By Mary Stephens

The air was crisp and the trees were covered with red, gold, and auburn leaves as nearly nine hundred women and a few men arrived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the 2008 Church of God Women’s Convention, October 16-19. The women and men came for different reasons. Some had been to previous conventions and wouldn’t dream of missing another. Some were coming to their very first convention and had no expectations. Others were strongly encouraged to attend by friends and sisters in Christ. Despite the varied reasons for attending the convention, everyone left with the excitement and sense of purpose that comes from experiencing the Holy Spirit.

The worship, led by Mandy Mobley Bohm, focused our minds on God as we prepared to hear the messages God had for us. The speakers—Diana Swoope, Jeannette Flynn, Richard Mansfield, Elsa Johnson Bass, and Arnetta McNeese Bailey—shared their hearts, inspiring and challenging us to be in Christ. The conferences, held on Friday, were places of learning, healing, and joy.

One meaningful experience, out of many, was the celebration of Communion during the prayer breakfast. While we broke the bread and drank from the cup, we reflected on our relationship with God and our relationship with the people of God. A standout theme for the weekend was unity and our need for others as we seek to serve God.

This was an amazing convention. Lives were transformed. Women from all over the United States and countries abroad have since been sharing their testimonies from the convention. Luann from Ohio writes:

This past weekend I attended my first WCG Convention. This only happens once every four years. I knew it would be nice, maybe even good…I was not expecting FANTASTIC, AMAZING, and GREAT! I went with cautious expectations. I came home THRILLED, energized, refreshed, challenged and tired!

Please, please take advantage of ALL that the Church of God has to offer. We are a powerful work, a force that is making a difference in individual lives and the world at LARGE. I challenge, coax, and beg you all to get connected to the life blood of the church, the fellowship of the SAINTS in this particular illustration; it’s your “SISTERS”!

The testimonies about the convention have been inspiring, but I am also amazed and moved by the testimonies of those that carried the spirit of the convention as they traveled home. Lissa from Alabama shared about Grace, a woman in her group. Grace had been facing challenges in her life and was not sure about coming to the convention, but she felt God was leading her to Grand Rapids. Lissa writes:

It was as if God had just put his hand upon her [Grace] for this trip. Every service gave her great joy, and the Sunday morning service on love just gave her a special glow.

On our way to Grand Rapids, we spent the night at a Holiday Inn Express. We stayed at the same place on the way home. The same woman was working each time putting out the breakfast and coffee. As the woman named Teresa came in and out doing her job, Grace stopped to tell her what a wonderful job she was doing.

Teresa said, “Thank you. We appreciate your staying with us.”

Grace said, “Well, we’ve been to Grand Rapids, and we’re on the way home. We’ve just had a wonderful time.” Grace then put her hand on Teresa’s arm and said, “Honey, are you a Christian?”

Tears began to stream down Teresa’s face as she said “No, I’m not.”

Grace said lovingly, “Well, I’m here today to tell you Jesus loves you.”

I could see the cold chills on Grace’s arm and tears on Teresa’s face. I watched as God worked a miracle in that hotel breakfast area as Teresa told how her parents had both been strong Christians and she knew they were in heaven and she wanted to join them someday. We could see the hand of God working as he led six ladies safely to a hotel and into the path of a woman needing a word from God and allowed a dear saint (Grace) to touch someone’s life in a special way. The tapestry gets more beautiful every day.

We met God in Grand Rapids and God did a work in the life of each person in attendance. I am waiting in expectancy to see how the work that began in Grand Rapids flows out into the world.