Tag: Christian Conference Speakers

Speaking Engagements

Report Back: Seek to Serve Conference

Michelle Lesley

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, or to find an upcoming event near you!
Now is the time to book an event for 2024!

What a pleasure it was to fellowship with the wonderful women of Opelousas, Louisiana, at First Baptist Church’s Seek to Serve women’s conference. Believe it or not, after nearly seven years of traveling and speaking at women’s events, this was my very first event in my home state of Louisiana. It was quite surreal to teach a conference while still sleeping in my own bed at night!

A nice, early morning drive put me at FBCO in plenty of time to meet some of the ladies and get settled before the conference started.

Check in time was warm and welcoming, thanks to April, our conference organizer, and her team.

A hostess basket (complete with that beautiful flour sack towel in the background) was an unbelievably kind gesture since I was only there for the day!

The fall-themed decor was just charming…

The conference team offered up a tempting spread, and breakfast was a hit!

Conference time!

No conference audio/video is available for this event, however, I taught the same two sessions on biblical womanhood at this conference earlier in the year, if you’d like to watch.

We all moved into the sanctuary, and Amy and Lance led us in some worship songs.

Our first session was God’s Design for Biblical Womanhood. Womanhood is special and unique. Womanhood – not a cheap knockoff of manhood – is something God values and wants women to display in the world, the church, and the family.

After session 1, we took a quick break, then kicked off the next portion of the conference with some fun door prizes.

Walking in Biblical Womanhood was our second teaching session of the day. Everybody wants to change the world, but nobody wants to change the diapers. God’s plan for most of us is to change the diapers, get the groceries, make the meals. We fight back against feminism by standing – right where God has placed us – and living each day faithfully.

All of that teaching and learning can make a girl hungry, and in the heart of Cajun country, that means crawfish and chicken pasta for lunch. (I would have taken a picture of mine, but I had already inhaled it by the time I thought about it. You don’t mess with Cajun women when it comes to food!)

Adorable (and tasty!) pumpkin cookies and cake balls!

We finished out the day with a Q&A session with lots of insightful questions from these sharp and eager ladies. One of the topics we discussed was the need for older women to disciple and train younger women, as we’re commanded to in Titus 2:3-5. It was such a joy to have a few older women step up – on the spot! – and offer their wisdom and time to disciple some of the younger women!

We wrapped things up with more door prizes and worship…

…and a fun time of photos and fellowship!

It was such a wonderful weekend with the ladies of First Baptist, Opelousas. Thanks so much to April and Pastor Joel and his wife, Angie, for making me feel right at home. Thanks also to all the men and women of FBC who worked so hard to host a fantastic conference, and extended such warm hospitality to me. If you’re ever in the area and need a good church to visit, make plans to spend the Lord’s Day with these wonderful brothers and sisters.

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, or to find an upcoming event near you!

Photo Credits

Many thanks to April and other conference attendees who took or shared many of the photos above. You may assume that if I’m in the picture or if it’s a good quality photo that I didn’t take it. The remaining photos were shot by me.

Speaking Engagements

Report Back: Killeen Bible Church Ladies’ Retreat

Michelle Lesley

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, or to find an upcoming event near you!

It was such a blessing to share with the lovely ladies of Killeen, Texas, at Killeen Bible Church’s ladies’ retreat.

  • I can’t resist a beautiful steeple!

Thursday, my husband, Scott, and I hit the road for Belton, Texas (near Killeen)…

We see a Buc-ee’s, we stop.🦫 It was very sunny and very windy that day!

…where we stayed with our wonderful host and hostess for the weekend, Edward and Debbie. We finished up the day with an authentic Italian dinner made by our authentic Italian hosts. We greatly enjoyed our fellowship with them and their daughter and son-in-law, who is also the pastor of KBC.

Our host home came complete with an adorable baby for me to smooch on!

Friday morning, while Edward escorted Scott to the windshield repair place (after our unwelcome encounter with a rock on the trip over – thank you Edward!), Debbie, and conference coordinators, Liz and Ashley, took me out for a mouth watering brunch at the Water Street Waffle Co. (Highly recommend!)

