Join women from all over the Bay Area for a women's spiritual growth conference
Women have real needs and we have a real God, who offers healing, hope and help for real women, in the real world. As we depend on Him, we can learn to live well in the real-world where life happens. But, living well requires faith to be necessity not a luxury for some spiritual few. God offers the same gift to each and every one of us - life through His Son, Jesus Christ. Come spend a weekend moving a step closer to the God who loves you most, and learning to live with Biblical Truth as your firm foundation.This conference has power-packed main sessions, that include energizing worship and national speakers who are gifted at bringing Biblical Truth into applicable focus for Real-Life.
This year the break out sessions are not only relevant, but are presented by women who are passionate about what they are presenting. Each break out session has been selected with you in mind, and prayerfully considered for your growth as Today's Woman. Whether you are old or young, married or single, with children or without - there is something for you at Design4Living.
| Schedule: | ||
| Friday | 5:45 - 6:30 PM | Check-in and Doors Open |
| June 27, 2008 | 6:30 - 9:30 PM | |
| Saturday | 7:45 - 8:30 AM | Check-in and Doors Open |
| June 28, 2008 | 8:30 - 4:00 PM | |
Key Note Speakers:
Debbie Alsdorf
Debbie Alsdorf is a popular author and speaker, the founder of Design4Living Ministries, and the Director of Women's Ministries at Cornerstone Fellowship. Debbie has a heart to encourage women to live in God's original design. With humor, transparency and biblical truth, she shares from her heart and from God's word - bringing scripture into practical every day focus. She has been featured on radio stations all across America, and is a featured guest at many women's retreats and conferences, sharing her passion for women to get real with God and replace the lies they believe with the transforming truth of God's Word. She and her husband Ray have spent the past 18 years raising a blended family of four adult children. They live in Livermore, CA.
Debbie Alsdorf is a popular author and speaker, the founder of Design4Living Ministries, and the Director of Women's Ministries at Cornerstone Fellowship. Debbie has a heart to encourage women to live in God's original design. With humor, transparency and biblical truth, she shares from her heart and from God's word - bringing scripture into practical every day focus. She has been featured on radio stations all across America, and is a featured guest at many women's retreats and conferences, sharing her passion for women to get real with God and replace the lies they believe with the transforming truth of God's Word. She and her husband Ray have spent the past 18 years raising a blended family of four adult children. They live in Livermore, CA.
Lysa TerKeurst
Lysa TerKeurst is a wife to Art, mom to five priority blessings and a nationally known speaker. She is an award-winning author of 11 books including her latest, "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God." She has been featured on Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, Good Morning America, Woman's Day Magazine, "O" Magazine and on the Oprah Show. She is the co-host of the Proverbs 31 Ministry's national radio program, which airs daily on over 1,200 stations as well as a writer for the ministry's e-mail devotions called "Encouragement for Today," reaching over 180,000 subscribers every day.
Her greatest passion is inspiring women to say yes to God and take part in the awesome adventure He has designed every soul to live. But she always chuckles when people call her the Proverbs 31 woman. While she is the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries to those who know her best she is simply a car pooling mom who loves Jesus passionately, and struggles like the rest of us with laundry, junk drawers and cellulite.
Lysa TerKeurst is a wife to Art, mom to five priority blessings and a nationally known speaker. She is an award-winning author of 11 books including her latest, "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God." She has been featured on Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, Good Morning America, Woman's Day Magazine, "O" Magazine and on the Oprah Show. She is the co-host of the Proverbs 31 Ministry's national radio program, which airs daily on over 1,200 stations as well as a writer for the ministry's e-mail devotions called "Encouragement for Today," reaching over 180,000 subscribers every day.
Her greatest passion is inspiring women to say yes to God and take part in the awesome adventure He has designed every soul to live. But she always chuckles when people call her the Proverbs 31 woman. While she is the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries to those who know her best she is simply a car pooling mom who loves Jesus passionately, and struggles like the rest of us with laundry, junk drawers and cellulite.
Jennifer Kennedy Dean
Jennifer Kennedy Dean is a significant voice in the current dialogue on spirituality and prayer. As the author of numerous books on prayer and a popular speaker and conference leader, Dean's message addresses the real questions about prayer, framing answers that are both intellectually and spiritually satisfying.
Dean's discourse on prayer demonstrates an energetic mind-imaginative, fearlessly curious, practical. Her fresh and original illustrations, her skilled use of the language, her engaging and warm personality combine to create an atmosphere conducive to open and uninhibited exploration of prayer and the spiritual realm.
