2026 Forma Annual Conference: Belonging & Becoming

Monday - Thursday, January 26-29, 2026
This program takes place on site at in Denver, CO.
The plenary session and daily worship will be livestreamed.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Forma Annual Conference offers an intentional time of networking, learning, and inspiration for those engaged in formation ministry across the church.

Th 2026 conference theme is “Belonging and Becoming” and is inspired by 2 Corinthians 3:18. We’re diving deep into reflections on two questions: “Who Do I Belong To?” and “Who Am I Becoming?” During our time together we will explore how we are held, seen, shaped, and sent as beloved children of God and ministers of God’s church.

We are thrilled to announce the conference keynote speaker: the Rev. Dr. Patrick B. Reyes. (Learn about Dr. Reyes’s work.)
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CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

• 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Monday, January 26, 2026
• 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Tuesday, January 27, 2026
• 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Wednesday, January 28, 2026
• 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Thursday, January 29, 2026

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COMING SOON: information about workshop offerings, affinity groups--and more.

CONFERENCE WEBSITE: https://www.forma.church/home/conference/2026-forma-conference/

THE BENEFIT OF FORMA MEMBERSHIP:

Forma Members receive a 25% discount on event registration. The discount code is available to dues-paying members through The Forma Space on VTS Plus. Learn more about Forma and become a member today. (

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The conference is brought to you by Forma and the department of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary.
Contact us ([email protected]) if the cost to participate is a barrier for you.

A Chicano writer, theologian, and executive leader, Patrick Reyes is Auburn Theological Seminary’s Dean, and the bestselling and award-winning author of and .
Prior to joining Auburn, Patrick worked in administration in higher education and the faith-based non-profit sector. He served at the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE), providing strategy and direction for FTE’s diverse programs, grants, and teams supporting the next generation of religious leaders. There he was the first Latino/Chicano director to lead the historic fellowships supporting scholars of color. He hosted the Sound of the Genuine podcast and spearheaded research and resource design.

Patrick provides leadership on several boards in theological and higher education, publications, and the nonprofit sector, supporting the next generation of Black, Indigenous, and Chicano spiritual and cultural leaders. He is a current board director for the American Academy of Religion and serves as the Co-Dean of the Freedom Seminary for the Children’s Defense Fund. He is a past board president of the Religious Education Association.
In the last decade, Patrick has been recognized for his service and scholarship by institutions of higher education and was recently inducted into the Morehouse College MLK Jr. Collegium of Scholars. The Council of Independent Colleges NetVUE selected The Purpose Gap as the Big Read for 2022-2023.
Patrick holds a doctorate and master’s from Claremont School of Theology, an M.Div. from Boston University School of Theology, and is a proud graduate of California State University, Sacramento. He lives on ancestral land in New Mexico, embracing the cultural and religious traditions and communities he and his family inherit and belong to.

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