IF: Gathering

To be honest, I don't even remember how I heard about the IF: Gathering last year, but it was probably through Jen Hatmaker.  Last year was the first year of this women's conference, and it is back again this February!  IF: Gathering is the vision of Jennie Allen, who has written books and Bible studies such as Restless, Chase, and Anything.  The IF: Gathering exists to "gather, equip, and unleash the next generation of women to live out their purpose."  The gathering started out as an event in Austin, but it sold out so quickly that they decided to offer it online as a simulcast so people literally around the entire world could participate.  

Jennie brought together a wide variety of women's leaders, including speakers, authors, bloggers, and worship leaders, to speak into our lives and lead us in worship.  The name "IF: Gathering" comes from the premise, "If God is real, then what?"  You can read more about it by clicking here.  The local simulcasts that are held around the world are called "IF: LOCAL."  I was introduced to so many different women last year at the conference, and I have read many of their books and blogs after learning about them there.  There are also set times for discussion with conversation cards that help guide us into intentional, meaningful conversations with other women.  Last but not least, there are worship times built into the conference as well.
 

 

Last year, these three friends and I watched the IF: Gathering online in one of our homes.  We didn't really know what to expect, but we were all blown away with the IF: Gathering so much that we want to host it at our church this year in hopes that more women will join us.  Some of the ladies that are affiliated with IF in one way or another are Jen Hatmaker, Christine Caine, Angie Smith, Ann Voskamp, and Rebekah Lyons, just to name a few.  I was blessed by the wide variety of speakers they had last year, and I look forward to what they have in store for us this year.

We will be meeting at Ardmore Baptist Church at 501 Miller Street on Friday, February 6th from 5:30-10:00 pm and Saturday, February 7th from 12:00-6:00 pm.  We would love to have women of all ages, from all denominations, join us.  Please feel free to invite any women you know.  We have our own IF: LOCAL page for our Winston-Salem gathering, and you can register for it by clicking here.  The suggested donation is $25 when you register, but the amount you give is entirely up to you.  You can also go to the IF: LOCAL page by clicking here to search for a gathering near you if you don't live in Winston-Salem.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at AnnaRamseyRubin@yahoo.com, and I'll be happy to walk you through it.



The four session titles this year are:
A Call to Believe
Why Don't We Believe?
How Do We Believe?
What Could Happen IF We Believe?

The theme verse this year is Luke 1:45.
"And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

-Luke 1:45

May it be true of us.