2020 NATIONAL GATHERING
WHAT DO THESE STONES MEAN?
Witness, Power, and Hope
Cincinnati, OH
March 2-4, 2020
Looking for liturgy, workshop materials, or recordings from the 2020 National Gathering? You can find them in the “resources” section of our website.
Brian Blount
Jessica Tate
Floretta Barbee-Watkins
Miguel De La Torre
De’Amon Harges & Mike Mather
Cynthia Ford
Mary Delaney
Damon Lynch
Miriam Terlinchamp
Troy Bronsink
THEME
The twelve stones placed in the middle of the Jordan River served as a memorial to God’s faithfulness. They witnessed to the trials and tribulations overcome by the people of God. The stones also testified to future generations that God, who made a way where there was no way, will once again lead us to redemption and transformation.
We are called to remember our forebears, the great distances they covered and the faith that carried them. Their memory inspires us and challenges us to move forward in our own faith journey. Their memory calls us to stay the course, to wade in the waters of life, to continue to struggle for the Kin-dom of God where justice, love, and peace flow freely. When we are willing to sacrifice the comfort of what we know for the gift of new life promised by God, we become living stones that witness and testify to God’s provision, promise, and power that transform our hope into reality.
Let us meet by the river in Cincinnati for the 2020 NEXT Church National Gathering, to remember, pray, sing, and testify to God’s power that transforms us and our work to reflect God’s faithfulness.
RECORDINGS
Sermon: Jessica Tate
Sermon: Floretta Barbee-Watkins
Sermon: Brian Blount
Keynote: Miguel De La Torre
Keynote: De’Amon Harges & Mike Mather
Testimony: Mary Delaney & Cynthia Ford
Testimony: Damon Lynch & Miriam Terlinchamp
Testimony: Troy Bronsink
COVERAGE
Want to learn more about what happened at the 2020 NEXT Church National Gathering? Check out these great articles from the Presbyterian Outlook:
- NEXT Church asks “What do these stones mean?” by Jana Blazek
- Beyond hope, is there resurrection — Miguel De La Torre speaks at NEXT Church by Leslie Scanlon
- NEXT Church testimonies: What do these stones mean in Cincinnati? by Jana Blazek
- Brian Blount asks NEXT Church: Are you at least as faithful as a rock? by Jana Blazek