Proverbs 31 Ministries announced today that we’re giving away another SHE SPEAKS scholarship from Cecil Murphy ! We thought it’d be fun to introduce you to our team who will be leading the conference, so we’re hosting a carnival of P31 blogs. That’s where we’ll be sharing a personal story about being called to speak or an experience at She Speaks. From your comments we’ll draw a random winner! I decided to answer some of the most common questions I get about speaking:
What came first, your speaking ministry or your role in the Proverbs 31 Ministry? My role with Proverbs 31 Ministries came first. I joined the staff in 1995 as editor of our P31 newsletter (before it was a full color magazine) and served in that role until1999. For the next two years, I volunteered in various capacities at the ministry but mostly I spent my kids’ nap times digging deep into God’s Word and letting Him dig deep into my heart. I would write down pages of Scriptures and journal about everything God was teaching me. I didn’t know it, but it was a season of preparation. God was doing a new and very deep work in my heart.
How did your speaking ministry begin? My speaking ministry started at my home church. 
During my “digging deep” season, the Lord laid it on my heart to write a small topical Bible study for a supper seminar my pastor’s wife had taught. The leaders had been praying for a gift to give the attendees but I didn’t know it, so they asked me to write the Bible study. At at the end of the last fall supper seminar 1000 copies were given away. I was overwhelmed but loved seeing how God was using all He had been teaching me to encourage other women. In the spring I was asked to share my testimony at a supper seminar and then teach a 4 week series based on the study I’d written.
How did your speaking ministry grow? The next year, I wrote another study and taught two more series. Then in 2001 Proverbs 31 Ministries hosted our first annual She Speaks Conference and my church sent me to it. At the end of the conference, I sensed there was more. God was moving in powerful ways in my heart to confirm a calling I had sensed for 10 years but run from due to many fears I’d had. Lysa shared that P31 wanted to build a speaker team of ambassadors for the ministry. All I’d been through and all God had taught me had led me to this place. I’d been serving at P31 for years and had such a passion for the ministry. From that point on, God grew me, my messages and my speaking ministry through opportunities at my church’s events, Bible studies, local dinner events and MOPs groups. Then God brought invitations from churches in other cities and eventually in other states. Each year God enlarged that circle and now I have the honor of getting to meet God’s girls and speak His truth into their hearts from coast to coast.
When it became obvious God was calling you into a speaking ministry, how did you choose the topics you would speak on? Every one of my topics is birthed and developed in my heart through life experiences and lessons God is teaching me personally. My messages reflect my greatest desires, struggles and passions such as reading God’s Word and allowing it to transform my heart and the way I live in my everyday life and relationships; hearing, recognizing and listening to God’s voice and not the enemy’s accusations; living a purpose-filled and balanced life as a wife, mom and child of God.
Are there resources you recommend for someone who feels called to speak?
The Reason We Speak, Gen Ed Marybeth Whalen
Com
municating for a Change by Andy Stanley
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To Enter the She Speaks Scholarship Contest
1. If you’d like to win, or try to win this for someone else, please leave a comment below sharing why you’d like to win by clicking on the word “comments.” Simply type in the white box. If you don’t have a blog, click anonymous. But be sure to include your name and email so we can contact you if you win.
2. We’d like to give this scholarship to someone who has not attended She Speaks before since two of the others went to graduates.
3. Our other scholarships have been for writers, so this one is for a woman who feels called to speak. Be sure to let us know what this scholarship would mean to you to fulfill that calling.
4. Visit as many blogs as you can (linked below) and leave a comment (it can be the same comment) to increase your chances! We’ll compile the comments left on our blogs through Friday at midnight and send them to our home office where a random drawing will be done. The winner will be announced on Monday on the P31 homepage.
So, leave a comment and click away. You have until midnight on Friday. I can’t wait to read your comments!
Wend B www.wendyblight.com
Shari www.sharibraendel.com
Micca www.miccacampbell.com
Whitney www.whitneycapps.blogspot.com
Melanie www.melaniechitwood.com
Lynn www.lynncowell.blogspot.com
Karen www.karenehman.com
Suzie www.tsuzanneeller.com
Zoe www.zoeelmore.blogspot.com
Sharon www.sharonglasgow.com
Charlene www.charlenekidd.blogspot.com
Tracie www.traciemiles.blogspot.com
Rachel www.rachelolsen.com
Wendy P www.wendypope.blogspot.com
Luann www.luannprater.com
Susanne www.susannescheppmann.blogspot.com
Melissa www.melissataylor.org
Van www.vanwalton.blogspot.com
Marybeth www.marybethwhalen.com
Glynnis www.glynniswhitwer.blogspot.com
LeAnn www.leannrice.com
She Seeks www.sheseeks.org
She Reads www.shereads.org
RadRev www.radrevolution.org
Discover more from Renee Swope
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Wouldn't that be AMAZING? I have helped put together women's ministry leadership workshops. My passion is for identifying/encouraging/equipping our women leaders. I want to grow my speaking skills, giving confidence to present these workshops with excellence. Writing the material comes easier than speaking it. My goal for attending this conference would be to optimize what God would have me speak so women will hear, learn and receive God's design, His purpose and plan for each of them1 Thanks for what you do. God's blessings!
