2025 Preachers' Conference: All God's Children

The 2025 Hugh C. Benner Preachers' Conference will feature Dr. Lamar Hardwick as the keynote speaker sharing on the theme All God's Children.

Register at nts.edu/preach

Join us for a Preachers’ Conference designed to engage and support neurodiverse people. Six sermons and eight workshops will explore how God’s redemptive message can reach “All God’s Children” regardless of where they are on the spectrum or what challenges there may be in accessing the life of the church. It will focus on the importance of disability ministry in the church, particularly among neurodiverse people who often “mask” their challenges and strengths. How might preachers engage and motivate congregations to move from inclusion to belonging?

This event can be fully attended in person or digitally.

Join Dr. Lamar Hardwick along with Dr. Amy Jacober, Rev. Brad Lee, Dr. Diane Leclerc, and Rev. Tara Thomas Smith for this important conference!

Offered in partnership with NTS' Nurturing Care with Children in Worship and Prayer (www.nurturingcare.org).

This event can be attended in-person or digitally.

Recordings of the parts of the conference that we have permission and capability to record are made available to registrants.

If you have questions, email communications@ntspraxis.org.

If you are interested in being an exhibitor, email sponsors@ntspraxis.org.

Schedule - These times are Central

Tues, Sep 24

• 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Registration, Exhibit Booths, & Coffee

• 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Preaching Session #1: Dr. Lamar Hardwick

• 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM: Preaching Session #2: Rev. Tara Thomas Smith

• 12:15 PM - 1:45 PM: Lunch

• 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM: Spiritual Direction

• 12:45 PM - 1:15 PM: Master's Programs Info Meeting - In-Person Participants Only

• 1:15 PM - 1:45 PM: Master's Programs Info Meeting - Digital Participants Only

• 1:45 PM - 3:15 PM: Preaching Session #3: Dr. Amy Jacober

• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Choice of 4 Preaching Workshops

• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Spiritual Direction

• 4:45 PM - 6:15 PM: Preaching Session #4: Rev. Brad Lee

• 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Spiritual Direction

Wed, Sep 25

• 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Exhibit Booths & Coffee

• 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM: D.Min Info Meeting & Donuts - In-Person & Digital Participants

• 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Preaching Session #5: Dr. Diane Leclerc

• 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM: Choice of 4 Preaching Workshops

• 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM: Spiritual Direction

• 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Preaching Session #6: Dr. Lamar Hardwick & Communion

• 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Spiritual Direction

Lunch - Chick-fil-A ($13) or on your own.

Chick-fil-A Options:

1. Chicken Sandwich with Chips & Cookie

2. Chicken Nuggets (8 count) with Chips & Cookie

3. Chicken Wrap with Chips & Cookie

4. Chicken Market Salad

5. Vegetarian Market Salad (Gluten Free)

Lodging Options Within 5 Miles: (Click on links for more details) Hampton Inn & Suites Kansas City - Country Club Plaza  - 4.2 Miles Away; Special NTS Rate of $135/night, free parking

Courtyard by Marriott Kansas City Country Club Plaza - 3.5 Miles Away

InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza - 3.7 Miles Away

Residence Inn by Marriott Kansas City Country Club Plaza - 3.8 Miles Away

Hilton Kansas City Country Club Plaza - 3.8 Miles Away

Seville Plaza Hotel - 3.8 Miles Away

Aloft Kansas City Country Club Plaza - 3.9 Miles Away

Embassy Suites by Hilton Kansas City - Plaza - 4.0 Miles Away

AC Hotel by Marriott Kansas City Plaza - 4.4 Miles Away

Hotel Wesport Kansas City - 4.8 Miles Away

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kansas City Sport Complex Area - 4.9 Miles Away

To learn more about Praxis at NTS go to ntspraxis.org.