Deep in the countryside of Plymouth, Indiana, 28 women came together last month for FEC’s THRIVE retreat at Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center. During the three-day event, licensed women within FEC and pastors’ wives from places like Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kansas gathered for “soul care,” enjoying structured time for community, the Lord, and rest.
Darla Rupp who joined FEC as the Director of Operations and Ministry Resourcing in October was deeply encouraged by attending her first women’s THRIVE event. “To be in a room with about 30 other women who are coming from the same type of situation where life can be really heavy…just having time to be authentic with other women, that was a highlight.”
Throughout the retreat, teaching sessions, small group discussions, and one-on-one Emmaus Walks gave these women time to connect, support, and challenge each other. The authenticity of the speakers’ inspired women to open up in their small groups about their own struggles.
“God created us for community,” Darla says, “therefore, it is God’s will to be in community.” Relationships formed at the retreat will provide ongoing encouragement and built-in accountability as women continue to meet – sharing joys, challenges, and prayer requests. “When we allow the Lord to use us in the lives of our sisters in Christ, not only do we grow, but God can use us to help others and challenge them to grow as well.”
During the retreat, one highlight for many women was taking a spiritual inventory. Women read through various statements about themselves, evaluating whether they were true or false, and thinking through the different facets of their lives. Women in vocational ministry or married to pastors lead busy lives with families, careers, ministry, etc. Investing this time to slow down and process their life was eye-opening and encouraging for many.
THRIVE events are also available through FEC for pastors and ministers at various times.
