OCTOBER 15-17, 2026
Is this Conference for me?
The CenterPeace Conference is a warm-hearted gathering of LGBTQ Christians and those who love them. It's an amazing time to meet new friends and reunite with old ones. The Conference features a range of speakers, worship leaders, storytellers, and those ready to listen to your heart.
If you’re part of the LGBTQ community and looking for a place to belong, come to Conference and you’ll find it. If you’re a parent or family member of someone who identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, please join us at Conference. Are you a friend or ally? Come and get involved with CenterPeace!
And if you’re a pastor, elder, or other church leader, there’s no better place for you to learn from trusted teachers how to examine scripture, extend hospitality, and embrace those in your reach who long for spiritual community.
More Than You Can Ask Or Imagine
This year, we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of CenterPeace! Over the last two decades, we’ve witnessed God providing “more than we could ever ask or imagine,” and we’re excited to keep growing. Drawing on Ephesians 3:18-21, we'll imagine ways to create even more belonging and spiritual community for LGBTQ Christians. Come and experience “with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth” of God’s love for you – more than you could ever ask or imagine!
Conference Details
We're excited to host the 2026 CenterPeace Conference at First United Methodist Church of Dallas. FUMC is conveniently located in downtown Dallas, with several restaurants and hotels nearby.
First United Methodist Church of Dallas
1928 Ross Ave.
Dallas, TX
Conference Hotel - Dallas Marriott Downtown
650 N. Pearl Street
Dallas, TX
The hotel's conference rate is available for rooms booked between October 15th and October 18th. If you need to book additional nights on either side of these dates, they'll be charged at the hotel's regular rate. You have the option of making two separate bookings, or you can contact the hotel directly at 214-979-9000 to complete your booking under a single reservation number. If you run into any issues with your booking, please contact info@centerpeace.net for assistance.
Transportation in Dallas
There are a number of options for getting around the area, which is walkable for those who prefer to explore on foot. Dallas offers public transit options including Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) busses and the light rail, and rideshare services are readily available. Don't miss the McKinney Avenue Trolley, which is free to ride! It offers wonderful views of both Uptown and Downtown along with a fun bit of history.
Breakouts details coming soon!
Schedule
Check-in opens at Noon on Thursday, October 15th and the opening session begins at 7:00 pm! The conference wraps up on Saturday, October 17th. We're also excited to offer a pre-conference workshop for pastors and church leaders and post-conference workshops—one for parents of LGBTQ+ individuals, and one on the future of missions from an LGBTQ-affirming perspective.
Thursday, October 15
Noon - 7:00 pm
1:30 - 5:00 pm
4:45 - 6:30 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
9:00 pm
Conference check-in open
Pastors Workshop
Dinner Meetups
First-timers Orientation
Conference Kicks off
Special late-night events
Friday, October 16
8:00 - 9:00 am
9:00 am - 8:30 pm
9:00 pm
Conference check in
Main Conference
Special late-night events
Saturday, October 17
9:00 am - 12:30 pm
12:30 - 5:00 pm
12:30 - 5:00 pm
Main Conference
Parents Workshop
Bakos Missiology Institute
Special Activities
At the conference we want you to feel connected and supported. CenterPeace prioritizes a community atmosphere where everyone has someone to eat lunch with and talk to. If you have registered, watch for more information on the following options:
Prayer Room
We will have a room at the conference designated for prayer. Would you like someone to pray for you? We've got you covered!
Meal Buddies
At the conference, you will have an opportunity to sign up to eat a meal with others. Whether breakfast, lunch or dinner, this will give you a chance to meet and get to know others. Some of these meal groups will be affinity groups (e.g. for parents, LGBTQ+, pastors, young adults etc).
Late Night Events
After the evening plenary sessions, stay and hangout! We have a special guest musician, games, a hymn sing, and more. Stay tuned for details.
Online Conference Community
Communicate with each other, keep up on what's happening at the conference, arrange to hang out, or stay in touch afterward. We will have a private online group to facilitate getting to know each other.
Pre-Conference Workshop: Pastors & Church Leaders
Thursday, October 15
1:30-5:00 pm (check-in 1pm)
How does a church that has long held a traditionalist view move toward becoming fully affirming of LGBTQ+ people? How should a church committee study the issue, engage the congregation in the process, and implement a new way forward? What are the challenges and rewards?
Speaker: Zach Lambert
Zach W. Lambert is the Lead Pastor and founder of Restore Austin, a church in urban Austin, Texas. He is also the author of the bestselling book Better Ways to Read the Bible: Transforming a Weapon of Harm Into a Tool of Healing and the co-founder of the Post Evangelical Collective. Under Zach's leadership, Restore has grown from a launch team of five people in 2015 to more than 1,000 members today. He hold a Bachelor’s Degree in communication, a Master of Theology, and is pursuing his Doctorate at Duke Divinity School
Post-Conference Workshop: Parents of LGBTQ+ Children
Saturday, October 17
12:30 - 5:00 pm
Are you a parent of an LGBTQ+ child (adult or youth) and longing to connect with other parents? Do you feel uncertain about how to respond to a child coming out or need guidance in how to best support your child?
Speakers: Debbie and Al Causey
Debbie and Al Causey are passionate pastors, leaders, speakers, and advocates who are devoted to supporting families navigating the intersection of faith and LGBTQ+ identity. They serve together at a large church in Atlanta—Debbie as Director of Care and a licensed counselor, and Al as an Executive Pastor. Out of their shared calling, they lead Parent Connect, a parenting ministry that creates safe, grace-filled spaces where parents can grow, ask honest questions, and find meaningful community.
Married for 37 years, Debbie and Al are the proud parents of four children, three in-law children, and seven grandchildren. Their journey took a deeply personal turn when their son came out as gay, leading them into a season of wrestling, growth, and renewed understanding of both their faith and God’s unconditional love.
Out of this experience, Debbie authored The Big Reveal, a heartfelt and honest account of their family’s story—exploring the intersection of faith, identity, and the transformative power of love. Together, Debbie and Al now share their journey to encourage other parents of LGBTQ+ children, helping them reconcile their faith while maintaining strong, loving relationships with their families.
They are deeply committed to fostering compassion, understanding, and connection between LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, believing that faith and identity do not have to exist in opposition, but can be held together through grace and truth.
When they’re not leading or speaking, Debbie and Al enjoy camping and exploring God’s beautiful creation, finding renewal and joy in the outdoors.
Through their ministry and personal story, they offer hope, wisdom, and a reminder that no family walks this journey alone.
Post-Conference Workshop: Missions from an LGBTQ Perspective
Saturday, October 17
12:30-5:00 pm
There's more to LGBTQ people than apologetic debates defending our existence. We are called by God to Kingdom work! Bakos Missiology Institute, sponsored by CenterPeace, stimulates missiological insight and mission from within the LGBTQ community, as well as fosters LGBTQ-affirming mission work. This workshop is open to anyone interested in the future of missions. We believe God calls LGBTQ people to be missiologists, missionaries, evangelists, and church-planters. A crucial need exists for affirming churches and organizations to reignite their passion for missions. Bakos Missiology Institute generates research, discussion, and action that learns from past mistakes and renews a vision for sharing the gospel. Come hear from Andrew Herbek, a Bakos Fellow, who is spearheading this initiative, well as Elizabeth Black and Karen R. Keen. The workshop includes ample time for discussion. Come share your thoughts!
