CONFERENCE AT HEARTBEAT

April 30th - May 2nd, 2025

Birmingham, Alabama

JOIN US

For Our Very First Embrace Grace Conference!

The Embrace Grace Conference is an empowering event for pastors, church and group leaders, and future group starters. Gain essential tools and resource knowledge to enhance your ministry to single moms with unexpected pregnancies to make a lasting impact. We are excited to partner with Heartbeat International for this empowering conference, an organization that advances life-affirming pregnancy help worldwide! Churches from different denominations, networks, and backgrounds are all invited to attend.

Conference Features

    • We will join forces for the Heartbeat keynote sessions with powerful pro-life speakers and inspiring worship!

  • Our workshops are led by the Embrace Grace Dream Team and will get into the nitty-gritty with you - the logistics, resources, creative ideas and challenges unique to ministering to women with unexpected pregnancies.

  • You will have the opportunity to connect with a variety of pro-life organizations and ministries dedicated to providing essential resources, support, and advocacy for expectant mothers as well as equip you with valuable tools, connections, and insights to better serve and empower the moms in your groups.

  • Connect with like-minded leaders from across the nation to build a powerful community of support, encouragement, and shared wisdom. The relationships you make will spark fresh ideas in the way you serve and empower women impacted by unexpected pregnancies!

Conference Schedule

  • Wednesday, April 30th, 2025

    8:00 am: Heartbeat Exhibit Hall Opens

    11:30a – 1:30p: Heartbeat Opening Lunch & Keynote - Herbie Newel

    1:30p – 6p: Embrace Grace Breakout Sessions (Room J)

    1:45p - 2:30p: EG Session 1: Vision: Seeing Beyond Today to Inspire Tomorrow

    2:30p - 3:15p: EG Session 2: Expanding Your Reach: Strategies for Growth, Partnerships, and Resource Sharing

    BREAK

    3:30p - 4:15p: EG Session 3: Partnering for Life: Insights from Pregnancy Center Directors on Collaboration and Impact

    4:15p - 5p: EG Session 4: Building a Strong Leadership Team: Delegation and Empowerment

    6p – 7:30p: Heartbeat Dinner & Parade of Nations

  • Thursday, May 1st, 2025

    7:45 am: Mass

    10:30a – 11:30p: Heartbeat Morning Worship & Keynote - Matt Hammit

    12p – 1:30p: Embrace Grace Lunch

    Embrace Grace Breakout Sessions:

    1:30p - 2:15p: EG Session 5: Healing the Heart: Supporting Moms Through Mental and Emotional Challenges

    2:15p - 3p: EG Session 6: Graceful Leadership: Creating Safe Spaces and Navigating Difficult Conversations

    BREAK

    3:15p - 4p: EG Session 7: Filled to Overflow: Nurturing Your Heart to Serve and Lead with Impact

    Receptions & Prayer Ministry

  • Friday, May 2nd, 2025

    7:45am: Mass

    9a – 10a: Heartbeat Morning Worship & Keynote - Ryan Anderson

    10a – 12p: Embrace Grace Breakout Sessions (Room J)

    10:15a - 11a: EG Session 8: Resilience in Ministry: Overcoming Burnout and Staying Inspired

    11a – 1:30p: Heartbeat Lunch & Keynote - Peggy Hartshorn

    1:30p – 5p: Embrace Grace Breakout Sessions (Room J)

    1:45p - 2:30p: EG Session 9: Mentorship Matters: How to Connect with Gen Z and Gen Alpha

    2:30p - 3:15p: EG Session 10: Tech-Savvy Ministry: Leveraging Digital Tools for Outreach

    3:15p - 4p: EG Session 11: Storytelling for Impact: Sharing Testimonies That Inspire

Speakers

  • Amy Ford is the Founder and President of Embrace Grace, a nonprofit organization that equips churches to love and encourage women with unplanned pregnancies by providing spiritual, emotional, and physical support. She has authored several books, including her most recent release, Help Her Be Brave: Discover Your Place in the Pro-Life Movement. Amy is an expert on the topics of single parenting, women’s issues, and the pro-life movement. Speaking from her own personal experience and with more than 10 years of dedicated service to the movement, Amy offers unique insight and expertise. Throughout her years of work with Embrace Grace, Amy has gathered countless stories of how churches, pregnancy centers, and the body of Christ have come together to powerfully impact communities worldwide. 


