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Affirming Christian Fellowship 37th Annual Conference
at Casa de Cristo Church and Apostolic Center - Phoenix, AZ
A weekend summit of workshops, worship, and fellowship!
A weekend summit of workshops, worship, and fellowship!
Conference Theme: Receiving the Vision
Scripture: Habakkuk 2:2-3 Then the Lord replied:“Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
In addition to the conference them we have a them for each day of the conference.
Day 1
Day 1
Thursday we open with a Pastors Only Retreat at 1pm. Church pastors will experience an opportunity to grow and fellowship together as church leaders. Then in the evening all attendees will join a banquet followed by Praise and Worship with Marsha Stevens and friends.
Day 2
Day 2
Friday, centered around our theme for the day, Fear Not for I Am With You Isaiah 43:2 "Fire and not burned, Water and not drowned" includes workshops in the morning and early afternoon. Free time for dinner and fellowship will be followed by Worship Praise and the Word brought by our own Sister Maria Caruana at 7 pm.
Day 3
Day 3
Saturday,. our theme for the day is Seeing the Unseen (A Fresh Vision - seeing, pursuing God’s Vision) Hebrews 11:27. Our morning worship message will be brought by Father Costello. After lunch we will return for a workshop and a panel discussion. Then there is free time for fellowship followed by the word brought by Rev. Darlene Franklin at 7 pm.
Day 4
Day 4
The theme for Sunday brings it all together Fueled by Grace: So Walk In Him Colossians 2:6
Don't miss this 10 am Morning Worship opportunity to celebrate Casa de Cristo Church and Apostolic Center's 55th anniversary with Brother Jimmy Tran bringing the message. This young man has brought tears to the eyes of the pastors of Casa and you don't want to miss him sharing what God has put on his heart for this conference.
“Affirming Our LGBTQ+ Family With Christ-Centered Fellowship. Reconciliation And Education.”
“Affirming Our LGBTQ+ Family With Christ-Centered Fellowship. Reconciliation And Education.”
Opening Banquet and Worship
Opening Banquet and Worship
Register for the conference and join us on Thursday evening for our first conference event the Annual Opening Banquet followed by worship led by
Balm Ministries' Marsha Stevens-Pino and Justin Ryan.
Marsha Stevens-Pino: Pioneer & Mentor
Originally Marsha Carter—is widely recognized as the “mother of contemporary Christian music.” She penned the deeply beloved song “For Those Tears I Died (Come to the Water)” at age 16, and her influence helped shape the early Jesus Movement and contemporary Christian music scene. In response, Marsha founded BALM Ministries (Born Again Lesbian Music), creating a vital artistic and spiritual home for LGBTQ+ Christians.
Justin Ryan: Protégé, Artist, Leader
A queer Christian singer-songwriter originally from Paducah, KY—met Marsha through the Metropolitan Community Church after a period of personal crisis and disenfranchisement from traditional gospel circles. Encouraged by Marsha, Justin moved to Nashville to record with her, which led to studio work and background singing for renowned country artists. He also became involved in BALM’s UpBeat! training program—a two-week intensive that shapes LGBTQ+ musicians in both musical skills and ministry.
Together: A Generational Ministry of Music & Justice
• Mentorship & Restoration: Marsha helped reignite Justin’s faith and vocation
• Performance & Advocacy: Together, they share music with spiritual and social justice themes
• Leadership & Training: Justin now contributes to strategic ministry leadership on BALM’s board
• Creative Legacy: Their ongoing collaborations—from songwriting to recordings and public ministry—demonstrate a legacy of faith, resilience, and queer-affirming love.
The Speakers
The Speakers
Maria Caruana
Maria Caruana
Friday Evening
Maria was raised in Brooklyn, New York. She remained an atheist until her relationship with Jesus began in 1986. At that time, God delivered her from a life of alcohol and drugs to live life in abundance with Him. Following God’s call into pastoral service, Maria graduated from Christ Evangelical Bible Institute in 1994 and moved from Phoenix to San Francisco in 1996, in order to share a life with her spouse, Terrie. Maria served as pastor of Freedom in Christ Church from January 1998 through December 2018. She currently serves on the board of City of Refuge and the Y.A. Flunder Board of Directors and is an Associate Pastor of City of Refuge UCC Church serving on their Shepherds Table.
With compassion, mercy and honesty, it is Maria’s heart to tell everyone about God’s love and the relationship He wants to have with us through Jesus as well as to encourage all to be the individuals God has created them to be.
Father Costello
Father Costello
Saturday Morning
Darlene Franklin
Darlene Franklin
Saturday Evening
Originally from East Orange New Jersey, and the eighth child from a family of ten, Darlene Franklin is a veteran of the United States Air Force. She has served in ministry since 1993. She was ordained a deacon in the Unity Fellowship Church Movement. She also served as senior pastor of the historic Full Truth Fellowship of Christ church in Detroit Michigan from 2001-2010. Thereafter graduating from Wayne State University with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work. She currently works closely with those battling substance abuse and mental health disorders. She is also a 2022 graduate of the ATMANA, Intuitive Life Coaching program. She and her wife are also co-owners of “Besties Vegan Bliss Bakery, Dallas Tx.
