What happens at a Friends on the Journey gathering?

It's a space for connection, encouragement, learning, and renewal for immigrant and intercultural leaders.

Do I need to be a PC(USA) leader to attend a Friends on the Journey gathering?

No. While Accents partners closely with the PC(USA), Friends on the Journey welcomes immigrant and intercultural leaders across denominations and contexts.

Accents Ministries is a ministry of connection, equipping, and support for immigrant and intercultural leaders.

Who can participate in Accents' programs?

Pastors, lay leaders, leaders of new worshiping communities, and allies serving in intercultural contexts.

What languages does Accents work in?

Primarily English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Korean, along with other languages represented across our network.

Is there a cost to participate?

Some gatherings carry a registration fee, but scholarships and additional support are frequently available to make participation more accessible.

How can I connect with other immigrant leaders?

Through our gatherings, trainings, networking groups, and online meetups.

Does Accents offer training beyond these four programs?

Yes. Beyond the four pathways above, we offer additional training, workshops, resources, and intercultural learning opportunities as they come up across our network.

Accents Programs · 03

Friends on the Journey

Peer accompaniment, rest, and encouragement.

What Rest Looks Like

Out of respect for participants' privacy, we don't publish identifiable gathering photos here. This is the Accents team modeling the same rest they invite every leader into.

Rest, Together

The Accents co-founders, taking their own advice to slow down.

Breathing Room

No agenda, just lakeside chairs and company.

Renewed

Leaving lighter than they arrived.

Company for the Road

Walking together, no agenda but each other.

Friends on the Journey creates intentional spaces where immigrant and intercultural leaders can step away from the ongoing demands of ministry to experience friendship, rest, worship, spiritual renewal, and mutual encouragement. Grounded in biblical images of companionship, shared strength, and God's presence along the journey, the program cultivates authentic relationships through reflection, storytelling, prayer, worship, and shared experiences.

Friends on the Journey reminds leaders that they are not called to carry the weight of ministry alone. Through trusted community, leaders find space to breathe, reconnect with their calling, receive encouragement, and return to their communities with renewed hope, strength, and imagination.

Friends on the Journey welcomes leaders regardless of denominational affiliation; while Accents partners closely with the PC(USA), no leader is asked to belong to it first. Gatherings are currently coordinated in partnership with the New Church Development Commission (NCDC) in Atlanta, and scholarships are available so that cost is not the reason a leader misses out on rest and community.

In April 2026, Friends on the Journey gathered 43 leaders from immigrant churches and new worshiping communities at Zephyr Point on Lake Tahoe, representing 13 nations, including Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, Kenya, Madagascar, Egypt, Indonesia, Congo, Guatemala, Peru, Uganda, China, and the United States. Days were shaped by morning prayer, leadership development workshops, immigration education training, peer learning discussions, and worship in eight languages, including a Know Your Rights training led by Adriana Backhaus of Without Borders.

"Friends on the Journey gave our immigrant new worshiping community leaders an opportunity to connect with one another and affirm that they are not alone in this journey," Sam Kim told the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) after the gathering. Rev. Carlos Baladez of Crestholme Presbyterian Church put it simply: "Friends on the Journey are those gifts of God who leave a mark on your life, saying, 'This is the way towards God.'"

Rev. Raul Palomino of Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church offered a line that captured the spirit of the gathering: "The life of the newcomer is not a problem to be solved, but a prophetic witness to be heard." The Zephyr Point gathering was co-hosted with 1001 New Worshiping Communities, the New Church Development Commission of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, and the Presbytery of San Francisco, with leaders departing having exchanged practices, prayers, and contact information, and committing to stay connected well beyond the days they spent together.

Friends on the Journey gatherings are shared through stories after the fact rather than public registration. Reach out to ask about joining an upcoming gathering.

Common Questions

What happens at a Friends on the Journey gathering?: It's a space for connection, encouragement, learning, and renewal for immigrant and intercultural leaders.
Do I need to be a PC(USA) leader to attend a Friends on the Journey gathering?: No. While Accents partners closely with the PC(USA), Friends on the Journey welcomes immigrant and intercultural leaders across denominations and contexts.
What is Accents?: Accents Ministries is a ministry of connection, equipping, and support for immigrant and intercultural leaders.
Who can participate in Accents' programs?: Pastors, lay leaders, leaders of new worshiping communities, and allies serving in intercultural contexts.
What languages does Accents work in?: Primarily English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Korean, along with other languages represented across our network.
Is there a cost to participate?: Some gatherings carry a registration fee, but scholarships and additional support are frequently available to make participation more accessible.
How can I connect with other immigrant leaders?: Through our gatherings, trainings, networking groups, and online meetups.
Does Accents offer training beyond these four programs?: Yes. Beyond the four pathways above, we offer additional training, workshops, resources, and intercultural learning opportunities as they come up across our network.

Other Programs

Interested?

Ask us about Friends on the Journey.

Reach out and our team will help you understand whether this pathway is the right fit.

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