Hope Gathering, 2024

Join Help 4 Families and Living Stones Ministries to listen to compassionate speakers address transgenderism and same-sex attraction from a biblical perspective. This two-day event will give you an opportunity to hear encouraging stories of redemption and provide an opportunity to develop new relationships with other families that understand what your journey. There will also be time for us to minister to you personally through prayer support and conversation.

Theologian

Robert A. J. Gagnon is an American theological writer, professor of New Testament Theology at Houston Baptist University (since 2018), former associate professor of the New Testament at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (1994-2017), an expert on biblical homosexuality, and an elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).He holds a BA from Dartmouth, an MTS from Harvard Divinity School, and a PhD from the Princeton Theological Seminary.

Gagnon's primary fields are Pauline theology and sexuality. Gagnon has focused on the issue of The Bible and homosexuality. Gagnon has been described by theologian James V. Brownson as "the foremost traditionalist interpreter" on this topic, and has published several books and articles about the subject. Gagnon's work on homosexuality is derived from Old and New Testament texts dealing with sexuality. Gagnon's arguments are based on reproductive biology and gender complementarity, in which Gagnon presents and interprets modern scholarship on the ancient texts.

Reporter for Christian Post

Brandon M. Showalter is a journalist and podcaster with The Christian Post who has reported extensively on topics of theological interest in the Church; bioethics issues such as euthanasia, assisted suicide, artificial reproductive technology, and surrogacy; and the developments of the "gender identity" movement and transgender ideology.

He earned a bachelor's degree in international studies and Spanish from Bridgewater College of Virginia in 2007, a Master of Arts in human rights from The Catholic University of America in 2022, and is a fellow of the John Jay Institute for Faith, Society, & Law.

Executive Director of Living Hope Ministries

Ricky Chelette is the Executive Director of Living Hope Ministries for over 17 years and concurrently serves on the pastoral staff at First Baptist Church Arlington, Texas, for the past 28 years. Speaking around the world to thousands of teens and adults who struggle with their sexuality and gender identity or those who love those who do, Ricky brings vast experience and personal knowledge to this difficult and controversial subject.

His logical, humorous, and straightforward approach makes sense of a very complex and often confusing topic. Ricky has a BA in Political Science/Pre-Law and a Master’s in Religious Education and has taught at the college and seminary levels. Ricky is also an ordained Southern Baptist Minister.

Conference and Church Speaker

Sherry Holt has a message of God’s grace, liberty and intimacy with the Father. Often in her ministry she offers insight into wounds of the soul, the brokenness they cause and how one finds healing and freedom through the love and power of encountering Jesus Christ.

She has a B.S. in Communication and is an ordained minister. Since 2006 she has facilitated Journey to Freedom, a ministry for women who struggle with identity issues and unwanted same sex attraction.

She is the proud mom of an adult son, Jonathan his lovely wife, Kerith and is thoroughly enjoying her beautiful grand babies. Sherry lives in Louisville, KY where she works as the Pastor of Evangel Online Campus and also as a producer and editor in the television ministry at Evangel World Prayer Center.

Senior Pastor

Derrick Bledsoe is the Senior Pastor at City on a Hill Church in Dallas, TX. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from the University of Texas at Arlington, and both a Master of Divinity and Master of Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Executive Director of Help4Families and Living Stones Ministries, and Biblical Counselor

Denise Shick is the founder and executive director of Help 4 Families and Living Stones Ministries. She's authored seven children’s books and several nonfiction books, including My Daddy’s Secret, Understanding Gender Confusion—A Faith-Based Perspective, and Transgender Confusion—A Biblical Q&A for Families.

She is also a conference speaker and presents workshops on transgenderism and its impact on families. Denise has been interviewed on many faith-based radio and television programs. She has published articles in The Federalist, LifeSite News and American Thinker. Denise has been interviewed on many faith-based radio and television programs and appeared in Tranzformed, In His Image and the Fearless Women Series.

Executive Director, His Way Out Ministries

Pastor Phillip Lee currently serves as Executive Director of HIS WAY OUT MINISTRIES, a ministry he founded in 1994 for individuals, families, and the Church, dealing with the issue of homosexuality. In July of 1994, he resigned his position on the pastoral team of Chester Avenue Baptist Church, Bakersfield, California, (an American Baptist Church) having served in several positions: most recently as Pastor with Adults and Senior Adults, and extensively as Director of Outreach, Missions and Evangelism.

