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
*****************************************************************
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
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I'm just a small town Pastor's wife who loves to share with humor and transparency things learned through life in the trenches, the fish bowl, and the home…oh wait, a pastor's home is the trenches and the fish bowl. My bad. : ) I sing, I write, I speak…all on a small scale thus far but I am eager to leap out of the nest and fly. A chance to attend a conference of the awesome caliber of She Speaks would bless me beyond my imagination…and I have a pretty big imagination.
Mari
http://www.marilavell.com/
Hi my name is Arial Oliver I would like to win the scholarship because at the moment I am struggling, I was a back sliding christian who got pregnant and recently I have come back to the Lord and trying to change my life around I'm a 19yr. old student studying to become a Medical Assistant I had to take out student loans just to go to school, I have no job, and I'm taking care of my brother who has heart failure and trying to prepare a blessed future for me and my unborn daughter. After I go to school for Medical Assiting I would like to attend the San Diego Christian College and study ministry. Even if I don't get accepted for this scholarship I would appreciate any prayers concerning my situation. I know I'm not the only one facing hard times so for those that are going through something difficult in life I pray that God delivers you from whatever hardship your going through and replace your tears with happiness and love.
My name is Arial Oliver my email is [email protected]
After a season of blessings and testings, which came hand in hand, I am on a journey to see what comes next. Would so love to attend the conference. Thank you for the opportunity! Oh, and I so enjoy the daily encouragements in my inbox.
Carol Ellisor
[email protected]
ellisosrjourney.blogspot.com
I am new to Proverbs 31 Ministries and even newer to the She Speaks Conference. Since discovering P31 I have continued to come back day after day and I was ecstatic when I learned about She Speaks!
I am a young woman who is whole-heartedly seeking God's will for my time on this earth. I work as a dietitian and absolutely love encouraging and inspiring people to make wise choices that will allow them to lead more fulfulling, productive lives. Since coming into my field I have been praying that God would reveal how he wants to use my training to glorify His name. God has slowly but strongly laid on my heart that he desires for me to use my passions to speak to fellow believers and inspire them to approach their relationship with food and their bodies much differently than what our culture promotes.
Receiving this scholarship would mean so much in helping fulfill this calling because it would give me the training to take what God has taught me and package it into compassionate, God-centered messages that inspire His people!
Erica Hanson
[email protected]
I entered the writing scholarship and did not win although I let time slip away and wrote the entry in 30 minutes – it was a good topic, but needed tweaking. I had been a Sunday School Teacher, VBS Director, and Youth Leader for over 7 years and loved that but a horrible situation arose and my husband of 20 years did the unthinkable and left me and our 3 children to marry a good friend of mine that happened to be pregnant with his child! The devastation was life shattering for me and my children, but maybe worse even was the shame and humiliation I felt as most of my Church family turned away from me and I was asked to step down from any responsibilities in the Church, “I was not a good example any longer” I was told by the Pastor. This is a the story in a nutshell, there is much, much more, like I didn’t mention that at the time I was physically ill – in the hospital with a hysterectomy I didn’t want at the very time he left – I just knew the Lord could never use me again….for anything. I was no longer a wife, could no longer have another child, no children to teach, no youth to lead….but it was during this my “desert wandering” time that the Lord lead me to begin to write – write to Him, my kids, myself, anyone. That grew into a book that isn’t complete yet but I have such a desire to finish it and then to share it. In fact I already do share it – with friends & co-workers and they all seem to be touched, challenged, or motivated in some way. I share it by retelling parts of the book and sharing what God taught me or how I saw his hand in situations. I have been “speaking” to small groups of women and wanting to lead a Bible Study at work. I had no fear teaching children or teenagers, but I fear groups of women. I fear rejection and humiliation. That is one of the reasons I am sure God is leading me to this and not myself. I don’t want to – but I long to! Does that make sense? So to me writing and speaking are hand in hand and I would love (but be totally freaked out) to win the scholarship!
Julie Allsup
[email protected]
Hi,
Over the past few months the Lord has put on my heart to speak to teen girls my age. (i am 13) When i had heard of She Speaks i had been praying that God would make his way clear and show me the next step. as soon as i said that my mom walked in and said "i sent you a link go read it" it was the link to She speaks. as soon as a read the information i wanted to attend. I have started writing but i dont feel like writing can show the emotion you want, since its just words on paper. there is no way i can attend with out gods intervention i would have to get two tickets one for me one for an adult to attend with me. that would be almost $900. thank you for this opportunity!
Audrey Beers
[email protected]
Throughout the years, I've struggled with determining God's calling on my life. I have been very active in my local church, but always "doing" rather than just "being". I want to operate in the calling that God has for me, whether it is speaking, writing, or just helping. However, I have been asked to write Bible studies as well as speak to my local congregation on many occasions. Yet, I still feel like a 'jack of all trades and master of none'.
