The 23rd Annual Rethinking Forum

“Hindus and the Church”

Friday, July 11th – Sunday, July 13th, 2025

&

Indian Student Ministry (ISM) Day

Thursday, July 10th, 2025

Dallas, TX

What is the Rethinking Forum?

The Rethinking Forum is an annual gathering of like-minded Alongsiders, presented by the MARG Network, and the only event of its kind in North America. At the Rethinking Forum 2025 (“RF ’25”), you will have the chance to meet fellow practitioners and hear from leading voices in the field who come alongside Hindu people. Join us as we learn, share, network, and grow together.

This year’s conference theme is “Hindus and the Church” and we will address the critical and challenging issue of discipleship to Jesus and community fellowship for followers of Jesus from Hindu families. This year’s gathering will continue the long-standing RF tradition of highlighting both the frontier edge of scholarship and the time-tested practical wisdom of fellow Alongsiders. Speakers at RF and ISM Day will come from Indian Christian, Western Christian, and Hindu follower of Jesus backgrounds. For one perspective of what attending an RF is like, check out this article.

RF ’25 is returning to Dallas, TX. We will again gather at the International Linguistics Center, our previous host location.  Two large hub airports, DFW Airport and Dallas Love Field, make Dallas an ideal destination for people flying in to the Rethinking Forum.  Conference space, meals, and even (limited) on-campus housing is available at the International Linguistics Center for those who are traveling to RF.  

Who is it for?

Rethinking Forum 2025 (RF ’25) is designed for people who share both a love for Jesus and a love for Hindu people. We call these people “Alongsiders,” people who want to help Hindus explore what devotion to Jesus means. As appropriate to the vast diversity of Hindu life, participants in our network include people from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and settings.  Both diaspora contexts and India locations, many different Indian languages, and a variety of demographic backgrounds are represented. If you are a follower of Jesus and have a heart for walking alongside Hindu people, RF ’25 and ISM Day are for you!

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

What did you talk about at last year’s RF?

Last year’s Rethinking Forum featured excellent presentations, discussions, and break-out activities for the 125 participants. Last year’s theme was “Going Deeper:  Reflections on Faith and Culture in Hindu Communities,” and included sessions about:  walking alongside Hindu families in the diaspora, marriage and wedding considerations for Hindu followers of Jesus, one individual’s experience working in an Indian-owned businesses, testimonies from lifelong Alongsiders, and a presentation on unique “problems” for both Hindus and Christians. Last year’s ISM Day featured sessions on pivots to consider when serving Hindu students in ISM, a survey of Indian international students, understanding Hindu festivals, and one ISM team’s case study.  

Testimonials from Rethinking Forum ’24 in Philadelphia:

“RF is an excellent opportunity to rub shoulders with others who have dedicated their lives to connecting with Hindu people. You can dive deep or get a first exposure all at the same time.”

“This was our third Rethinking Forum, and I have to say, every year I realize how thankful I am to be in touch with this community. RF and its members are on the cutting edge of what it means to build meaningful relationships with our Hindu friends in ways that are encouraging, deeply spiritual, and practical…”

“A great conference hosted by people who clearly love Jesus and Hindus – an excellent invitation to re-think how we can love and serve our Hindu friends better.”

“I attended RF online in the past and learned a ton; meeting in person has a different feel allowing for networking and personal connections on a different level. Super valuable!”

“Top-quality organization and planning. Excellent mix of content.”

Testimonials from previous Rethinking Forum participants:

“The Rethinking Forum has helped me grow tremendously in my understanding of my Hindu friends’ culture and beliefs! The variety of speakers sharing their expertise and experiences have given me a more holistic understanding of my Hindu friends and how to love them well…”

“It was so encouraging to hear from others who have a passion to come alongside Hindus, as I do..it felt like I wasn’t so alone…”

“As a digital participant, I felt it was so well managed and I felt so cared for. It was an excellent experience!”

