What can one person do to stand against “the troubles of this world?” The challenges are monumental: economic injustice, gender inequity, race relations, water and land conflicts. What difference can I make? The 2018 Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series (AVDS) will explore these questions and their answers with the theme “Before the Unthinkable Happens: Confronting our role in injustice.” The conference will take place on the Hesston College campus Feb. 23 to 25 of 2018.

The AVDS Series offers a hands-on process where issues of oppression are addressed and begin to be dismantled. Specific leadership strategies will be applied to race relations, gender inequity and economic injustice.

“Throughout history, changes have most often been made by small groups of people who share a singular focus on an issue they are passionate about changing,” said planning committee member and Hesston College staff member Carlota Ponds. “No one person conquers an issue alone, and no one can successfully address all issues. Yet, each of us can become an effective agent for change on the issue we care deeply about.”

A continuation of last year’s event, “When the Unthinkable Happens,” that looked at responding with resiliency when communities are in the middle of trauma-related events, AVDS 2018 will provide a space for sharing passions and learning about strategies for fighting injustice with others in your congregation and in your community.

The Kansas Leadership Center will help in developing skills to clarify purpose, begin outcome plans and impact our future. Dr. Drew G.I. Hart, from Messiah College and an additional conference partner, will strengthen our biblical theology of justice in order to become faithful disciples and ethical believers.

Save the date now and watch for more information to come through the Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series website and brochure. Online registration will open early January 2018.