women of faith

WOMEN of Faith

Thousands of women to gather in Calgary for Amazing Freedom Conference
by Doris Fleck

Women of Faith speakers (L-R) Luci Swindoll, Patsy Clairmont, Marilyn Meberg, Sheila Walsh, Thelma Wells and Nicole Johnson
will be at the Saddledome in Calgary August 17-18. — photo courtesy WOF

It will only last 10½ hours, but for thousands of women, this short time has transformed their lives.

In the last 12 years more than 150,000 women across North America, have renewed their Christian commitment or become believers at Women of Faith conferences.

"It’s the reason why we do this," said Briana Stensrud, the events marketing specialist.

At this summer’s Amazing Freedom Conference held August 17-18 at Calgary’s Pengrowth Saddledome, Stensrud hopes many more women will feel "that love, that grace and that refreshment of coming to know Christ and knowing they are not on their own."

With popular guest speakers Luci Swindoll, Sheila Walsh, Patsy Clairmont and Sandi Patty, among others, Stensrud explained none of these speakers have lived a perfect life.

"What makes the experience so very real is these women are sharing about the struggles in their lives, about the addictions they’ve gone through, the abuse they’ve endured," Stensrud said.

A lot of women can relate to these real-life stories since "they feel trapped by their job, by their marriage, by their children, by their addictions. They feel confined by all these things," Stensrud explained. "So having a relationship with Jesus Christ is that freedom we’re trying to extend to them."

Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter, Carolyn Arends, will also be performing some of her popular songs and sharing experiences from her heart.

Although close to 7,500 women have already registered for the conference, Stensrud hopes to see 10,000 women, from all denominations, come together to laugh, cry, be encouraged and praise God.

"It’s a very non-threatening atmosphere," Stensrud said. "One you can bring your friends to who will not step into a church."

Tickets are still available and readers can receive a $10 discount for the Amazing Freedom conference by calling 1-888-49-FAITH and mentioning City Light News.