The Santa Barbara Mission Conference (SBMC) will host its 23rd annual event, 7:45 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 at the First Presbyterian Church, 21 E. Constance Ave., Santa Barbara.

Attendees, some with their arms raised in the air, during worship at a previous Santa Barbara Mission Conference. (Courtesy photo)
Attendees pray during worship services at a previous Santa Barbara Mission Conference. (Courtesy photo) Credit: SBMC photo

Keynote speaker is Rev. Tim Soerens, co-founding director of the Parish Collective, who will talk about a grassroots movement of ordinary people living out what it means to be the church in their everyday lives.

In the morning, a moderated speakers panel will discuss the spiritual and communal practices that have helped them endure in their social justice work, and afternoon breakout sessions will focus on four areas of need, each calling for responses.

The four areas are:
• Homelessness/affordable housing
• Human trafficking
• Addiction
• Isolation

A worship band will provide musical interludes, and a conference pastor will be available for counsel and prayer.

To attend, register at the SBMC website.

The Santa Barbara Mission Conference is a multi-denominational Christian conference designed “to inspire, inform and engage in the work of God’s mission.”