Got up early today, woken up by the sounds of my friend's young boys squeals of excitement of a new day at…6:30am. I should take cue's from them! I have never been to the P31 website until today, directed here by the "Cantcookalick" blog.
In 2004 I was living in New York and working as a Sign Language Interpreter at a University. Kingdom Bound was coming to town (a Christian Music Festival) and I had the privilege of interpreting various events, concerts and speakers (i.e. Kirk Cameron, Casting Crowns, Third Day, etc).
One afternoon I was scheduled to interpret for someone at the main concert stage. It was mid-afternoon and as I stood on my interpreter platform, I looked over at the stage and had an incredible urge to be ON it. I didn't even know what I would say! I just stood staring with this desire stirring in my to BE a speaker on that stage.
Later that day I prayed about that desire and told the Lord that if this was His desire for me one day, then to lead me through the steps to get there. Perhaps this conference is one of the steps. Much has happened and IS happening since that time…my journey continues, as does my healing. We'll see what He does next!
a:
Anette
I've felt called to attend shespeaks for a few years, both in the writing and speaking capacity. As a unpaid servant for our youth group, I lead the Sunday night services in which I'm responsible for sharing the gospel wtih our future! Speaking, teaching, writing… all gifts, and I would love the opportunity to be able to better craft these gifts so that I can do the best job possible for the Lord… because I do want to hear Him say.. "Well done."
Thank you for the opportunity.
[email protected]
For 9 1/2 years I have walked the road of breast cancer treatment. I have had the disease five times during this time, but my story is not about cancer. It is about God's amazing grace, love, provision, strength, comfort, peace,and joy in the midst of the battle. I love sharing all He is and all He has done for my family during this journey. I believe God wants me to speak and write about my story to encourage others with the hope He offers in every situation. I passionately desire to attend She Speaks with my 15-year-old daughter, but we cannot afford it. If it is God's desire for us to attend, He will make a way. He always does. I thank God for Proverbs 31 Ministries and the opportunity to apply for this scholarship!
SJ Johnson
[email protected]
Renee,
Thanks for sharing your story. I love to hear how God gets His servants where He wants them to be.
Attending She Speaks has been in my heart since my youngest (now 4) was a baby. As a ministry family on the other side of the country, actually getting there has always been out of reach. Even moreso this year as we have no regular source of income (aside from God’s gracious and unexpected provision).
I've been hearing whispers about speaking and want to confirm if it's His voice. I've always been a reluctant speaker (it's not the delivery that I have trouble with, but the responsibility). I don't know whether this is to be my year for She Speaks or not, but I do know that if it is, it would take a miracle of this sort to make it possible.
I sometimes feel like Gideon putting out my fleece, “If I get a scholarship, I’ll take it as confirmation that I’m meant to go.” God has done this in the past when I followed His call to writing. Now the question is whether it’s time to be more intentional about speaking the messages He’s given me.
I’m so glad to know we have a sovereign God who paves the way down these paths that often seem like a dream that He intends to turn into reality. Maybe this year…
Thank you for this opportunity. Blessings on all who enter and seek His plan for their ministry.
Mary Hampton
Wow, this is tough competition. I'll keep this short and sweet.
I'm 47 and an empty-nester grandmother of 5 all 4yrs old and under.
I was called into the ministry at age 13 and I'm a pastor's wife, married for 28 1/2 years.
I write, I speak, I sing, but so far it is all on a small scale. I know I would be blessed to attend She Speaks.
I'm new at this so I hope this one get's through, it will be my third try, so it will be short.To finally get to one of these conferences would mean the world to me. All of you ladies are inspiring, gifted and called to do this ministry. God bless you!
PeggyS
I am so amazed how God so has every detail of our life under control. I just heard of the She Speaks seminar today. As of January,He has been placing it on my heart to blog and write for devotional website for our local body.I kept asking Him about particulars. Someone approached me and said I should contact Encouragement Cafe about getting them on our local radio station.
