American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) has announced an impressive slate of speakers for its national event, Space for Grace, to be held at the Westin Kansas City (Mo.) at Crown Center Sept. 21–23, 2022. With the theme “Testify!”, the gathering’s 600 anticipated attendees will hear God’s good news in keynotes from the Rev. Amy Butler, the Rev. Dr. Neichelle Guidry, Dr. Eddie Glaude, Kathy Khang, Dr. Miguel De La Torre and the Rev. Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams.

Learning experience sessions on leadership empowerment, discipleship, and healing and transforming communities will be presented by renowned pastors, organizational leaders, and authors Jermine Alberty, Jennifer Jones Austin, Laura Ayala, Mia Chang, Tony Gapastione, Molly Grisham, Linda Mercadante, Eddie Smith Sr., Wallace Smith and Justin Thang.

Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, ABHMS executive director, says, “We are delighted to welcome the diverse voices of these esteemed ministry leaders who will share genuine, honest dialogue about issues of Christian leadership, discipleship, and justice. Their words will be particularly powerful given what we have faced—and continue to face—as a nation.”

Preceding Space for Grace, ABHMS will host a Spiritual Caregivers Conference for chaplains, pastoral counselors, spiritual directors, and specialized ministers from Sept. 19–20. Featured speakers include Drs. Trace Haythorn, Pamela Cooper-White, Kirk Byron Jones, and Lt. Col. Ruth Naomi Segres.

According to the Rev. Dr. Patricia Murphy, ABHMS’ ecclesiastical endorser of Chaplaincy and Specialized Ministries, “This conference presents both a wonderful professional development opportunity and a time to enrich connections and engage with other specialized ministers.”

Registration for both events will open in March. To learn more and register for conference updates, visit abhms.org/spaceforgrace2022.