The 10th annual God Is Love Women’s Conference is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Cleburne Conference Center, 1501 W. Henderson St.
The free event is open to all women that night and during the day on Jan. 26. Eight women speaking or leading praise and worship will share testimony while several area churches plan give out information on women’s programs.
Refreshments will be available throughout the event.
Organized by Gloria Jones with Operation Blessing and funded through donations from area churches and individuals, the event is casual and come-and-go.
“If anyone would like to set up a display for their church they need to let us know if they can so we can make sure we have enough tables,” Jones said. Otherwise, “no one needs to register just to attend. I want everybody to feel free to come and go as they can.”
A free continental breakfast will be held Saturday morning at about 9:30, along with registration, which will put attendees in door prize drawings. A small catered lunch will also be provided.
Cindy de la Garza with Cleburne Bible Church is scheduled to close the event on Saturday afternoon. She said she has always wanted to attend the conference, but hectic schedules have prevented her.
“She [Jones] called a couple of months ago and asked if I would be willing to speak,” de la Garza said. “I had to put it on my calendar; I’m real excited how the Lord’s going to work. This event is praying with these women and giving them hope and encouraging them to just keep on keeping on. In Phillippians, the Bible tells us, ‘He who has begun a work in us will be faithful to complete it.’
“Right now, I feel the holy spirit is having me focus on joy unspeakable. In Phillippians, Paul has been released from prison and still counts his joy. So I am going to try to capitalize on that and tell the women that even though life is difficult sometimes ... joy comes from going through trials in our life and the more we serve Jesus, the more our joy gets full.”
Those who attend the event will receive a goody bag. Registrants will also have the chance to win several door prizes, including bibles, CDs and DVDs. One woman will be chosen as “Princess of the Day,” and receive a tote bag with additional prizes.
“This event is the way we give back to women and try to minister to them and show that God loves them,” Jones said. “The thing about Operation Blessing is pulling the community and all the churches together. That’s what I like to do. To sit back and have a day for women and letting God love on them, with fellowship and making friends and new acquaintances. I didn’t know if we’d do this one or two years, but we get good feedback on it. And God just provides a way to do it every year.”
Speakers, praise and worship leaders, subject to change, include:
Friday
zx Lana Ragon with Grace Awakening Church
zx Darla Hildebrandt with Fountains Fellowship Church
zx Flora Smithee with Zona Mayan Ministries in Yucatan, Mexico
Saturday
zx Margaret Sutton with First United Methodist Fort Worth
zx Phyllis Fife, an Operation Blessing Volunteer
zx Peggy Cross with The Meeting Place
zx Annette Taylor with Kenneth Copeland Ministries
zx Cindy de la Garza with Cleburne Bible Church
