March 19, 2026 | St. Luke’s UMC
Faith & Action 2026 Spring Conference
From Trauma to Transformation: Healing Pathways for Children, Families & Leaders
Her keynote will equip Indianapolis leaders with compassionate, trauma-informed practices that foster real healing and open pathways to long-term stability. This is an essential conversation for anyone committed to better caring for children, families, and those who serve on the frontlines of poverty and wellbeing. Addressing mental health is not optional—it is a key barrier we must remove to break the cycle of poverty.
Please note that attendance for the morning portion of the Spring Conference is a prerequisite for organizations wanting to apply for a Faith & Action grant. While attendance at the afternoon workshop is not required for grant applicants, it is an excellent learning opportunity.
The Faith & Action Project is supported by: Mike and Sue Smith Family Fund, The Indianapolis Foundation, The Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation, Lumina Foundation, and the Petticrew Foundation.
Keynote Speaker - Chanequa Walker-Barnes, PhD
Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes is a highly esteemed scholar, theologian, and clinical psychologist whose work focuses upon healing the legacies of racial and gender oppression. A professor of practical theology and pastoral care at Columbia Theological Seminary, Dr. Chanequa is the author of Sacred Self-Care, I Bring the Voices of My People, and Too Heavy a Yoke. With her compelling insights and thought-provoking work, she has emerged as a leading voice in the pursuit of social change and healing in the Christian church.
Dr. Chanequa possesses a rich and varied academic background in behavioral health, theology, and race/gender studies. She began her career as a clinical research psychologist, earning degrees from Emory University (B.A., Psychology and African-American/African Studies) and the University of Miami (M.S. and Ph.D., Clinical Child/Family Psychology). Upon being called to ministry, she left her tenure-track faculty position to attend seminary, earning her M.Div. from Duke University. Her interdisciplinary expertise enables her to bridge psychology and theology, offering a unique and holistic perspective on social change and the challenges faced by marginalized communities.
Panel Discussion: Strengthening Comunities Through Trauma- Informed Practice
Moderator –
- Jay Chaudhary, JD, Senior Fellow for Mental Health and Community Wellness, Sagamore Institute
Panelists –
- Rev. Dr. Dwight Holland, Owner and Chairman, Family and Community Partners
- Rev. Dr. Preston Adams III, Founding and Senior Pastor, Amazing Grace Christian Church
- Brandon Cosby, CEO, Flanner House of Indianapolis, Inc.
- Denise A. Senter, LMHC, Director of Mental Health, Education and Innovation, Reach for Youth
Breakout Sessions
Following the keynote presentation, attendees will get the opportunity to attend a breakout session with local leaders.
Facilitated breakout sessions provide space to reflect on Dr. Walker-Barnes’s keynote, engage with fellow attendees, and explore trauma-informed partnerships, resources, and practical next steps for your work.
- Rev. Dr. Christina Jones Davis, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology and Marriage and Family Therapy, Christian Theological Seminary
- Jay Chaudhary, JD, Senior Fellow for Mental Health and Community Wellness, Sagamore Institute
- Bwana Clements, LCSW, Director, Morningstar Wellness Center
- Doneisha Posey, CEO of Ascentra Strategies
- Larry Smith, President/CEO, Fathers and Families Center
Breakout Session Leaders
Jay Chaduary
Moderator
Senior Fellow for Mental Health and Community Wellness, Sagamore Institute
Rev. Dr. Christina Davis
Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology and Marriage and Family Therapy
Bwana Clements, LCSW
Director, Morningstar Wellness Center
Doneisha Posey
CEO of Ascentra Strategies
Larry Smith
President/CEO, Fathers and Families Center
Panelists
Rev. Dr. Dwight Holland
Owner and Chairman, Family and Community Partners
Rev. Dr. Preston T. Adams, III
Founding and Senior Pastor, Amazing Grace Christian Church
Dr. Brandon D. Cosby
CEO, Flanner House of Indianapolis, Inc.
Denise A. Senter, LMHC
Director of Mental Health, Education and Innovation, Reach for Youth
Spring Conference Schedule
Main Event
8:30 – Registration
9:00 AM — Keynote, Chanequa Walker-Barnes, Ph.D. – Living (and Caring) in a Traumagenic Society
10:15 AM — Breakout Sessions
Facilitated breakout sessions provide space to reflect on Dr. Walker-Barnes’s keynote, engage with fellow attendees, and explore trauma-informed partnerships, resources, and practical next steps for your work.
11:15 AM–Strengthening Communities Through Trauma-Informed Practice Proven Models and Approaches Making a Lasting Difference
12:00 PM – Adjourn morning session
*Adjourn for those not attending afternoon sessions.
