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CCEF Home LinkOctober 3-5 | Hershey, PA
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2025 CCEF Preconference

October 2, 2:00–5:00pm | Hershey, PA

The 2025 CCEF Preconference is an opportunity to learn more from CCEF faculty and guest speakers as we dive deeper into topics relevant to ministry and counseling. The preconference will be held in person at Hershey Lodge on Thursday, October 2, from 2:00–5:00pm. We hope you'll join us!

register

Important notes:

  • This year, the schedule for the preconference is different than in previous years. Three sessions will run concurrently from 2:00–5:00pm. You will only be able to choose one session. Find session options below.
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  • Lunch is not included.
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  • This event is in-person only and is separate from the national conference, so please register separately for the preconference.

Finding Common Ground with My Cross-Cultural Neighbor

Vanessa Hawkins

“I know it’s right to love my cross-cultural neighbor; I just don’t know where to begin.” “I’m always afraid of saying the wrong thing.” “I don’t want to be thought of as a racist.” Do any of these statements resonate with you? In this session, we will consider biblical principles for finding common ground over chasms of difference. We’ll engage in honest discussion in a grace-filled environment where it’s safe to ask questions and make mistakes, seeking to grow together in loving all of our neighbors as ourselves.

Learning to Pray in Community

Paul Miller

Prayer has moved to the periphery of Christian communities in America over the last 75 years. In this session, we will learn first how, historically, prayer has been God’s normal for the church, and why prayer is so critical to the functioning of the body of Christ, in all its forms. We’ll go deep into the innards of Paul’s resurrection theology and how that lies at the heart of a praying community.

“My Song in the Night”: Soul Care in the Psalms

Gunner Gundersen

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable. But each genre works in distinct ways. This session will explore unique features of the Psalms that make them especially suitable for biblical counseling and soul care. Through examples, discussions, and activities in a dynamic learning environment, we’ll learn how specific features of the Psalms work at the heart level, translating these insights into tools for interpersonal ministry.