From Presence to Encounter is a two–day gathering exploring how a life of mystical encounter with Christ is rooted in the self‑giving love of the Father, Son and Spirit.
Across teaching, conversation and worship, C. Baxter Kruger (Perichoresis), Jason Clark (Rethinking God with Tacos) and Paul Golf (Champions of Hope) will invite us to move beyond a “visitation” mindset into a steady, lived participation in the Trinitarian life of God. This is not escapist spirituality, but a grounded, hope‑filled vision of life with God in the middle of ordinary responsibility, leadership and mission.
What the weekend is about
Many of us have tasted “God’s presence” in powerful moments, yet still carry a quiet sense of distance, anxiety or scarcity. What if encounter is not an occasional gift for a few, but the atmosphere we were created to breathe?
Over the two days we will explore themes such as:
Union and inclusion in Christ – what it means that humanity is gathered into the Son by the Spirit
Original goodness and the goodness of God – rethinking inherited pictures of a distant, retributive deity
Hope as a way of seeing – how joy, imagination and prophetic creativity flow from participation in the Triune life
Practising encounter – cultivating a lifestyle of awareness, listening and response in the midst of real‑world pressure and pain.
Teaching input will be blended with space for questions, conversation, prayer and response, so that theology and experience deepen one another rather than compete.
Who this is for
Pastors, leaders and practitioners longing for a more relational, hopeful framework for ministry.
Thinkers and questioners who care about theology but refuse to give up on encounter.
Anyone hungry to live more deeply from the love they talk and sing about.
Dates, venues and tickets
From Presence to Encounter – Bristol, 29–30 May
Friday 29 May – Deep-Dive Relational Theology Day
Venue: The Mustard Tree, Great George St, Bristol
Time: Daytime and evening sessions
Ticket: £227.50 (includes lunch and all‑access to Friday and Saturday sessions)
Limited to 25 places – an intimate day of discussion and workshops with the speakers and event sponsors.
Saturday 30 May – Main Event
Venue: Hope Chapel, Hotwells, Bristol
Ticket: £27.50
150 tickets available
Come and join us as we move from occasional moments of presence to a sustained life of encounter in and with the Triune God.
