“Wonderfully Made”
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well.”
– Psalm 139:14
Spring Theological Conference
April 27, 2025 – April 29, 2025
Sioux Falls, SD
The Crossroads Conference invites you to join us in Sioux Falls the week following Easter for the 2025 Spring Theological Conference beginning in the evening of Sunday, April 27, and concluding the morning of Tuesday, April 29. Gather with your colleagues from across the synod as we explore the theme “Wonderfully Made.” The Psalmist, in Psalm 139, sings praises of the beauty and wonder of God’s creation – including you! You, dear friend, have been “wonderfully made,” and each of us is named, claimed, and beloved by our Creator.
About Deacon Ross Murray
Ross Murray is a Vice President at the GLAAD Media Institute, which provides activist, spokesperson, and media engagement training and education for LGBTQ and allied community members, the media industry and advocacy organizations desiring to deepen their media impact.
Ross is also a founder and director of The Naming Project, a faith-based camp for LGBTQ youth and their allies.
He is the author of two books, Made, Known, Loved: Developing LGBTQ-Inclusive Youth Ministry and The Everyday Advocate: Living Out Your Calling to Social Justice are available from Fortress Press. Ross has also contributed to two books focused on LGBTQ Christian youth: Queerfully and Wonderfully Made and Welcoming and Affirming. He has written and appeared on numerous media outlets, including CNN, MSNBC, USA Today, The Washington Post, Huffington Post, and Religion News Service.
Ross is an ordained Deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, with a specific calling to advocate for LGBTQ people and to bridge the LGBTQ and faith communities. He is a member of the 2021 OUT100.
Speaker:
Deacon Ross Murray
ELCA Deacon, Author, Nonprofit Leader
Lodging
Lodging is not provided in your registration. Please plan to book your own lodging. Here are some hotels with availability to help point you in the right direction. As we have no room blocks, feel free to make a reservation at any hotel of your choosing. For reference, our conference venues are downtown and in the area of Augustana University. Rates and general availability are good as of 1/29/2025. We recommend that you book your reservation soon, as there are no rooms held for our group at any of these hotels.
Hilton Garden Inn Downtown – from $157/night
Holiday Inn City Centre – $119/night
Near Augustana University:
Home 2 Suites by Hilton – $149/night
Near the Empire Mall:
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Empire Mall – $109/night
LaQuinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham – $120/night
Near S Louise Ave & I-229:
Hampton Inn & Suites Southwest – $139/night
Hilton Garden Inn Sioux Falls South – $164/night
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Southwest – $120/night
About the Conference
The 2025 Spring Theological Conference will be hosted by the Medary Conference and held in person at multiple locations in Sioux Falls:
April 27th: Icon Events – 402 N. Main
April 28th: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church – 909 W. 33rd St (Morning) and Tre Lounge – 601 W. 33rd St (Evening)
April 29th: Augustana University Chapel of the Reconciliation – 2125 S. Summit Ave
Schedule
Sunday, April 27th
Evening: Icon Events (402 N Main Ave in Downtown Sioux Falls)
5:00 PM Check-in begins & Happy Hour
6:00 PM Dinner Church
7:15 PM Conference Preview with Deacon Ross Murray
Social time to follow until close
Monday, April 28th
Morning: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls (909 W 33rd Street)
9:00 AM Opening Devotion
9:15 AM Session #1 with Deacon Ross Murray
10:30 AM Coffee Break, sponsored by Thrivent
11:00 AM Session #2 with Deacon Ross Murray
12:30 PM Lunch (Reserved Locations with Meal Hosts)
We invite you to have lunch with a ministry partner of the SD Synod. Spend time getting to know one of these ministries. You have the choice to go to lunch with your colleagues at one of these places. Please note that this meal is not covered by your registration fee.
Confirmed Ministry Partners:
Shepherd’s Table – Pr. Sawyer Vanden Heuvel
Church on the Street – Pr. Chris Matson & Mara Stillson
Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota – Jason Lemke
St. Dysmas – Pr. Jeff (Tommy Jack’s)
Charis Ministry Partners
Bread Break
Pueblo de Dios – Pra. María Cabello & Pastoral Intern Marit Johnson
Monday, April 28th (continued):
1:30 PM Free Time (On your own)
Evening: Tre Lounge (601 W 33rd St)
5:00 PM Happy Hour with cash bar
6:00 PM Dinner
Social time to follow.
Tuesday, April 29th
Morning: Augustana University Chapel of Reconciliation
8:45 AM Opening Devotion
9:00 AM Session #3 with Deacon Ross Murray
10:00AM Greeting from Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, President of Augustana University
Coffee Break
10:30 AM Bishop’s Address
11:00 AM Closing Worship
12:00 PM Go in peace
Online Registration
Cost: $110
Registration closes Friday, April 11th.
