Leaders in Fellowship Together

The theme was “Time to Focus on Vision.”  The event was the annual LIFT Director’s Retreat.  And the choreographer was God Himself.

Directors and leaders of women’s ministries from around Arizona gathered on Friday, March 11, to focus on developing a vision for their ministries.  It was a day set aside to encourage and equip directors and ministry leaders.  We expected to be blessed, and we were.  What took us by surprise was the way God made His presence and His control of the event known in such an unmistakable way.

From the earliest conversations and the pre-event prayer circle, we could see God’s hand at work as He choreographed the preparations and thoughts of the presenters to reinforce a unified message.  The theme:  God is in control; every vision must begin and end with Him; and nothing else matters except who He is, no matter what life brings our way.

With the stage set in this powerful way, Kristina Bailey did a great job of facilitating the day and teaching us how to receive, clarify and cast a vision for ministry.   As input was solicited from each woman present, it was enlightening to see and hear the recurring patterns of how God makes Himself and His intentions known to each one of us. 

The women’s ministry of North Phoenix Baptist Church treated us to a wonderful salad lunch.  The LIFT leadership team led us in games, get-acquainted activities, devotions and music.  It was fun to see the creativity as ladies sang, danced and performed impromptu songs and skits. 

At the end of the day we left inspired, encouraged, and challenged.  It was such a great day, I guess we’ll have to do it again next year!

As the newest member of the LIFT leadership team I have been privileged to be a part of the LIFT planning meetings for the last two months.  What a joy it is to see the hearts of these women, working behind the scenes and planning events in order to bless other members.  They truly do have a heart for God and for you. 

Take the February 11 meeting, for example.  The discussion around the table as we planned for the event, “Time to Bless Our Members”, was fun to watch—one idea building on another as the details and schedule unfolded.  So it was exciting for me to witness the real thing and see how everything worked out. 

It was wonderful—all of it.  From the decorations and favors on the table, the vintage handkerchiefs inserted into “bless-you” notes, the mingling of women during table topics discussions, the incredible desserts provided by Trinity Bible Church, to the inspiring presentation by Catherine Martin. 

I arrived at the event after a long day and a stressful drive, but the tension and cares of the day dropped away, and I truly was blessed by the event.  If you were there I hope you felt the same blessing.  If you missed it, I’m sorry.

Our speaker, Catherine Martin did an outstanding job of sharing how critical it is for every woman to have a personal quiet time with God on a daily basis.  It was really a “calling out” of Christian women.  She reminded us again that we need to plan for our daily appointment with God, make it a priority, and follow through.  After all, how can we expect to win against the enemy if we have not spent time with the One who gives us the strength, courage, wisdom and power we need?

Since the February LIFT event, I have been able to follow through on Catherine’s challenge in a tangible way.  I teach a ladies’ Bible study for busy working women, and we were just getting ready to start a new series.  After hearing Catherine speak, I recommended we use her book “A Heart That Dances” as our study guide.    

It’s an awesome study, calling us to intimacy with God through a regular quiet time, and I can’t wait to see how God is going to use it in our lives.

But back to LIFT.  I can assure you that the same kind of care and planning is going into this next event, the annual Directors’ Retreat.  If you have not yet registered, please do so today.  Give yourself the gift of time away from your busy schedule to refocus your vision and connect with other ministry leaders around the valley.

I hope to see you there on Friday, March 11.

Blessings,

Deborah Barber