Another 2020 “Essential” to add to your growing list is the November 6-7 AWSOM Conference for teen girls. “Our topic of ‘Essential’ is an apologetics foundation,” said Carmen Halsey, Leadership Development Director. “Our culture is dictating what is essential and we want to give them a framework to what really is.” Through conference leaders, attenders will learn: Who is God? What is the Bible? Who are you?
The conference is going virtual with live two-hour sessions Friday night and Saturday morning. Local churches will have the option to host the event, social distanced to their comfort level, and lead provided interactive programing, which will include worship, competitions, and street art with winners receiving prizes.
“More than ever our students need to get connected,” Halsey shared. “But they need a place to get connected. It’s not going to happen unless we have people step up to take the opportunity.”
Originally scheduled to take place at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur and Springbrook Community Church in Plainfield, the conference was moved online due to continuing pandemic concerns.
The speaker’s line-up includes:
- Haley Ahn – former IMB missionary,
- Betsy Bolick – founder and director of Small Enough Ministries,
- Missie Branch – assistant dean of Students to Women and director of Graduate Life at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary,
- Carrie Jones – teacher and pastor’s wife, and
- Savanna Wood – co-director of Small Enough Ministries
Halsey encourages all churches that can to participate whether in their building or as individual members in their homes. “This isn’t the year to not participate, it’s the year to think this is local, this is fun! This is the chance to get your women involved and the students in your church.”
Conference materials will be shipped to participating IBSA churches at no charge. Churches that do not belong to IBSA will be charged a $25 fee. AWSOM T-shirts are $10 per person.
Live links will be e-mailed and/or posted at IBSA.org. If internet is an issue, please e-mail AubreyKrol@IBSA.org. Registration opens Friday, September 18 at noon. For more information or to register, visit https://www.ibsa.org/awsom-conference/.