Nearly 7,000 Christian Counselors and Caregivers Gather
for a Time of Encouragement, Learning and Growth
(Click above to view video highlights from the conference)
“The 2013 AACC World Conference was the most well organized, thought-provoking,
worship-driven, relationship-focused, professional event I’ve ever attended.” —Daniel, Texas
“What an incredible conference!! Thank you!! See you next time!!” —Pam, New York
A sellout crowd of nearly 7,000 Christian counselors, pastors, students and other Christian leaders from all 50 states and over 30 countries packed the magnificent Opryland Hotel and multiple overflow hotel properties in Nashville from September 11-14th for four packed days of professional growth and spiritual refreshment at the 2013 “Our Time is Now” World Conference. It was our best event ever! Make sure to click the link above to check out the World Conference highlight video (and maybe even spot yourself!).
From cutting-edge clinical training to fellowship with other Christian professionals, the 2013 World Conference was far more than just an academic event. It was a time to grow, stretch and be challenged together—to press deeper in our relationship with Christ and learn how to provide the best possible care to those who are hurting.
Dr. Tim Clinton speaks during the opening session
Charles Billingsley leads praise and worship
As a team, we are grateful to God for His favor and the opportunity to impact and train Christian counselors and caregivers from around the world. None of us walked away from the conference quite the same. Too often, we forget to celebrate God’s goodness and working, and we would be amiss to do so here.
As we look back over the conference week, here are a few of our top highlights. What about yours? We’d love to hear how what you learned is impacting your work and ministry now. Just stop by our Facebook or Twitter page and hashtag #wcaacc when you post. And also make sure to give us feedback by filling out the 2013 World Conference Survey!
“Life-changing! I left feeling emotionally and spiritually renewed.” —Suzanne, Michigan
1. Dynamic Plenary Sessions and Praise and Worship
“It is so inspiring to see 7,000 Christians who are the hands and feet of the Church gather to learn, praise, worship and support one another. When we live in a culture that exhibits immorality and continual decline, our perceptions can become distorted. At the conference, it became clear that God and His people are alive and well and impacting the world for Christ.”
—Amy, New Jersey
MercyMe opening the conference with a great concert
David Jeremiah shares insight from God’s Word
This year’s conference theme, “Our Time is Now,” challenged Christ followers from around the world, “… who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14b). From Ravi Zacharias to David Jeremiah, Tullian Tchividjian to Margaret Feinberg, powerful plenary speakers encouraged us all to find our identity in a deep, intimate relationship with Christ—to listen to His voice, draw strength from His grace, and share His hope with our broken world. James Dobson and Eric Metaxas called Christian counselors to stand for biblical values and the important role of faith in mental health outcomes and shaping culture.
“How are you living?” Rick Rigsby asked. “God’s called us to live at the highest level possible… to make an impact, not just an impression.”
“Don’t operate without the resources of the Kingdom,” John Eldredge challenged.
“We can decide right now to stand and defend truth,” AACC president, Tim Clinton, shared. “The time is right now for a new generation of radical men and women. A generation that is a remnant of every race, every color, every nationality—all standing together to defend God’s eternal purposes in our lifetime.”
Additional plenary speakers throughout the week included Christian leaders John Ortberg, George Barna, Max Lucado, Diane Langberg, Emerson Eggerichs, Gabe Lyons, Harold Koenig, and Mark Driscoll, each offering words of biblical truth and spiritual encouragement.
From the energy and excitement of the opening night celebration with MercyMe to spirit-filled praise and worship throughout the week by Charles Billingsley and Michael O’Brien, and special music by Mandisa and Matthew West, attendees left filled up and eager to share the hope of Christ with clients in need.
Dr. James Dobson shares on the sanctity of life
Matthew West leads praise and worship
“Best conference ever! I highly recommend the AACC World Conference for professional continuing education credits. I get to worship, hear great biblical teachers, and get professional CEUs all in one place!” —Millie, Oregon
2. Clinically-excellent Training
“An incredible gathering of Christian professionals invested in making a meaningful difference in their sphere of influence…. This is the most impacting and exciting place to be challenged, supported, and equipped. I always walk away encouraged, with new ideas, skills and, most importantly, having connected with like-minded friends in my field.” —Sharon, California
Dr. Huang shares on cultural competency
Dr. Jenkins speaks about shame and the image of God
In many ways, the World Conference functions as a training intensive on the latest research findings and strategies for faith-based counseling approaches. As an organization, we are blessed to have some of the world’s leaders in Christian mental healthcare who are striving to develop biblically-based, empirically-supported treatments in working with families, couples and individuals.