In 1998, while on the pastoral staff of Brimhall Road Assembly of God, Bakersfield, California, as Associate Pastor of Missions and Evangelism, he developed an outreach and missions program for local and overseas evangelism. A teacher of adult Sunday School classes and Bible studies for many years, he enjoys speaking to various groups and denominations on a frequent basis.

Born in Arkansas, Phillip attended Long Beach University and concentrated his studies on History of the Americas. Included in his honors from the United States Air Force - “Honor Graduate” from Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, and placed in the Test and Deployment Field of Satellites. Phillip has also benn honored to serve two terms as a delegate for the Christian community on the Kern County AIDS Advisory Board. He has and continues to serve extensivly on the mission field in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana, South America.

Phillip spent fifteen years in the travel industry, working as manager of travel agencies and for United Airlines. In addition to his recent years in the ministry, Phillip’s other work experiences include: bereavement facilitator and AIDS educator.

Phillip enjoys reading, water skiing, skating, and traveling whenever possible.

Professional Instructor

Dennis Powell is the blessed father of 4 young adults. He and his wife Brenda have been married for 34 years. Dennis played 15 years of professional baseball with 8 of those years coming at Major league level with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, and Milwaukee Brewers. He also pitched Internationally in Japan, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.

Currently, Dennis plays an active role independently in the Los Angeles Dodgers Organization making appearances. He has been gifted with a simplistic style of communicating which has enabled him to go from playing to speaking, to teaching as a Professional Instructor. Dennis also uses life experiences as a husband and father to spread inspiration to the Community. Dennis credits God for giving him the strength to stand.

Dennis just finished a book about his life entitled Standing Over Home which is available now. This new endeavor has repositioned Dennis’ attention onto father and son relationships. Regardless of their past, Dennis hopes his story of redemption will help men stand up and be the leaders God has created them to be in the family. He received a bachelor’s degree from the International School of Ministry while facilitating classes at Abundant Living Family Church.

KathyGrace Duncan lived as a man for 11 years and came out of the transgender lifestyle 31 years ago. She found profound freedom and redemption thru her relationship with Jesus. Her heart and passion is to see all who struggle with identity to overcome the confusion and find their true identity in Christ. She is the Women’s and Transgender Ministry Leader at the Portland Fellowship and with the CHANGED Leadership team.

Refuge Church is 20 minutes from San Antonio International Airport.

June 21st 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

June 22nd 2024 from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM

After payment, you will be asked several questions. One of which will be which box lunch you want. Be prepared to answer these questions for each person you are registering.

SAT - San Antonio, Texas San Antonio International Airport (flysanantonio.com)

Housing is not included in registration fee.

Hotels listed are under 10 minutes to conference location.

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites - 8204 North IH-35, Windcrest, Texas 78239 (ihg.com) (4 Minutes to conference location).
• Comfort Inn - 8021 Alamo Downs Parkway, San Anotino, Texas Hotels near Windcrest, Texas in TX – Choice Hotels (10 Minutes to conference location).
• Drury Inn & Suites San Antonio - Northeast 900 Crestwind Dr, San Antonio, TX 78239 (210) 657-1107 https://www.druryhotels.com (4 Minutes to conference location).
• Pear Tree Inn Northeast - 8300 I-35 Frontage Rd, San Antonio, TX 78239 (210) 366-9300 (4 Minutes to conference location)

Registrations signifies each registrant/attendee agrees with and will abide by the conference policies and code of conduct listed forthis event, in the event registration is completed or paid by someone else.

Help 4 Families and Living Stones Ministries requires all conference attendees to adhere to certain standards ofconduct. While open discussion and questions are valuable, disruption is not acceptable. Personal recording of the speakers isprohibited. Disruptions in or perceived disruption as reported by staff will not be tolerated and you will be removed from theseminar. Distribution of non-conference literature, campaigning for philosophical or political views, use of alcohol or narcotics, orharassment of any type is grounds for dismissal from the conference. Persons who are asked to leave will not receive a refund. Help 4Families and Living Stones Ministries reserves the right to remove anyone from the conference, if there is reasonable cause to believethat he or she might cause harm to themselves or others or refuses to adhere to the Code of Conduct.

Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No counseling will be provided for minors.

Host or Publisher Help 4 Families Ministry