  • Erika Porter spent over 20 years as a Marketing professional in the telecommunications industry connecting people.  It was there that she gained a passion for bringing people together.  Erika felt a new season approaching that would look very different.  She had the opportunity to volunteer at Embrace Grace during that time and, in December 2020, accepted a position with Embrace Grace and is now their Outreach Manager. 

    Erika has been married to her best friend, Dana, for over 30 years. Together, they have three children, a bonus son-in-law, and a grandson. The Porters reside in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

  • Kerrie Oles is the Founder of Unlocked Ministries, dedicated to helping women achieve emotional and spiritual healing by breaking free from past pain. An inspiring communicator, she has authored three books and developed the transformative Unlock Now: 6 Steps to Begin Inner Healing curriculum. With over a decade of ministry experience and numerous keynote engagements, Kerrie is known for her humor, biblical depth, and practical wisdom, empowering audiences worldwide to embrace their God-given identity. She lives in Texas with her husband, Phillip, their two sons, and their dog, Bear.


  • Jess Ford is the founder of Ford Creative Company, a marketing agency dedicated to helping ministries amplify their impact while staying budget-conscious. With a Theology degree and an MBA in Christian Leadership from Oral Roberts University, Jess blends faith, strategy, and creative storytelling to deliver impactful campaigns. He has collaborated with renowned organizations like Focus on the Family and Live Action, as well as hundreds of pregnancy centers, to effectively share their missions. Based in Texas, Jess enjoys family time with his wife, daughter Holly, and their dog, alongside savoring Onyx coffee and brainstorming innovative ideas.

Pricing

  • CHRISTMAS RATE

    (December 2024)

    Price: $299

  • EARLY BIRD

    (January 1 - February 15, 2025)

    Price: $329

  • REGULAR REGISTRATION

    (February 16 - April 1)

    Price: $359

  • LATE REGISTRATION

    (April 2-15)

    Price: $399

REGISTER NOW

Creative Ways to Fund Your Conference Journey

Sponsorship Options

FAQs

  • This conference is for anyone that has a desire to be equipped on how to walk with those impacted by unexpected pregnancies. This is a great event for pastors, church leaders, Embrace Grace, Life and Legacy group leaders, and future group starters! You will leave having a better understanding of the pro-life movement and how to inspire and impact women with unplanned pregnancies.

  • Your ticket price includes admission into all of Heartbeat International keynote sessions, Embrace Grace workshop sessions and 5 meals as well as access to the hundreds of pro-life vendors and ministry exhibitors.

  • All ticket sales are final and non-refundable. Tickets are transferable. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your ticket to another individual. Transfer requests must be submitted in writing to events@embracegrace.com no later than 10 days prior to the event.

    Please review our ticket policy carefully before completing your purchase.

  • At this time, we do not offer scholarships for the Embrace Grace Conference. However, we encourage you to take advantage of our discounted pricing during the Special Christmas Rate and Early Bird Registration periods. These options provide significant savings compared to the standard registration fee.

    If you need additional support or have questions, please feel free to reach out to us at events@embracegrace.com.

  • Babies under 1 that do not require a seat are welcome to attend. For children older than 1 years old, a ticket purchase is required. Note that subject matter discussed could be adult subject matter.

  • Heartbeat International has the largest network of Pregnancy Help Organizations with over 3,600 partners around the world that are directly serving those impacted by unexpected pregnancies. Embrace Grace works closely with Heartbeat to help inspire Pregnancy Help Orgs to partner with their local churches to help provide wrap-around care for their clients emotionally, practically and spiritually.

  • Yes! We have reserved a hotel room block for conference attendees to ensure convenient and affordable accommodations. Click here to access the block.

    If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at events@embracegrace.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

Location:

Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex

2101 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N

Birmingham, AL 35203

 

Welcome to Birmingham. You’re gonna love it here!