By Sharon Mager, BaptistLIFE Correspondent
BEL AIR, Md.—Oak Grove Baptist Church will host their annual women’s conference on March 19, 2016. This year’s speaker will be Laura Acuna. The theme is, “Be Brave!”
Acuna, a Liberty University graduate with a degree in Christian Counseling and Biblical Studies, is co-leader of The Manorwood Café, a community ministry to women living in Montgomery, Frederick and Carroll Counties. She and a friend, Donna Bowles, founded Sisters in Faith, a ministry to women in the local church, as well a one-day retreat of the same name. The pair also started, “Step Up Coaching for Women in Ministry.”
As a speaker, teacher, and coach, Acuna encourages women to be brave, step out and discover who God created them to be. She encourages and inspires women to grow up in health and wholeness and to take God at His Word. She wants each woman to know she can take off her mask, experience His restoration, and be the beautiful one He created her to be.
A recent blog from Acuna stated: “It’s been a tough week for this old planet. We’ve received quite a bit of shocking and heartbreaking news over the past few days. Suddenly, the world has become a very small place and frightening events appear to be at our doorstep. In times like these, it is easy to let worry and fear take over – especially when we feel utterly helpless and uncertain of what is going to happen next. Our anxiety may produce a feeling of powerlessness; but the truth is, we are not powerless at all. Anxiety is such a liar.”
This conference also brings Dee Jones and Karen Rickards as worship leaders. Jones has appeared with renowned gospel music artists Andraé Crouch, Larnelle Harris, and Sandi Patty. She also performed in Israel with the National Christian Choir, appeared on the Fox 45 Morning Show, and has sung in the presence of President Barack Obama. In addition to her music, she is currently earning a doctorate in nursing.
Rickards has been a featured soloist in choirs and trios and has always enjoyed leading worship. She has ministered in Bermuda, at the historic Liriodenron home, on “The Young Messiah” tour, and at various churches on the East Coast.
A few of our speakers from past years have included Renee Luther Dixon, a contestant from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, DeeDee Jonrowe, the world’s foremost female dog-sled musher, Laurie DeYoung, DJ on 93.1 WPOC, Erika Clark, a missionary targeting sex-trafficked victims, and Marie Monville, the former wife of the shooter of the Amish children in Pennsylvania.
The cost of the conference is $25.00 per person for women (25 years and younger pay only $15), which includes a continental breakfast and lunch. For registration information, call the church office at 410-838-9898 or visit www.oakgrovebaptist.com and click on 2016 Women’s Conference.