The ladies’ room was decked out in a “girl power” motif, and I was intrigued by these two prints. I’m definitely going places, like, all. the. time. And I love it! Today, the USA. Tomorrow – maybe – the world? I wish I had this one to hang in my office. But the “self love” print haunted me. Self love is selfish (that’s why Jesus told us to love our neighbors as ourselves – because we already love ourselves too much), and all it does is beautify a corpse, dead in her sins.
Son of man, can these bones live?

When we finished our waffles and other goodies, the ladies showed me around the Belton town square for some shopping and a light stroll.

  • A super antiques mini-mall. I saw things I haven’t seen since childhood. Any of my girls remember roll on liquid lip gloss? :0)
  • A great little used bookstore. Lots of Christian books. (Just use discernment!)
  • Looking forward to diving into these!
  • Established in 1869, CB&P is the oldest continuously open department store in the state.
  • The back of the county courthouse.

After a few hours of rest, it was time for the opening session of the retreat.

No conference audio/video is available for this event at this time.

This was sort of a hybrid retreat/conference, which I thought was a really nifty way of combining intimate, church family fellowship with the option of opening the event up to sisters outside this local body of Believers.

Friday evening, Leslie opened her beautiful home and warmly welcomed the women of KBC to the festivities.

The evening started with a fun ice breaker game. Killeen is a military town with many of KBC’s members stationed at nearby Ft. Hood. Turnover can be high in churches like this, so it’s important to make friends fast.

Next was a super supper, catered by Chipotle.

Candace started our assembly time by giving her amazing testimony of how Christ saved her out of a difficult life of sin. (Providentially, she was born again on my birthday several years ago.)

I followed up with our main teaching session for the evening, Managing Media – being wise and discerning with news, social media, movies and TV, and other media we consume. (It was a great selection for the “members only” portion of this hybrid style event, as it was discrete from, and not foundational to our Saturday teaching sessions.)

At the end of the evening I was sent off with a bountiful hostess bag. Many of the ladies of KBC contributed their time, talents, and donations, and several of these items were included in the attendees’ “swag bags” as well.

These gifts were so lovely! Big thank you’s to everyone who contributed! A few special notes: + Philippians 4:8 was something of a theme verse for the weekend, and is included on the pouch of tea bags and the wooden key chain (crafted by Shauna – check out her Etsy shop, The King & I Crafts). + That little baggie of green leaves is not green tea, like you’re thinking (or should be thinking, anyway😉). It’s basil, no doubt from one of the ladies’ own herb gardens. + The (PURIFIED) water bottle has John 7:37-38 handwritten on the tag. + I used to crochet a lot, so I know just how much work (and how tiny of a hook) it took to make the crocheted bookmarks for all 30 bags. Kudos, sister. I would be arthritic and blind after all that. + The small leather bracelet has a condensed version of Philippians 4:6 on it, which is part of a passage I recently memorized. + The cute pumpkin earrings were designed by the aforementioned Candace (get yours at her website: Georgia Clay Earring Co.)

Saturday morning, a warm atmosphere and a delectable buffet breakfast greeted the ladies as they arrived.

As we moved into our teaching time, Debbie shared her sweet testimony with us.

Our first session was Hooked on a Feeling: Living by God’s Word Instead of Our Emotions. Scripture is our authority as Christians, and we shouldn’t let our feelings lead us around by the nose.

  • Nope, not a fog machine, just some lighting challenges.

Following a brief break, our second session was Servanthood vs. Celebrity. We should strive to have the heart of a servant, rather than crave the spotlight and the applause of man.

Hungry babies don’t aways let Mom stay for the whole session.
So grateful for this set-up so our nursing moms didn’t have to miss a moment!

Next on the agenda was – what else? – some fabulous Texas barbecue for lunch!

After a brief time of prayer and Q&A…

…it was time to say goodbye and get on the road so we could be back home in time to worship with our own church family on Sunday.

It was Texas, so it was a bi-Bucc-ee’s trip.

And I’m glad we stopped, because I found the perfect t-shirt to cap off a terrific weekend!

As we eased on down the road, I saw a sign for Brenham, Texas. I’m sure it’s a fine place to live for a number of reasons, but it only means one thing to me: “the little creamery in Brenham,” Blue Bell ice cream! Sadly, we discovered it is closed on Saturdays, but we were able to get a few pictures around the property. Maybe next time!

Props to my husband for (almost) always being willing to indulge my inner five year old’s cry: “Let’s stop there!” because I think my spontaneity got us off track with the map app, and we took an unplanned side trip through downtown Houston on the way home. (No, I did not have time to stop by Lakewood or Living Proof and leave a tract for Joel Osteen or have a come to Jesus meeting with Beth Moore.)