The She Speaks Conference caught my attention about three years ago and although I have tried to shake the compelling urge to go, the desire remains in my heart. I am waiting patiently on God, but yet looking for some direction and inspiration. If I am able to attend, I feel like it will be God's divine way of letting me know that I am in the right direction to fulfill his calling on my life.
Throughout the years, I've struggled with determining God's calling on my life. I have been very active in my local church, but always "doing" rather than just "being". I want to operate in the calling that God has for me, whether it is speaking, writing, or just helping. However, I have been asked to write Bible studies as well as speak to my local congregation on many occasions. Yet, I still feel like a 'jack of all trades and master of none'.
The She Speaks Conference caught my attention about three years ago and although I have tried to shake the compelling urge to go, the desire remains in my heart. I am waiting patiently on God, but yet looking for some direction and inspiration. If I am able to attend, I feel like it will be God's divine way of letting me know that I am in the right direction to fulfill his calling on my life.
Oh my goodness y’all. I really need to win a scholarship to She Speaks…I really need to be there and desperately need the scholarship. I am a pastors wife, womens ministry leader, bible study leader, etc…the list goes on and on…mom of three crazy teens and a high school teacher. I have required training this summer for school one in Orlando and One in Louisville…so expenses for another week are impossible. I’m soooo praying I win…I need to be there.
I am one of those few that actually didn’t shudder when a public speaking assignment came from the mouth of our high school teacher. In fact I was the “weirdo” who looked forward to it.
So speaking has come naturally to me. It is something that I really get into. To me, writing and speaking go hand in hand. Telling the words that I have on paper is pretty much the same. The only difference is that there is an audience. And when there is an audience, I come alive! I enjoy getting responses from people whether it be crying at a sad tale or a laugh from a funny time in a story. It makes me feel fulfilled to know that I have an audience and I have lead them on a journey through my story. Taking ladies to places where God touches a nerve is truly a desire of my heart.
I cannot afford to go to the conference this year. It would take a move of God for me to get there. I have a desire to go be it for the writing or the speaking. If not this year then I will go one year to be determined by God.
It would mean so much to me to be a part of She Speaks. I have wanted to go since I learned about it last year. It would mean that God wants me to have a ministry in speaking or writing – the areas that He has gifted me in. Not to be bragging – I’ve just recently been able to say that God has gifted me! If these are the areas that He can use then I want to give Him the opprotunity to do so.
I, like you, love everything that P31 stands for. I have enjoyed getting to know the ladies of P31 better by visiting blogs and I hope to get to more conferences in the future. I would love an opprotunity to attend She Speaks. I have entered every contest that has come my way. This would be an awesome way to kick up a speaking ministry. Whatever God has in store, I am waiting and willing and ready!
My name is Mallory Shaw Kristjanson. I am 23 years old and reside in beautiful Southern Alberta. I have been born and raised in a small community with my family all residing in Lethbridge.
I have a story of positive change. Once living in the darkness oF alochol and drugs, contemplating suicide and ready to end this beautiful thing called life. Something happened.
I was addicted to cocaine by the age of 17 and became a daily drinker by the young age of 15. I was broken, hurt, resentful and full of guilt. Everything I said I would never do I did.
One day after using cocaine for a week I came too and I broke down beside my bed. After being refused help from the closest people in my fmily (because i always said I wanted to stop but never had the honest desire) I got on my knees and cried and prayed out to whoever you would like to call a higher power.
The next day, I was blown away. A man, whom I never met before was sitting on a dock by the lake in Lethbridge. I looked at him and my feet flew over wherein I seriously felt like I floated over to this man. I shared my whole life of self destruction, addiction, suicidal thoughts, hurt and brokeness. He said to me, the only person who can save you is God. And I sure didn't believe that.
After three months however, my heart bought into the message.
I have been sober for over 3 and a half years. I am a speaker to the young people, a leader to the youth and I partake in much service. I give my time to the following organizations because I have been given a new life:
BOYS and GIRLS Club, Teen Stuff: Providing leadership and an enthusiastic role model to youth ages 12 – 19
I am the Remote Community Chairperson for Southern Alberta
G.S.R for my 12 step group
Speaker in all areas of Alberta with respect to sobriety and willingness to Grow/Change
Sponsoring women in recovery of all ages
Travelled to the Philippines to work with our friends in third worlds and poverty
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE MINISTERY at Lethbridge correctional centre, this is working with male and female offenders, helping them to see the light and let them know they are loved
I partook as a Sunday School teacher to the youth ages 8-10. It was amazing.
I recently won the YWCA Woman of Distinction – Turning Point award for Young Women, it was truly by Grace.
I love to spend time on the streets of Calgary, speaking with our friends who are homeless, to just be a friend is all I want to do. To show love where there is none.
There is much more. But that is all. I was forwarded this site by a friend who said Mallory, do it! So thank you for your time. I am a woman who wants to help the broken. This experiece would help me in so many ways.
Hope to hear from you.
[email protected]
Posted as Kelly at 1:45 pm. I forgot to list an email address:
[email protected].
