy in the weeping boy. To restore the joy of the boy is to make God smile.”
In addition to rich worship experiences, participants were treated to engaging workshop leaders whose sessions included “Teens These Days,” moderated by Monique Harrington with panelists Kayla Byrd, Karston Singleton and Jordyn Spady, “Trauma, Families & Transformational Faith” with Dr. Naomi Paget, a board certified chaplain and crisis interventionist for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, “We are Eachother’s Medicine: Intergenerational Impact of Depression” with Rev. Willard W. C. Ashley Sr., as well as “Being Church Across Generations” with Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield, the Clara Scott Chair of Church and Ministry and Rev. Dr. Denise Janssen, Associate Professor of Christian Education.
The Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference also offered opportunities for reflection and repose to include early morning workout sessions with Franklin Onwubuariri, a certified fitness trainer and coach, and a “Wilderness Experience at Valley Forge National Park” with Rev. Dr. Jonathan Malone, who leads hikes and backpacking trips for Wilderness Journeys. Attendees were also encouraged to spend time in a reflection room, which featured the Oasis Project, led by Rev. Paul Schneider, its founder, and Rev. Shavon Walker, who has been a part of the Oasis team for seven years. The Oasis Project offered a variety of meditative, spiritual and relaxation aids and tools.
Attendees could also participate in the “Community Art Piece: ‘Wings of Grace’” with Eliezer Morales Ruiz. Here, they could write their names on feathers to add to the expanse of the wings of grace and affirm that they, too, are covered by it. The exhibit featured local and national groups, a photo booth, and a raffle, more proof that there was something for everyone.
Plenary speakers and evening worship services with soul-thrilling music under the direction of Dr. Tony McNeill served to bookend each day with infectious fellowship in between. Intergenerational faith and fellowship were on display at this year’s Space for Grace & Spiritual Caregivers Conference.
“‘Engaging Intergenerational Faith’” [is] a rare opportunity for faith leaders to exchange reflections on innovative approaches to nurturing lifelong faith formation and putting faith into action,” the conference planners said. “This cross-generational gathering [enables] a rich conversation 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.”
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Director of The Raceless Gospel Initiative, an associate editor, 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.
