OCTOBER18-19,2024
Copyright © 2024 by Authentic Intimacy
All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Authentic Intimacy.
Dear friend,
I’msogladyouchosetojoinusthisweekend!Thankyouforsaying,“Yes.”
Therearenotmanyspacesinourworldwherewecombinethetopicsof sexualityandGod.Asaresult,manyofushavesubconsciouslyconcludedthat God,theCreatoroftheuniverse,haslittletosayaboutoursexualquestions, struggles,anddisappointments.OrmaybeyoubelievethatGod’sprimary interestistocondemnorshameyoubecauseofthewaysyoustruggle.
Pleaseknowthatyouarenotalone.Youaresurroundedbymenandwomen whohavesimilarquestions,heartaches,anddifficulties.
Asyouwillquicklylearnthroughoutthisconference,weareherenotsimplyto talkaboutsex,buttopursueGod’sheart.AndaswepursueHim,Godisalso pursuingYOU!Oh,howHelovesyouandlongstoteardownanywallof shame,doubt,andconfusionthatkeepsyoufromknowingHim.
Iaskyou,myfriend,tosetasideeverydistractionandasktheLordtospeakto youpersonallyoverthenext24hours.MayknowingHimtrulychange everything
InHisGrace,
Friday (7:00–9:00pm)
4:30p.m.
6:00p.m.
7:00–7:30p.m.
7:30–9:00p.m.
MemberMeet&Greet
Doorsopen
WelcomeandWorship
Session1:Sexualityand Surrender
Food:CoffeeandotherdrinkswillbeavailabletopurchaseonFridayeveningatGlobal GroundsCoffeelocatedinthefoyerofGraceChurchMiddleburgHeights.Snacks,water, andcoffeewillbeprovidedduringtheeventonSaturday.ForlunchonSaturday,alimited numberofChick-fil-Aboxedluncheswereavailableforpurchasewithyourregistration. Attendeeswhodidnotpurchaseaboxedlunchwithregistrationwillgooffcampusfor lunch.
Books&Merch:WehaveAImerch!Resourcetableswillbeopenbeforeandaftersessions andduringbreaks.StopbyandpickupabookorsomebrandnewAuthenticIntimacy merch!Toorderbooksonline,headtoouronlinestorehere.
VideoRecordings:Thiseventwillbevideorecorded.Videorecordingswillbesharedwith Reclaimattendeesfor60daysofaccess.(Youwillreceiveanemail1-2monthspost-event withthislink.)Byattendingthisevent,youareagreeingtobeingphotographedandvideo recorded.AuthenticIntimacyreservestherighttouseanyphotograph/videotakenat Reclaimwithouttheexpressedwrittenpermissionofthoseincludedwithinthe photograph/video.
Saturday (8:30am–5:30pm) Schedule
7:30a.m.
8:30–8:50a.m.
8:50–10:00a.m.
10:00–10:25a.m.
10:25–11:30a.m.
11:30a.m.–12:45p.m.
12:45–1:45p.m.
2:00–3:45p.m.
4:00–4:45p.m.
4:45–5:30p.m.
Doorsopen
WelcomeandWorship
Session2:SurrenderingYourThinking Break
Session3:CommittingtoSurrender Lunch*
Session4:SurrenderingYourBrokenness
BreakoutSessions:Seepage9for breakoutdescriptionsandlocations.
Q&APanel:Truth,Love,andLGBTQ+ Questions
Closing
*AttendeeswhopurchasedaChick-fil-Alunchwithregistration(silver lanyard)canpickuplunchintheActivityCenterorupstairsinRoom209. SeatingisavailableintheActivityCenterandupstairsinTheVenue.(AllergyfriendlylunchesareintheActivityCenteronly.)
SnacksanddrinkswillbeavailableduringbreaksonSaturday.
