James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage at Heartland Retreat Center

09/15/2026 - 09/18/2026

Admission

$352.00 - Commuter: local resident or hotel stay
$476.00 - Triple Occupancy On Site
$538.00 - Double Occupancy On Site
$724.00 - Single Occupancy On Site

Location

Summary

Faith-based training and continuing education for church leaders and clergy for practical, pastoral and prophetic ways to engage congregations in an effective ministry of gun violence prevention. Costs include registration and meals per person. If you select onsite accommodations, your fee also includes lodging. There is a commuter option as well and a block of rooms reserved at a nearby hotel. Participants are responsible for their own travel to Heartland Retreat Center, conveniently located approximately 15 minutes from Kansas City Airport (MCI). For scholarship requests, use this link: https://bit.ly/ppfatsch26
If you plan to apply for a scholarship, please do not register until after you have heard back from the scholarship committee.

Description

If your Christian faith calls you to help prevent gun violence, please join us for the Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage to gain practical skills, courage and friends for the ministry of GVP with congregations. We encourage teams from congregations and communities where possible. Cost includes registration fee, lodging and meals per person, all inclusive. Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel. A commuter option with registration, commuter fee and meals only is also offered. You will learn skills ranging from how to speak and preach effectively on this issue to how to respond to gun violence in your own community to how to use a chop saw to dismantle an unwanted gun.
This game-changing event dares to believe, as Jim Atwood did, that the church is the key ingredient for changing our culture and laws to value every life, taking action to save lives from gun violence. Thanks to help from sponsors, we do have scholarship assistance! Preference is given to those who come as part of a team from their congregation or community, or those with special fiancial needs. For questions or suggestions, contact gvp@presbypeacefellowship.org For scholarships, apply here.