It was such a wonderful weekend with the ladies and elders of Killeen Bible Church. Thanks so much to Debbie, Edward, Daniel, Danielle, Liz, and Ashley for the precious fellowship and hospitality. Thanks also to all the men and women of KBC who worked so hard to host a fantastic retreat/conference, and made me feel so welcome. If you’re ever in the area and need a good church to visit, make plans to spend the Lord’s Day with these wonderful brothers and sisters.

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, or to find an upcoming event near you!

Photo Credits

Many thanks to Debbie, Liz, Ashley, Shauna, and other conference attendees who took or shared many of the photos above. You may assume that if I’m in the picture or if it’s a good quality photo that I didn’t take it. The remaining photos were shot by me.

Speaking Engagements

Report Back: Covenant Baptist Women’s Conference

Michelle Lesley

Last weekend, I had a wonderful time sharing with the lovely ladies of W. Columbia, South Carolina, and the surrounding area at a women’s conference hosted by Covenant Baptist Church. CBC is definitely “Reformed and refreshing”!

I touched down at the Columbia airport Friday evening…

Hmm… this looks like something a hungry Tiger might like to have for dinner!
#GeauxTigers #ForeverLSU 💜💛🐯⚜️💛💜

…and was met by my delightful hostess Kerri and her family. We took a quick ride to CBC where the planning committee had a delicious dinner of South Carolina pulled pork – with all the fixin’s – waiting. The ladies and their families made me feel so at home, and I especially enjoyed my chat with CBC’s pastor, Bro. Charles Swann.

  • I think this may have been the best pulled pork I’ve ever eaten, including when I make it at home!
  • My reputation as a Cheerwine addict precedes me!

I was presented with an enchanting hostess bag of South Carolina treats and gifts (including a new Christmas ornament for my “conference collection”)! Thank you so much, Kerri and team!

  • This awesome dish towel is already hard at work in my kitchen!
  • All of the ladies on the planning team signed this sweet card. And, free books? Yes, please!
  • Conference t-shirt
  • The book I chose. (Haven’t read it yet, not familiar with the author, so this isn’t a recommendation, but I’m looking forward to diving in!)

After a warm time of fellowship, my gracious hostess, Lindsey, took me to her cozy Airbnb (highly recommended if you’re ever in the area!) for a restful night’s sleep.

Photo courtesy of Herrera Guesthouse and Farms

Saturday morning, we hit the ground running. Everything was so nicely arranged for the attendees to check in.

Snacks and fellowship

Door prizes

The ladies all received one of these helpful and informative folders and a set of colorful pens, generously donated by the kind folks at Mr. Pen.

Bezeugen Ministries is my favorite place to get tracts. They not only provided tracts for each of the ladies, but also graciously donated a tract “rollodex” for one of the door prizes! Check out the Bezeugen Tract Club!

Soon, it was time to move into the beautiful sanctuary…

I was mesmerized by this gorgeous window behind the pulpit, but quickly realized it was a good thing we don’t have one in my church. As distractable as I am, I’d be playing mental games of 9×9 tic tac toe during the sermon!

After some helpful announcements and introductory remarks, and a worshipful time of singing…

…we got the ball rolling with Rock Your Role at Home and at Church, learning the beauty of God’s design for women and how we can robustly and biblically fill out the roles He has given us.

Next up was Practical Holiness. We took a look at several practical ways we can prepare the soil of our hearts for God to grow us in holiness.

Lunch time! “Christian chicken” to feed our bodies and Christian fellowship to feed our souls.

Our next session was Hooked on a Feeling: Living by God’s Word Instead of Our Emotions. Scripture is our authority as Christians, and we shouldn’t let our feelings lead us around by the nose.

Finally, we finished out the day with Hospitality: Welcoming Others as Christ Welcomes Us. What is the biblical foundation of hospitality? We studied some examples and commands and learned practical ways we can show hospitality to others.

With the conference wrapped up, we had a few minutes to chat and take pictures.

The conference planning team.
My hostess, Lindsey.
This is Lara. Just three days before this picture was taken, Amy and I interviewed Lara for an episode of A Word Fitly Spoken. Look for it to drop in a few weeks!

