Women of Faith Conference Set for July 23rd

In addition to its 2004 ‘Irrepressible Hope’ message to hundreds of thousands of North American women, America’s largest women’s event stands to affect the lives of thousand of hope-starved women and children in AIDS-ravaged Africa.

At 30 arena events in 28 U.S. cities this year, Women of Faith (WoF) will dispense its signature laughter therapy to address the deep lows in women’s lives.

(Studies show that twice as many women suffer from depression as men.) Core speakers Patsy Clairmont, Nicole Johnson, Marilyn Meberg, Luci Swindoll, Sheila Walsh, and Thelma Wells will also use their messages to encourage the spread of hope far beyond U.S. borders. To Africa In late 2003 -- only days behind Oprah Winfrey’s now-famous visit -- the WoF team visited South African villages with its conference partner World Vision. The women sat with grieving grandmothers and visited graves, villages, and orphanages. Like Oprah, and Bono they now use every means to broadcast Africa’s desperate need for widespread, practical, ongoing help. “AIDS and heartbreaking ignorance have erased an entire generation,” said WoF President Mary Graham. “Every 14 seconds another person dies. The fortunate children have grandmothers to care for them. Most children are left to wander and often die hopelessly searching for food and shelter.” WoF’s association with World Vision to date has impacted more children than any single sponsor group. In 2004, WoF will help to sponsor children orphaned and abandoned by HIV/AIDS crises around the world. “Jesus said what we do to care for the poor and sick, we do to Him. That’s how strongly we are called to respond to human suffering,”

Pasty Clairmont

Graham said. “If 20 percent of the Women of Faith audiences step up to help Africa in the World Vision plan, conceivably tens of thousands of us can improve the prospects of more than 50,000 African children.”

The WoF Mission

“People sometimes ask if we’re a woman’s version of Promise Keepers,” said WoF President Mary Graham. “Far from it. I tell them founder Bill McCartney had a mission and the organization stays true to it. He pulls men together and says, ‘Come on, guys, we can do better than this.’ Our mission is different. Our audience skews to working women and mothers who manage husbands, families, jobs, parents, and everyday life’s personal struggles. We pull women together and say, ‘We understand.’ The friendships and laughter produce more healing than anything we say or do onstage.”

Women of Faith was founded in 1996; it is owned by Thomas Nelson, Inc., and headquartered near Dallas, Texas.

St. Louis Conference

On Friday, July 23rd and Saturday, July 24th, Women of Faith will continue its 2004 Irrepressible Hope tour in St. Louis, where more than 18,000 women from Missouri and surrounding states will be attending the Women of Faith conference at St. Louis’ Savvis Center.

Making its fourth visit to St. Louis since 1998, the Women of Faith conference will feature musical guests CeCe Winans and Babbie Mason as well as special guest Tammy Trent.

Seats are still available for the Women of Faith conference Friday, July 23rd – Saturday, July 24th at St. Louis’ Savvis Center. Doors open Friday at 5:30 p.m. and the conference begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, doors open at 8 a.m. and the conference resumes at 9 a.m. Admission is $69. For more information call (888) 49-FAITH or visit www.womenoffaith.com. Discount rates for groups of 10 or more are available.