Women of Faith June 15-16, 2007

By Susan Ellingburg

Freedom. It’s often discussed but rarely agreed upon. Everyone, it seems, describes ‘freedom’ differently. Women of Faith, North America’s largest women’s conference organization, says that freedom is amazing and they’ll explain why to thousands of women at the Scottrade Center on June 15-16, 2007 in St. Louis.

Why the focus on freedom? “Freedom,” Women of Faith speaker Luci Swindoll muses, “is what we all want. There’s not a person on earth who chooses to be enslaved. We all want to be free.”

How does that universal longing for freedom translate to a weekend conference for women? Over the course of the two-day (Friday night – Saturday) event, speakers and special guests unpack what they call “the biggest, boldest promise in the Bible - the promise of freedom.” Hold on! Freedom is a promise? “Absolutely,” says Women of Faith president Mary Graham. “The Scripture not only says we’ll be free, it promises we’ll be free INDEED. That’s a pretty strong promise. And our part? To know the truth. Our confidence comes from knowing what God has done for us, not in what we have to do for Him.”

Speaker Thelma Wells identifies with the theme on a personal level. “I’ve learned over the past year,” she says, “that freedom comes when you relinquish your worries, anxieties, fears, cares, concerns, heartaches, disappointments, biases, relationships and stuff that can cause you to be upset, to Him and leave them at His feet. It’s the ability to really come unto God and allow Him to give you rest physically, emotionally and spiritually.”

These days ‘rest’ is something most women only dream about. Juggling high-stress jobs, caring for children or aging parents (or both), trying to maintain relationships and deal with the ever-increasing pressures of daily life...most women are flat worn out. How do they find the energy to get the family fed, fight traffic, find a parking space and stand in line just to get to the event? Attendees know once they arrive at Women of Faith, they’ll encounter an atmosphere that allows them to finally relax, recharge, and soak up the encouragement they so desperately need. “It’s the only thing I really do for myself every year,” admits Lauren F. from Downsville, LA.

Every year? Yes, many conference-goers come back again and again.

Speaking about the Amazing Freedom conference, Michelle R. of Louisville, MS says, “This was my fourth Women of Faith to attend. I can say that I was as blessed this time as I was the times before.” Repeat attendee Katrina M. echoes hundreds of others when she says, “Each year I think that there is no way you can top last year...but you do. Every year I leave blessed and am a better person for having attended your conference.”

What makes Women of Faith so successful? Some of the credit goes to the transparency which some might call - the brutal honesty of the speakers. You won’t find these women hiding behind Christian clichés and pie-in-the-sky platitudes. They mean what they say and say what they mean. And the audiences love it! As April B., who attended the 2007 conference in Little Rock, AR, commented, “I find it very refreshing to hear a woman not afraid to speak her mind, speaking out and saying what others will only think.” Amazing Freedom attendee Charlotte D. agrees. “The speakers connect with my heart on such a personal level, it’s like they know me!”

That fearless candor resonates with women who often feel alone in their daily struggles. “It’s important for us to be validated,” speaker Patsy Clairmont says, and the 2007 focus on freedom seems to be especially timely. Jenni T. of Beebe, AR thinks so. “It seems like you had me in mind when you planned this conference.” Charlotte Miller, who attended the Amazing Freedom event in Little Rock, AR, couldn’t agree more. “Everywhere I turned, something else applied to my situation!”

An aspect of the event that catches many off guard is the sheer fun of it all. Side-splitting laughter is not something people expect at a faith-based event, but humor is one of the hallmarks of a Women of Faith event. After a recent conference, Des Moines attendee Julie Cronk wrote to Women of Faith, “Thank you for making Christianity fun and uplifting, mixed in with the appropriate amount of seriousness. It was not weird, but just so much fun and meaningful...I feel kind of silly, like I have a dumb grin on my face, but I love this feeling!”

Long-time speaker Marilyn Meberg describes the atmosphere of the conferences this way: “We’re always upbeat without being frivolous, encouraging but not frothy. Every single conference is rooted in the wonderful truth of Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. That love in and of itself is enough to defeat personal feelings of fear, pain, uncertainty, and insecurity.” Attendee Diane T. explains, “In between the laughter and tears, God speaks to you.”

Being social creatures, women rarely go to a Women of Faith conference by themselves – they bring their friends. As comedian Anita Renfroe points out, “You notice women don’t do anything alone. We don’t go to the bathroom alone, so why would you go to Women of Faith alone?”

In fact, internal studies show that more than 80 percent of the attendees come in groups of 10 or more. Each conference is assigned a dedicated Group Registration Consultant, something first-time group leader Charlotte Miller appreciated. “She held my hand, led me through, encouraged me to keep inviting more ladies...all in all, Robin was so helpful!”

This year, women across North America will experience Amazing Freedom. What would it be like to be truly free? Find out at Women of Faith’s Amazing Freedom conference coming to St. Louis, MO on June 15-16, 2007. Seats are still available for the St. Louis event featuring special guests, Nicole C. Mullen, Sandi Patty, Anita Renfroe, and Carol Kent. For more information about Women of Faith and to register call 888-49-FAITH or visit womenoffaith.com. For more information about bringing a group to the conference, contact Robin Johnson, Group Registration Consultant, at 1-800-778-5856 x330.