Embraced & Empowered
3rd Annual Prison and Reentry Ministries Conference

Partnering in the Path to Freedom – A Call to Action

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” – NIV

May 2-3, 2025
Live-Streamed via Zoom and hosted in-person by
First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Washington, D.C.

2024 Embraced & Empowered Conference Group Shot
Participants and speakers at our 2nd Annual Conference in 2024, held at Thanksgiving Square in Dallas, TX

All times are Eastern (EDT)


Session 1: My Path to Freedom–Finding Moral Transformation Inside Prison

Session 2: When I Got Out: Challenges and Successes


Session 1: Prison Ministry is Character Transformation Work…How to Get Started

Session 2: Journeying Together in the Path to Freedom—Preparing for Release

Session 3: Reentry Ministry – The Essential Role of Faith-Based Communities in Healing Society

Session 4: Short Presentations – Innovation and New Technology

Session 5: Becoming a Pillar of Society: The Ultimate Potential

Session 6: Breakout groups discussion


Brian Abbott, Rey Aguilar, Byron Alexander, Daniel Alexander, David Fowler, Sister Mary Sean Hodges, Chris Hoke, Tina Huston, Tony Kim, Jeanine Lambert, Whitney Louchheim, Marilyn McDonald, John Moore, Lisa Moore, Carlos Ponce, Gabriel Serafini, Courtney Stewart, Carlos Vasquez, Marlon Walker, Steep Weiss, Maegan West, Ted Wolfarth

Matthew Hammond and Davya Flaharty (LoveOnlyGrows.org)

Thank you to all our generous sponsors. Because of you we are able to offer this conference at no charge to attendees. Add your name to this list – Sponsor opportunities available here.

– Platinum Sponsors –

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Washington, D.C.
Joint Institutional Committee of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area – Sponsored by First Church of Christ, Scientist, Washington D.C.
Deb Wickersham
Anonymous

– Gold Sponsors –

The Principle Foundation
Share the Practice – Websites for Christian Scientists
Cox Media Productions
Lynn House of Potomac Valley
Anonymous

– Returning Citizen / Speaker Travel Sponsor –

Deb Wickersham

Auditorium Overview

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Washington, D.C.
910 16th St NW
(Black Lives Matter Plaza)
Washington, DC 20006
Driving Directions / Map

First Church DC is located at 910 16th St NW on Black Lives Matter Plaza, a few blocks away from the Farragut North and Farragut West metro stops. 

Parking

Free parking is available after 5:00 PM on Friday. Park in the P1 or P2 levels. The parking garage is located at the corner of 16th and I Streets, on the I Street side of the building. Address is 900 16th Street NW. After turning onto I Street, take an immediate right into the garage (adjoining Il Piatto). Directions / Map to entrance of garage

Facade

Fly into Reagan International Airport (DCA) – free shuttle to hotel.

Holiday Inn: National Airport/Crystal City
$129 / night + taxes (discounted rate, limited inventory)

2650 Richmond Hwy
Arlington, VA 22202
Map / Directions

Holiday Inn Arlington

Thank you for supporting this conference! We can’t do it without the generous support of donors.

Please download, print and post the invitation poster linked below. You are also welcome to use the desk announcement to help share this conference with your local congregation.