She has received numerous awards and honors for her untiring service in communities marginalized by mainstream society. She is also published in “Hidden Histories: Faith and Black Lesbian Leadership, By Monique Moultrie and in the anthology of short stories edited by Dr. Derrick Tenniel, “DON’T ASK DON’T TELL”, along with more recent publications including “Swerve” magazine Sep-Oct 2024.
She is legally married to her spouse of 16 years, Glenda Wyatt-Franklin, sharing between them two daughters and three sons and 6 grandchildren. Rev. Franklin simply sums herself up with these words: I am an African, Black woman, reborn in America. I am a lesbian, a mother, preacher, spouse and grandmother - evolved in that order. She emphatically and unapologetically lives boldly, and proudly in the truth of each one of her individualized expressions of the Divine.
Jimmy Tran-Watson
Jimmy Tran-Watson
Sunday Morning
Jimmy Tran-Watson grew up in a Buddhist household, but as a child, he would dream of climbing heaven's staircase and sit on God's lap to have conversations. As he got older he became a dedicated registered nurse working as an intensive care and addiction medicine nurse. Getting his Master's from Grand Canyon University, he taught at both Grand Canyon University and Glendale Community College nursing programs. He is also an award winning quilter and has won best of show at the Arizona State Fair; as well as placing in local quilt shows. One thing he doesn't mind sharing is his joy in knowing that God has always been there for him even during his own battle with abuse and process addiction.
Workshop Presenters
Dalena Watson, LPC, MT-BC, FAMI
Soul Healing Guide
Dalena Watson, LPC, MT-BC, FAMI, is a trauma-informed therapist and music therapist of 33 years specializing in creating sacred space to heal adults navigating trauma, LGBTQIA+ issues, spirituality, and burnout. She is passionate about helping people reconnect with their true selves. Dalena also mentors emerging therapists, leads soul-centered retreats, and designs experiential continuing education training. Her work bridges spirituality, creativity, and healing—inviting others to awaken the sacred spark within.
Karla Spence, Pastor, Cornerstone Fellowship in Tucson, Arizona
Karla is the Pastor at Cornerstone Fellowship in Tucson, Arizona. Karla and her wife Linda moved to Tucson from Albuquerque, NM, in 2003. It was clear that God was calling them to join in ministry with Paul Chambliss who was Pastor at Cornerstone at the time. In 2012, Karla became Pastor at Cornerstone when Pastor Paul retired and moved to Texas. The Reverends Evelyn and Dennis Schave ordained Karla at Cornerstone in 2013. Cornerstone has been an affiliate of ACF for many years.
Karla and Linda were legally married in Santa Fe, NM, in 2014. This year they celebrated 36 years together. In their free time, they enjoy bird watching and exploring the other wonders of God’s Creation.
Robert Shegog
Robert Shegog
Robert Shegog is a graduate of Olivet College with a Master's from Northern Arizona University He retired from teaching and coaching wrestling at North High School where he was teacher of the year in 2005. Under pressure from his former wrestlers he co-author the book Wrestling with the Truth in 2022. The book reveals Robert's and his mother's deep faith. His single parent mother's influence and his perseverance living in the closet with HIV while a very successful public school wrestling coach
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About this person
Casa de Cristo Church and Apostolic Center
Casa de Cristo Church and Apostolic Center
1029 E Turney Ave. Phoenix AZ 85014
1029 E Turney Ave. Phoenix AZ 85014
Affirming Christian Fellowship @ Casa de Cristo
Affirming Christian Fellowship @ Casa de Cristo
In 1987, under the leadership of Pastor Fred Pattison of Casa de Cristo Evangelical Church, The Evangelical Network (TEN) was born. TEN was an answer to Pastor Fred's belief that there was a need to network with fellow evangelists. February, 1988 the first TEN Weekend Conference was held. For many years the TEN Conference was held on the last weekend in February on the Casa de Cristo campus. TEN changed its name to Affirming Christian Fellowship in 2024 and to this date, conferences are still hosted in different cities throughout the United States by the ACF organization now headquartered in Tucson, Arizona.This year the ACF Conference returns to where it all began. to celebrate Casa de Cristo's 55th Anniversary.
In 1987, under the leadership of Pastor Fred Pattison of Casa de Cristo Evangelical Church, The Evangelical Network (TEN) was born. TEN was an answer to Pastor Fred's belief that there was a need to network with fellow evangelists. February, 1988 the first TEN Weekend Conference was held. For many years the TEN Conference was held on the last weekend in February on the Casa de Cristo campus. TEN changed its name to Affirming Christian Fellowship in 2024 and to this date, conferences are still hosted in different cities throughout the United States by the ACF organization now headquartered in Tucson, Arizona.This year the ACF Conference returns to where it all began. to celebrate Casa de Cristo's 55th Anniversary.
We look forward to worshipping with you in Phoenix!
We look forward to worshipping with you in Phoenix!
Registration:
Early - $75 through August 31
$90 Sept. 1- Sept 30
Late - After Sept. 30 $110
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