Juli Slattery, Troy and Melissa Haas
SexualissuesoftencreateabarrierbetweenusandGod.Wedon’tknowhowtoconnectour sexualselvesandourspiritualselves.Inthissession,weexplorewhydailysurrenderisnecessary andpowerful.
Juli Slattery, Laurence Koo
EventhemostsincereChristiansoftenthinkliketheworlddoeswhenitcomestosexuality.How havewebeenconformedtotheworld’swayofthinkingaboutsexuality,andwhatdoesitlook liketobetransformedbytherenewingofourminds?
Jackie Hill Perry with Juli Slattery
ManyofushavegivenourlivestoJesusonlytofallbackintooldpatternsofthinking, relationships,andbehavior.HowdoweendureinourcommitmenttoChrist?Howdowelearnto desireJesusmorethanoursexualsin?JoinJackieHillPerryasshesharesherexperiencein practicallywalkingwithJesusinthisarea.
Juli Slattery, Brad Rhoads
SurrenderingoursexualitytotheLordincludesbringingHimthebrokenpiecesofourpast,our shame,andourstruggles.Whatdoesthelongjourneyofsurrenderingourbrokennesslooklike, andhowcanweknowJesusinsuchawaythatHebecomesoursourceofhealing?
Juli Slattery, Jackie Hill Perry, Laurence Koo
LGBTQ+questionsareamongthemostdivisiveandconfusingforChristians.Howdowenavigate thesequestionswithbothtruthandgrace?Howdowelovepeoplewhileholdingtobiblical truth?Thisisyouropportunitytoaskquestionsaboutunderstandingbiblicalteachingappliedto sexuality,howtopursueunitywhenthereisdisagreement,andhowtoloveourneighborswith compassionandconviction.
Therewillbepollsandanopportunitytoaskquestions throughouttheweekend.
ClickhereorvisitSlido.comandentercode“reclaim”to
BreakoutSession1(2:00-2:45pm)
Q&A Panel: Parenting & Sexuality
Worship Center
Navigatingsexualconversationswithkidshasneverbeeneasy,andwithmoderntechnology, thereareevenmoreobstaclesthanbefore.Whatdoesitlookliketoparentintoday'sculture?
JointhisQ&AwithChelseaNugteren,JamesTalbert,&JoshMiller(moderatedbyDr.Juli Slattery).
Troy & Melissa Haas: Healing from Your Past and Shame: The Power of Connection
Activity Center
Mostpeoplethinkshameisaresultofsinfulbehaviors,buttherealityismanyofoursinful behaviorsareactuallycausedbytheshamewecarry.Shamecancomefromthingswe’vedoneor thingsthathavebeendonetous.Comelearnwhatshameisand,moreimportantly,howto changeyourrelationshipwithshameinwaysthatfreeyoufromitspower.
Laurence Koo: Surrendering Your Sexuality as a Single Christian The Venue (upstairs)
LaurenceKoowillsharehislifestoryinhowJesuschangedeverythingforhimashewalked throughajourneyofsamesexattractionintoalifeofcelibacy.WhatdoesitmeantofollowJesus withoursexualityasasingleperson?Andhowessentialarefriendshipsandcommunityonthis journey?
BreakoutSession2(3:00-3:45pm)
Brad Rhoads: Navigating Difficulties with Grace in Marriage Worship Center
Thissessionwillcontrastaperformance-basedandagrace-basedmarriageandhelpyouliveout amarriagethatreflectstheGospel.WhenweloveeachotherlikeJesus,marriageisthebeautiful giftGodintended andalighttoallwhoarewatching.
Troy & Melissa Haas: Understanding and Addressing Struggles with Pornography Activity Center
Everwonderwhysomepeoplearemorevulnerabletopornographythanothers?Worriedabout yourownpornproblemorthestruggleofsomeoneyoulove?Comelearnhowastrugglewith pornographydevelops,waystoeffectivelyaddressit,andhowtoprotectyourselfandlovedones.
