March 8 conference to offer insight and community for women of faith
What if you could take a moment and spend time learning from other inspirational, successful women as you share challenges, ideas and spirituality in a faith-based venue? What would that look like?
Well, for hundreds of women in the Chicago area, it looks exactly like the "IF:Gathering" for the western suburbs sponsored by the Women's Ministry of Christ Church in Oak Brook.
"IF:Western Suburbs is a local women's conference that features nationally known Christian female speakers who gather to inspire and challenge women to grow in their faith journey," said Suanne Camfield, director for the Women's Ministry at Christ Church.
It is held in conjunction with the national conference called "IF:Gathering," which is a nonprofit that strives to equip women with biblically based resources, events and authentic community.
"It's a high-energy, inspiring, thought-provoking, worship-filled two-day women's event that features live worship and biblical teaching via video from some of the best female voices in the country," Camfield said.
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 8, in Christ Church Oak Brook Fellowship Halls, 501 Oak Brook Road. It includes dinner, and resumes Saturday, March 9 at 8 a.m. and includes breakfast.
Tickets are $35 and registration is required at ChristChurch.us/IFGathering.
The event also includes giveaways, raffle prizes, food and an alternative shopping experience where all proceeds benefit under-resourced women both locally and globally.
"This event will create space for women to spend time with God, learn more about what it means to be a follower of Christ and how to apply what they learn to their lives; and connect with other women, making new friends and connecting deeper with women they've known for years," Camfield said.
Mary MacKenzie, who helped organize the church's gathering last year, said the conference can offer attendees personal insight into how to better explore one's faith in the context of daily life's challenges.
"What I liked about the 'IF:Gathering' last year was being able to hear talented, inspired and experienced teachers of God's word sharing stories and truths that were encouraging and challenging," MacKenzie said. "In addition, the marketplace, raffles, decorations, food and program were delightful. Being able to discuss what was taught with women around our tables made the 'IF' experience well worth the time, and I left with new ideas to deepen my faith."
The conference is one of the many events and programs the Women's Ministry at Christ Church provides to the public.
"The two best things we do within our Women's Ministry include teaching women biblical truths to help them grow in their relationship with the Lord and by giving them safe places to connect with other women," Camfield said. "We have an outstanding teaching ministry that helps women grow in spiritual formation. From large and small groups, women are digging into both God's word and practical topics where they can apply God's truth to their lives. We also provide community where women can be themselves and connect with others who may be going through a similar stage as them."
To learn more about the Women's Ministry, visit ChristChurch.us/women.
The deadline for registering for the "IF: Western Suburbs" event is Sunday, March 3.