Soon it will be February 24-26th, time to pack and go to Atlanta for CE&P/WIC annual Leadership Training Conference for PresWIC leadership, Bible study leaders and next generation women "legacies." Here are excerpts from Lisa Wallover's account of attending her first Leadership Training Conference in 2003.

"Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity and privilege to travel to Atlanta to attend the annual Leadership Training Conference for women… It gave me a first- hand look at women's ministry in the PCA at a national level.…So here is my Atlanta Diary - a picture of our covenant community.

Tuesday, March 11, 2003 - I arrive at the Atlanta Marriott, and am greeted by women in hard hats and wearing Home Depot work aprons. Apparently we are going to be "building" something! As I register, a woman says to me, " 'Wallover'… I prayed for you last night. You were on my list." It is clear that this entire event has been bathed in prayer.

The first plenary session includes a message from Dr. Allen Curry, Professor of Christian Education at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Curry is our pastor for the three days of the conference, and his first talk is on "Tools for Living Biblically." The means of grace God has provided for his covenant people, His Word, prayer and the sacraments, seal in us the confidence that we belong to God.

Wednesday, March 12 - Well, they are calling this 'hard-hat day' because we are really going to get to work…. In the final session with us, Dr. Curry points out that the context in which we are to live biblically is in the church, the body of Christ…Because biblical living is convenantal, it is done in relationships… I collected lots of tools today - very encouraging, can't wait to take them home!

Thursday, March 13 - The home stretch. The last plenary session, 'Practical Help for Building Unity,' is with Tara Barthel, adjunct instructor with Peacemaker Ministries. Listen fast, because she covers a lot of materials as she discusses a systematic and biblical method for conflict resolution.

…. I go to the airport; it's time for re-entry to home and family. What a wonderful three days of refreshment, encouragement, challenge, a greater appreciation for the PCA and for national and regional women in the church.

Leadership Training 2004 unveiled the first full track for Bible study leadership. Listen to Paula Smith (West Boca PCA) and Bonnie Sturgis (Wellington PCA) as they chronicle their response.

"Two nights and two days of non-stop learning, processing, 'iron sharpening iron'. That was 2004 Leadership Training Conference, Bible Study Track. Even though we both have been raised in Christian homes, graduated from a Christian college with degrees in Christian Education, worked full-time in the educational ministry of the Church, taught Bible studies for years to all ages, to say that we will never be the same because we attended this conference is an understatement of gigantic proportions." --Paula

Like seeing the breath-taking landscape from an airplane for the first time, we had the privilege of grasping in a greater depth the beauty and scope of covenantal teaching. The 'light bulbs' that were going off in our heads should have taxed the power-producing capacity of the metropolitan Atlanta area! Add to that the wonderful luxury of going away for a weekend with a dear friend, of being pampered in a gorgeous hotel, of laughing, praying and enjoying fellowship with like-minded sister and you have the CE&P/WIC Leadership Training Conference in a nutshell." -- Bonnie

For more information on the 2005WIC LT Conference, please contact CE&P at 678.825.1100 or visit our website at www.pcanet.org. Pastors, plan now to send your Bible study leaders for training. Christian Education chairmen, be sure that your PresWIC leaders are represented.

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