I am coming off of a high from Saturday’s Faith & Culture Writers Conference-Taking our writing to the streets, the coffee shops, and yes, the Church.
It was such a joy to see the creative community of faith interacting, sharing, networking, and enjoying one another. With about 220 people there, which included attendees, speakers, volunteers and the dedicated leadership team, the place felt invigorated. There just was a lot of positive energy. And what I was hearing from people was that they felt they knew they needed to be there. And they were hearing just what God wanted them to hear, and that is what the day was supposed to be all about.
After the first key note session, I saw a friend of mine from my Rolling Hills Writers Connection. After giving her a welcome hug, I saw she looked teary eyed. I asked her what she thought of the conference so far, and she said, “God used each of the key note speakers, both Gina and Paul, to speak to me in a particular way. I know I am supposed to be here.” Just hearing that made my day.
Then, after the workshop I taught on Freelance Writing, several people stayed on after to talk to me. One gentleman named Jack was there with his senior in high school son. They had heard about the conference the night before and made the four hour journey from Seattle that morning! They too felt that they needed to be there. Jack wants to sponsor a similar writers conference in his area up in Washington, and is staying in touch on matters of faith, culture and writing.
And, earlier in the morning, Keith Turley from Bellingham Washington introduced himself to me. He had contacted me through Facebook and really felt he needed be there as well. He too wants to continue connecting. I so enjoy hearing the stories of people being encouraged.
I loved having lunch with Martin French (who designed our WORDS logo), Brad Harper and Paul Louis Metzger and others, and saying hi to Gina Ochsner who sat next to a former student of mine, 17 year old Tori Trost, who came by herself and later helped us with the drawing. I enjoyed seeing people talking and exchanging business cards and hugging and laughing and interacting. There was a buzz of energy. Of excitement. Of fellowship. Of the love of Christ.
What I heard throughout the day was people feeling encouraged to risk writing what they want to write and what God called them to write. Dare to write. Dare to dream. Dare to create. Dare to risk. And as you do, you will impact culture.
And, the repeated theme that I heard during Saturday’s Faith & Culture Writers Conference was that people wanted to continue connecting on matters of faith, culture and the arts. I love hearing this and am excited to see what God is doing bringing people together into on ongoing community celebrating creativity and its impact in culture.
Here’s to what God is doing in bringing people together who desire to make a difference with the WORDS God has given them.
We will continue this dialogue. Feel free to share your story in the comment section.
Janet, I am so glad you enjoyed the day’s focus on faith and writing!! It is good to hear that you are encouraged and do keep in touch- cornelia
This is the first time I’ve attended a conference where two things so close to my heart and soul, faith and writing, were the focus. WOW! The speakers and teachings were illuminating on both fronts! As a way-beyond-30-something writer trying to re-enter the field, I’d been feeling discouraged about my finite social media know-how. After the conference, I am much encouraged and even acting on some of the tips I got. Prayers and persistence I say. Thanks to all who worked so hard to pull this conference off. I look forward to next year’s!
I expected to learn more about the writing and publishing process and I did. However, I did not expect to have God minister to my soul and He did. I am very glad I went!
It is hard to leave a comment here that would capture all the emotion that is connected to my first writers conference. God was in every step of the way in how I found out about the conference in the first place. I was on Michael Hyatt’s because a client asked me to look at the web design. Then later I looked at Michael’s website out of curiosity on my own time and saw a post about Christian agents. So I visited an agent’s web site, and signed up as a Twitter follower. Then later she tweeted about the Conference. That is just the tip of the iceberg. Cornelia was a God-send as well in her connection with me personally before and after the conference. Amazing! Of course the conference itself was great and I’m looking forward to the next one. I have to wait a year?
Maru, great comments from God’s word. . .
There’s nothing like Bible verses to illuminate truth 🙂
“I’m full of words. My spirit inside me forces me to speak.” ~Job 32:18 (NIRV)
“The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words.” ~Psalm 39:3 (NLT)
“My heart was hot within me; While I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue.” ~Psalm 39:3 (NKJ)
Melanie- it was great to have you as one of our 20 speakers! People loved your workshop!
Drenda, so glad you introduced yourself after my workshop! – and glad you found the theme verse just what you needed.
We were encouraged to tell faithfully the truth about the world so that others can relate to our stories. Not all stories in this life have happy ever after endings. What we need to know is that someone is with us in our pain – Jesus, the One who fully entered into our suffering through the incarnation and the cross, bringing Light to our darkness. The warmth of that Light shone bright in the faces of Gina Ochsner and Paul Metzger as they spoke.
It was a wonderful conference. Thanks for everything, Cornelia. You and the rest of the Leadership team did an amazing job!!
This conference was my first “Writers” Conference, and it won’t be my last! I learned much from the the seminar speakers, and was inspired by the keynote speakers. I absolutely ‘connected’ with the theme verse…I wrote (and write) because I have to.
I was greatly impacted by the enthusiasm and excitement that those attending shared with me. I was so moved by their comments that I could not help going into a quiet room and having a moment with the Lord, thanking Him for making this day possible.