The Creative Compassion Conference

The needs around us are growing—crisis, trauma, and mental health struggles touch nearly every family and congregation.

At the Creative Compassion Conference October 16-18, 2026 in Indianapolis we’ll explore how congregations and artists can respond to a hurting world with Spirit-led, trauma-informed creative approaches.

We'll discover how creativity and compassion can work together through the arts, hospitality, worship, architecture, design, music, community outreach, care ministry, relief work, and more.

See the website for more details! https://CreativeChurchArts.org

Now with "Pay What You Can" and Single Day Tickets!

Bringing together Christian ministry, trauma-informed compassion, and Spirit-led creative arts practices.

The Creative Compassion Conference is a unique gathering for compassionate creatives, church and ministry leaders, artists, musicians, care providers and clinicians, and anyone longing to explore how creativity connects with the Christian call to compassionate response.

We are living at a pivotal moment. There is an increase in mental health struggles and trauma-related challenges, while understanding is also growing of how trauma affects the entire being.  At the same time, mounting evidence affirms that creative and artful practices, especially when combined with faith, offer powerful pathways toward healing and restoration.

In this moment, the Church and believers have an opportunity to return to our roots and take the lead in compassionate response with the help of artful creativity.

At the Creative Compassion Conference, we’ll discover how God equips us through creativity to bring hope and healing to a hurting world.

Expect a unique blend of:

• Inspiring teaching on creative compassion techniques and theology

• Practical, hands-on training workshops and tracks

• Cutting edge ideas and inspiration for creative ministry

•  Artful worship and ministry times

• Time around the table with friends new and old

• A full workshop track for worship leaders, led by the Vineyard Worship team.

Our hope is that you leave refreshed, inspired, and equipped for the ministry of compassion you carry.

See the website for speakers and more details! https://CreativeChurchArts.org

WE NOW HAVE "PAY WHAT YOU CAN" AND SINGLE DAY TICKETS!

Complete Conference Ticket, Full Event, Friday Oct 16th Sunday Oct 18th $125.00

Friday All Day 10/16 ONLY (9am - 9:30pm) (Including Evening "Celebration of Lament" ) $65.00

Friday EVENING ONLY 10/16 (7pm - 9:30) "Celebration of Lament: An Interactive Experience" with May Young and Vineyard Worship $20.00

Saturday All Day 10/16 ONLY (9am - 9:30pm) $65.00

OR Select "Pay What You Can" When Registering.

(Made possible by a grant from Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, MI, with funds from Lilly Endowment. )

• Compassionate Creatives

• Artists

• Pastors 

• Worship Leaders (Workshop track presented by Vineyard Worship!)

• Lay Leaders

• Care Ministry Leaders

• Relief Organization Leaders

The Creative Compassion Conference is designed to refresh, encourage, inspire, and equip you as you serve a hurting world, your local church, and those around you with creativity and compassion.

See the website for speakers, schedules, workshops and more! https://CreativeChurchArts.org

Speakers Include (Alphabetical Order):

Pamela Alderman--Artist/Healing in Arts Director

Jen Alward, MA. LPC, ATR-BC --Art Therapist

Jamie Aten, PhD--Co-Founder, Spiritual First Aid and The Humanitarian Disaster Institute/Author

Tori Bonar, MA--Mental Health Counselor/Art Therapist

Steve Fridsma, AIA--Architect/Curator

Jess Hodge, MA--Outreach Pastor/Health Worker

Joy Lee, MA--Humanitarian Disaster Institute

J. Scott McElroy--Arts Advocate/Author

Anabeth Morgan--Worship Leader/Pastor

Mark Nicholas--Creative Consultant

Kyle Ragsdale--Artist/Curator

Linda Sylvester--Arts Leader/Physical Therapist

Joanna Taft--Creative Catalyst/Harrison Center Founde

Jody Thomae, MA--Embodied Faith Practitioner/Author

Tina Colon Williams--Justice Attorney/Worship Leader

May Young, PhD--Biblical Scholar/Author

See the SPEAKERS PAGE for details!