Spiritual Formation Academy celebrates 25 years; gathering to be held at Camp Sumatanga June 23-26

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 2, 2008/GBOD/ --The Upper Room Ministries’ Academy for Spiritual Formation is sponsoring a gathering of Academy participants at Camp Sumatanga, in Gallant, Alabama, June 23-26, 2008. The event is the culmination of the Academy’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

The two-year Academy experience provides a setting for lay and clergy to enhance their sense of call to follow Christ and serve the church and the world.

In addition to an in-depth, comprehensive experience in spiritual formation, participants learn about the history and development of the Christian spiritual life, and are encouraged to live out their call through the recovery of the disciplines of daily prayer and engaging in personal and group spiritual guidance.

Presenters will include Loyd Allen, Ph.D., professor of Church History and Spiritual Formation at McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University in Atlanta, Ga. Allen will give three lectures on “Christian Pilgrimage” on Tuesday, June 24 at 9:00 a.m. and Thursday, June 26 at 9:00 a.m.

Larry Peacock, author of Openings (Upper Room, 2003), will lead afternoon sessions on “Reflecting on the Spiritual Journey” on Monday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. and “Academy as Pilgrimage: A Journey for the Sake of Others” on Tuesday, June 24 at 2:30 p.m.

Hazelyn McComas, a faculty member of the Academy, will present a session on “The Bible as Pilgrimage” on Tuesday, June 24 at 2:30 p.m.

Danny Morris will “The Odyssey of the Academy,” which is a retrospective of the Academy’s beginnings, and the ‘call’ it offers.

The 25th Anniversary Celebration is open to Academy forum members, persons who have previously participated in the two-year Academy, spouses, guests, faculty and advisory board members.

Visit www.gbod.org for more information or call the Media Relations Office toll free at (877) 899-2780, Ext. 7017.