What I learned at the IF: Gathering
What is the IF: Gathering? Jennie Allen and several others created this ministry to gather, equip and unleash the next generation of women to live out their purpose.
On February 7 and 8, the Austin Music Hall filled with 1,200 women and more than 44,000 more of us attended gathered around TV and computer screens to participate in the IF: Gathering . (Thank you to First Baptist Church of Georgetown for your incredible hospitality).
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This conference targeted women in their 20s and 30s who wrestle with the question “If God is real, then what?” Though I was not in the target demographic for this event, I still garnered spiritual encouragement and conviction.
The amazing speakers dealt with how our beliefs are reflected and lived out in our real lives. Given that my focus is “real life at the intersection of truth and grace ” their words resonated with me.
Here are my highlights from the event:
- This was an eclectic gathering from across many denominations and doctrinal lines. I was impressed by how the team focused on what unites us without implying our differences don’t matter. So many times the church gets hung up on our differences and forgets we are one body united under the headship of Jesus Christ. (Eph 4:15-16) The body of Christ is at its strongest and most effective when we come together around our central focus: Jesus.
- I knew immediately this was going to be a different kind of conference when it began with a simple conversation between Angie Smith and Annie Lobert. You wouldn’t think these two would have much in common: Angie Smith is a Christian author and wife of a Christian musician. While Annie, with her hot pink streaks through her blond hair, has a rock star husband and is a survivor of human trafficking and founder of Hookers for Jesus, a ministry to prostitutes and to end sex trafficking. Very different people. Yet, as they shared their testimonies and talked with each other, their bond as followers of Jesus eclipsed all those seemingly dramatic differences.
- One of my favorite speakers was Christine Cain—a hilarious Aussie who tells it like it is! She talked about how we can embrace freedom when we cut away the things that hold us back from living in the freedom we have as followers of Christ. If pain from old hurts and past events in your life are an issue for you, you might find her message helpful and inspiring.
- Esther Havens, humanitarian photographer, captures stories that transcend a person’s circumstances and reveal their true strength. Check out her website http://estherhavens.com/ to see her amazing photos.
- Kristen Armstrong and Jennie Allen had an inspiring conversation about forgiveness. Kristen talked about how she reached a place of forgiveness with regard to her “wasband,” Lance Armstrong. Her honest account would be helpful to anyone who struggles with forgiving someone in their life. You can view their conversation on the IF Blog.
- Right after that beautiful conversation, I was blown away by Bianco Olthoff, a really funny gal with a powerful message: “Run yo race!” Her personal story highlighted the consequences of focusing on the race of others rather than staying in your own lane and running the race God has called you to run. It’s worth the cost of the digital download of the whole conference.
- Rebekah Lyons follows Bianca. They are another example of polar opposites. While much more subdued than Bianca, Rebekah’s message about and personal story of coping with anxiety and depression, also provided practical, biblically-based wisdom, tools, tips, and concepts for overcoming this modern day plague.
If any of these interest you, you can get more information at http://ifgathering.com/home/. A digital download of videos of the event is available for $25.
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