2019 National Gathering

The Redemptive Power of Genuine Love

August 30 – September 1
Chattanooga, TN

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A ministry of African American Ministries

About

Being an African American member of a majority culture church comes with a unique set of challenges. It can be hard to be the only representative voice for diversity. We need to be honest about our reality and seek solutions that help us bear fruit where God has placed us. Yet God's solutions tend to be radically different from our own.

The Apostle Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12:9-21, although counterintuitive, is the excellent way of love. This year’s theme “The Redemptive Power of Genuine Love” aims to show how these verses apply to our experience.

Join us to grasp a Biblical perspective of genuine love for your neighbor while embracing God’s design as a Black person uniquely made in His image. Come for a time of sound teaching, vibrant worship and rich fellowship and return home overflowing with hope and confidence rooted in Jesus Christ.

Schedule

Friday, August 30 - New City Fellowship

Registration - starts at 4pm
Dinner
Worship Service

Plenary Session #1
--Genuine Love: Charting a Third Way (Pastor Mika Edmondson)

Saturday, August 31

Morning + Afternoon at Covenant College

Worship Service
Plenary Session #2
--Genuine Love: Rejoicing in the Imago Dei (Rev. Dr. Irwyn Ince)

Breakout Sessions + Lunch

Plenary Session #3
--Genuine Love: Living the Story of God's People (K.A. Ellis)

Networking Sessions + Break

Evening at New City Fellowship

Dinner
Worship Service

Sunday, September 1

Attendees are encouraged to worship at local churches where LDR-affiliated pastors will be preaching.

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Breakout Sessions

Morning

Nothing New Under the Sun
Contemporary Lessons from the Historic Black Church
Presenters: Alicia Jackson and Carl Ellis
Topic: Church History

When Tamar (and Tyrone) Speak
Acknowledging, Addressing, and Lamenting Abuse in the Church
Presenter: Suzanne Bates
Topic: Sexual Abuse

Black Images Matter
Visual Representations of Race
Presenter: Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt
Topic: Visual Arts

Privilege and Partnership
The Journey Toward Becoming Better Allies
Presenters: Lance Lewis and Christiana Fitzpatrick
Topic: Advocacy

Rediscovering Discipleship
Ordinary Means for an Extraordinary Call
Presenters: Charles and Charlotte McKnight
Topic: Discipleship

Afternoon

Why Common Grace Isn't So Common
Engaging God's World with Truth and Grace in a Polarized Context
Presenter: Dr. Christina Edmondson
Topic: Sociology

Suffering in Silence
How to Raise Awareness About Mental Wellness in the Black Community
Presenter: MyChelle Pinkerton
Topic: Mental Health

A Family Affair
Serving Others as Fellow Image Bearers
Presenters: Tony and Tanya Myles
Topic: Mercy Ministries

A Place at the Table
Affirming the Leadership of Sistahs
Presenters: Kellie and Howard Brown
Topic: Leadership

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Testimonials

LDR, yet again, has been incredibly restorative and affirming. I made tons of connections with older black women and excitingly black peers that are sadly in limited supply in (my city)..Many thanks to the entire LDR team that creates this space for people like me, struggling to find my own identity in this world.

THANK YOU for LDR. I was so bolstered by the conference. I think it would be hard to find a person of color who would not be deeply encouraged and renewed by attending.

LDR fed in me ways that I didn't know I was hungry for. It was a truly blessed time.

It was great to hear the speakers journey. You know that they don't become who they are overnight - but when you are persevering, it is nice to hear how others have done so successfully in the midst of the struggle.

I appreciated the opportunity to hear the stories of how other black people ended up in the PCA in the context of our own safe space. This was special.

WOW....pretty powerful to hear testimonies about being a minority in all white spaces. I really enjoyed all of the Plenary sessions. Each spoke to different aspects of my struggle and beautifully affirmed and encouraged me.

Register

$99

through July 31st

$139

through August 31st

Register
Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship codes are limited. Valid only until June 15th.

Location

New City Fellowship-Chattanooga

2424 E 3rd St
Chattanooga, TN 37404

Covenant College

14049 Scenic Hwy
Lookout Mountain, GA 30750

Accommodations

Hotel

Room blocks have been reserved at the Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn and Suites (Downtown Chattanooga) at a rate of $149 per night. This rate is available until August 2 or until group blocks are sold out, which ever comes first.

Hilton Garden Inn Reservations
Hampton Inn Reservations

Meals

Meals are provided on Friday (dinner) and Saturday (lunch and dinner). Local attendees are encouraged to bring a side dish for the Saturday meal.

FAQs

LDR Social