October 24-26, 2018 | Laurelville Mennonite Church Center

Thanks to everyone who attended the 2018 Anabaptist Communicators Conference: “INNOVATE: Past | Present | Future.” From an ice cream social, to plenty of networking, participants heard from three dynamic speakers sharing their wisdom with us.

Check out the schedule of the week below and keep checking back on this page for details on the 2019 Conference!

2018 Conference Schedule

---

Thank you to our 2018 Conference sponsors!

---

2018 Conference Keynote Speakers Included:

PAST

Melodie M. Davis
MennoMedia
As she prepares to retire next year, Melodie will share reflections on the changes she’s seen in her 40+ years working in church agencies, including how Mennonites have made an impact in media and communications.

---

Melodie M. Davis is a managing editor for MennoMedia and Herald Press in Harrisonburg, Va., where she has worked for predecessor church agencies since 1975. She has produced materials for radio, print, video, TV, websites and a weekly syndicated column, Another Way. She’s authored eight books, is current editor of Purpose magazine, and keeps a blog, findingharmonyblog.com. An English major graduate of EMC, Harrisonburg, Va., she spent one college year in Barcelona, Spain, and one year serving in Appalachia. She and her husband Stuart have three adult daughters and four grandsons.

PRESENT

Jon Prater
Church of the Brethren
Conflict is inevitable in the human story. However, just because conflict is inevitable does not mean that we should fear or be intimidated by it. Instead, we can learn to appreciate the entire story of the Kingdom of God. Jon will explore how a moment of discord in ministry is much like discord in music--both play their part in the symphony. We will discuss how our Anabaptist traditions, values and convictions help us communicate Christ’s peace and God’s Shalom to the entire faith community, and how community hermeneutics undergird our practices in moments of conflict.

---

Jon Prater is the pastor of Mt. Zion Church of the Brethren in Linville, Virginia, where he has served since 2010. Jon graduated Bethany Theological Seminary in 2018 with a Masters in Theology, and has an undergraduate degree from Liberty University. A former church planter, Jon is a public speaker and workshop leader on subjects including church planting and church vitality. Jon recently concluded a term as the Shenandoah District  Leadership Team chair, and currently chairs the Shenandoah District Discernment Team. He is husband to Jessica, father to twin sons Aiden and Elijah, and a foster dad. You can also catch him co-hosting the “2 Preachers Talking Podcast.”

FUTURE

Doug Sider
Be in Christ Church of Canada
Doug will be sharing about the Be in Christ Church of Canada's rebranding process and insights learned from the experience.

---

Doug Sider is the executive director of the Be in Christ Church of Canada — formerly known as the Brethren in Christ (BIC) Church of Canada. He planted a BIC church in Calgary, Alb., served as the pastor of New Holland (Pa.) BIC Church, and as the executive pastor of Carlisle (Pa.) BIC Church. Doug served as the bishop of the Susquehanna Conference of the BIC Church of North America, and in several other denominational roles. He currently serves on the executive committee of International BIC Association, and also on the deacons commission of Mennonite World Conference.

Anabaptist Communicators Conferences Include:

Affinity Groups

Connect with people who really understand the work you do. Share your successes, challenges, and projects you're working on during meet-up times!

AC Talks

Hear from Anabaptist Communicators peers on a variety of subjects during our "TED"-esque talks!

Ice Cream Social

Hear more about the what Anabaptist Communicators has done over the past year and future plans over some ice cream... with sprinkles!