Totally unaware of this whole ministry I know He has connected me with kindred spirits. I am committed to praying for you on a regular basis. Every writer I am discovering as I go down this blog list is giving me more and more vision for women. After years of teaching and leading homeschool coops and working with women and trying to be a keeper of the home and juggling all the demands that motherhood brings, He has sustained me, strengthened me and grown my faith in Him. He will truly meet us when we are totaly dependent on for our every step. With that said, I am so excited about what God is doing with this ministry and I feel this conference would help me be a better communicator and writer. He has changed my desires and shown me we all have a story to tell. He just wants obedience in us in every area of our lives. If He desires me to accomplish something like this, He will bring it to pass and release to me the tools I need in His timing.
Thanks for this opportunity to grow the body of Christ in their giftings. Believing for the money one way or another to be at your conference this year.
Waiting and Resting in Him.
Melanie in Florida
[email protected]
850-291-5272
I can honestly say that I've been in the Refiner's fire for the last few months. But God does nothing without purpose. I would love to learn more about sharing what God is teaching me and feel called to attend this conference. I signed up for the conference's blog to find out when registration began, but haven't been able to register, so this scholarship would make that possible. If it's His will, I KNOW I'll be there!
Christy Perry
[email protected]
I have only just learned of the She Speaks Conference and could not think of anything more perfectly suited for me. I accepted Christ in October and what he has done for me, and through me are quite simply too many to mention.
I would love to be a part of this conference but there is one little snag… In accepting Christ, I have owned up to all of my past transgressions and one of those has led to my being sentenced to jail. I will be turning myself in on June 10th in California (I live in Michigan) and I am to serve a 6 month term in the Santa Barbara County Jail. BUT… I was told that I am eligible to apply for electronic monitoring that can be served in Michigan and then I can be granted permission to come to your conference.
I am a 41yr old suburban mom, housewife, and making amazing strides with Christ by my side. I am also getting baptized at my church on May 12th and could not be happier at the changes.
I have several degrees and as a ten year breast cancer survivor… have been a motivational speaker for breast cancer and know I can answer His calling for me to speak to a group of women to show what is possible when Christ is in the picture.
For more of my story….please visit my blog with just one entry (with more to come).
http://www.watercolorministries.blogspot.com
I would be very honored to win and participate in this conference and if not chosen to win this year…. I will definitely be there next year. Look for me. =)
Gidge
I'm so excited there is another opportunity for a scholarship! I've been wanting to attend a She Speaks conference for the last two years. Winning the She Speaks scholarship would be an amazing blessing to me and would allow me to finally get the direction I need to get to the next level in my speaking goals, as well as be a clear indicator to me that this is where God wants me at this point in my life. Thank you so much for the opportunity.
Renee, Your blog is where I learned about the scholarship writing contest. I enjoy getting your blog!
Not too long ago, I was sitting quietly with God, praying. I asked him for discernment and guidance as I entered a new phase of life, becoming a mom who works outside the home. I was also praying about the desire to write and speak that He placed inside of me, wondering what He wanted me to do with that. He led me to Habakkuk 2:2-3 And the LORD answered me, and said, “Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” (NKJV) Although I have felt a calling to write for a number of years, in the past year, God’s given me a couple of opportunities to “dip my toe” into the speaking world both by leading women through Bible Study and by speaking to them at women’s ministry events. Out of obedience, I did what I was asked to do. As hard as it is to believe that God wants to use me as a vessel to encourage and exhort others (those are my spiritual gifts, along with service), I’ve finally started to embrace it. I’m working to develop the discipline that writing requires, starting a blog, and using every opportunity I have to speak God’s truth into the lives of women, my children, and my husband. God is so good! If he wants me at She Speaks, He’ll find a way to make it happen! Though it tarry, I continue to wait for it! My God never disappoints!!!
Gerri
[email protected]
704-293-8055
I'm a stay at home mom who knows God has a calling on my life in ministry. Women's ministry. I knew this after studying the Bible for a year in a "women's program" at Denton Bible Church in TX. I was so encouraged by women who desired to invest in my life as a young christian woman.
I really enjoy communicating. My speaking skills were tested and improved and flourished as a Trainer for a ministry called Upward Unlimited (a sports ministry)Marriage and babies came along in my life….and here I am a stay at home mom praying and knowing that God has big plans, if I wont freak out and run away.
Bette Bronson [email protected]
Nadia Swearingen-Friesen would really benefit from attending the She Speaks conference. She is a great speaker and writer!
June Oosterhoff-Hoops
[email protected]
Like so many of these precious women, I too was called by God. Oh, that He would use even me! He called me as just a freshman in high school, and my heart's desire is to be obedient to that call.
