We just wrapped up our last Lifeway Women Live of the year in Phoenix! From Iowa to Florida to Tennessee to Arizona, we had such an amazing time worshiping with Hope Darst and her band and listening to great teaching on truth, joy, humility, and faith from Bible teachers at four Lifeway Women Live events this year.
Reflecting on the past year of Lifeway Women Live events, our team shared some of our favorite memories, and we’ve also included photo galleries from each location that capture snapshots of priceless moments from the events. We are so thankful for each woman who attended, and we hope to see you again next year!
I absolutely love the laughter and wisdom that is shared during our panel discussions at Lifeway Women Live. Nothing beats a weekend with your girlfriends, and it is so fun to watch our speakers chat about life, Bible study, and faith during this event. You never know what is going to happen, but you can always guarantee lots of laughter and some serious truth bombs during these discussions.
Backstage, I love how this friendship between our speakers continues as they will often sit around a table with coffee and discuss matters of faith and Scripture. But more than anything, it is always a blessing to watch as they will often lay hands upon one another to pray for whomever is preparing to speak. I have loved watching as women lift up other women in word and prayer during these events.
Juliana Wilson, Lifeway Women Live Emcee and Social Media Specialist for Lifeway Women Marketing
Lifeway Women Live Des Moines
One of my favorite moments during Lifeway Women Live is the opportunity to pray with women. During a time of response after one of the sessions in Des Moines, several of our team members were available at the front of the room for women to talk to and pray with. It’s a special gift to be entrusted with the prayer requests and honest moments these women share as we pray with them. It was a privilege and joy to spend a few minutes with each woman, hear a bit of her story, and pray for her. I’m grateful we get to create intentional moments like that to focus our hearts on the Lord as we pray for what’s happening in the lives of women.
— Tessa Morrell, Production Editor Lifeway Women Bible Studies
Lifeway Women Live Orlando
My moment this year came in Orlando at Lifeway Women Live. I had come down front during worship to check on things and noticed a young woman sitting on the end of a row right near me. She was alone and sobbing and trying to worship at the same time. The thought crossed my mind: “Isn’t this just like all of us during some seasons of life—our spirits want and need so badly to worship, but our emotions are so raw from the hardships, grief, and disappointments of our circumstances.” I went and hugged her and whispered in her ear, “You are so brave! God sees your heart and is leaning into your pain with you. He’s got you.” I just stood with her, with my arm around her shoulder for several minutes. I pray it felt like solidarity to her. Like she had a comrade in this journey we call life. I prayed for her as I walked away, that God would meet her in the hours to come with unlikely encouragement and even joy.
Betsy Langmade, Manager of Lifeway Women Events
Lifeway Women Live Johnson City
Lifeway Women Live was my first time meeting many of my teammates in person. I joined the Lifeway team in June so my most favorite moment was moving from Zoom squares to hugs in real life. Seeing the team I joined embody a heartbeat of outpouring brought so much life to my soul, letting their early morning hours and lack of sleep be a sacrifice to the Lord. They scurried backstage so women could encounter moments of solitude and significance with their Father. They crunched details and cared for the crowds while intentionally hosting the one. God is faithful to each of His children. To glimpse our Father showing up in airports and auditorium seats, whether to exhausted event coordinators or to emboldened attendees, are treasured moments of LWL for me.
Hannah Depledge, Event Coordinator for Lifeway Women Events
I love being a part of Lifeway Women Live! I enjoy getting to hang out with our Bible study authors, catching up with them, and learning from them as they teach the Word of God. Probably my favorite part of LWL is the team dynamic. I’m a big “team” guy! I love how people from all parts of the country—Lifeway employees, contract workers, volunteers, and others—come together for this time of worship and teaching. Titles and egos are left at the door (or at the airport) as our love for Christ and our deep desire to see lives transformed by His power knits us together for a weekend. It’s an “all hands on deck” experience that always leaves me with an exhausted, sleep-deprived body 😊, but also a joyful heart brimming from deepened friendships and gospel-purposed work.
Mike Wakefield, Content Editor for Lifeway Women Bible Studies
Lifeway Women Live Phoenix
Trying to pick a favorite Lifeway Women Live moment from this year is almost as hard as trying to pick a favorite book! But one that stands out to me is a moment I had at LWL Phoenix, our last of the year, when I was watching co-emcee Nikki Lawrence interview Adrienne Camp, a Bible study author new to our Lifeway Women family. As I listened to Adrienne talk about her experience writing “As for Me,” her study on the Psalms, I couldn’t help but be amazed by God’s faithfulness to continue to raise up new generations of women He has equipped to teach His Word and lead others through Bible study. And LWL is (in my humble opinion) the best place to sit under strong Bible teaching from generations of women who are in various stages of their ministry but are all being used by God in mighty ways.
Laura Magness, Content Editor for Lifeway Women Bible Studies
Thinking of only one moment is hard to convey, with so many God moments and sweet reunions or chances to meet new friends for life. After coordinating all four events this year, I am always in awe of the hearts of the event and production teams. These ladies and gentlemen travel from all over the US and Canada, leaving family, friends, and church to serve women seeking to pursue Christ deeper, and sometimes for the first time. There are many sleepless nights and extra-long travel days being fueled by caffeine and the Holy Spirit to meet women in their seasons and needs as we strive to give in excellence in His name. And the speakers—their hearts are focused on the souls in the seats. They see every woman because they have been or are her. They know the hurt and the hope. I think that my favorite moment is when the countdown clock strikes 0:00 at the start of each event and the worship band hits that first note. Hands raise all around the room as women sing in unison to the one and only true living God. There’s not another care in the world at that exact moment, only Him. I would say this gets me every single time. I consider it a privilege that He has called and equipped me to do this ministry.
Tammy Slayton, Event Coordinator for Lifeway Women Events
There are more moments like these to come in 2024! Experience Lifeway Women Live in two locations next year: Houston and Louisville.
