Women of Faith Conference

Offers Unexpected Grace

By Tamara Gurley

“Just because I wanted to laugh again.” Becky from Kansas City said those very words regarding her reason for attending a Women of Faith conference. Becky was going through one of the darkest times in her life; her husband was suffering from a very serious depression, to the point of being suicidal, and she was just two-weeks away from giving birth to their second child. Without much to smile about, she headed to the conference in hopes that God would meet her there—and He did.

“I laughed so hard, my belly ached,” said Becky of her experience the first night. “I know that God used that evening to prepare my heart for something more on Saturday morning.”

Women of faith speaker, Sheila Walsh, opened the conference by performing “God is in Control,” a song that spoke directly to Becky’s heart. She began to understand that though things seemed completely out of control, God’s timing is always perfect. As Becky returned home, her spirit had been lifted. The struggles she was facing had not disappeared, but now she could take comfort in the fact that God was walking with her, hand-in-hand.

Becky’s story is joined by the stories of more than 3 million women who have attended Women of Faith since it began in 1996. These women come from all walks of life, but come together to laugh, cry and be encouraged by the testimony of their sisters in Christ, the Women of Faith speaker and artist team. With brutal honesty and transparency, these women share real stories drawn from their real lives. Their fearless candor offers comfort as women realize they are facing the same daily struggles as the thousands of women who fill the arena seats around them.

Michelle from San Bernardino attended a Women of Faith conference deeply wounded and scarred. The events of her past had left her suffering from depression for eight years. After attending Women of Faith and hearing the speakers’ testimonies, Michelle decided to rededicate her life to the Lord. “I realized I was not alone,” said Michelle, “others had gone where I had been and survived.” This is exactly what the 2008 Women of Faith theme, Infinite Grace, is all about—relaxing in the comforting knowledge that you are not alone, God is with you and he loves you right where you are.

This year’s conference features four core speakers Patsy Clairmont, Marilyn Meberg, Sheila Walsh and Sandi Patty. In addition, women can come prepared to hear exceptional music from the Women of Faith worship team and artists like, Natalie Grant, Ayiesha Woods and Nicole C. Mullen. The comedic wits of Anita Renfroe will also appear at this year’s pre-conference, ‘I Second That Emotion’.

This amazing group of special guests paired with the simplistic message of hope, are the reason women come back year after year. “We want to encourage women and inspire them,” said Mary Graham, president of Women of Faith. “I would like every woman to leave the arena knowing for sure that she is loved by a God of Grace and that she can have a relationship with Him in the hardest moments of her life and in the best days.”

This years’ Women of Faith Conference will be held at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on June 13 & 14 with a Pre-Conference entitled I Second That Emotion being held on Friday, June 13 from 10 to 3:30 p.m. The main conference, entitled Infinite Grace, will be held Friday, June 13th from 7 to 9 p.m. and resume on Saturday, June 14th, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To register call 1-888-49-FAITH (1-800-493-2484) or visit www.womenoffaith.com. When you register be sure to mention “MetroVoice” and save $10 off the price of admission.