By Phyllis Johnson
Holland Baptist Church, Suffolk
It's something special to see 23,622 women in one place. Now imagine them singing praise tunes and listening to some of the most sincere, funny, talented and spiritually moving women God has put on this green earth-women including Beth Moore, Sandi Patty, Patsy Clairmont, Kathy Troccoli, Marilyn Meberg, Luci Swindoll, Nicole Johnson, Sherri Shepherd, Lisa Pierre and Debbie Petersen.
The Charlotte Coliseum was host to one of the 2005 Women of Faith Conferences. Washington D.C. was the site of an earlier conference. This year, the event has traveled to 28 cities with its ministry of encouragement.
Women from up and down the East Coast were in attendance. Some even came from foreign countries. There were groups that ranged from just a few to as many as over 300 in number. Some wore matching t-shirts to make it easier to find each other in the crowd. All of them came with various needs in their lives.
The energy and enthusiasm level shown in worship leader Lisa Pierre and the rest of the praise team from Integrity Music; Kala Balch, Shelley Jennings and Jenifer Thigpen, was contagious. One couldn't help but feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in the midst of so many Christian women in one place.
Singer Kathy Troccoli with her contemporary style, used pop songs with a slight variation to put a spiritual twist to them. Unmarried, she refers to herself as “the bride of Christ” and advises women to not “sit the dance out.” Bloom where you're planted. Be of service. “If you choose life, God will take you there,” says Kathy Troccoli.
Speaker Marilyn Meberg's message pointed out that above all, God is always in charge, even if we're at wit's end. (Psalm 107:27-28) Marilyn's point was that our experiences often instruct us. All these events mold us into the people we become. Says Marilyn, “God is crazy about you and he is the ultimate healer.”
I couldn't help but notice the backdrop as she spoke. The curtain reflected a golden hue and seemed symbolic of God's majestic touch as Marilyn spoke of his sovereign love.
Women of Faith Conference host Debbie Petersen made a statement that can strike a nerve with many. “Work on who God says you are.” Definitely food for thought.
Luci Swindoll (yes, she's Chuck's sister), used her wit and childhood memories in teaching us to frame or reframe our minds and purpose. She advised us to give away more than we keep.
Talented writer and dramatist, Nicole Johnson, gave a talk on how overcoming emotional baggage has brought her to share Christ in her life. She calls herself a “Princess of God.” Her humorous skits rival that of any Saturday Night Live comedienne.
Actress Sherri Shepherd also spoke of previous emotional pain, a theme that was repeated many times. Perhaps it really is through such experiences that some of the most moving writers and singers are created to move and inspire others. Sherri converted from another belief system and has been through everything from being homeless to having suicidal thoughts. God has turned her life around.
“I compare my body to a temple and in contrast to the life I lived before, I had three years of celibacy with Jesus,” said Sherri. Now married for five years, and the mother of one surviving twin son, Sherri loves telling others about the love of Christ.
Another dynamite speaker was the author, Patsy Clairmont. Opening with humor about a mishap on a bike with handbrakes, she advises going into the “valley” to face the thing you fear most. Some people run away from things by staying overly busy.
“Busy can be a hiding place,” said Patsy. “We need high altitude vision.”
Another speaker who dwelled on the subject of busyness and time was Thelma Wells. “Family time is very important,” advises Thelma and she referred to Psalm 37:23-24 and Psalm 31: 14-15.
Mirroring a common conference theme that God is in control, singer and speaker with a Scottish accent, Sheila Walsh delivered a message of faith, grace, mercy, forgiveness and love as based on Psalm 121. Sheila has also battled depression and speaks from the heart as she encourages others.
As each speaker shared, one couldn't help but wonder if the next one on the schedule can be as dynamic as the one before. They all seemed equally talented and spiritually moving.
Writer and speaker Beth Moore, was honest about her struggles with fighting fear. Fear of heights, fear of public speaking, and other fears instilled in her in the past. She spoke about how she uses God's help to overcome these fears.
Singer Sandi Patty calls God, the God of second chances.
“I sing for my Heavenly Father,” said Sandi.
Someone who has seen her personal struggles made public, Sandi has risen above problems in the past, found true love and shares it with her husband, Don Gill, and blended family.
I marveled that there was so much talent in one place. It was truly a blessing.
I left the conference with a fresh perspective on God's love, an admiration and understanding of these very real, sincere, talented women. I also saw all 23,622 women as part of my own blended family… the family of God.