In a time when conversations about faith, politics, and values often end in hurt or division, many Christians wonder: How can we speak truth with love? How do we listen well when we disagree? How do we build bridges instead of walls?

This one-day conference brings together leading voices in faith, culture, and communication to equip you with both the heart and the skills for meaningful dialogue. Whether you’re navigating difficult conversations with family members, engaging skeptical neighbors, or leading in your church or workplace, you’ll discover how faithful witness can transform even the most challenging interactions.

You’ll explore:

• Why humility is your most powerful tool for authentic connection
• How deep listening builds trust and opens hearts
• Practical ways to find common ground without compromising truth
• How loving conversation becomes a pathway for others to encounter Christ

This conference is designed for anyone who wants to:

• Have better conversations with family, friends, and colleagues
• Represent Christ well in a polarized culture
• Build bridges across generational, political, and cultural divides
• Transform conflict into opportunities for connection
• Share their faith naturally and authentically

Join pastors, parents, professionals, and Denver Seminary students as we learn to speak with grace, listen with love, and witness with wisdom. In a world hungry for genuine connection, discover how your words and presence can become instruments of healing and hope.

Walk away with practical tools you can use immediately to turn everyday conversations into opportunities for Christ-centered witness and cultural renewal.

Presenters

Josh Packard

Josh Packard is the co-founder of Future of Faith and one of today’s leading voices on the spiritual lives of young people. He has spent years listening to how the next generation approaches faith, community, and the church. Josh is the author of several books, including Church Refugees (on why people leave church but not their faith), Meaning Making (on values shaping young Americans), and his newest book Faithful Futures: Sacred Tools for Engaging Emerging Generations (Baker, 2025). Josh previously served as a professor, researcher, and nonprofit leader, helping churches and schools understand how to connect meaningfully across generations.

Megan Bissel

Megan Bissel is a sociologist who studies how communities grow and thrive—especially among young people. She has led research teams for churches, schools, and nonprofits, giving leaders practical ways to better listen and respond to those they serve. Megan is a co-creator of the Sacred Listening Tools, designed to help churches and organizations pay closer attention to the voices within their communities. She received her master’s degree in sociology from the University of Northern Colorado.

Mike Austin

Mike Austin is a professor of philosophy and a widely respected Christian thinker on ethics and spiritual formation. His work explores how humility, character, and love shape lives that honor God and serve the common good. Mike is the author of 15 books, including Humility and Human Flourishing (2018), God and Guns in America (2020), and Humility: Rediscovering the Way of Love and Life in Christ (2024). Mike currently serves as the president of the Evangelical Philosophical Society and teaches at Eastern Kentucky University.

Caleb Campbell

Caleb Campbell is the Lead Pastor of Desert Springs Bible Church in Phoenix, where he has faithfully served since 2006. He is passionate about uniting churches across Arizona, working with groups like United Pastors of Arizona, the Surge Network, and the J29 Coalition. Caleb frequently preaches and speaks at a variety of Christian gatherings, from local churches to national networks. His recent book, Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor (IVP, 2024), challenges believers to respond with grace and courage in today’s divided culture. He holds a Master of Arts in Ministry from Phoenix Seminary and is pursuing doctoral studies at Fuller Seminary.

Eva Bleeker

Eva Bleeker “Chaplain Eva” Bleeker is the Jan McCormack Endowed Chair of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care and an assistant professor at Denver Seminary. She is a board-certified chaplain who brings years of experience walking with people through some of life’s most difficult seasons. Eva has advanced degrees in education, theology, media, and narrative medicine, and she is passionate about preparing the next generation of pastors and caregivers to embody God’s love in practical, pastoral ways.

Contact:
Jason Woodman, director of Public Engagement for The Gospel Initiative, is available before, during, and after the event to answer questions.