Jesus came not just to teach us what to believe but to show us how to live. The Gospel is radically countercultural. We see a vision for the world where the last are first, the first are last, the mighty are cast down from their thrones and the lowly are lifted up. What does it look like to live out the countercultural message of Christ today -- to live with imagination and not conform to the patterns of this world?

We’ve all had difficult conversations where we’ve spent the next day (or two) rehashing what was said, wondering if we over-stepped, and working through feelings of guilt or shame (ranging from “I should have kept my mouth shut” to “was I a horrible person for saying that?”). Yet, as Christians, we are called to step into difficult situations as peace-keepers, but also as speakers of the truth. How do we manage to do that without doubting ourselves? This breakout will go through some practical steps we can take to prepare ourselves for those tough conversations, but also help us avoid the second guessing after they have occurred. 

Forgiveness is often misunderstood as forgetting harm, excusing injustice, or restoring relationships at any cost. This workshop reframes forgiveness as a healing-centered, internal choice—one that can coexist with boundaries, consequences, and justice. In conversation with Scripture and contemporary forgiveness research, and integrating neuroscience, psychology, and Christian theology, participants will explore how forgiveness affects the brain, body, and spirit while remaining grounded in the scriptural mandate to forgive. This session clarifies what forgiveness is—and what it is not: forgiveness is personal; justice belongs to God.

In a time when conversations about justice, unity, and difference often strain relationships, Trust Without Borders offers a practical, Scripture-centered way forward. Co-presented by Pastor Lloyd Biddle and Deborah Biddle, this session explores how Christians can build and repair trust across the lines that most often divide us—race, culture, community, and church background. Drawing on the reconciling work of Christ and real-world leadership experience, participants will learn simple practices for honest conversation, relational repair, and shared action. Attendees will leave with clear, actionable next steps they can apply immediately in their relationships, churches, and partnerships.

Paul teaches that Christ has broken down the dividing wall, the hostility between all who believe in Him, and has reconciled us to God in one body. [Eph 2:13-16] And yet history shows how easy it is for the Church to become divided over disagreements. Personal disputes, theological debates, and splits over strategy threaten to rebuild the dividing wall. What if the Church had a communication strategy it could use to make decisions, work toward unity, and resolve division? Interest-based negotiation, championed by the Program on Negotiation at Harvard University, is one such approach. This breakout session offers a Christ-centered approach to interest-based negotiation, equipping participants with communication tools for decision-making that prioritize relationships while working toward a mutually beneficial outcome.