CenterPeace

10/04/2026

***rchristian

09/18/2026

Tomorrow’s a special day! Sally Gary, CenterPeace’s founder and executive director, is celebrating a birthday. If you know Sally, you know she’d rather we talk about almost anything else.

Sally started CenterPeace with a simple conviction: there is a place for everyone to belong at Christ’s table. Next month at the conference, we’ll celebrate 20 years of that conviction and the LGBTQ Christians, families, and allies who have found a home because of it.

In honor of Sally’s birthday, would you consider a gift of at least $20? That’s one dollar for every year of her unwavering commitment to this work. And if you’re able to make it $20 a month (or any amount you’re called to), your recurring gift helps us keep making room at Christ’s table all year long.

Make your donation at centerpeace.net/donate

Happy Birthday, Sally. And thank you for your generosity!

09/14/2026

Hear MORE of Matt’s story and stories of other LGBTQ Christians who are thriving, testifying to the truth that God can do “more than we can ask or imagine!” Thanks to Melissa Lancaster for creating all these documentaries sharing people’s stories that will debut at the conference. And the long versions will be shown in the virtual package!

Learn more and sign up for the CenterPeace Conference now at centerpeace.net/more

October 15-17
Downtown Dallas
First United Methodist Church

***rchristian

09/12/2026

Nothing brings us greater joy than to see churches being a place of authentic belonging for LGBTQ folk and our parents.

This past week our executive director Sally Gary drove over to Keller United Methodist Church to meet with their Open Hearts group for LGBTQ Christians, parents, & allies. The group meets monthly bringing in guest speakers or reading books or watching films together to enrich their understanding of the LGBTQ community. The group consists mostly of parents and allies who are eager to learn and engage.

Sally shared her own story, which she’s been doing for over 20 years, helping people better understand what q***r kids growing up in church have experienced. She shared the work of CenterPeace and the resources that so many churches and families have taken advantage of over the years. And of course Sally invited them to the upcoming CenterPeace Conference in downtown Dallas, October 15-17, where they’ll find likeminded spiritual community from all over the country!

The hospitality from Open Hearts was genuine and heartfelt, surpassed only by how scrumptious Paula’s cookies were! (Of course the cookie baker would be named Paula! ❤️) Thank you Pastor Meredith for the invitation and for creating this amazing space.

09/08/2026

Hear more of Katherine’s story at the CenterPeace Conference when we debut several documentaries we’ve been filming this year with Melissa Lancaster. Katherine’s is a powerful story of holding onto faith and finding the “more” that God has for each of us in this life. Plus Katherine will be a keynote speaker in one of our main sessions. Come join us and discover what more God has for you!

Sign up now at centerpeace.net/more

October 15-17
Downtown Dallas
First United Methodist Church

***rchristian

08/21/2026

Join us in Dallas Oct 15-17! Learn more/sign up at centerpeace.net/more

***rchristian

08/04/2026

Thanks so much for sharing, Emily!

Wanting more from this life? More community? A place to belong? Somewhere you feel wanted and valued for who you are?

Then the 2026 CenterPeace Conference is for you. Join us in Dallas, October 15-17, at First United Methodist Church downtown for a three day celebration for LGBTQ Christians, our families and allies, and our pastors who are creating space for us in churches all over the globe. The conference is a place to connect, to build deep friendships and lifegiving spiritual community. And we’re elevating the voices of an up and coming generation of LGBTQ Christian leaders. It’s an event you don’t want to miss!

Learn more and sign up with the EARLY BIRD rate at https://www.centerpeace.net/more

06/23/2026

Check out the home of the 2026 CenterPeace Conference - First United Methodist Church in downtown Dallas!

We’ve got a fantastic lineup of LGBTQ Christian speakers on the main stage, including Jonathan Merritt, PLUS breakout presenters from all over the country!

📍pastor workshop with Zach W. Lambert
📍parent workshop with Debbie & Al Causey
📍Spanish translation
📍Missiology Institute
📍20th Anniversary Celebration Dinner
📍Late night offerings
📍Concert with LGBTQ Christian artist

And COOKIES at every break!!

Don’t miss the lifegiving fellowship- register now while the EARLY BIRD RATE lasts at centerpeace.net/more

06/22/2026

“I wish my brother could see this,” she said, wiping tears away from her cheeks.

She and her husband were walking by our booth at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly last week when she did a double take and stopped dead in her tracks. I watched as she read the words on our banners about providing spiritual community for LGBTQ Christians. The tears began to flow.

I moved toward her and asked what those tears would tell me if they could talk. She began to tell me about her brother, now in his sixties, who had been kicked out of his church when he was younger and had never been able to find a faith community where he felt he belonged. And she and her husband had the same trouble, choosing to only be in spaces where her brother would be fully affirmed.

She was overjoyed to find us.

It’s easy to think that because there’s so much more awareness and open conversation nowadays that there’s no need to keep showing up in these spaces. Surely the money that it costs to travel and rent space at a Christian conference like this could be better spent elsewhere. But my conversation with this woman alone makes every penny we spent worthwhile.

Truth is, she wasn’t the only one. There’s a whole world out there who needs what we offer to LGBTQ folk, our families, and our churches - belonging.

Christopher and I didn’t see a Florida beach all week, and our best “getaway” was a scrumptious barbecue find at the Bearded Pig in Jacksonville with our dear friends from home. But every conversation, each interaction with dear ones of all ages made this a most meaningful trip!