This workshop will look at how racial justice is so much more expansive and universal than random acts of kindness or one more social, economic, or political reform, but is foundational to an interactive, intimate relationship with our triune God.  The goal is to discover and explore ways in which God designed intercultural ministry and mission to manifest who God is and what God does, on earth as it is in heaven.

This session will identify and discuss the practical steps for moving towards each other for community building that is inclusive.

This breakout session will present key concepts about trauma and healing while introducing a unique community support model developed by the Cory Johnson Program for Post-Traumatic Healing at the Roxbury Presbyterian Church Social Impact Center in Boston, Massachusetts.  The program provides weekly trauma assistance that is Christ inspired, community-based, and clinically supported to foster recovery and healing from all sources of post-traumatic stress, including exposure to violence, poverty, and racism.  Central to Can We Talk?, the cornerstone of the program, is sharing one’s story in community and helping people to integrate their memories, which is a necessary part of the healing process. Community companions, many trauma survivors themselves, provide peer support which can guard against the stigmatization of formal treatment. 

“If God is inclusion, the goal is to draw everyone in. . .imagine a circle of compassion and no one standing outside that circle. . .Belonging is more than inclusion.  So many are watched but are not used to being seen.   Be a professional seer of human beings!  We can’t save anyone. We can only show up with them and be transformed by the encounter.”   Father Greg Boyle

In this session, Ken Wytsma explores a theology of justice and the implications for understanding of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Along the way, he’ll address the concepts of righteousness and justice, why justice language should be used in our gospel conversations and explore the implications for our understanding of racism and the church’s complicity with injustice. For anyone looking for an integrative biblical framework to pull together these important and challenging concepts, this session will be a blessing. 

¡La hospitalidad es fundamental para el carácter de Dios! Los ministerios interculturales hospitalarios van más allá de simplemente brindar una atmósfera cálida y acogedora. Entonces, ¿cómo podemos enmarcar nuestros ministerios en catalizadores de la hospitalidad que derriben los muros diseñados por los seres humanos y testifiquen de la visión bíblica y teológica de la hospitalidad que se encuentra en el evangelio de Cristo? ¡Exploremos juntos tomándonos una taza de café!

This class is designed to help attendants understand racism, it’s roots, and it affects in our country and world; and to understand how the gospel itself addresses this sin. We will discuss a Biblical theology of unity and diversity in the Body of Christ while landing at practical steps for Christians to combat racism.

We feel the joy knowing that people all over the world are joining our virtual worship during this Pandemic.  But, what happens when we meet those people in person and find them to be different from us. How do we feel? Let’s discuss how to accept people who are different from us. And how we can help them to feel the sense of belonging in the church body?

We all want to be effective in ministry, especially in our outreach across differences. But, that doesn’t come naturally or easily. When you think about the “culturally competent” church, what comes to your mind? What does the culturally competent church look like? What are some of the challenges of becoming culturally competent? What is the role of consistent grace?

Hospitality is central to the character of God!  Hospitable cross-cultural ministries go beyond simply providing a warm and inviting atmosphere. So, how can we frame our ministries into catalysts for hospitality that tear down human-designed walls, and testify to the Biblical and theological vision of hospitality found in the gospel of Christ?  Grab a coffee, and let’s explore together!

This seminar is an opportunity to equip leaders in the Salvation Army to lead courageously toward building reconciling communities that can be places of healing and hope. This is especially important in the current divisive and polarized socio-political climate that we are experiencing in the United States. We need leaders to be brave like Esther, who will speak the truth and lead the kind of reconciliation process that will restore the credibility of our Christian witness in this generation.

En este taller usted aprenderá lo que significa la palabra inclusión; comprenderá la dinámica de la inclusión; aprenderá sobre la teología de la inclusión y la diversidad; y comprenderá el papel que usted desempeña en este importante tema de la inclusión.