After a year of virtual conferences and a few canceled events, women from across Alabama gathered in person on April 10 for Renew 2021 and were reminded that there is joy in the journey when believers practice God’s presence.
The Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union-sponsored annual event, usually scheduled for February, was postponed until April this year — a slight delay permitting 127 participants to attend the live event held at Eastmont Baptist Church, Montgomery.
“It was so good to be with women from across Alabama for Renew,” said Pat Ingram, Alabama WMU missions and ministry consultant. “God used every aspect of the event to draw us closer to Him and to refresh us after a difficult year.”
Author and speaker Page Hughes encouraged attendees with verses from Psalm 16 and Isaiah 26, pointing out the joy and peace found through knowing God and abiding in Him.
‘Joy in the Lord’
“Joy is falling into the arms of Jesus,” Hughes said. “It doesn’t matter what my circumstances are. He holds my future. He holds my yesterday, my today and my tomorrow.”
As part of the event’s missions focus, Carolyn Potter, chief executive officer at The Wellhouse in Odenville, shared how the ministry helps rescue female victims of human trafficking and provides them with opportunities for restoration. Many who were present donated paper products for the ministry’s residency program.
International Mission Board missionary Pam Brownfield recalled a few of the miracles she witnessed while serving as a missionary in Sub-Saharan Africa, challenging women to believe in God’s authority over life’s challenges.
Women at the three-hour live event also enjoyed worship led by music evangelist Becky Carver and laughed along with comedian Debbie Childers. Normally held as an all-day conference, Renew 2021 was shortened as a precaution to limit COVID-19 exposure.
Watch Renew on April 23
A recording of the live event will air on April 23, Registration remains open until the day of the event and the recording will be available through the end of May.
To register for Renew Online, visit alabamawmu.org/renew.
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