Elgin Vineyard to host 'Orphan Heart' conference Oct. 21-22

The Vineyard Church of Elgin will host "Healing the Orphan Heart," a three-session conference, on Sunday and Monday, Oct. 21-22, with Pastor Rick Evans, internationally known speaker and founder of Orphan Heart Ministries. The community is invited to attend.

Even as children of a loving, heavenly Father, people often carry traits of an unhealed orphan who cries out to be noticed, cared for, and healed. How do you know if you have an "orphan heart"? Are you often fearful or controlling? Do you struggle with feeling that God disapproves of you, or find yourself seeking the approval of others far too often? Are you often lonely, even in a crowd? Do you feel invisible, as if you don't really matter? Do you have a small emotional range, finding it hard to laugh or cry?

This conference is about recognizing orphan issues and allowing God to heal hearts in profound ways.

"The biblical importance of receiving the Father's love cannot be overstated," said Pastor Tom Severson of Elgin Vineyard. "The book of Jude tells us to keep ourselves in the love of God. In Ephesians, Paul prays that believers would understand the length, width, height and depth of God's love. This is a conference designed to achieve and facilitate that goal."

The first session is free. It will be held during the 9 and 11 a.m. services Oct. 21.

The second and third sessions will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 21-22. There is a cost of $20 per individual or $30 per family, which covers both evening sessions. Registration and more information are available at www.elginvineyard.com.

Vineyard Church, 220 Division St., also welcomes the public to a free "Trunk or Treat" from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. The event is planned for the parking lot but will move inside to the community room in case of rain.

For information, call the church office at (847) 697-8001, visit www.elginvineyard.com or view the church Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ElginVineyard.