The Iowa-Missouri Christian Women’s Retreat celebrated its 25-year anniversary in September. Diane Brown, former conference Women’s Ministries director and church member Sharon Koenke organized the first retreat in 1989. Gail Coridan, current conference Women’s Ministries director, recognized the efforts of Brown and Koenke by giving them certificates of appreciation at this year’s retreat.
Each year the retreat alternates locations between Iowa and Missouri. This year 230 women gathered in Des Moines for a weekend filled with worship, fellowship, learning opportunities and fun. Throughout the weekend, speaker Annie Pérez PhD, MA, BSN, RN, CDE, shared her thoughts on how to Stand Still in the Storm. “When the storm hits, it’s better to be in the boat with Jesus than to be out on land without Jesus,” said Pérez. “There is nothing more important in life, to Jesus, than you. If a problem matters to you, it matters to Jesus.”
Each year a mission offering is collected on Sabbath morning. This year over $3,500 was given to help pay the way of 10 conference teachers who will be going to Lupane, Zimbabwe to build a secondary school over the 2014 spring break.
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Author Michelle Hansen is communication and Sabbath school director for the Iowa-Missouri Conference.
