christian conference arkansas

It was such a joy to be with the ladies in the Nashville, Arkansas area again at Maranatha Baptist Church’s 2021 women’s conference.

When I first saw this sign, there was a beautiful herd of cows behind it, but by the time I had a chance to take pictures, they had moooved on to greener pastures!

Last year at MBC’s conference, I spoke on biblical womanhood. This year, we tackled the topic of discernment in session one: Discernment 101: Learn to Discern. How can we tell the difference between the biblical and the cheap, unbiblical knock off? We looked at some scriptural and practical ways. Modesty seems to be a current kerfuffle in evangelicalism, so dressing our bodies while addressing our hearts was the order of business for session two. Next was a delicious chicken salad lunch (with some out of this world cookies for dessert!). And, wow, did these ladies have some smart and insightful questions in our final Q&A session!

If you like, you can listen to the audio from these teaching sessions at MBC’s Sermon Audio page as soon as they’re posted. (The modesty session was a condensed version of the three part podcast series on modesty Amy and I recorded earlier this year on A Word Fitly Spoken.)

One of the things traveling for speaking engagements has taught me is a deeper appreciation and longing for graciousness, generosity, and hospitality, which all seem to flow so naturally from the many pastors and women’s ministry directors I’ve worked with. Those are not things at which I feel I excel, but I aspire for God to grow me in those areas. My hosts, Margaret and Tom, as well as Pastor Bruce, and everyone at MBC were so kind and treated me like a queen.

And last, but not least, see this guy? This is my second to youngest (19) son Benjamin. Some of you may have heard me mention on the podcast (A Word Fitly Spoken), that Benjamin is our producer, which he does out of the goodness of his heart and on top of a nearly full time job, plus church responsibilities and activities. This young man insisted on taking off work to spend two full days driving me to and from the conference and serving as my handler during the trip. I didn’t have to lift a finger for anything, and had everything I needed, thanks to him. I hope I’m not embarrassing him, but I’m just so grateful to God for blessing us with such a fine, godly young man for a son.

I had an awesome trip to Arkansas, and it was such an honor to teach the lovely ladies of Nashville. Many thanks to Margaret, Tom, Pastor Bruce, and all the hard-working men and women of Maranatha Baptist Church for your sweet hospitality and for putting on such a wonderful conference. I highly recommend this warm and welcoming church to anyone in southwest Arkansas who is looking for a doctrinally sound body of Believers to join.

If your church or organization is ever in need of a speaker for a women’s event, I’d love to come share with your ladies as well. Click here for more information.

Photo Credits

Photos of Michelle speaking by Benjamin Lesley.

All other photos by Michelle Lesley.

It was such a joy to serve the ladies of Nashville, Arkansas, last week at Maranatha Baptist Church’s The Feminization of America women’s conference.

Conference Program

Friday night, the men of MBC kicked things off just right by cooking and serving us a hearty dinner with a choice of bacon-wrapped chicken or pork chops. I couldn’t help but think about some of my readers who have jokingly complained that when men have a conference, they get steak, but women’s conferences serve delicate “froo froo” food that leaves you just as hungry as you started off. You ladies would have been proud…and full!

Lovely centerpieces decorated the tables at dinner.

After dinner, I taught my first two sessions. The ladies were so kind, welcoming, and receptive. (Nobody threw rotten tomatoes even though I taught what might be considered hard biblical truths!)

God’s Design for Biblical Womanhood

Encouraging & Supporting God’s Design for Biblical Manhood

Look what was in the wonderful “swag bags” attendees received! So much great reading material (and other goodies!), including The Grand Design: Male and Female He Made Them by my friends Owen Strachan and Gavin Peacock. I highly recommend it (even though I’m only on the first chapter!).

When the Friday evening sessions were over, I was whisked away to Margaret and Tom’s beautifully rustic home in the country. They were incredibly kind to me, and I can’t thank them enough for their hospitality. I’ve never stayed at a nice enough hotel that fresh flowers were among the amenities, but take a look at these gorgeous jonquils that graced my bedside table. These florist-quality beauties grow everywhere in Arkansas as wildflowers.

On Saturday morning, the men of MBC outdid themselves, serving the ladies an extensive breakfast bar. What a feast! Then it was time for sessions 3 and 4:

Fighting Feminism by Walking Out Biblical Womanhood

Rap it Up!
Wrap Up, Review, Q&A

Not everyone was able to make it back on Saturday morning,
but it was still a great group of ladies!

I’ve never spoken from behind a “preaching desk” style pulpit,
but now I can see why pastors love them so much. So roomy!

It’s always so great to meet online friends and the ladies attending the conference. My “tweeps,” Trina and Camille, came all the way from Texarkana to attend!

One of the ladies of MBC shared her testimony with me and gave me these precious gifts. Can you guess what’s in the ornament and the pendant jar to go along with Matthew 17:20? Hundreds and hundreds of mustard seeds! That’s a lot of faith! :0)

Some charming gifts from the conference hostesses

When the last hug had been given and the last goodbye had been said, we hit the road, and my family and I got to spend a few relaxing days with my parents, not far from from Nashville. It was a wonderful visit. One of the days we were there, I took a brief walking tour of nearby downtown Hot Springs.

Yes, that’s steam coming off the hot spring.
Can you believe this enchanting natural
area is in the middle of downtown?
I had to cross the busy main street to get to it.

These incredible murals grace the sides of two older buildings

If you saw the 1988 Tom Hanks movie, Big,
(which I’m not necessarily recommending), you know what this is.
I thought it was fun to see one in real life. After I took the picture and began walking away, it started yelling at me!

Another beautiful spot in downtown Hot Springs.
(Cherry blossoms? I’m not sure.)

I had an awesome trip to Arkansas, and it was such an honor to teach the lovely ladies of Nashville. Many thanks to Margaret, Stephanie, Jeanne, Pastor Bruce, and all the hard-working men and women of Maranatha Baptist Church for your sweet hospitality and for putting on such a wonderful conference. I highly recommend this warm and welcoming church to anyone in southwest Arkansas who is looking for a doctrinally sound body of Believers to join.

If your church or organization is ever in need of a speaker for a women’s event, I’d love to come share with your ladies as well. Click here for more information.