Thanks for this opportunity…I'm so excited for the one whom God has already hand-picked to be there through this generous scholarship!
Katrina Arbuckle
[email protected]
For as long as I can remember I have felt called to speak for the Lord. The Lord has taught me so much this His love letter in His word and I just can't keep it in. I love speaking to woman and seeing the Holy Spirit move in their hearts. I have been blessed to teach womens conferences all over south asia and in some places in America and find it a true joy. Attending She speaks would be such a dream to recieve training in this calling and I cannot attend without either a scholarship or God's people giving. What an awesome ministry!
Jenn Hand
[email protected]
I saw the information for this conference for the first time last year, I was pregnant at the time and my husband was home, knowing he would be deploying soon and I would have 2 children to find care for rather than one I really wished I could go then but there was no way we could afford it and nothing happened to make it possible. At the time I thought “maybe next year” but knowing I would have two children and a deployed husband I kind of pushed it from my mind and forgot about it until I started seeing blog posts about it this year. I didn’t really let myself get excited about it because I now have two children and a husband in Afghanistan so not only can we not afford it I would have to arrange for childcare (and it would be the first time I left my baby). Then I saw this contest. WOW, I actually teared up at the idea that it might be possible. If I’m supposed to go to this conference I KNOW God will provide the way, the money, the childcare etc. Perhaps this is how He will provide the money I don’t know. But I do know that if I win He will also provide arrangements for the children.
What does it mean? What is my passion? Well, I’ve always LOVED both writing and speaking And I think I’m good at both honestly. I have done speaking/training in my job (secular) before and LOVE being in front of a room full of people. I currently need motivation and direction to get going in this area. I need practical tools to make my writing/speaking organized and meaningful. I love sharing information, I get all fuzzy inside when people ask me a question about anything that I have an answer for (seriously I get excited about diapers lol). I currently don’t have the confidence to write/speak about my faith, I’m afraid of being wrong and then telling everyone else something wrong. I know this is something I can and should get past I just need help! I would love to have the confidence to lead a group of women in Bible study or speak at an event! Thank you for this opportunity!
sobyn at hotmail dot com
I have been praying for an opportunity to attend a She Speaks conference! I would cherish the blessing of beinga ble to attend. It would be a timely affirmation for me!!
I've been writing for almost exactly a year now on my blog http://www.afewminuteswithmichelle.com and speaking a bit here and there. I truly feel God's calling to uplift and minister to women.
It has been a very difficult year for me and my family and I feel like the Lord has much to share through my adversity. I would be so grateful for the gift of a scholarship to attend.
Blessings! Michelle
have been a “closet writer,” so to speak, for the past twenty years. It was this past June, after facing unemployment for the first time since I was 15-years-old, that I attended my first ACW Conference. Though I still consider myself a beginning writer, I am making quick progress and currently write for five monthly online publications.(for free, of course) I also will have my first write-for-hire book published later this year for Atlantic Publishing. So, I am pleased with my progress with writing so far.
But it is time to go deeper. Think bigger. Take more chances. To get out of the boat and test the waters and see if Jesus will help me walk on them.
My goal is to share the true stories that can change lives. I long to be able to do this through face to face contact as well as through the written word. I consider this a weakness of mine, and would appreciate the opportunity to attend She Speaks so that I may strengthen my ministry. Though I have taught junior high girls classes at church for years, I am in no way polished or professional enough to do so in large groups without my voice quivering or fidgeting at the podium.
The testimonials that come from this conference prove that God is very much a part of the process, inspiring those who participate to go further than they ever dreamed possible.
Thank you for your consideration.
I want to attend the She Speaks conference so badly. This year I made my decision to listen to God and stop furthering my education to teach nursing so I could further my education by reading God's Word and teaching it. What a ride it has been! I know He has great things in store for me and I feel that this conference will get me on my way to reach this journey He wants for me. Please consider me for this scholarship. My husband is not getting enough work even to pay the power bill let alone for me to come to the conference. I know God will provide and am praying that you will choose me for this wonderful opportunity. I had not heard of She Speaks conference until this year and when I felt God has called me to teach His Word to women again (which I did not 14 years and then stopped for 5 years)I felt like this was confirmation to get me on my journey that God has called me on with Him. Reading all these comments on all the blogs – wouldn't it be wonderful if all of us could go and meet each other and with all of us being trained and starting to lead and teach women throughout the United States – there would be GREAT REVIVAL among women!! Wouldn't that be awesome! I am so excited to be a part of all of this whether I am chosen or not to know that I am part of God's chosen women is a great honor!