The 2022 Rethinking Forum in Dallas has completed. Please sign up for email updates at the bottom of the home page to be informed of next year’s conference.

July 22-24, Dallas, TX

What is the Rethinking Forum?

The Rethinking Forum is an annual gathering of likeminded Alongsiders, presented by MARG, and the only event of its kind in North America. You will have the chance to meet fellow practitioners and hear from leading voices in the field who come alongside Hindu people. Come learn, share, network, and grow.

Our theme for Rethinking Forum 2022 is “How to Be an Alongsider”.

After two years of digital-only RF conferences, we are very thrilled to be hosting an in-person gathering this year. Especially after the last two years, we are excited to experience the fellowship and camaraderie that can only happen through time spent together. We are grateful that this year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Rethinking Forum.

Who is it for?

Rethinking Forum 2022 (RF ’22) is designed for people who share both a love for Jesus and a love for Hindu people. We call these kinds of people “Alongsiders”, people who want to help Hindus explore what devotion to Jesus means. There are a wide variety of opinions within the network regarding appropriate convictions and practices, and we embrace the diversity.

This article, What is an Alongsider?, identifies both character qualities and activities we strive to model.

Testimonials about past Rethinking Forums:

“RF has changed the trajectory of my life and ministry in incalculable ways.”

“You will not find this level of discussion, genuine love, and progressive thinking at any other conference.”

“I am SO grateful to be a part of this group of believers. RF is an invaluable resource and network. Thank you for all that you’re doing to help us love our Hindu friends better!”

“Just meeting RF people we did not know before was a blessing. This is an incredibly important place for encouraging alongsiders, helping sharpen their understanding, and networking between those involved.”

“I love the stimulating discussions of relevant issues that sharpen our thinking and raise our sensitivity and compassion.”

Agenda

The conference starts at 9am on Friday, July 22nd and ends at 11am on Sunday, July 24th. Friday and Saturday are the main days of the conference, with a variety of talks, panel discussions, and breakout groups planned.

Here are some components of RF ’22 to be included:

• Panel Discussions and Leading Speakers on Alongsiding with:
  • International Students
  • Families
  • Hindu communities
• Stories of Connecting between India and America
• Historical studies of Robert de Nobili and Benjamin Robinson
• Theology of a Tamil Bhakti Poet
• Testimony of a Hindu follower of Jesus
• Experience in Starting a Worshipping Community
• Media, Resources, and Growth Opportunities
• Worship
• RF’s First-Ever Art Show
• Indian Film Festival

Location

This year, we will be at Dallas International University (DIU) in Dallas, TX. The address is 7500 W. Camp Wisdom Road, Dallas, TX 75236. DIU is located on the campus of the International Linguistics Center.

DIU is an approximate 25 minute drive from both DFW and DAL airports.

The Indian community in DFW is primarily located in the suburbs of Irving, Plano, and Frisco, all located between 30-45 miles from the conference center. Many delicious Indian restaurants with various regional influences are available. Some we recommend:
Taj Chaat House, 1057 W. Rochelle Rd., Irving, TX
Saravana Bhavan, 8604 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, TX
Our Place Indian Restaurant, 8150 N. MacArthur Blvd. #150, Irving, TX

Policies

For security purposes on site, we will have a “by permission only” policy for taking photos, meaning you must have everyone’s permission in a photo before taking it.

We do not share registration details with any other group.

There is no childcare provided.

Much of the conference communication both before and during RF ’22 will be done via our Slack account. If you are not already a member, you will be given details after registering.  Utilizing the Slack account will give attendees the opportunity to stay connected even after RF ’22 ends.

Registration

You can choose from four registration options:

• Overnight – Private Room
• Overnight – Shared Room
• Commuter
• Digital-only

All in-person registrations (overnight and commuter) include a free book, snacks, and lunch and supper on Friday and Saturday.

Overnight registrations additionally includes three nights of accommodation (Thursday, Friday, Saturday), dinner on Thursday night, and breakfast on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (8 meals totally).

Meals will include an entrée, several side dishes, and a drink. Concerning food sensitivities, no beef will be served during the conference, and vegetarian options will be available.

For multiple attendees in a group, each person should register and pay separately.

Current prices are for early registration to help us in planning. Prices will increase on June 15th, 2022.

Overnight registrations

• Free book
• 3 night accommodation (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
• Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on Friday and Saturday. Also Breakfast on Sunday.
• Check in can begin at 2pm on Thursday July 21st.

Each room has two twin beds with a private bathroom. You can select to have either a private room, or a shared room. If you know with whom you’d like to share a room, please mention it in the registration process.

Commuter registration

• Free book
• Lunch and Dinner on both Friday and Saturday

Sessions start at 9:00am each day. Supper will be served at approximately 5:30pm. You are welcome to stay afterwards as long as you’d like.

Digital-only registration

If you are not able to travel to Dallas, you can still participate in the conference. If you sign up for the digital package, you’ll be invited to a private online group where we will be live-streaming the presentations. You will have access to view the presentations and also add comments for discussions and questions.

In addition, you will also have access to the digital archives of the presentations after they are finished.

If you have any trouble processing the payment, or if you do not receive an email confirmation, please send an email to alongsiders@margnetwork.org. 

About the Organizers

The MARG Network is dedicated to helping people in North America who desire to come alongside Hindu people as they explore what devotion to Jesus looks like. The Rethinking Forum dates to a collaborative meeting in 2001, with the first RF gathering happening on September 6-8, 2002. The Rethinking Forum has been the central meeting space for the sharing of ideas and experiences related to discipleship issues in Hindu contexts since its inception.