Event Overview
Name: Care & Kindness Conference 2009 (also referred to as the International Conference on Care & Kindness).
Location: Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California.
Dates: March 12, 13, and 14, 2009.
Theme: "90% of helping is just showing up!"
Vision and Purpose
The conference aims to inspire people to reach out with care and kindness to colleagues, friends, and strangers, moving beyond what is typical for Christians today. The vision is rooted in the belief that "the spirit of God seen in Jesus Christ" serves as the ultimate model for care, encouraging participants to leave their comfort zones to serve others.
Key Speakers and Topics
The event features a diverse group of professionals and ministers, including:
Dr. James R. Kok: Conference leader and author of 90% of Helping is Just Showing Up!
Dr. Robert Emmons: Professor at UC Davis speaking on "The Power of Gratitude to Heal, to Energize, and to Change Lives."
Rev. Dick Innes: Founder of ACTS International, conducting workshops on "Loving and Understanding People."
Dr. Brian Acacio: Board-certified reproductive endocrinologist discussing the "Emotional and Physical Trials of Infertility."
Annette Craig: Founder of the With Hope foundation, presenting "Suicide... the Silent Killer," focused on teen suicide prevention.
Rebecca Caldwell: A leader at the Disneyland Resort sharing how a "Fortune 500 Company Responds to the 5 Keys of Care & Kindness."
Beth Jahncke: A certified practitioner teaching "Healing Touch of Grace" (Laying-on of Hands).
Dr. Eric Evenhuis: Licensed counselor presenting "A Time to Say Yes; A Time to Say No."
Schedule Highlights
Thursday, March 12: Registration, opening sessions, and workshops on compassionate listening and post-traumatic stress.
Friday, March 13: Devotional time (Lectio Divina), sessions on depression and grief, and a "Care & Kindness Banquet."
Saturday, March 14: A communion service followed by sessions on infertility, youth culture, and hope-building.
Communication and Relationships
Rhea Zakich: An author and creator of the Ungame, a popular communication game designed to foster safe environments for sharing feelings and experiences.
Dr. David Kinnaman: President of The Barna Group, who discusses connecting with younger generations (ages 16–29) through non-judgmental listening and sincere acts of kindness.
Dr. Jan Pfeffer: A psychologist focusing on the healing power of "presence" and the "communication circle," exploring how spirituality and touch influence recovery.
Grief and Trauma Support
Sharon Marshall Lockett: An educator and author who specializes in guiding children through grief, emphasizing the responsibility of caretakers to ensure children are not excluded from the healing process.
Dr. Henry Peterson: A chaplain and veteran who addresses Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), its causes, treatments, and the role of the church in supporting those who suffer from it.
Dr. James Kok: Director of Care Ministry, he focuses on everyday behaviors for hope-building and specifically addresses how to talk to the bereaved about their loss.
Faith, Healing, and Community
Rev. Dr. Vicki Orr: A pastor and teacher who guides individuals on a spiritual journey from being forgiven to actively forgiving and blessing others.
Dr. William LaFleur: A professor of Japanese Studies who explores the relationship between Christianity and Buddhism, focusing on showing "loving kindness" to Buddhist neighbors.
Rev. Robert V. Schuller: A pastor focused on building a "loving church" and managing emergent ministries to reach those "shattered by life".
Chaplain Dona Williams: A hospital chaplain who teaches compassionate listening for the sick and injured, specifically helping patients move past guilt and suffering through the "Light of Christ".