Afternoon Sessions
1:00pm-3:30pm – Workshop – Stewarding Trauma, Empowering Resilience
How can faith-based professionals working with impoverished and marginalized communities support people impacted by trauma while also sustaining their own emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being? This workshop explores the concept of trauma stewardship and provides a framework for sustainable spiritual care in a traumagenic society.
.5 CEU
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Recognize signs of secondary traumatic stress and compassion fatigue.
- Use embodied and relational practice to support resilience and healing for others and themselves.
- Apply a framework for trauma-informed care that centers agency, safety, and communal resilience.
- Develop personal and communal care plans that foster sustainability in ministry and helping roles.
3:30pm – Adjourn
*Note: This is a tentative schedule.
Meet our Panelists and Speakers
Jay Chaudhary, JD
Jay Chaudhary, JD is a mental health and civic innovation leader working at the intersection of public policy, philanthropy, and systems reform. He previously served as Director of Indiana’s Division of Mental Health and Addiction, where he led a bipartisan transformation of the state’s behavioral health system, including major investments in crisis response and community-based care. His work has been recognized by the Council of State Governments, which named him a 20 Under 40 honoree, and by the Indiana Judges Association, which honored him as a Champion of Justice.
Today, Jay works across philanthropy, consulting, and writing to help communities and funders tackle complex social problems—particularly mental health, family well-being, and the care economy—by focusing on structural constraints, incentives, and scalable innovation. He is a contributing columnist for the Indianapolis Star, a visiting fellow with Capita’s Common Good Lab, and a senior fellow at the Sagamore Institute, where he continues to write and speak on the limits of status-quo solutions and the need for more community-centered, values-driven approaches.
Rev. Dr. Christina Jones Davis
Rev. Dr. Christina Jones Davis
Rev. Dr. Christina Jones Davis is the Clinical Professor of Pastoral Theology and Marriage and Family Therapy at Christian Theological Seminary (CTS). Dr. Davis’ research and teaching interests focus on spiritually integrated counseling, substance abuse and addiction treatment, and relational psychoanalytic theory and self-state multiplicity among women of color. Accordingly, Professor Davis has taught or is scheduled to teach courses on Crisis Care, Foundations of Pastoral Care, Theological Perspectives on Pastoral and Spiritual Care, Social & Cultural Dimensions of Counseling, and Psychodynamic Family Therapy.
Prior to joining CTS, Dr. Davis accumulated a decade of experience in pastoral care and counseling. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Georgia and is an active member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, the Society of Pastoral Theology, and the American Association for Pastoral Counseling.
An ordained minister in the Progressive National Baptist Church, Dr. Davis also holds a Th.D. in Pastoral Care and Counseling from the Emory University Candler School of Theology where she was bestowed with the W.E.B. DuBois Noomo Award for Academic Excellence.
Bwana Clements
Bwana Clements
Bwana Clements is the Director of the Morningstar Wellness Center, Director of the Race and Culture Relations Leadership Network, and Chair of the IPS Mental Health and School Culture Task Force. An Indianapolis native and graduate of Arsenal Tech High School, Ball State University, and Indiana University’s MSW program, he is currently a doctoral student at Virginia University of Lynchburg. With over 20 years in community mental health, Bwana specializes in engaging and empowering male clients to reach their full potential. He is also a highly requested speaker and professional development trainer known for his clarity, connection, and transformative impact.
Doneisha Posey
Doneisha Posey
Doneisha Posey is an award-winning Civil Rights Attorney, Law Professor, and the visionary CEO of Ascentra Strategies. Renowned for her cross-sector leadership, Doneisha brings deep legal acumen and a proven track record of advancing equity across corporate, nonprofit, education, and government institutions. Her career is defined by a bold commitment to dismantling systemic inequities and building transformative, inclusive ecosystems where diverse voices shape decision-making and drive sustainable progress.
In addition to her role at Ascentra, Doneisha serves as an adjunct law professor at Indiana University McKinney School of Law.
Doneisha’s leadership and impact have earned widespread recognition, including Indiana Lawyer’s “Up and Coming” Attorney, IBJ Forty Under 40, Indy’s Best and Brightest, and many more. She is also the co-founder of Women’s Equity Brunch, a platform empowering women through connection, dialogue, and advocacy.
Larry Smith
Larry Smith
Larry Smith is President/CEO of Fathers and Families Center, whose mission is to equip fathers and empower families so that children thrive. Prior to this role, Larry was Director of Development for the Hamilton County Community Foundation. He is also founder & CEO of LEAF LLC, a multi-faceted consultancy.
