HALE – Iosco Christian Women (ICW) will host its inaugural countywide Fuel Your Faith conference on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Eagle Point Plaza in Hale, Michigan.
This free, one-day gathering is designed to bring women together for worship, encouragement, and practical equipping that strengthens everyday faith.
The event is also open to women who are exploring faith or have questions about what they believe. Women who do not have a church home, or who have felt left out elsewhere, are especially welcome. Organizers emphasize that this conference is designed to be a place of belonging for every woman in Iosco County.
The keynote speaker will be Pat Davis of Atlanta, Ga., a dynamic women’s ministry leader who has encouraged women and families across multiple countries and cultures. As the wife of a retired U.S. Army chaplain who served for 30 years, Davis ministered to women in military communities around the world. While stationed in Europe, she led a women’s ministry that united women from more than 50 denominations and reached 34 military chapels across the European theater. Today she continues to pour into others at North Point Community Church, co-leading the church’s ministry for adults with her husband of 49 years, and is known for her creative, joyful spirit and passion for unity in Christ.
The conference will explore the theme of Christian unity. The morning general session, “Oneness Not Sameness,” will focus on how unity in Christ does not require uniformity, while the afternoon session, “Same But Different,” will highlight the beauty of diversity within the body of Christ. Organizers say the message of unity is especially timely in today’s divided world, offering women encouragement to stand together across traditions, backgrounds, and experiences.
The day’s schedule includes morning and afternoon workshop options (listed on the website) led by local women, covering topics such as creative art, wellness, kitchen skills, serving others, senior ministry, housing issues, and supporting survivors of abuse. Participants will select their workshops when they RSVP for the event.
A highlight of the event will be the Fashion with Purpose show, created in partnership with Revolve by Hope Shores, a thrift store in Oscoda where proceeds support women facing domestic violence and other at-risk situations. Women are invited to participate in the fashion show by purchasing an outfit at Revolve, then modeling their find during the conference event. “No runway experience is required — just a smile and a willing heart,” say organizers.
To participate, women are asked to shop at Revolve, 837 S. State St., Oscoda, where they will be given event instructions.
Throughout the event, women can visit the Resource Cafeteria, a unique feature of the conference created to connect them with local organizations that exist to help women. Each organization is dedicated to supporting women – whether that means offering safety from abuse, guidance for families, health services, recovery support, or encouragement for daily living. Attendees are encouraged to walk around, stop at the tables that speak to their needs, ask questions, and take-home resources that will nourish their faith, health, and well-being.
Partners that have committed to date include Alcona Health Center, Celebrate Recovery (ministry of New Hope Church), Hale Area FISH, Harbor Lights Pregnancy & Information Center, Hope Shores Alliance, Huron Housing Hope, MyMichigan Health, Northern Michigan Children’s Assessment Center, and the Salvation Army.
“Bringing these organizations together in one place is a rare opportunity for women in Iosco County,” said Chris Young, ICW team leader. “Even if an attendee does not personally need these services right now, she likely knows someone who does. We all benefit from being aware of the help that surrounds us, so we can encourage and support one another when needs arise.”
While the conference is free, an offering will be taken to help cover event expenses and support future gatherings of Iosco Christian Women.
Registration is available on the ICW Facebook page and website, ioscochristianwomen.com/events.