2022 GFM Staff Conference

Welcome to the GFM National Staff Conference 2022 Webpage!

Click here to view the plenary session recordings

We enjoyed such rich times of fellowship and fun seeing one another in person and online at the GFM National Staff Conference this year. Thank you to the many people who put so much time, effort, prayer and planning into our meetings. We received wonderful feedback about the Bible studies so we updated the conference site in a way that would be conducive to continued use of these resources. All of the conference details are still here, as well as some conference photos at the end of this page. We are so grateful to the planning team as well as our in person and online hosts who set the stage for an encouraging staff conference.

Conference Resources

Scripture Studies

For the Bible Study Leader's Guide, click here for the in-person version and click here for the online version. You will find the handouts (manuscripts) in the links below by day.

Looking for information from the Workshops & Meet-Ups? Here are the topics we explored with colleagues for ideas that are working and items that are challenging across our movement. Please reach out to the session director for more information if you were unable to attend or would like to learn more.

Program

Plenary session recordings may be found below for each day.

Tuesday: Inhabiting the Moment

How do we understand and navigate this moment as a staff community?
Small-Group Bible Study: John 3:1-21
Plenary Session: Staff & Faculty testimonies, Bobby Gross, Discussion Groups, and an introduction to Robert Romero.

View the Tuesday Session Recording

Wednesday: Good News

How has our understanding of the Good News been expanded or challenged in this season, and what does that mean for the communities we serve?
Small-Group Bible Study: John 15:18 -16:15
Plenary Session: Special Guest -Terumi Echols, IVP. Main Speaker- Dr. Romero.
Afternoon Recreation: Take a hike, play indoor mini-golf, relax in the pool, explore what Lake Williamson has to offer.
Workshops & Meet-Ups: Explore with colleagues ideas that are working and items that are challenging across our movement.

View the Wednesday Session Recording

Thursday: Persisting in Hope

How does the Good News encounter us as we lead and serve Graduate Students & Faculty? How do we walk in Hope?
Small Group Bible Study: John 20:19-31
Plenary Session: Dr. Romero

View the Thursday Session Recording

Speaker Details

Dr. Robert Chao Romero

Dr. Robert Chao Romero is an associate professor in the UCLA departments of Chicana/o Studies and Central America Studies, and Asian American Studies. He received his Ph.D. from UCLA in Latin American History and his Juris Doctor from U.C. Berkeley, and is also an attorney. Romero is the author of several books, including, “The Chinese in Mexico, 1882-1940” and “Brown Church: Five Centuries of Latina/o Social Justice, Theology, and Identity.” “The Chinese in Mexico” received the Latina/o Studies book award from the Latin American Studies Association and “Brown Church” received the InterVarsity Press Readers’ Choice Award for best academic title. Romero is also an ordained minister and faith-rooted community organizer.

Welcome: A Pre-Conference Note from Bobby Gross

Dear GFM Colleagues,

You have been in my prayers as you have served graduate students & faculty this fall! In the midst of the complexities that we are all walking through, I am excited to invite you to our 2022 Graduate & Faculty Ministry Conference, “Still Good News! Our Call on Campus.” At the conference, we will connect with one another & God in ways that revitalize our shared mission. Join us March 22 – 24, 2022 to explore the changing landscape of ministry amongst Graduate Students & Faculty!

In interactive plenaries, workshops, and time in scripture, we will examine key questions including:

How is the gospel good news within Higher Ed today?
What are we learning in this season about our calling and campus culture?
What new ideas or strategies are bringing life across our movement?

Our schedule (below) will include space to connect with colleagues, relax, and participate in a variety of recreation opportunities offered at our new facility, Lake Williamson Christian Center. Lake Williamson is located in Carlinville, IL, an hour and 15 minutes from the St. Louis Lambert Airport. As the pandemic continues to affect our daily lives, we are in dialogue with our national office and have adopted these Covid-19 protocols for our gathering.

We look forward to meeting new staff, re-connecting with friends, and drawing together as we draw near to God.

Friends, please join the GFM Leadership Team in praying that we are strengthened by God for our work on campus and experience encouragement and joy together as we gather in person and online.

Bobby