October 18-20— Discerning a Racial Ethnic Ministry in your Community--Cost $150 (includes meals, local transportation, and small group coach)--Location: Sterling, VA                    

Countless church and presbytery teams are trying to discern ways to reach out to changing communities.  Many are unsure about how to break through cultural and language barriers, yet have a strong desire to reach out and share the compassion and hope of the gospel.  This conference will help participants walk through a discernment process.  Racial ethnic ministry leaders will offer insights around the unique nature of this kind of ministry.  They will share examples of ministry that is making a difference, and will share tools that will help participants consider possibilities in their own context.  Participants will intersect with community outreach ministries in northern Virginia, and will learn how to walk their own neighborhoods    to discern how God is calling them to reach out to their neighbors.  This conference is for leaders considering racial ethnic outreach through existing congregations and for those considering planting new church communities.

This conference will begin at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 18th and conclude at noon on Thursday, Oct. 21.

 Led by:  Rev. Edwin Andrade, Co-Pastor Riverside Presbyterian Church, Organizing Pastor Nueva Rivera                                                            Edwin brings a heart for building the kingdom, a vision for developing relationship in community, and daily experience in ministry with racial ethnic communities.  Edwin is a new church development coach and a sought after speaker and consultant on Hispanic ministry.  If your team is wrestling with some of the risks or hurdes of racial ethnic ministry, Edwin can expose you to innovative ways to look at possibilities for ministry.

Rev. Dr. Hector Rodriguez, Associate for Hispanic/Latino-a Congregational Support
Hector is an evangelist at heart, and a great resource for what is happening in Hispanic and racial ethnic ministry across the denomination.  Hector is passionate about the increasing need for Hispanic ministries and new churches.  If your church recognizes that the community around you is changing, but don't quite know what to do with that reality, Hector can inspire you to consider what it really means to do kingdom work in your context.

Patrick Nam, Youth Pastor, Pilgrim Church, Paramus, New Jersey
Patrick is doinig amazing youth ministry in the context of a Korean congregation which is planting Korean, multi-cultural, and English speaking faith communities.  His ministry is intentional about developing disciples and leaders with a heart for mission.  Patrick regularly leads groups of all different cultures into the inner city where he exposes them to ways they can engage the community as disciples of Christ.  Patrick brings a vision for 1.5 and 2nd generation ministry that is crucial to not only the future, but the current realities in racial ethnic ministry.

Noemi Rodriguez Simmons, Worship Leader               

                                     Noemi leads worship in both the Spanish and English services at Riverside Presbyterian Church.  Noemi's gifts in leading music and her fresh way of drawing a congregation into an experience of worship and praise will feed your soul and connect you to the Living Lord.