Engage 2025 Breakout Topics

Join with others from across the church and the country
as we dive into topics shaping our daily mission.

Morning

As the opening plenary session continues in the sanctuary, a moderated panel will discuss how God calls and maintains us in justice ministry.

Various spiritual ingredients are involved:

• How to discern God’s call to justice work

• Spiritual direction

• Developing a prophetic voice and building a team

• Disciplines to maintain a spiritual connection with God and maintain faithfulness

• Maturing the ministry

Our panelists (see Breakout Speakers for bios):
Jeff Shaffer
Sister Arthur Gordon
Karla Can
Landon Ranck

Moderator:
Rev. Nikki Ramage

AFTERNOON

There will be four concurrent afternoon breakout sessions; attendees will choose one. These breakout sessions will be practice-oriented. How can we move into action in our community in thoughtful ways? Each breakout session will focus on the history of engagement in their particular justice area either in Santa Barbara or in the city where you live, a brief survey of current stakeholders, possible exploration of case studies, and tangible suggestions for where to start serving, leading, learning, or advocating.

This year, we will focus on these four societal issues (see Breakout Speakers for bios):

1. Discovering the church in the shelter: From Homelessness to Housing
   Facilitated by: Pat Wheatley (Housing Authority of Santa Barbara)

2. Discovering the church in the safe house: From trafficking awareness to eradication
   Facilitated by: Jeff Shaffer and Anika Erlenborn (Kingdom Causes Inc.)

3. Discovering the church in the program: From addiction to recovery
   Facilitated by: Addie Cravens and Estella Avila (Bethel House)

4. Discovering the church around the table: From isolation to community
   Facilitated by: DJ Johnsen, June Michealsen, and some unlikely friends