Music leaders announced for 2017 Disciple-Making Church Conference

January event to feature Aaron and Ayana Teter

by Emily Enders Odom | Presbyterian News Service

Aaron and Ayana Teter. (Photo provided)

LOUISVILLE – The Revs. Aaron and Ayana Teter, both teaching elders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), have joined the conference leadership for “Abide in Me… A Spiritual Purging,” the 2017 Disciple-Making Church Conference.

The Teters, both graduates of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, have co-pastored ethnically and racially diverse congregations in Texas, New York, and Missouri. Aaron presently serves as pastor of the United Presbyterian Church, Ingram, Pa., while Ayana is associate minister of Pittsburgh Presbytery. Both share “a deep heart for prayer, worship, and a desire to encourage and equip God’s people to do God’s will.” They also share a love—and many gifts—for music.

The 2017 annual conference, based on John 15:4, is designed to introduce participants to a variety of spiritual practices to help them to live fuller mental and spiritual lives in order to bear more fruit for Jesus Christ and Christ’s church. The conference will be held January 16–19, 2017, at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, St. Pete Beach, Florida.

“Many people experience our culture as so fast-paced and anxiety-laced, and thus most modern Christians are in need of recalibrating their hearts and minds away from the busyness of this world and reorienting the ‘things above,’” says Ayana. “All disciples of Jesus need to be reminded that we are first invited to come away and abide in him. I have found this conference keeps giving me the tools, the space and the desire to do just that!”

Plenary speakers for “Abide in Me” will be the Rev. Jeff Eddings, co-founder of the Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community, Pittsburgh; the Rev. Sharon Stewart, part-time pastor at the Homestead (Pa.) United Presbyterian Church and part-time pastoral associate for Southminster Presbyterian Church; the Rev. Ray Jones, associate director of Evangelism, Presbyterian Mission Agency, Louisville; and the Rev. Steve Ebling, pastor, New Hope Presbyterian Church, Fishers, Indiana.

For complete conference information and to register online by the December 19 deadline, visit the conference website.