Have you ever felt like you've got a whole lot to say but aren't sure how to say it? Since completely surrendering my life to Christ as a 25 year old single mother of one I have felt a burning desire to minister to women. Now 21 years later that fire still burns strong. Over the years as I've traveled through the mountain tops and the valleys of this road called “life” God has been preparing me and giving me a voice, that I believe, is for such a time as this. Attending SHE SPEAKS would be an awesome opportunity to discover that voice and truly understand what I am destined to do with it.
My life verse, Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,'" tells me that God has already laid out His plan I just need to step out in faith and claim it.
Further, Jeremiah 29:12-14, “' Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,' declares the LORD, 'and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile,'" reaffirms to me that no matter what life has dealt me, good, bad, or horrendous, God will use all those things to bring freedom and restoration for the fulfillment of His kingdom and for His glory. That is my passion. That is my desire.
Anita Armas
[email protected]
I have never attended She Speaks but it has been a dream of mine for a few years. I believe the Lord is telling me that this is my year! My husband is a pastor and I work in ministry so this scholarship would be such a blessing to me! As my kids are getting older, I sense that the Lord is preparing me for the next season of life which I know will include more speaking. Receiving this scholarship would be a huge step in being trained and equipped for the call on my life as God's Word is "as a fire shut up in my bones" and I feel compelled to share truth through speaking.
Thank you for this giveaway as well as this conference. I believe that the Lord will provide a way for me to attend one way or another! Can't wait to meet you all!
It was definitely a God-thing that I saw this today. This sounds like just what I have searched for…for so long! The conference sounds AMAZING! I would love to win the scholarship, because it really wouldn't be feasible for me otherwise right now. Nonetheless, I will be praying for God to anoint and pour out His blessing on the conference,the attendees and those who will bring God's gift of His message. How exciting! I do love to tell people about God and all He has done and continues to do! I haven't known where to turn next to launch into God's calling and this looks like it is the perfect match! God bless you guys for all that you do!
The SheSpeaks conference has always had such drawing to my heart. As a leader of women's ministry it is so easy to get burned out from constantly planning and providing for others. I would love to attend to learn how to more effectively share God's word to other women, how to help them apply what they learn and also hear from other women what is working and what isn't. All this while at the same time getting re-energized in my walk. My leadership budget only covers a very small part of the cost to attend and the rest who be mine to bear. With a son heading to college that is hard to come up with. I so desparately want to learn how to better serve and share with our women.
I am very excited to see another opportunity has been presented to give one blessed lady the chance to attend She Speaks. I was a little let down when I realized I missed the last opportunity to participate for a chance to win a scholarship to the conference. I am grateful for this opportunity.
I know I have been called to be a mouthpiece for the kingdom of God. Speaking before an audience, big or small, is not an easy thing to do for most people. As for me, I belong to that group of “most people” I just mentioned. I truly believe She Speaks will arm me with the skills necessary to perfect my speaking ability so that I may go forth with my calling with confidence.
I keep telling myself I am going to attend She Speaks, maybe this year it will become a reality for me.
Thank you.
Misty A Brown
[email protected]
Renee,
I have longed to attend the She Speaks Conference for the past 2 years but have not been able to due to lack of funding and/or ability to take time off from my job. However, I feel this is the year the Lord has said “yes” and that He will provide for me to attend. I am a pastor’s wife and would like to hone my speaking skills. I also lead the women’s ministry here (and teach Sunday School, lead worship with the Praise Team, teach VBS crafts, etc.) and I am sure any encouragement you can give me would be a help to our ministry here.
Michele Zampogna
[email protected]
Thank you so much for this additional giveaway!
I have felt so strongly that I need to be at She Speaks this year – the only reason I haven't registered yet is money!
I am passionate both about speaking and writing – I've been teaching Bible studies in my local church for several years now, creating them from my Bible training at Cedarville University and from my own study of the Scriptures. It has been EXCITING to see how God has been transforming lives through women getting into the Word on a deeper level!
After teaching for a while, God opened opportunities for me to speak at several womens' retreats through our church. About the same time, I began blogging and have been stunned to see how God has grown and used this little "ministry" from my living room.
At this point in my life, God is opening doors for me to continue teaching, writing, and speaking – and I would love to glean from the wisdom and training at the Proverbs 31 conference!
Thank you again for the opportunity!
I heard the Holy Spirit speak to my heart to attend She Speaks while attending a Ladies Retreat where Lysa spoke. I am trying to follow His leading, but because I left my job to finish school to enter ministry as I knew God was calling me to, there are no funds available in our budget. I have started to try and raise the money for a scholarship and the Lord has provided the money for my plane ticket (which i booked). I know that I know that I know God will provide a way for me to be there, I wonder if this scholarship give-a-way is it. We'll have to wait and see. My prayer is that, and I know it will happen, who ever God has in mind to win this will! Praise God for providing for us all in His way in His time!!