Among the honors Larry has received are being selected for IBJ’s “Forty Under 40” award and “Indy’s Best & Brightest Award” from Junior Achievement. He also has served as a board member for roughly 20 organizations.
An ordained minister, Larry is the proud parent of three children and the grandparent of two grandchildren. Larry earned a BA in History from Williams College and an MS in Management from Stanford Business School.
Rev. Dr. Dwight Holland
Rev. Dr. Dwight Holland
Dr. Dwight Holland is a humanitarian, philanthropist, business owner and psychotherapist with many years of experience working collaboratively with community businesses, churches, and mental health agencies. He earned his BA degree in psychology and religion studies from Martin University and his Master’s degree in psychotherapy and faith, with a concentration in clinical diagnoses and therapy, and his honorary Doctor of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary for his visionary leadership and establishing four mental health agencies in the community serving “the least of these”. According to Dr. David Mellott president of Christian Theological Seminary indicated “Dr. Holland leadership acumen and pastoral empathy are a rare but increasingly needed combination for church and community life.”
Dwight‘s passion is to address the soul wounds, spiritual and emotional needs of its members and the community. As an agency leader with Family and Community Partners, Family and Community Connection, Family Community Solution and Healthy Family Advocates. His primary goal as a professionally trained therapist, business owner and ordained minister is to develop a safe space to help individuals, families and employees change unhealthy patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviors to achieve desired success. He is the author of “People Stuck in Hard Spaces” a journey from trauma to transformation.
Dr. Preston T. Adams, III
Dr. Preston T. Adams, III
The Reverend Dr. Preston T. Adams, III is a pastor, community leader, and biblical scholar.
Over four decades in ministry, he integrates faith, justice, mental health advocacy, and leadership development to transform communities.
Dr. Adams is the Founding Pastor of Amazing Grace Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis and founder of the Men and Mental Health Movement, impacting thousands of lives.
Dr. Adams holds MDiv and DMin degrees from Christian Theological Seminary, is an Emeritus Trustee of Christian Theological Seminary, and recipient of the 2024 CTS Presidential Award of Excellence.
Dr. Brandon D. Cosby
Dr. Brandon D. Cosby
Dr. Brandon D. Cosby is the CEO of Flanner House of Indianapolis, Indiana’s oldest Black-led community service agency. Under his leadership, Flanner House has become a national model for holistic, anti-poverty work focused on moving individuals and families from crisis to self-reliance and collective empowerment. He has launched transformative initiatives including Flanner Farms, Cleo’s Bodega & Café, Morningstar African-Centered Wellness Center, and Ujamaa Community Bookstore. Named 2024 Not-for-Profit Executive of the Year by United Way of Central Indiana, Dr. Cosby is a nationally regarded thought leader, anti-racist educator, and devoted father of four.`
Denise A Senter
Denise A. Senter
Denise Senter serves as Director of Mental Health, Education and Innovation at Reach For Youth. Denise has a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy with more than 30 years serving families and children. Her areas of specialization include mood disorders; behavioral problems in the home and/or school trauma, attachment difficulties in children and adults, and cultural and cross-cultural competency. Denise served as a consultant with the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program at the Riley Child Development Center, has provided trainings to organizations and groups throughout the state, and previously served as a mental health consultant with the NFL.
Previous Faith & Action Events
Faith & Action Spring Conference 2024 - Economic Disparities: What is Our Role?
2024 – Economic Disparities: What is our Role?
Faith & Action Spring Conference 2023 - Pathways to Promising Employment
2024 – Economic Disparities: What is our Role?
Faith & Action Spring Conference 2023 - Pathways to Promising Employment
2023 – Pathways to Promising Employment
Faith & Action Spring Conference 2022 - Poverty and Mental Health
2022 – Poverty and Mental Health
Grants Process
The Faith & Action Project is looking for the next cohort of poverty-fighting innovators that will receive Faith & Action Grants. Applications for this year’s Faith & Action Grants will be available in March. Learn more here.
The Faith & Action Grants Program will award grants to organizations working to break the cycle of poverty. We are looking to fund initiatives with exceptional promise that, with additional resources, can be replicated or otherwise accelerated.
Please note: Organizations planning to apply for a Faith & Action grant are required to have a representative attend the Faith & Action Spring Conference main event.
Faith & Action Project Grant Program
CTS, with support from the Mike and Sue Smith Family Fund, has created the Faith & Action Project to inspire collaboration among faith communities, nonprofits and government agencies in order to reduce poverty in the city. One of the primary ways we do that is through our annual grant program.
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