Sustaining Witness: Faithful Resistance in Troubled Times

From the beginning, the Ekklesia Project has sought to encourage and enable followers of Jesus to bear faithful witness to the reign of shalōm he proclaimed and embodied. In every time and place, the faithful proclamation of the gospel must be “good news to the poor,” seeking freedom for the imprisoned, healing care for the sick and injured, and liberty for the oppressed (Luke 4:18). By its very proclamation andembodiment this gospel exposes the pretensions of empire and cuts against the vested interests of the powers.

In our present cultural moment in the United States, dominated by government-sanctioned performative cruelty toward the very people at the center of Jesus’s gospel proclamation, faithfulness becomes—and in fact demands—resisting the powers on behalf of these little ones (Matthew 25:40). Such resistance begins with and centers on those acts of mercy named by Jesus: feeding the hungry and offering drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and visiting the imprisoned (Matthew 25:31-46).

The turmoil of recent months—the codification of climate change denial, government-funded racism and xenophobia, the specter of perpetual war, and active hostility toward the poor (among other things)—has given rise to a sense of urgency among followers of Jesus and led to questions about whether faithfulness in this moment calls for more. How do followers of Jesus discern how best to bear Christ in their places on earth? Are radical hospitality, corporal and spiritual acts of mercy, and praying for the victims of the powers and the enemies of the gospel sufficient, or does fidelity in this moment call also for acts of resistance, which may include certain forms of civil disobedience?

These basic questions point to other, specific practical matters: What personal and corporate devotional and liturgical practices animate and sustain faithful witness? Can resistance be an act of neighbor-love, not only toward those who are oppressed, but also toward those who oppress them? What purposes does resistance serve—that is, what is its telos? Where can it be learned, and from whom? The 2026 Gathering will offer teaching, facilitate conversation, and provide opportunities to engage these questions.

Gathering Preachers

Katy Lines, Pastor, Englewood Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN.

Rev. Dr. Rodney Sadler, Associate Professor of Theological Studies & Director of the Center for Social Justice and Reconciliation, Union Presbyterian Seminary,Charlotte, NC.

Ragan Sutterfield, Associate Rector, Christ Episcopal Church, Little Rock, AR.

General Schedule

Thursday Check-in, Lunch, Welcome and Opening Worship, Circle Conversations, Plenary Session, Pizza Dinner

Friday Lectio Divina , Breakfast, Plenary Session & Circle Conversations, Lunch, Plenary Session, Dinner , Worship

Saturday Lectio Divina, Breakfast, Panel Discussion, Closing Worship

Housing for the Gathering

Gathering attendees will need to secure their own housing.

Options include Airbnb or Vrbo listings near Englewood Christian Church (57 N Rural Street, Indianapolis, IN 46201).

Cost of the Gathering

Every year, our goal is to break even on the Gathering. We estimate that our break-even cost per person for Gathering 2026 is $225. We invite those who would like to support the Ekklesia Project and help keep our Gathering deficit to a minimum to register at the Sustaining level.

We recognize, however, that for some, even our break-even price is steep. For those who would like to make it possible for others to attend, we invite those with institutional continuing education budges and/or surplus resources to register at the Supporting level. Doing so will help support the attendance of those without surplus resources or institutional budgets, who we invite to register at the Sponsored level. Discounted registration is also available for students, those who will be attending the Gathering for the first time, or those who can only come for one day. Children can attend for free and do not need to register. Please see below if you plan to bring children.

We are again offering an Early Bird discount of 10% for those who register before April 30, 2026.

Children at the Gathering

Parents are welcome to bring their children. Childcare will be available at Englewood Christian Church this summer during the plenary sessions.

If you are bringing your children, please contact the Gathering Facilitator, Jaimee Ryan, at [email protected].

Financial Assistance and Donations

The Ekklesia Project is offering a Sponsored level of pricing for those with greater financial need, as well as discounted registration for students, first-timers, and host church members.

For those with greater financial resources who would like to donate additional funds, please use this link: https://givebutter.com/bQWG05

Individuals with Special Needs

The Ekklesia Project will try to accommodate certain dietary and handicap accessibility needs. You will be given the opportunity to communicate these needs while completing the registration form.

Meals at the Gathering

We will have simple meals as part of the Gathering. Cost of food is included with registration. Thursday meals include lunch and dinner. Friday meals include continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Saturday meals include continental breakfast. Snacks will be available throughout the time of the Gathering. Please bring your own reuseable water bottle. We attempt to meet dietary needs as able. Please make us aware of any dietary restrictions when registering.

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