If someone were to ask me why do you attend those women’s retreats every year?  I would say, “For me, it has been a life-saver”.  I’m not sure if there are words to describe the high that you get from attending a retreat.  There are many challenges that we all go through in life and getting the support for other women is definitely a plus.  Women sometimes feel alone; we are trying to be a good Christian, mother, wife, friend, church member, employee and role model in the community.  We feel frustrated, lost, and discouraged.  The Annual Christian Women’s Retreat has been very beneficial to me and to others in the areas I spoke of before.  There have been times during my life that I would say, “If I could just make it until the retreat”.  I look forward to going every year.  I could not imagine my life without the Annual Christian Women’s Retreat.

Alicia Rice, Louisville, KY

 

 

When I think about the retreat as a whole, I see how it tries to impact every aspect of our life as a woman.  Spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental.  One of the things that I have seen happen is because we travel from place to place, we are able to tap into rich resources from various locations because of the host churches and relationships they have.  If it stayed in the same place year after year, I would think that those opportunities might not be as vast.  We've had doctors, nurses, public health awareness issues.  Of course it goes without saying the spiritual.  A strong aspect of it is the age range.  As a teen, you could go to a youth retreat and learn youth stuff.  But, here, young girls are given the opportunity to learn from seasoned women on relative matters.  And, they have the opportunity to come together monthly every other year to grow into a complete woman.  Topics from STD's, to heritage, to respect, parenting, marriage, sex, and etiquette are covered to name a few. 

 

Sandy Presley, Heyworth, IL

 

 

I have grown to love and respect the ACWR.  The retreat has helped me "find my self" as far as being confident in the abilities that I possess.  For example I did not know how important it was to take care of yourself physically and spiritually.  The retreat has helped me in these areas. Also the retreat has helped me improve my organizational skills, and research skills due to managing the resource table and being the secretary.  It has let me know that no matter what the hurt or concern that there is another woman going through the same thing and we can all help each other.

 

Tebrysa Matchem, Elizabeth City, NC

 

 

I began attending the ACWR in the 90s hosted by Community Christian Church, Indianapolis, IN.  As an attendee I was very inspired by a group of Christian women coming together from the various states to worship the Lord. Also by providing spiritual, mental, physical health, and financial workshops I was inspired to do more than just attend the Retreat. I became a speaker and from a speaker to conducting workshops to serving as a board member. I recently became the ACWR President and Director of Program and Planning.  Through the spiritual guidance, workshop and training for women by women, it has inspired me to reach out to other women.

Ruby Martin, Indianapolis, IN

 

 

The Annual Christian Women’s Retreat was beneficial to me in my endeavor to quit smoking. I had been smoking since I was sixteen and had begun to rely on them too much, so therefore I knew it was the Lord’s wish that I quit. When finding I had not the will power to quit on my own, I turned to the ladies of ACWR and solicited their prayerful help. With the support and prayers of the ladies, I have been smoke free for twenty years.

Martha Duria, Joliet, IL

 

I am told that I was the most reluctant President in the history of the Annual Christian Women’s Retreat.  I believe that was because I felt so inadequate and lacked self-confidence when I was voted President.  Since attending the workshops and working with the Annual Christian Women’s Retreat, I have grown so much in the area of self-confidence and leadership.  I have learned that God is looking for the willing not necessarily the equipped.  He will equip us to carry out that which He has called us to do.

 

In the Debutante sessions, we talk about goal setting which as helped me also.  When you minister to others, not only do they grow but often times you also do.  I have learned how to better set goals both short term and long term and how to work towards accomplishing them.  Thus I have seen some of my goals come to fruition.

 

 I was recently talking with our Executive Director and said to her it is scary how much she and I think alike and come up with similar ideas regarding programming and business decisions.  In actuality it is not scary or coincidental, but is the leading of the Holy Spirit which is another thing that I have gained from attending the retreat.  That is to be more open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and not to quench it.

Charlene Jones, Ft. Wayne, IN

 

I've been attending the ACWR since I was 12 years old.  I have been on the working part of the retreat for 18 years.  I started out as the secretary for the youth council when I was 21 years old.  In the 18 years I have moved up the ladder by being on the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and now the Administrative Coordinator for the ACWR.  Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a person to speak in front of a group of people, but over the years I have grown more comfortable in speaking in front of others and have even taken on the role of assisting with teaching with the Debutante program.  I have always preferred the role behind the scenes, but have slowly come out of my shell wherein I am now coming towards the front.  I have the ACWR to thank for helping me to develop the skills I had but were hidden by a self-conscience mask and also to helped me hone my organizational skills. 

Tonya Thompson, Indianapolis, IN

I  have attended the retreat for many years beginning when I was a teenager.  I was going through a lot, having a son out of wedlock at the age of 17 and getting married at the very young age of 18.  Through the years I have been challenged by various personal struggles but kept my ties to the retreat.  I saw the retreat as the support network that I needed to keep me going and to keep me striving.  Over the years, I have grown to love and care about this positive “band of sisters,” and we have seen each other through many challenges and life changes.  As I have grown into a woman, I can honestly say that my Christian character has been shaped by my foundation given to me by my Christian parents and my affiliation with the ACWR.  Through the learning and development of the ACWR, I have gained many skills and abilities that are invaluable to my life personally and professionally.  I hope this organization continues to help women to grow in every way and to reach out to others in need of this type of learning and support.

Angela Wilson, Linthicum Heights, MD

Being the Director of this organization has afforded me the opportunity to fully discover and improve my skills and capabilities in leadership. This role has presented many challenges to create and present an ongoing program for a national gathering of women that could and would meet the needs of the group. This has meant inter-action with people from different cities, states and countries other than my own.  It has also been a challenge to be a part of the development of other leaders, both adult and youth.

It is impossible to lead others in positive spiritual reinforcement, to be able to face difficult issues in their lives without also benefiting from the tools and information that is provided. I feel I am the woman I am today because of the experiences I have had in being a part of this women's retreat.

Susie B. Doswell, Executive Director

Elizabeth City, NC

 

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