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Portraits Magazine
Women's Retreat: For Such a Time As This
By Deborah Leuthold
Almost 300 women from churches across Arizona gathered April 16-18 for the Arizona State Women's Retreat at Young Life Lost Canyon Ranch just outside Williams. Many said they came to worship God, learn more about Him and fellowship with other like-minded women in a setting that several described as ideal.
The retreat theme, displayed on pink T-shirts, bookmarks and more, came from the book of Esther: "... and who knoweth whether thou art not come to the kingdom For Such a Time as This," Esther 4:14.
The River Valley Baptist Association has been the organizational strength behind an annual retreat that has grown in numbers each year. This year, the association extended the invitation to women from all over Arizona and more than doubled the attendance.
Meals were served in a sun-filled, open lodge by pastors and laymen from churches around the state. They came with one purpose in mind – to make the women feel like queens, said Tommy Thompson, River Valley director of evangelism/missions.
"We are here to serve the women and make them feel special," he said.
And special they felt, according to Sue Farber, retreat committee team leader.
"They (the men) were so awesome," she said. "(They have) such servant hearts and made everything just that much better."
Farber went on to say that Shelia Jones was the perfect choice for speaker and Mary Kaye Wonner for worship.
The general sessions began with worship led by Wonner and praise team members DiAne Ashton and Gail Cavender from First Southern, Avondale. Accompaniment was provided by Susan Epps of CrossPoint The Church at Tartesso.
Jones told the women she had spent many hours in prayer, as had the retreat committee members, praying that God would come face-to-face with each woman in an encounter unlike any they had experienced. She guided the women through the Word answering the questions "Where is God, Why am I here, Can I trust him and Am I enough?"
Six breakout sessions provided a variety of topics for women to explore and included Get Over It Girl with Barbara Odom. Odom shared effective solutions from God's Word to rid the heart of offense and live free from its effects.
Other topics spanned from knowing your spiritual gift and self defense to spending less money and living more.
"More women should come to this annual retreat because God always shows up," said Judy Fryman, a member of First Southern, Avondale. "This was my third year going, and each year I learn something new as I spend time alone with my Savior in the mountains. The fellowship and prayer with friends, both old and new, are treasures hidden deep within my heart."
As the conference concluded, Jones described the destiny for each woman there.
"I feel God's purpose for the weekend was to prepare His bride for the return of His Son," she said. "He moved through worship, teaching, fellowship and divine encounters to reveal Himself as faithful and true – the sovereign God of glory, and we as women are now equipped in the fullness of Him to live out our destiny for such a time as this."
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