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On Tuesday, May 6, to Friday, May 9, 2025, the Office of Church Relations will host the 82nd annual Harbor: The Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Bible Lectures, a four-day conference featuring a wide variety of keynote sessions, workshops, and worship opportunities rooted in the Bible and Christianity.  For more than 80 years, Harbor has invited Christians and community leaders at Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ to connect and worship together during this dynamic multiday conference. 

This year’s conference will feature classes and workshops centered on the theme "Your Kingdom Come," which explores the teachings and ministry of Jesus as He proclaimed the presence of God’s Kingdom in the here and now. The theme will also encourage meaningful dialogue on how we can seek and engage with God’s Kingdom, and offer fresh perspectives on how we see, listen, and embrace the values that shape our actions and relationships.

Presenters at Harbor include a number of ministers, but also authors, historians, organizational consultants, clinical counselors, scholars, and creatives, and will feature more than 100 speakers from universities and churches across the country. Harbor’s keynote speakers will be Shon Smith, preaching and teaching minister at Campbell Church of Christ in Campbell, California; David Ayres, lead minister at Southside Church of Christ in Rogers, Arkansas; Stacy Jones, bi-vocational minister for the MacDonald Avenue Church of Christ in Richmond, California, Jeff Walling, Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ's Youth Leadership Initiative director; Jeff Brown, lead minister at the Woodmont Hills Church in Nashville, Tennessee; Jodi Hickerson, teaching pastor and programming director for Mission Church in Ventura, California; Buddy Bell, lead minister for Landmark Church in Montgomery, Alabama; and Tim Spivey (’97, MS ’00, MDiv ’00), vice president for spiritual life.

Attendees can enjoy seminars such as "Turning Points: Takeaways from Churches of Christ History for the Church Today," featuring historian James Gorman, coauthor of Reviving the Ancient Faith. The session will explore key historical moments in Churches of Christ, with Gorman introducing each moment and interdisciplinary panelists offering unique insights on its relevance to the church today. 

Participants will also have the chance to make a meaningful impact on the local community through a variety of volunteer initiatives. On Friday, May 9, from 12:15 to 3:30 PM, Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ’s Community Engagement and Service team will host five volunteer opportunities, both on and off campus. Transportation and lunch will be provided, and children with parental supervision are welcome to participate. is required. Harbor service opportunities include:

Urban Promise LA | 12:15 to 3:30 PM | Off Campus 

Located 30 minutes off campus, Urban Promise is a Christian organization that provides leadership and empowerment to the children and youth of Los Angeles. Volunteers are invited to help the group in its mission to provide holistic support and restore Los Angeles communities.

Third Space Malibu | 12:15 to 3:30 PM | Off Campus 

As a project of the Boys & Girls Club of Malibu, Third Space Malibu is a disaster relief center that provides essential supplies and support to those affected by the recent Los Angeles fires. Participants are invited to sort through fire relief donation items, assist patrons looking for specific items, and help organize the center’s offerings to make it more efficient.

Shemesh Farms | 12:15 to 3:30 PM | Off Campus 

Join Shemesh Farms in its mission to provide community and employment to adults with diverse neurological and physical abilities, while also producing fresh, locally grown produce. Volunteers will tour the farm, connect with the organization's members, and help package and bottle products.

Assemble Hygiene Kits | 12:30 to 2:30 PM | Adamson Plaza

Join the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Community Engagement and Service team as its members compile hygiene kits for those affected by the recent wildfires and individuals experiencing homelessness.

Pack School Supply Backpacks |  12:30 to 2:30 PM | Adamson Plaza

Volunteers are invited to pack children's backpacks with much-needed school supplies. An opportunity to help break down barriers to educational equality, this volunteer initiative ensures that children can step into the classroom on the first day of school confident they are equipped with the tools they need to succeed.

Harbor: The Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Bible Lectures will be located on the Malibu campus. On-campus housing and children's programming are available. Online registration closes April 23, but walk-in registration is welcome at the event.