When students walked into the IBSA Building early Saturday morning on Nov. 3, they saw a room transformed for a wedding. And they were invited to join in as its guests.
The annual AWSOM conference for young women (AWSOM stands for “Amazing Women Serving Our Maker”) focused this year on helping the 255 students in attendance to deploy their faith as they navigate difficult issues.
This year’s theme addressed specific social issues by focusing on biblical views of sexuality, and how to be a light in a complicated culture. The wedding, modeled after a traditional Jewish ceremony, was used to illustrate those points.
“We wanted to stage an experiential learning time for the girls, so they could see what we are teaching through the context of the Scripture and also have more of an understanding of it,” said Carmen Halsey, IBSA’s director of women’s ministry and missions.
The wedding began with the groom-to-be asking his future father-in-law to marry his daughter, then led to the betrothal ceremony at the temple courtyard. The portrayal ending with the wedding ceremony a year later at the same place.
Each step showed the symbolic example of Christ’s marriage to the church, his choosing of his bride, and the church body’s preparation for the bridegroom’s return.
Through discussion, the wedding performance helped students discover biblical principles regarding sexuality and how they, as Christians, can address and talk about society’s expressions of sexuality that contradict biblical standards.
AWSOM attenders also participated in corporate worship and breakout sessions. Mary Margaret West, girls ministry specialist for LifeWay Christian Resources, served as the conference’s primary speaker.
“AWSOM allows students from smaller churches to come together with other girls their age and find encouragement and spurring on to live their life as a Christ-follower,” Halsey said.
AWSOM also helps develop a community for teen girls that helps provide intentional pathways for discipleship, leadership development, and missions engagement.
Next year’s AWSOM conference is scheduled for Nov. 1-2. For more information about training and missions opportunities for students, go to IBSA.org/students.