More than 200 women in ministry received guidance on “Becoming Who We Really are in Christ,” during a recent conference at the Center for Women in Ministry at Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School.
The third annual conference included worship, responsive readings and breaks designed to give the women time to connect, as well as teaching from Beth Moore, noted author and women’s speaker.
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In her addresses during the Aug. 1–2 event, Moore included personal anecdotes of how she often falls short of “becoming who she really is in Christ,” and how difficult it can be to be more like Him, especially in relationships.
“We are never going to come to a time in these earthly bodies, and in this world’s system, and in this culture, and in our families, when we don’t have room to grow in our relationships,” Moore noted, “and when we don’t have room to receive insight into something we have never understood about certain relationships and certain people.
“We’re always going to be challenged to love someone we don’t even like, and to try to get along with people that fit so differently from us that we don’t even know how to understand it.
“I want to remind you that that’s the enormous part of becoming who we really are in Christ — God works in us through relationships, primarily our relationship with Him.”
The conference was coordinated by Anna Russell, director of the Center for Women in Ministry, who noted, “Beth has been a role model and inspiration to me personally and to so many women in ministry across generations and denominations, so we were so grateful that she was able to spend a weekend investing in us.
“These conferences are always special just for the time spent in fellowship and worship with other women in ministry across many different roles and denominations, but to hear from someone who has had such a long-serving ministry to so many women made this one extra special,” Russell said.
‘Answer to a long prayer’
For Kristen Padilla, founder of Women in Ministry, the weekend “was an answer to a long prayer.”
Before leaving as director, she invited Moore to be guest speaker.
“Thus, this weekend was a testimony to God’s grace and a visible affirmation of the work of the Center,” Padilla said. “My successor, Anna Russell, and her team did an excellent job in the execution of the conference, such that every detail was thoughtful and special to the attendees.
“God has taught me over the years that true earthly treasure and wealth is measured in one’s faith in Jesus Christ and in people you know and love and who know and love you,” Padilla noted. “This weekend I was surrounded by such great wealth: worshipping our Triune God, being enriched in our faith and fellowshipping with friends who love the Lord.”
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