Registration is now open for Hesston College’s annual Anabaptist Vision and Discipleship Series (AVDS) conference, that will take place on campus Feb. 1 to 3, with the theme “Growing More Like Jesus from the Outside In: Transforming Heart and Mind.” Registrations are due by Monday, Jan. 28.

Featuring keynote speakers Mark and Lisa Scandrette, internationally recognized experts in Christian spirituality, conference participants will offer spiritual formation grounded in community and explore the pursuit of a life that is deeply soulful and connected to real needs and good news in the world.

Mark Scandrette teaches in the doctoral program at Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, Calif.), and is the founder of ReIMAGINE: A Center for Integral Christian Practice. Together, Mark and Lisa Scandrette co-authored FREE: Spending Your Time and Money on What Matters Most.

A primary source of guidance for the weekend will be the Ninefold Path of the Beatitudes, which was created by Mark Scandrette. The Ninefold Path is an experiential journey of blessings Jesus presented in the Sermon on the Mount, exploring the radical life-giving invitation they provide, engaging the dynamic of shared experiments and practices, creating space to rest, connect and refresh and coming away with tools and skills to lead others on the journey.

“What participants will learn at this year’s conference moves away from the concept of an outside speaker coming in, lecturing and expecting that anything can really change within the community from that approach,” said Hesston College Director of Church Relations, Dallas Stutzman, a member of the planning committee. “Instead, Jesus and the event will call us to change in practical, Kingdom ways. From the outside in.”

“Following Jesus in the 21st century is challenging,” said Clayton Gladish of the planning committee and pastor of Hesston Mennonite Church. “Between social isolation and multiple things vying for our time, we need help finding ways to connect with one another for the purpose of practicing our faith. Mark Scandrette give practical advice based on personal experimentation and experience that helps us to embody the call to make disciples.”

The conference is intended to be accessible to church leaders as well as congregants across all Christian denominations and those exploring their faith and spirituality.

“This event is an outstanding opportunity for all area Christians to develop their faith practice to serve in a variety of ways within their context,” said Stutzman.

Find conference registration and information, including notes about suggested advanced reading and further resources from Mark Scandrette.