Hope Community Church is hosting an event called If: Shawano, from 6-9 p.m. March 6 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 7.
Women of all ages are invited to attend the event at the church, 302 Tristan Drive, Shawano.
The two-day event is geared toward women across denominations and generations. They will gather, be equipped and unleashed back to their places to serve Jesus for the good of others and the glory of God.
“If: Gathering exists to equip women with gospel-centered resources, events and community so that they may learn about who God is and disciple other women right where they are,” said Cassie Beyer, director of ministry at Hope. “This will be our ninth year hosting the event.”
If came from the premise if God is real, his faithful want to live like it.
“We gather because we need each other,” said Beyer. “We equip because we need to understand who God is, and we unleash you to your places because you are the most effective way to spread the message and hope of Jesus Christ. We believe discipleship is the way Jesus said the world will change.”
The main theme for the event is to study God’s word together, making disciples who in turn, make disciples. Women are invited to gather together in this manner because the event wants to equip them to live out what they say they believe and to come together as a generation to live out what God has called women to do.
“We are a local simulcast for a conference called If: Gathering, with the main base being in Dallas,” said Beyer. “The national If livestream talks utilized during the two-day event are included alongside various sessions to help women experience freedom and encounter Jesus. There are thousands of If groups all over the world.”
This will be the first year with vendors available on site both Friday and Saturday, which include Shawano businesses The Craving Fork, The Avenue, Boho Belle Boutique, Honey Soul Collective Co. and Halo81 Permanent Jewelry.
A good portion of the team that organizes this event has been together for all nine years the event has been in existence. In addition to a lead team, which consists of 11 members, the church has over 50 other volunteers who plan everything from snacks to how someone is encountered when they walk through the door with greeters outside, a check-in system and an open coffee shop to make favorite lattes.
The worship team is a major component for the event. There are in-house teachings comprised of various breakouts, such as finding your people — understanding how hard it is to find friends. A base foundation with tools are taught for how to open your Bible. There’s a Sabbath rest breakout group, as well as parenting classes, with worship being front and center.
“The women who come to If are made up of 50% of churches outside of Hope,” said Stephanie Tumanic, a volunteer at Hope. “Fifty-eight different churches are currently registered. As well, quite a few women do not have a current church home and are searching for their own church.”
If someone cannot afford the registration fee to attend If: Shawano, there are scholarships available.
“Every year it comes out almost dollar-for-dollar with the amount of funds contributed meeting the needs of those that cannot afford it,” said Tumanic. “God has always provided for us every single year, almost to the dollar. It’s super special, and we just trust. We want everybody here — do not let money deter you from coming.”
The church’s website, www.hopewisconsin.org, has a confidential questionnaire to request a scholarship to cover the registration fee, if needed.
To learn more or to register for If: Shawano, go to www.hopewisconsin.org/events.
