Annual Faith Formation Conference 2024

Join fellow Lifelong Formation Ministers (Faith Formation, Youth, and Young Adult Ministry) at this annual conference!

Disciples of Christ: Following in His Footsteps
St. Peter reminds us of the invitation Jesus extends to each of us: “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21).  We will look at essential characteristics of the Christian life: Walking with the Word, Praying like a Disciple, and Being a Missionary Disciple.

• Talk 1: Walking with the Word | On the road to Emmaus, Jesus meets disciples who are leaving the Church.  He walks with them, teaches Scripture, and sets their hearts on fire.  We will explore how we can follow Jesus’ example to bring others back to walking with the Word.
• Talk 2: Praying like a Disciple | We all know that prayer is important in the Christian life, yet, many times we do not know what to say.  In response to the disciples’ request to teach them to pray, Jesus gives them the Lord’s Prayer.  In this session we will examine what we are really asking God for when we say the Our Father.
• Talk 3: Being a Missionary Disciple | Christians are called to follow Jesus on the path of discipleship.  This presentation will reflect on what Sacred Scripture tells us about following Jesus.  We will also hear the challenge from Christ to share the Catholic Faith with family, friends, and others in our life.

Presented by the Augustine Institute

Dr. Ben Akers is the Chief Content Officer at the Augustine Institute which serves the formation of Catholics through academic and parish programs. He oversees content on FORMED, Amen: the free Catholic prayer and meditation app, and the Word of Life K-8 Curriculum Project for parishes and schools.

He is also an Associate Professor of Theology at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology teaching classes on scripture, catechesis, and Christian discipleship.

He previously served as Director of the Denver Catholic Biblical School and Catechetical School in the Archdiocese of Denver helping grow it into the largest and most comprehensive diocesan Bible study program in the United States. He received his doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, Italy where he studied for five years while also directing an undergraduate study abroad program with his wife. He lives with his family in Denver.

SCHEDULE:
8:30 am – Registration/Check-in
9:00 am – Mass with Bishop Schuster
10:00 am – Welcome, introductions, and presentations by the Augustine Institute
12:00 pm – Lunch
1:00 pm – Continuation of presentations
2:30 pm – Office updates, raffle prizes, closing remarks
3:00 pm – End of day

REGISTER HERE