The Zeal Conference
Speakers
Jason Johnson
Jason currently serves as the Director of Church Ministry Initiatives with Christian Alliance for Orphans. In his work he speaks and teaches at churches, conferences, forums and workshops on church-based ministry strategies and best practices as well as encouraging families that are in the trenches and those that are considering getting involved.
Jason and his wife, Emily live in Texas with their daughters and two “grandkids”. He has authored 3 books: Reframing Foster Care, Everyone Can do Something, and ALL IN Orphan Care.
Jamie Finn
Natalie Brenner
Natalie's growing blog, NatalieKristeen.com, has had over ninety-thousand page views since January 2017. Her work has been featured in Adoption.com as the top writer, Pregnant Chicken, Adopting.org, Today SHOW, Parents, and more. Natalie has been a featured guest on several podcasting shows including National Public Radio's OPB, Honestly Adoption, Blossoming Mommy and Baby, The Birth Hour, and more. She is a lover of life and breather of grace and hopes to always love bigger than before.
Laura Erkeneff
Laura is a family therapist that specializes in EMDR Therapy. Laura specializes in foster and adoption family counseling. She has worked directly with members of the adoption triad in Colorado and Oregon for almost 20 years.
She has seen what saying yes to foster and adoption means for families and believes in truly supporting the family in all that they will walk through.
Tickets
Prices
$35.00
1/2/20-2/28/21
Prices
$50.00
3/1/21-4/30/21
Prices
$60.00
5/2/2021-5/28/2021
Schedule
Enjoy a FREE breakfast while connecting with other guest.
Register for breakout sessions you would like to participate in during the day.
Join us for a morning of worship with Parkways Worship Team
Opening of Conference with Bonnie VanDusen & Guest Speaker Jason Johnson
Jamie Finn Session
Natalie Brenner Session
Elizabeth Schaub Session
Food Truck Choices: (TBD)
Laura Erkeneff Session
Natalie Brenner Session
Panel Speaker Session
Jason Johnson Session
Laura Erkeneff Session
Jamie Finn Session
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Guest Speaker Jamie Finn with Foster the Family
This session is geared towards community leaders, church staff etc.
A FREE dinner by (TBD) and a time to relax, connect and participate in fun activities
Breakout Sessions
Jamie Finn Session: Foster Caring Community
Being a foster parent can be confusing and difficult, and too often, foster parents are at it alone. This breakout will explore what it looks like to live in community as a foster parent. We will discuss relating to others who may not understand, creating a foster care community where you are, inspiring those around you to get involved in foster care, and other ideas to keep you from feeling isolated as a foster parent.
Natalie Brenner Session: Grief + Trauma: Part of Every Adoption
We cannot ignore the trauma and grief of adoption and foster care. So often we believe adopting under a magical age will mean the child has "less trauma."
This is a myth, a lie, a facade that will disappoint you and set you + your child up for failure. Let's talk about why grief and trauma are important to pay attention to, and give space to.
Elizabeth Schaub: Filling the Gaps
More Information to Come
Saying Yes is the first step. Now how do you navigate the behaviors of trauma? During this time Laura will talk about behaviors and how you can support the kids you say yes along with navigating your emotins without feeling overwhelmed.
Natalie Brenner Session: Transracial Parenting through Adoption + Foster Care
As a white mama who has parented children of color over four years, I have realized the work to understanding the privilege and power in this dynamic never ends.
In order to love my child in the best, most God-fearing way, I must dig into the reality of what it means to be a transracial adoptive mom. God created color and culture for a reason, and if we choose to default into "colorblindness," we are not only letting our children down and setting them up for massive struggle, but we are ignoring God's divine creation.
Panel Session-Open Discussion of Saying YESMore Information to Come
Jason Johnson Session: Your Role as a Father
More Information to Come
Laura Erkeneff Session: Trauma - Q & A
Saying Yes is the first step. Now how do you navigate the behaviors of trauma? During this time Laura will talk about behaviors and how you can support the kids you say yes along with navigating your emotins without feeling overwhelmed.
Jamie Finn Session: Loving the Broken People of a Broken System
Most people sign on as foster parents with an enthusiasm to care for vulnerable children. But what about when those children are difficult to love? And--even more challenging--what about all of the other broken people in the broken system? This workshop will explore Biblical encouragements, real-life experience, and practical strategies for engaging with and, ultimately, loving biological parents, social workers, judges, and other foster parents.
Sponsors
Conference Location
229 NE Beacon DR.
Grants Pass, OR 97526
541.479.2639
info@parkwaycc.com