IF:GATHERING EXISTS TO EQUIP WOMEN WITH GOSPEL-CENTERED RESOURCES, EVENTS, AND COMMUNITY SO THEY MAY LEARN MORE ABOUT WHO GOD IS AND DISCIPLE OTHER WOMEN RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE.

The mission of IF:Gathering speaks for itself. It is a powerful statement of equipping other women to live gospel centered lives. Although there was much to take away from the Crossway women’s retreat, my biggest takeaway was the discussion of making disciples. Honestly, it feels as though it has been awhile since the “evangelist” part of me was excited and moved to intentionally share and give platform to the name of Jesus outside the use of the “four spiritual laws” tracks.

There was testimony of one woman who discipled another, and what struck me about their relationship was their UNLIKELY pairing. One woman was older, appeared much like a mother from the suburbs. The other, a young troubled female, on welfare and fighting sobriety.

I was reminded that the power of the gospel reaches ALL, not just for the “convenient” and the one who “looks and acts like me”; but in direct contrast for those who do not. Although that may seem obvious, there are numerous times in the bible where God uses the unlikely, the women, the outcast, the broken, to bring good news to others.

I thought about why that notion stood out to me. Much of how I want to disciple or lean into other’s lives, is about my convenience. It is self-centered, rather than others-centered. It was an important reminder of loving and being intentional about relationships; it rendered the question, who can I disciple? Who can I share, love, cultivate, and lean into about the power of Jesus? How do we proclaim Him together?

I challenge you, to also think about this and to be intentional about choosing to be involved in the lives of other woman. Who is that one person? Lean in to her. Take courage, being reminded that God is not stagnant. He is moving powerfully every moment and desiring/demanding His creation to recognize Him and praise Him alone. 

Jessica Cho