Our 3rd annual ONE WOMAN Conference was outstanding! The worship was on point, and the speakers knocked it out of the park. Not to mention, it was great meeting new women and seeing old friends. Here are a few of the highlights from our fabulous speakers:
Linda Evans Shepherd had us envision suitcases, baskets, body-bags and trash bags under each of our chairs. Into each piece, she had us move our mountain of:
- Burdens by packing up all the things and people who contribute to them, giving our burdens to God and telling Him they are now His problem!
- Grief and regret by laying at His feet not only our regrets and grief but also our trauma and tragedies.
- Unforgiveness through giving Him our anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness, and in return, receiving His peace, joy, and contentment.
It was a mountain-moving morning!
Kelly Shiley challenged us to listen to the voice of God and keep taking one step after another. She asked us, “What is the uncomfortable thing God is calling you to do?” She then exhorted us to get comfortable living uncomfortably. One day we will all stand before God; we don’t want to live with regret.
A very challenging message.
Nina Blevins, a speaker and blogger who lost an eye in a lawn-mower accident as child and is also hearing-impaired, taught us that God made each of us special and unique. God desires to use our inadequacies for His great purposes. Be faithful in the simple, small things because they are the big things in God’s eyes. This principle is the secret to fruit-bearing.
Gale Wilkins challenged us to:
- Speak to the needs of people.
- Be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer.
- Have a personal board of directors who loves you. Allow them to speak the truth into your life, ask the hard questions, and advise and pray for you.
Using the example of Anna, the Shunamite woman and the widow, she encouraged our hearts that God has something special for each of us to do for the Kingdom!
Finally, Debbie Wilson taught us that the faith that can’t be shaken is the faith that has been shaken. She challenged us to:
- Embrace God’s Word.
- Respond to God’s promptings – especially the little things.
- Stand on His promises even when life is especially hard. Do not be moved.
- Recognize the ripple effect of our obedience and disobedience.
We had ONE WOMAN share her testimony of how God became real to her and ultimately the love her life!
We invited other non-profits to join us and to give attendees other organizations to connect with should they so choose.
Lunch from The Simple Greek was outstanding. (They’re located in N. Raleigh)
We could not have done this without our volunteers. Thank you for all who gave of their time.
We are also grateful for our headline sponsor: Habergeon.
Our decorating angels! A local, neighborhood Bible study has taken us on as a service project. For the last two years, these women have made our space absolutely beautiful. We are grateful to the Lord for their service!
Finally, I loved meeting new women and seeing old friends.
February 2nd was truly a red-letter day! As always, I’m thrilled to see the day after ONE WOMAN come, but at the same time, I’m sad to see it go. We again got to watch God be God. Countless volunteers spent hundreds of hours preparing as best they knew how for this year’s conference. But unless God shows up and does His part – our plans will always fall flat. But I can joyfully say He turned our meager preparations of water into some of the sweetest wine ever!
Praise be to God for a banner day and the changed hearts and lives. So many answered prayers. We look forward to finding ways to continue the movement and momentum created!
Bible Studies and Workshops in February for Spiritual Growth!