This year’s event lineup offered more than 50 different pre-conference learning trainings and over 160 workshops, including four, brand-new conference tracks—Counseling Skills and Techniques; The Military, Combat Trauma, and Resiliency; Aging, Baby Boomers, and Later Life Challenges; and Health, Wellness, and Positive Psychology. Almost every workshop room was maxed out with standing room only!
Attendees also had the opportunity to interact with fellow professionals and learn about the latest cutting-edge research at our Poster Presentation Symposiums! Due to the limited number of workshop slots available and the many excellent submissions to the conference, we expanded our format to allow for greater attendee participation in an innovative, interactive atmosphere.
More than 80 posters were presented during the Symposiums on topics including compassion fatigue, treating eating disorders, pornography and teens, child sexual abuse, grief processing, high-conflict divorce, counseling ministry in the Church, trauma recovery strategies… and much more!
And we can’t forget the packed Exhibit/Sponsor Hall, featuring more than 250 major Christian organizations. Attendees had access to peruse all the latest resources and products to equip their work and ministry. The only challenge was figuring out how to fit it all in their suitcases to get home!
“It was an excellent conference, very professionally done. There was a good mix between scientific research and pastoral influence. I appreciated how the spiritual and scientific worked together in harmony. It added credibility to the conference.” —Scott, Arizona
3. A Strong International Presence
“There exists no conference that matches its level of excellence in providing a quality educational and uplifting experience for Christian counselors from all around the world.”
—Amy, Virginia
Board chair Dr. Langberg connects with internationals
Rwanda. Nigeria. Ghana. Brazil. India. Zambia. Peru. Guatemala. Ukraine. Ecuador. Romania. South Korea. Lebanon. Cambodia. Malaysia. South Africa. Philippines… the list goes on! We were thrilled to welcome Christian counselors and pastors from more than 30 countries to join us this year in Nashville, making the World Conference truly an international event.
For nearly five years, AACC’s initiative, Project Tuza, led by board chair, Dr. Diane Langberg, has brought trauma care and counseling training to the people of Rwanda. What started in Rwanda has now become a worldwide movement, and AACC is in the process of helping a number of international leaders start their own national association of Christian counseling! We couldn’t be more excited to see the work of AACC expanding globally, thanks to your faithfulness and generosity in supporting the AACC Foundation!
“It is always a highlight professionally, as I meet people from around the world who share my passion for cross-cultural ministry. It provides wonderful opportunities for networking and updating my own knowledge and skills.” –Louis, PA
4. Networking Events and Christian Fellowship
“I love not only the personal benefits it brings to me, but also how much it benefits our counseling team. This year we brought over 25 of our staff to the conference. Plus many of our student interns attended. What a wonderful time of worship and fellowship that we have! We came back closer to God and one another!” —Michele, Louisiana
Attendees learn about AACC’s divisions
ConnectU panel speakers and national leadership
After a long “conference day,” there’s nothing better than settling down with a cup of coffee among friends. Friday evening’s networking mixers for each of AACC’s 10 divisions offered a forum to interact with fellow professionals in diverse areas of expertise and build new relationships.
The ConnectU Dessert Reception, designed for master’s and Ph.D. level students, featured a panel of experts—Tullian Tchividjian, Chap Clark, Linda Mintle, John Townsend, Shaunti Feldhahn, and Joy Eggerichs—as well as roundtable discussion where students received real-time mentoring on a number of counseling specialty areas.
Attendees fellowship after a long conference day
The Marriage Rendezvous offered couples a time to kick back and relax with Dan Seaborn, director of AACC’s Marriage and Family division, along with special music by Michael O’Brien. Husbands and wives had the opportunity to celebrate, refresh, and revitalize their marriage relationships through humor, fun and encouragement with other couples.
We all got some good laughs from comedian, Tim Hawkins, at the Block Party, along with an amazing concert by award-winning artist, Mandisa. And Friday evening’s Dinner Theater was certainly an affair to remember! From Dr. Dobson’s earnest challenge to Matthew West’s heart-rending stories of hope and healing through music, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
“The 2013 AACC World Conference was an unbelievable experience and a unique opportunity for professionals and lay persons alike to be informed and inspired.” —Bob, Virginia
5. Honoring Christian Leaders with AACC Awards
“The AACC World Conference exceeded my expectations. I arrived in need of refreshment and left feeling overwhelmed by God’s love and provision. I gained strength from being in the midst of so many wonderful Christian professionals.” —Patti, South Carolina
Servant Leadership Award recipients
In classic AACC style, the board prayerfully selected a number of Christian leaders to honor for their hard work and faithful ministry. Award recipients received on-stage recognition for their unique contributions to the field, as follows:
The new James C. Dobson Award, for excellence in marriage and family research and advocacy, was awarded to James Dobson of Family Talk.