Chelsea Nugteren: Healthy Boundaries in Dating and Friendships The Venue (upstairs)
LivingsurrenderedtoJesusasksusnotonlytothinkdifferentlythantheworldaroundusbutto livedifferently.Inthisbreakout,wewilltalkaboutwhatitpracticallylooksliketowalkoutour sexualityinawaythathonorsJesusindatingrelationshipsandfriendships.Wewilldiscuss healthyboundaries,howtoliveincommunity,andthebeautyofasurrenderedlifestylethatis deeplymissional.
MAINLEVEL:
WorshipCenter:
Allkeynotesessions
Breakoutsessionlocation
RegistrationwilltakeplaceatWorshipCenterdoors.
ActivityCenter:
Breakoutsessionlocation
Lunchandsnackserviceandseating
Lobby:
Resourcesales
AuthenticIntimacyinformationtable
PrayerRoom(FiresideRoom):
OpenSaturday,prayercounselorsavailable
UPPERLEVEL:
TheVenue/Room204:
Breakoutsessionlocation
Lunchseating Room209: Lunchandsnackservice
r.JuliSlatteryisaclinicalpsychologist,author,speakerandthe esident/co-founderofAuthenticIntimacy.Juliearnedhercollegedegree WheatonCollege,anMAinpsychologyfromBiolaUniversity,andanMS ndaDoctoratedegreeinClinicalPsychologyfromFloridaInstituteof echnology.
om2008-2012,Dr.SlatteryservedatFocusontheFamilywriting, teaching,andco-hostingtheFocusontheFamilyBroadcast.In2012,she leftFocusontheFamilytostartAuthenticIntimacy,aministrydevotedto reclaimingGod’sdesignforsexuality.In2020,Julilaunched SexualDiscipleship.com,aplatformdesignedtohelpChristianleaders navigatesexualissuesandquestionswithgospel-centeredtruth.
Juliistheauthoroftwelvebooksandhostoftheweeklypodcast“Java withJuli”JuliandherhusbandMikearetheparentsof3sons;theylivein Akron,Ohio.
JackieHillPerryisanauthor,bibleteacher,andhip-hopartist.Since becomingaChristian,shehasbeencompelledtouseherspeakingand teachinggiftstosharethelightofthegospelofGodasauthenticallyasshe can.Sheistheauthorof“GayGirl,GoodGod:TheStoryofWhoIWas,and WhoGodHasAlwaysBeen,”“HolierThanThou,”and“UponWaking Devotional.”Athome,sheisawifetoPrestonandMommytoEden, Autumn,Sage,andAugust.
BradRhoadshasbeenmarriedtohiswifeMarilynsince1996.Theyhavefive children.BradgraduatedPhiBetaKappafromFurmanUniversity.He graduatedinthetop10%fromtheUniversityofKentuckyCollegeofLawand practicedasafull-timeattorneyforover20years.BradhasbeenLayPastorof Marriageathislocalchurchsince2010.Together,BradandMarilynlead marriageretreatsand20-weekmarriageintensives,authorcoachingmaterials, provideleadershipdevelopmenttraining,andleadmarriagecoachinggroups. TheyconsideritaprivilegetosharetheoverwhelminggoodnewsofJesus ChristthroughthecontextofGraceMarriage.
Troy,MDiv,istheco-founderandCEOoftheHopeQuestMinistryGroupandhas over30yearsofministryexperience.Troy’spersonalstrugglewithaddiction andownjourneyofrecoveryhaveenabledhimtoministertootherswith authenticityandgrace,providinghopethatfreedomispossible.Melissaisa counselorandthespouse-supportingtherapistatHopeQuest.Passionate aboutspiritualcommunity,healthymarriages,andintimacywithGod,Melissa regularlyfacilitatessmallgroupsandteachesandspeaksonthesetopicsin ordertohelptheBodyofChristgrowrelationallywithGodandeachother.
