STylerArt.com

What words can I use to describe such an experience! The Women of Faith Conference was the most awesome thing I’ve ever been to. My husband says I’m in the doghouse for saying that because it includes our wedding (oops!), but I don’t know that I can explain how incredible it really was.

Patti, Denise and Sonya

I was able to go to the conference in Tampa at the St Pete Forum Arena, with two friends, who I dearly love, on August 15-16, 2008 . The Pre-Conference on Friday, included Anita Renfroe, Patsy Clairmont, and Jan Silvious, along with the Women of Faith Worship Team. On Saturday, the packed arena hosted Sandi Patti, Sheila Walsh, Marilyn Meberg, Allison Allen, and Louise DuArt, as well as vocalists Natalie Grant and Nicole C. Mullen, who brought down the house. We also had a special guest, Steve Arterburn, the creator of Women of Faith.

They each brought their own unique talents and giftings to the spotlight. They shared humorous stories and heart-wrenching struggles, laying their hearts wide open. At times, our sides hurt from laughing so hard, and yet, our souls wept. We were drawn into the lives of these amazing women who taught us that God can bring you through anything. Learning about our emotions, the importance of wisdom, the power of prayer and how to focus our lives on God were life lessons to treasure.

Sheila Walsh

The praise and worship experience was beyond compare. Nicole C. Mullen and her group of teens that share the stage, rocked the rafters with joy. Natalie Grant’s powerful voice filled the room with a heavenly voice only God’s great skill could create. One of everyone’s favorite songs was “His Eye is On the Sparrow,” which Natalie did as an encore, without music and without a dry eye. Sandi Patti and Sheila Walsh not only shared their testimonies, but sang like beautiful angels.

And some men might be thinking – how can such a large group of women be in the same room and co-exist without conflict? The answer, of course is God. Never have I seen women come together so easily with grace and love. Though we were from different backgrounds, faiths and ideals, we shared a common ground as we worshiped together. The beauty of listening to 14,000 women lift their voices together in song was truly amazing. Tears streamed down my face as we all sang “How Great is Our God,” acappella (without music). It felt as though heaven opened up and God’s grace and love shown upon us like sunshine.

The experience was only made more sweet by sharing it with my two girlfriends. Our husbands couldn’t get a word in edge-wise when we got home, as we recounted our stories and laughter. I feel incredibly blessed to have been apart of such a magnificent weekend, and can’t wait to do it again. I encourage all women to find out more information about Women of Faith and become a part of it. It will change your life.

(Check out www.womenoffaith.com for more information.)

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 23rd, 2008 at 11:24 pm and is filed under Religion.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.