If:Table

Over the weekend of February 7th & 8th, I attending the If:Gathering conference in Austin, Texas. 

Ok, so I didn't actually go to Austin, but I got to enjoy the worship and speakers from the comfort of my own home. Slippers and all! 

Talk about powerful. Even though I have still been struggling big time, this gathering of women was exactly what I needed. They were amazing. 

While majority of the time, I watched it on my laptop, I did put some of the speakers up with the projector. Christine Caine is just so powerful that she deserved to be seen on "the scream", as Brooklyn called it. 

The main theme of this new conference was "If God is real, then what?". One of the founders, Jennie Allen said her greatest fear was that after it was over we would all go out and just do great things. That wasn't the point. The point was for us to grow closer to God and his individual calling for each of us. The mission of IF was 

to gather, equip, and unleash 

the next generation of women to live out their purpose. 

The gathering brought us together, united us for a common goal. We are women who want to go out and make a positive change in the world. On of my favorite parts was Jen Hatmaker speaking. 

"What would happen if we became a generation of women who said yes, we'll pull that thread? I know what its going to cost me. I know its going to hurt. I suspect I might end up loving it. I don't know what moves you. Orphans, the hungry, refugees, human trafficking, prisioners, the sick, I don't know. Here's what I do know. We can do this. Yes we can. We are brave, we are strong, we are the most privileged, resourced women on the planet Earth. There is nothing we cannot do, and nowhere we cannot go. And so if God has seated us with vision, that we are able in Christ, we can do it. And its not that what your going to do is some international movement...its not that. You just have to play your one note. And I will play mine, and together its going to create a song that sounds like freedom for the captives."

-Jen Hatmaker, If:gathering 2014

The next step was to equip us. Every Monday - Friday, on Ifequip.com you can read a passage from the Bible, hear women from the conference give their take on the passage, and then join in the conversation. Right now we are reading through the book of John. You can view my journal for If:equip here.

The last part is the unleashing. We are beginning with a monthly gathering around our tables. If:table. We will gather with 5 other women every month and have dinner together for about 2 hours, to discuss whats going on in our lives, our churches, our communities. To build bonds and learn from each other, and to help one another with our callings. IF provides the 4 conversation cards as well as ideas for a simple meal. The idea is based on Acts 2:46. 

"...they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts." (NIV)

We will join together at hundreds, maybe thousands, of tables on March 9th and begin something wonderful. I cant wait to see what is coming through the women who are participating in IF. 

God is moving in a powerful and beautiful way. I am blessed to be a part of it. I hope you will join us. 

If you want to learn more about the mission of IF, the programs they are partnering with (Food for the Hungry), or to download your own copy of the Gathering, please visit 

www.ifgathering.com .