MelissaandTroyhavebeenmarriedfor33yearsandrecentlybegantheir24th yearinrecovery.Theyhavededicatedtheirlivestoencouraging,enabling,and equippingthebodyofChristtoliveoutGalatians6:1.
BornandraisedintheNetherlands,LaurencestudieddentistryinAmsterdam. Whileincollege,hemetTheNavigatorsandbecameinvolvedasastudent leader.Aftergraduation,LaurenceservedonstaffwiththeDutchNavigatorsin differentleadershippositions.HemovedtotheUSinJanuary2017tobepartof themissionsdepartmentoftheUSNavigators.Afterleadingthetrainingand developmentforyoungmissionaries,heisnowthedirectorofiEDGE.iEDGEisa programthatsendsoutteamsofyoungadultsintothenationstodocrossculturaldiscipleshipministry.Laurenceisaninternationalspeakerand consultantonthetopicofsexualityandresidesinColoradoSprings.
ChelseyNugteren
ChelseyNugterenisateacher,spiritualdirector,andpioneerpassionateabout soulcareandcreatingspaceswherepeoplecangetcuriousaboutthecounterculturalpracticesofsimplicity,prayer,andcommunity.Chelseyandher husbandrecentlyhelpedplantandpastorayoungadult,Jesus-centered communityinEurope PriortothisChelseyservedasayoungadultpastor Inspiredbystudentsandyoungadults,ChelseylovestoseeGod'sKingdom comeinthediversityandcreativityofthisgeneration.TodayChelseyworks withtheNavigatorstoprovidesoulcarefortheiroverseasmissionstaffand leadsMonasticMotherhood.Chelseyisawifetoherparkrangerhusbandand motherto3lovelydaughters.
JamesisaproudmemberoftheMiddleburyneighborhoodwhereheliveswith hiswifeJuliaanddaughterJada.It’shisgreatprivilegetobeapastorand foundingmemberatCitizensAkronChurch.Whenheisn’tservingthelocal church,hefindsgreatjoyinteachinghighschooltheologyatCuyahogaValley ChristianAcademy.GoRoyals!JamesisanalumnusofMaloneUniversityand TrinityEvangelicalDivinitySchool.Jamesenjoyslongconversations,finely curatedplaylists,andgivinghellareallyhardtimeinAkron!
JoshistheKidsandMiddleSchoolPastoratRiverwoodChapelinKent,OH, whereheliveswithhiswifeKristiandtwokids.Hehasbeenworkinginyouth ministryforthepast14yearsandlovesgettingtoseethegospelmessagetake rootintheheartsofthenextgenerationofJesusfollowers.JoshandKristi’s heartfortheintersectionoffaithandsexualityhavegrownovertheyearsand theyfeelburdenedtohelptheChurchnavigatetheseissueswithgraceand truth.JoshgraduatedfromHuntingtonUniversityandcompletedhisMaster's ofTheologyinBiblicalStudiesfromLibertyUniversity.
Ta'ErraMcKinneyisaparenttothreeamazingboys,worksasamentalhealth therapist,andhasbeenservingasavocalistwiththeWorshipMinistryat RiverwoodChapelforover10years.Sheispassionateaboutmentalhealth, especiallyitsconvergencewithsexualityandthegospel,whichhasinspiredher workatEmergeCounselingMinistriesinAkron,OH.AuthenticIntimacyhas beenasourceofeducation,community,andhopeduringmanytransitionsin herlife,sosheconsidersitagreathonortoonceagainshareherpassionfor worshipatthisyear'sReclaimconference!
Jorge&DanisaSuarez Emcees
Thisdynamicmarriageisenergetic,professional,andfunny!JorgeandDanisa Suarezbringthreedecadesofexperienceinthefieldofprofessionaltherapy andcoachingwithapassionformaritalhealthandprotectingandrestoring sexuality.Theyareinternationalspeakers,authorsofthebook“DivineSex,” hostsoftheirowntvshow,andcertifiedMentalHealthCoaches Theyalso serveontheboardofdirectorsforAuthenticIntimacy.Jorgeholdsadoctoral degreeinPastoralCounselingwithaspecializationinSexualAddiction Recovery.Danisaholdsamaster’sdegreeincounselingpsychologywith postgraduatespecializationinSexTherapy.