The Gary Collins Award, for excellence in research and scholarship in Christian counseling, was awarded to Dr. Harold Koenig of the Duke Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health.
The James E. Clinton Award, for excellence in pastoral care and ministry, was awarded to Dr. John Ortberg of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church.
The Paris Finner-Williams Award, for excellence in the advancement of cultural sensitivity and competency, was awarded to Dr. Wei-Jen Huang of Northwestern University.
The Distinguished President’s Award, for outstanding influence and leadership in the development and advancement of Christian counseling around the world, was awarded to Dr. Archibald Hart of Fuller Seminary.
The AACC Caregiver Awards, for excellence in caregiving, were awarded to Dr. Linda Mintle, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, and Ms. Leslie Vernick.
The BCPPC Servant Leadership Awards, for reflecting godly character, counseling skills, and servant leadership, were awarded to Dr. William Bellican, Dr. Mark Crear, Sue Parton, and Valerie Hargis.
“Great speakers! Amazing worship! Lots of great information,
inspiration, and action points!” —Steve, Illinois
6. An Inspiring Light University Graduation Ceremony
“This was the first AACC World Conference I attended, and I already have the future conferences entered into my schedule! The conference setting was outstanding.
The music was such an addition to the conference; the seminars and plenary speakers
were so inspirational. I learned so much, and left refreshed!” —Mark, Kansas
Light University Graduates receive their diplomas at the close of the 2013 AACC World Conference
Close to 250 graduates and their families gathered from all across the country on Saturday evening for the 2013 Light University Commencement, with special guest speaker and AACC board member, Dr. Michael Lyles. The smiles, laughter, and tears of graduates said it all, and we are so proud of each of them for their hard work. AACC’s vision is to equip and train Christian caregivers around the world to literally change the face of our culture, bringing light in dark places, and hope out of hopelessness. We wish the 2013 Light U graduates blessings and God’s favor as they seek to make a difference in their churches, cities, and communities.
“This conference is professional, Christ-centered, and incredibly stimulating. The speakers and the worship leaders provide challenge, connection, and encouragement to each person who attends. The amazing variety of workshops allows for Christian counselors to gain skills and education in every aspect of soul care.” —Josh, Pennsylvania
7. Looking Ahead…
“The week after being gone at a conference is always the hardest,
trying to implement everything I learned!” —Janet, Tennessee
“I am excited to apply all that I’ve learned to benefit those to whom I minister.”
—Ricardo, Guatemala
Stop by our Facebook and Twitter!
What’s your World Conference story? It’s more than just an event—it’s thousands of stories of lives changed, counselors equipped, and friendships built. Share your story today about what God is doing in your life as a result (hashtag #wcaacc)… and click here to see the 2013 World Conference in pictures on our Facebook page!
Share Your Feedback!
If you attended this year’s conference, take a moment to fill out our quick 2013 World Conference Survey to let us know what you enjoyed and what we can improve in the future. We covet your feedback in order to be able to serve you better as we prepare for our 2014 National and Marriage America Conferences!
Order CDs of the World Conference!
Couldn’t make it to this year’s conference? You can still get in on it! Audio recordings are available for more than 200 pre-conference trainings and workshops, as well as audio and video recordings for plenary sessions. Just call 1-800-526-8673 to order today, and get the latest on faith-based approaches to mental healthcare.
Mark your Calendars for our 2014/2015 Conferences!
The momentum is quickly building for our 2014 Marriage America and National Conferences! Plan now for the Marriage America Conference, July 17-19, 2014, in San Diego… and the National Christian Counseling Conference, October 2-4, 2014, in Branson. You can register today by calling 1-800-526-8673, and keep your eye out for the “Call for Papers,” which will be listed on the AACC Web site in the next six to eight weeks.
Plans are also underway for the 2015 “Growing Stronger Together” World Conference, which will return to the magnificent Opryland Hotel in Nashville, September 23-26, 2015. Our theme verse comes from Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Don’t wait on this one either! Register today by calling 1-800-526-8673… and for hotel reservations, call 1-888-777-6779. Be sure to ask for the AACC discounted rates.
To all who attended, thank you for joining us for the best World Conference ever! We trust the Lord will continue the work He started in each of your hearts and equip you to offer hope and help to those who need it most.