April 1, 2016
Greetings!
A year ago as Christine and I stood in the back of the Morning Star Ranch dining room, we listened as women sang “No longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God,” and we knew that something amazing was taking place… Over a hundred women had come from all kinds of situations: homeless, living at a rescue mission, raising a family while their husband was in prison, wanting to follow the Lord, and yet struggling. In this song, in the connections that were forming, in the teaching that they were receiving, and in being in a safe place with others who understood, these women were learning how to be more of who God created them to be!
In a couple of weeks, these women and more will be at Morning Star Ranch again… The theme for this year’s retreat is “Released… Empowered to Live Free!” There is something powerful that happens when women of God join together to support and encourage each other —especially women leaders. Many of the urban women have spoken of the struggle they have with knowing how to lead. Some struggle for lack of training while others struggle to find the balance between family responsibilities and church ministry.
As a result of the retreat a year ago, the wife of one of the church plant pastors with World Impact and one of the retreat leaders discussed the need for women leaders to have a place where they could share openly and find camaraderie with others on a similar journey. That led to a group called Urban Women’s Leadership Association. Their mission statement is: To provide encouragement and camaraderie among the women leaders so they are equipped and empowered to serve in their churches. Who can imagine what will happen during this year’s retreat? Certainly women will be supported and encouraged and begin to see the impact they will have as they learn more of what God desires for them to be and to do in their relationship with Him and their journey of trusting the Lord for the situations they face. These retreats have an impact of more than one weekend of being together!
Join us in praying for the details, for the retreat leaders and speakers, and for the incredible plans God has in store for this weekend! Most of our women who attend cannot afford $140 for the retreat, so we have reduced the fee to $35 per person and look for donors to cover the balance. Click here to contribute online and support this retreat. Please pray also for Christine as she coordinates a great group of volunteers to prepare and serve the meals and as she connects with the women who come. And thank God with us for what He is going to do!
With anticipation,
Dan and Christine