YOU’RE INVITED to the Unconditional Conference. This two-day premier event is for parents of LGBTQ+ children and for ministry leaders looking to discover ways to support parents and LGBTQ+ children in their churches. You will be equipped, refreshed, and inspired as you hear from leading communicators on topics that speak to your heart, soul, and mind. We deeply desire this time will bring about healing and restoration. No matter what theological stance you hold, we invite you to listen, reflect, and learn as we approach this topic from the quieter middle space.
Schedule
Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 28, 2023
Conference concludes at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, September 29, 2023
Conference concludes at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, September 29, 2023
Hosted at North Point Community Church
4350 North Point Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30022
4350 North Point Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30022
SPEAKERS
Greg & Lynn McDonald
Founders, Embracing the Journey |
Pastor Andy Stanley
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Debbie Causey
Licensed Professional Counselor |
Justin Lee
Author and Speaker |
Breakout Speakers
Julia Sadusky, PsyD
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Rev. Dr. David P. Gushee
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David Quinones
ETJ, Church Partnerships |
Chris Kim
Director of Adult Ministry Environments, Woodstock City Church |
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Pastor Jenny Boyett
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Pastor Al Causey
Adult Ministries & Ministry Services Director, Gwinnett Church |
Brian Nietzel
Making Things Right |
breakout sessions
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Embracing your Journey: Moving through fear to surviving and thriving
Presenters: Greg and Lynn McDonald, co-founders of Embracing the Journey Wrestling with Theology, Pointing toward Jesus Presenter: Dr. David Gushee What is happening to my faith? Faith: Order, Disorder, Reorder Presenter: Justin Lee, Author and Speaker The Big Reveal Responding to critical moments on the journey with your LGBTQ+ child Presenter: Debbie Causey, LPC, Pastor, Author Strengthening Marital Intimacy in the Midst of Crisis Presenter: Michael Sytsma, PhD, LPC, CST, CPCS Founder of Building Intimate Marriages The Walking Wounded Caring for You and Your Child’s Mental Health Presenter: S. LaShay Dowley, LPC, MAMFT, CST, BCNCC, CPCS Owner of Enduring Connections Counseling Group, LLC LGBTQ+ Faith Stories: Hope for & Insights about Your Kids Presenter: Brian Nietzel Founder of Making Things Right, Co-founder of Renovus |
Creating an Embracing the Journey Parent care group at your church
Presenters: Greg McDonald, and David Quinones, Embracing The Journey, Church Partnership Co-Chairs Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Is it Real? Wrestling Together with Hard Questions with Curiosity and Openness Presenter: Julia Sadusky, PsyD Owner of Lux Counseling and Consulting The Transgender Journey Parent panel discussion Ministering to LGBTQ+ Youth Today: Creating a Safe Environment without Pushing Them Away from Jesus Presenter: Al Causey, Pastor, Adult Ministries and Ministry Services Director, Gwinnett Church How to Have the Best Relationship with Your LGBTQ+ Child Presenter: Jenny Boyett, Pastor Your Core Beliefs and Why They're Important: Understanding How Differences Don't Have to Separate Us Presenter: Chris Kim, Pastor, Director of Adult Ministry Environments, Woodstock City Church |
Experience Terrific Worship and Community
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THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS, AND PLEASE SUPPORT THESE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP TO MAKE OUR UNCONDITIONAL CONFERENCE POSSIBLE.
platinum sponsor
$5000+
Evening of Worship is sponsored by Mike and Kat Tindol
Trencadis Foundation
Gold sponsor
$2500 - $4999
Thursday’s Breakfast sponsored by the Matthew and Laura Heynen Charitable Fund
Friday’s Breakfast is sponsored by The Summit Counseling
Colleen & Ed Pulvermacher
Silver Level
$1000 - $2499
Corland Russell
Communion is sponsored by Bob and Heidi Veenema
Communion is sponsored by Bob and Heidi Veenema
Thursday Snacks are sponsored by GROWN SOUTH, Gardening Made Simple.
Bronze LEVEL
$100 - $999
Vanguard Cleaning Systems of Atlanta
Simon and Schuster
Richard & Kristin Hoekstra
About Embracing the journey
Embracing the Journey exists to build bridges between LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, and the church, not in spite of the Bible but because of the Bible. We are peacemakers committed to helping Christian families with LGBTQ+ loved ones become reconciled and restored. We offer one-on-one biblical coaching and counseling, virtual parent care groups in all North American time zones, curated resources, and much more. Embracing the Journey also helps churches develop parent care groups through our church partnership program. We do not charge for our services because of the generosity of parents and churches whom our ministry has blessed.
about greg & Lynn mcdonald
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Greg and Lynn are parents, best friends, authors of Embracing the Journey, and co-founders of the ministry by the same name that began as an outgrowth of their family's journey with having a gay child. They are passionate about helping parents embrace their journey where true healing can occur. As followers of Jesus, Greg and Lynn have firsthand experience managing the complicated feelings associated with learning their son is gay. In the 20-plus years since that revelation, they have immersed themselves in the LGBTQ+ community. The McDonalds are a powerful resource, armed with years of practical experience and learnings from their team coaching and counseling of thousands of Christian parents with LGBTQ+ children throughout the United States and 21 countries.
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