A few months ago, the Lord was stirring in the heart of one of our church members to hold a women’s conference at Cultivate. The task seemed daunting, and there were many reasons it may not work out. But she listened to the prompting of the Lord and took a step of faith. When she reached out to me to see if it was a possibility, I was excited to help her start the process, but I could not have known what God had planned through one person’s act of obedient listening.
As the weeks went by, Kim was working hard to build a team, make plans, and begin to get things in place. However, the sign-ups were not coming in that quickly and we wondered how we would plan for food, gifts, swag bags, etc. Kim told me that she had a conversation with another team member and was encouraged to ask God for a specific number of participants and to pray into that number. When they listened, the number 65 was what they heard. So, that’s what we all prayed into.
The week before the conference we were having a prayer and planning meeting. We prayed specifically by name over the women who had already signed up. We also prayed for those names we didn’t have who had yet to sign up. We knew that 30 something women were not all of them…we needed to pray for all 65! God brought such peace to the whole team as we prayed. We were getting excited for the conference, and to see what God would do.
Throughout that week, we kept praying for that number 65 and trusting God to bring the women who needed to be there. We continued to plan as if we would have 65 women. On the day of the conference, sure enough, our roster showed 65 women planning to attend! We were so excited to welcome them in, knowing God had invited them specifically and had something in store for them.
The weekend was filled with amazing speakers, moving worship, great food, and wonderful connection and conversation. The conference topic even lined up with what our Fearless Family is studying in our Jesus Series! Through hearing speakers and participating in table discussions, many women experienced God’s voice calling them and challenging them. There was laughter, tears, confession, and worship. There was vulnerability, repentance, surrender and breakthrough. What a gift it was to be part of what God had planned for our group of 65 women because of one woman listening to God’s call and taking a step of faith.
Where is God calling you listen and to take a step of faith?
Maybe what God has told you doesn’t seem possible to accomplish. Maybe you feel unqualified. Or maybe fear is gripping you and you don’t want to take the next step. Trust that if God spoke it to you, He will take care of all the details. God speaks not to just be heard, but so we will obey. That’s true listening. He can do so much more in and through us when we choose to listen to Him.
Let’s be followers of Jesus who listen to His voice and step out in faith together!
Ami Rietema
Groups and Discipleship Coordinator
Cultivate Community Church