I hated to say goodbye, but I was able to get a Saturday flight out so I could be back with my own church family Sunday morning, and I strive to do that as often as I possibly can. Thanks so much to Kerri and Lindsey for treating me like a queen and taking care of all of my needs. Thanks also to all the men and women of CBC who worked so hard to host a fantastic conference, and made me feel so welcome. If you’re ever in the area and need a good church to visit, make plans to spend the Lord’s Day with these wonderful brothers and sisters.

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, or to find an upcoming event near you!

Photo Credits

Many thanks to Kerri and other conference attendees who took or shared many of the photos above. You may assume that if I’m in the picture or if it’s a good quality photo that I didn’t take it. The remaining photos were shot by me.

Speaking Engagements

Report Back: Growing Godly Women Conference

Michelle Lesley

It was such an incredible joy, recently, to share with the lovely ladies of Jefferson City, Tennessee, and the surrounding area at the Growing Godly Women conference hosted by Mill Springs Baptist Church.

  • Always take your tracts when you travel!
  • Bear with me! (Knoxville airport)

After picking me up at the airport, my gracious hostesses for the weekend, Libby and Karen, whisked me off for a relaxing foot detox treatment – a first for me, but so refreshing after hours on a plane.

  • How it started…
  • How it’s going …er…ended.

(I promise that’s not dirt – I have very clean feet! I’m told the ionization machine, salt, and water, are supposed to draw your body’s toxins out through your feet. Who knew I was such a toxic person? :0) Also this had nothing to do with mysticism or New Age practices.)

Next, was dinner at Cheddars – another first since we don’t have one in Baton Rouge. (But once I found out they had Monte Cristo sandwiches, I was sold!)

After dinner, it was back to my lovely guest suite at Karen’s house, where I was greeted with an extensive beverage bar and a bountiful spread of goodies.

Look at all these great products from Tennessee!
That’s Tennessee hospitality for you. Ahem … Geaux Tigers! #ForeverLSU

Friday morning, Libby was so kind to take me to see a couple of the local points of interest. Our first stop was post-Civil War home, Glenmore Mansion. What a treat! I love historic homes and antique furniture.

  • I love an antique square grand piano, and this is the first of Glenmore’s two lovelies!
  • Each room has a coal burning fireplace with a unique design.
  • Most of the rooms have intricately detailed wallpaper on the ceiling with medallions in the middle.
  • I need this sideboard in my life. :0)
  • This wallpaper in the dining room is something else.
  • Looking up from the ground floor, through the spiral staircase, all the way to the ceiling of the third floor.
  • Hetty was a daughter of one of the families who lived at Glenmore.
  • One of the interesting features of this house is that some of the bedrooms have closets, like this one. Most homes of that period did not have closets and used armoires or chifferobes instead.
  • Square grand piano #2 in the music room.
  • I love this music stand. Very handy for storing all your sheet music!
  • A beautiful conversation chair. Unlike most others, this one is a rocker.
  • Pump organ.
  • This is a great piece. I’ve seen lots of these swivel piano/organ stools, but never one with a back.
  • Baby dress with adorable moccasins.
  • Hand-woven blanket. Can you guess what year it was made?
  • Now can you guess what year it was made?
  • Toys in the children’s bedroom: dominoes in the blue box, marbles in the glass jar, toy horses and carriage on the bottom shelf.
  • The children’s bedroom also has a closet.
  • 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, lol. :0)

Next, we headed over to Carson-Newman, a historically Southern Baptist University in the heart of Jefferson City. The campus library had a fascinating exhibit of a fine art replica of the St. John’s Bible (a hand calligraphed and illustrated copy of the Bible) along with a display of archaeological artifacts from the Holy Land.

St. John’s Bible- Genesis 1
St. John’s Bible – Matthew 1
Sadly, while the artwork is captivating, unbiblical elements are included in some of the illustrations, as it was designed to “appeal to all faiths”.

After lunch at a campus favorite, Mossy’s Café, it was time to get freshened up and rested up for the first night of the conference.

All conference audio will be linked here when available.

Thank you to our registration volunteers!
Swag bag goodies for the ladies!
It’s always my pleasure to recommend great resources for the ladies.
I love that the ladies were offered free tracts at the book table.
  • Libby welcomes the ladies
  • Thank you so much to Joseph for leading our music!

