Pastor Lisa Dyson, from Hopkins Park, Illinois had a mighty word that night, and at the luncheon on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where Reverend Jae Gottman is Senior Pastor. Attendees could not believe that the CWC Women's Choir (and 6-year old Olivia, our youngest Founding Member) had rehearsed only twice, less than an hour for each rehearsal and with just a brief warm-up before the event began. Sisters Peggy Jagoe of WSMBC, and Rene Walters of 9th Street Tabernacle Ministries, were awesome in their musical/choral leadership.

138 women and girls, 6 through 17, attended the Saturday, October 11, 2008 event. After scrumptious pastries, fresh coffee and orange juice, regular TCT co-hosts Kathy Williams and Lori Brown wowed the ladies with their unique, and often amusing, approach to the teaching ministry... illustrations, props, and staying with the word and will of God blessed us all in their workshops on Love and Relationships. Pastor Nathan Joyce, pastor of Heartland Worship Center, stole the hearts of the ladies as he taught us how to identify Godly men... and what they see. Not only is he adorable, his is strong and powerful in the Word of God while setting a consistent example as a Godly man.

Sisters Tiffany Benberry of Harrison Street Baptist, and Julie Price of First Christian Church, with their PowerPoint and hands-on presentations on Etiquette - Church and Social - provided girls 6 through 17 a new and fresh approach to good manners, appropriate behavior and "change" in how they think about themselves and their relationships in both church and society.

The NIA Dancers, under the leadership of Sister Rose Lowery, shared through dance during the conference, and wisdom during a workshop with girls 6 through 17. With the main topic of 'developing self-worth', they ministered through heartfelt sessions that allowed the girls to speak freely and receive basic, realistic responses to real-world situations. Our girls learned that self-worth determines decisions and choices. We pray that parents and grandparents will take advantage of our 2010 opportunity to help groom their girls to become ladies who are strong, bold, and powerful women of God.

Special thanks go to Brother Harold for his financial generosity; and Pastors Henderson (Washington Street Missionary Baptist Church), Cole (Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church), Hudson (Harrison Street Missionary Baptist Church), Story (Burks Chapel), and Gottman (First Christian Church), for providing meeting venues.

Planning for the 2009 event(s) is underway. God's work must go on. Women, and girls 6 through 17, may continue joining this great ministry. There are no dues. 2009 conference recipients, Ladies Living Free, and Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center were presented checks for $500.00. They will continue to be our recipients in 2010.