“I was definitely challenged at this year’s Rethinking Forum. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy myself–I had a wonderful time meeting people who share a common vision, especially one that is rare where we come from. But boy were we challenged. I’m thankful for the decades of experience and wisdom that is represented in each conversation that was had at the forum. “

“The RF seems to be the largest and most diverse gathering of people befriending Hindus in the United States…”

RF ’25 Logistics and Details:

RF ’25 starts on Friday, July 11th and ends on Sunday, July 13th. Friday and Saturday are full days, and will run from 9am to 5:30pm, with a variety of talks, panel discussions, and breakout groups planned. Lunch and supper will be provided for those who attend on both Friday and Saturday, and all participants are encouraged to interact with others during the included meals. Optional evening activities are planned for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.  On Sunday, July 13th, the RF agenda runs from 9am to 12pm. Travelers are encouraged to plan their return travel for Sunday afternoon.

ISM Day ’25 Logistics and Details:

ISM Day starts at 9am and ends at 5:30pm on Thursday, July 10th. Lunch and supper will be provided for those who attend. There is an optional evening activity scheduled for Thursday evening that ISM Day participants are encouraged to attend. The Indian Student Ministry (ISM) Day is focused on equipping and encouraging those who serve Indian international students with a dedicated day of programming and group collaboration. Experienced speakers from a variety of ISM organizations will present, and there will be a lot of time for sharing best practices with each other.

RF and ISM Day Policies:

• For security purposes during the conference, we 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.
• All participants, including both in-person and digital, will have access to the digital archives of the presentations after the conference concludes.
• All in-person attendees will receive a free conference book.

RF and ISM Day Registration Options:

There are three registration options for RF ’25:

• RF Overnight (either Private or Shared Room) – An affordable option for those who choose to stay in on-campus housing at the International Linguistics Center.
• RF Commuter – For those commuting daily to campus, either from home or a nearby hotel.
• RF Digital

For ISM Day:

• ISM Day Overnight (either Private or Shared Room) – An affordable option for those who choose to stay in on-campus housing at the International Linguistics Center. Only available when combined with an RF Overnight registration.
• ISM Day Commuter – For those commuting to ISM Day, either from home or a nearby hotel.
• ISM Day Digital
• ***ISM Day registration can be purchased either independently or combined with any RF registration for a discounted price.

Each registration is for one (1) person. For multiple attendees coming together, each person should register and pay separately.

Overnight registration:

• RF ’25:  Three (3) nights of accommodation (Thursday, July 10th through Sunday, July 13th).
  • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on Friday and Saturday. Also, dinner on Thursday evening and breakfast on Sunday morning (8 meals total).
  • RF ’25 overnight registrations can check in after 3pm on Thursday, July 10th.
• Combined ISM Day & RF’25:  Four (4) nights of accommodation (Wednesday, July 9th through Sunday, July 13th).
  • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Also, dinner on Wednesday night and breakfast on Sunday morning (11 meals total).
  • ISM Day overnight registrations can check in after 3pm on Wednesday, July 9th.
• Housing option details:
  • Each room has a private bath.
  • You can select to have either a private room or a shared room.
  • If you are married and sharing a room with your spouse, please select a shared room.
  • If you know with whom you’d like to share a room, please mention it in the registration process.
• The Rethinking Forum has also arranged with a local hotel, The Hilton Garden Inn, (800 N. Main Street, Duncanville, TX)  to reserve a block of rooms for RF ’25 participants.  These rooms are available for $117/night, with breakfast included; please tell the hotel that you would like the SIL Global price when making the reservation. Please note, registering to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn (or any other hotel) is a second reservation, and independent from registering for the Rethinking Forum.  Please register for RF ’25 using the Commuter Registration link if you are planning to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn or another local hotel.

Commuter registration:

• RF ’25 – Including Lunch and Dinner on both Friday and Saturday, July 11th & 12th
• ISM Day – Including Lunch and Dinner on Thursday, July 10th

Sessions start at 9:00am each day. Please plan to arrive by 8:40am. Both lunch and dinner are included in your registration; the evening meal will be served at approximately 5:30pm. You are invited and encouraged to stay for the optional evening activity each day.

Digital-only registration:

If you are not able to travel to Dallas, you can still participate in the conference. If you sign up as a digital participant, you will receive a link for the private online group where we will be live-streaming the presentations. You will be able to view the presentations in real time and interact with other digital participants throughout the conference. To ensure the best possible experience, the digital stream will be hosted by a moderator live at the conference location to interface between the speakers and the digital participants. Digital registration is available for RF ’25, the ISM Day, and a combination package that includes both.

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, and the first official Rethinking Forum occurred from 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 communities since its inception.