Friday night’s first session was God’s Word, Our Foundation, discussing the necessity, authority and sufficiency of God’s Word. As Christian women, it is so important to see how vital God’s Word is to our lives.

After a hearty chicken dinner, we gathered again for our second session of the evening,  Discernment 101: Learn to Discern. We talked about what discernment is, and how to use it – identifying false teachers and false doctrine – to the glory of God.

Saturday morning we got the ball rolling with Rock Your Role at Home and at Church, learning the beauty of God’s design for women and how we can robustly and biblically fill out the roles He has given us.

Next up was was Hooked on a Feeling: Living by God’s Word Instead of Our Emotions. Scripture is our authority as Christians, and we shouldn’t let our feelings lead us around by the nose.

This was so fun! A few months ago on the blog, I re-posted Jesus Loves Me: The “Contending for the Faith” Version. Libby saw it and thought it would fit right in with my Discernment 101 session, so she incorporated it into the ladies’ singing time. This is the first time (and maybe the last! :0) it has been sung in public.

And our final session was a fun and interesting Q&A. These ladies asked some super questions!

After all that hard work, it was lunch, fellowship, and picture time!

  • Lovely centerpieces!
  • Life is like a box of chocolates – and so was dessert!

One of the conference attendees brought me this phenomenal loaf of blackberry cobbler bread from a local farmers’ market, and I’m not exaggerating when I say this is the best fruit bread I’ve ever eaten in my life. Ever.

  • Karen, Me, Libby
  • So great to meet Miyoshi, a longtime supporter and follower of my ministry.

I hated to say goodbye, but I was able to get a Saturday flight out so I could be back with my own church family Sunday morning, and I strive to do that as often as I possibly can. Thanks so much to Libby and Karen for treating me like a queen and taking care of all of my needs. Thanks also to all the men and women of MSBC who worked so hard to host a fantastic conference, and made me feel so welcome. If you’re ever in the area and need a good church to visit, make plans to spend the Lord’s Day with these wonderful brothers and sisters.

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, or to find an upcoming event near you!

Photo Credits

Many thanks to Libby and other conference attendees who took or shared many of the photos above. You may assume that if I’m in the picture or if it’s a good quality photo that I didn’t take it. The remaining photos were shot by me.

Speaking Engagements

Report Back: Firm Foundation Women’s Conference

Michelle Lesley

What a blessing it was to share with the wonderful women of Orange, Texas, and the surrounding area at Grace Point at Eagle Heights Church’s Firm Foundation women’s conference. And it was so close to home that my husband got to come with me and enjoy the fellowship.

We arrived Friday afternoon and got settled in to our accommodations – a luxurious travel trailer with all the comforts of home, provided by our gracious hosts, Cori and Brent. It sure got us thinking about another fun way to travel!

What a great welcome basket! Lots of delicious snacks and a fragrant candle…

…and books to boot!

Next, it was off to Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp for dinner. What a cool and kitschy place- with great food!

  • Photo courtesy of Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp

Soon, it was time for the conference…

Friday night’s session was Hooked on a Feeling: Living by God’s Word Instead of Our Emotions. Scripture is our authority as Christians, and we shouldn’t let our feelings lead us around by the nose.

The many (teaching) moods of Michelle…

It’s always so great to meet the ladies…

After a wonderful time of breakfast and fellowship Saturday morning, we gathered together again.

Our first session was How to Study (and Teach!) the Bible. This is such a crucial skill for Christian women today. We’ve got to be good students of the Word so we can disciple our own children and the women and children of our churches.

At the end of the day, we closed things out with a stimulating Q&A session. These ladies asked some great questions!

All too soon, it was time to say goodbye. Thanks so much to Cori, Brent, and Pastor Kevin for taking such good care of us while we were there, and for handling all the details so well. (Extra hugs to Pastor Kevin for helping me out with a video project!) Thanks also to all the men and women of GPEH who worked so hard to host a fantastic conference, and made us feel so welcome. If you’re ever in the area and need a good church to visit, make plans to spend the Lord’s Day with these wonderful brothers and sisters.

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, or to find an upcoming event near you!

Photo Credits

Many thanks to Cori and other conference attendees who took or shared many of the photos above. You may assume that if I’m in the picture or if it’s a good quality photo that I didn’t take it. The remaining photos were shot by me except the one credited to Tia Juanita’s.