JorgeandDanisaarethefoundersofCentrodeConsejeríaInternational counselingcenter.TheyhaveacenterinthecityofColoradoSprings,CO, wheretheycurrentlyreside,andanadditionaloneinSantoDomingo, DominicanRepublic.
1.Inwhatwayshaveyoucompartmentalized,compromised,or controlledyoursexualstruggleratherthansurrenderingit?
2.Howisthemessageofsurrenderingyoursexualitydifferentthanthe messagetostopsinning?
3.Inyourownjourney,whyisknowingJesusanimportantpartof surrenderingyoursexuality?
1.Inwhatwayshasyourthinkingaboutsex,marriage,andsingleness beenimpactedbythe“water”ofourculture?
2.Whyistransformedthinkinganimportantpartofoursurrender?
1.Whathasbeenyourgreatesttakeawaysofar?
2.Whydoessurrenderingyoursexualitypersonallyrequireendurance andfixingyoureyesonJesus?
3.Howdoesyourcurrentcommunityhelpyoudothis?
1.Howhassexualbrokennesscreatedawallinyourrelationshipwith God?
2.WhatisonestepyoucantaketoinviteJesustobeyourHealer?
1.InwhatwaysdoyoubelieveChristiansingeneralneedtochangein ordertowalkoutthetruthandloveofJesus?
2.HowisGodconvictingyoutochangehowyoulovepeople,bothinthe worldandwithintheChurch?
AtAuthenticIntimacy,wearepassionateaboutdiscipleship.Webelievethatevery followerofChristshouldbegrowingintheirunderstandingandapplicationofGod’s truth,includingthetopicofsexuality.Ourmembershipcommunityisawaytodo justthat--divedeeperintoourcontent,haveaccesstomoreresources,and communicatewithotherswhoarepassionateaboutGod'sdesignforsexuality.
AccesstoallJavawithJuliepisodes
“SecondCup”withJuliliveonZoom
DiscountsonAIeventsandbookstudies
Freedigitalresources
Onlinemembercommunityandmore!
DidyouknowwehaveanoutreachtoequipandencourageChristianleaders?
SexualDiscipleship®isourplatformdesignedtohelpleadersintegrateallsexual conversationsintothelargercallto“makedisciples.”
Joinourleadercommunitytoaccessfeatured resourcesincluding:
SexualDiscipleshipe-courses
Leadercohorts
Ministryassessment
Smallgroupcurriculum
Discipleshiptools
sexualdiscipleship.com
A special thanks to everyone who helped make this conference possible, including our sponsors, our volunteers, and Grace Church Middleburg Heights. We couldn't have done this without you!
Thank you to Chick-fil-A for their generous donation of the boxed lunches for our Member Meet & Greet on Friday evening!
We’resogladyouattendedReclaim:SurrenderedSexuality!Weprayyou walkawayfromthisweekendwithanewfoundunderstandingofhow knowingJesuschangeseverything,includinghowwenavigatesexuality.
1.CheckoutmoreofwhatAuthenticIntimacyhastooffer.Wehave thousandsoffreeresourcesforyourreal-lifequestions–blogs,podcasts, videos,OnlineBookStudies,andmore.
2.JoinourAIMembercommunitytotakethenextstepinyour discipleshipjourneytodeepenyourfaithandhelpyoumakesenseof Godandsexwithouthavingtojourneyalone.
3.Partnerwithusthroughgiving.Thisenablesustocontinueproviding resourcesthataddresssomeofourdeepestquestions.Yoursupport helpsusreachthosesearchingforanswersaboutsexandGod.