Her ability to present spiritual truth so that it is clear and understandable makes her an effective communicator to all audiences. She challenges believers to leave behind stale, ineffective, limiting beliefs about prayer and to embrace the vitalizing truths laid out in God's Word.
Jennifer Kennedy Dean is a significant voice in the current dialogue on spirituality and prayer. As the author of numerous books on prayer and a popular speaker and conference leader, Dean's message addresses the real questions about prayer, framing answers that are both intellectually and spiritually satisfying.
Dean's discourse on prayer demonstrates an energetic mind-imaginative, fearlessly curious, practical. Her fresh and original illustrations, her skilled use of the language, her engaging and warm personality combine to create an atmosphere conducive to open and uninhibited exploration of prayer and the spiritual realm.
Her ability to present spiritual truth so that it is clear and understandable makes her an effective communicator to all audiences. She challenges believers to leave behind stale, ineffective, limiting beliefs about prayer and to embrace the vitalizing truths laid out in God's Word.
Kelly Minter
She's a worship leader, author, speaker, songwriter, and musician - a list that's likely to keep growing as Kelly Minter continues to discover new talents. In the meantime, she works hard to hone the gifts she's been given, seeking God with commitment and an honest integrity that shines through in everything she does.
Her latest project, a Bible study that is part of her unique new Living Room Series, has been two years in the making. The first title, No Other Gods, was released in August of 2007, and everything in it has been personally tested by Minter in a pilot group she put together and led herself. The intense study takes a holistic approach, calling for small groups of 5-6 women to meet in homes and share meals as they work through spiritual issues. More than just a traditional Bible study, the curriculum also includes recipes, a focus on aesthetics and an interactive component that uses the Web to provide podcasts, music, pictures and interaction across living rooms.
While her schedule as a worship leader keeps her busy, Minter continues to work as an author. Lifeway will release a teen Bible study in May 2007 titled Hannah's One Wish, while a lengthier book, which shares the title No Other Gods with the first release in her Living Room Series, will be available in March 2008 from Cook Communications. It's a schedule that would be exhausting if it weren't for her conviction that she's right where God wants her to be.
She's a worship leader, author, speaker, songwriter, and musician - a list that's likely to keep growing as Kelly Minter continues to discover new talents. In the meantime, she works hard to hone the gifts she's been given, seeking God with commitment and an honest integrity that shines through in everything she does.
Her latest project, a Bible study that is part of her unique new Living Room Series, has been two years in the making. The first title, No Other Gods, was released in August of 2007, and everything in it has been personally tested by Minter in a pilot group she put together and led herself. The intense study takes a holistic approach, calling for small groups of 5-6 women to meet in homes and share meals as they work through spiritual issues. More than just a traditional Bible study, the curriculum also includes recipes, a focus on aesthetics and an interactive component that uses the Web to provide podcasts, music, pictures and interaction across living rooms.
While her schedule as a worship leader keeps her busy, Minter continues to work as an author. Lifeway will release a teen Bible study in May 2007 titled Hannah's One Wish, while a lengthier book, which shares the title No Other Gods with the first release in her Living Room Series, will be available in March 2008 from Cook Communications. It's a schedule that would be exhausting if it weren't for her conviction that she's right where God wants her to be.
Special Guest:
Chonda Pierce
With eight books, five Gold-selling videos and a regular schedule of 90-plus tour dates per year, award-winning Comedienne Chonda Pierce has delighted millions nationwide with her homegrown, off-kilter humor.
Entertaining millions nationwide, pioneering and best-selling comedienne Chonda Pierce has garnered numerous covers and features in such respected publications as Southern Living, Today's Christian Woman, Billboard Magazine, Dallas Morning News, etc. Pierce has also made special guest appearances on virtually every major Christian talk show, including The 700 Club, Life Today and more. She's worked with Billy Graham, wowed the Grand Ole Opry and has received honors as the 2000 and 2001 Gospel Music Association's Grady Nutt Humor Award recipient. Chonda has appeared more often than any other special guest for the nationally acclaimed conference, Women of Faith. In addition to writing and recording, Pierce has joined fellow comedians Mark Lowry, Ken Davis and Dan Rupple (Isaac Airfreight) to form the Christian Comedy Association.
With eight books, five Gold-selling videos and a regular schedule of 90-plus tour dates per year, award-winning Comedienne Chonda Pierce has delighted millions nationwide with her homegrown, off-kilter humor.
Entertaining millions nationwide, pioneering and best-selling comedienne Chonda Pierce has garnered numerous covers and features in such respected publications as Southern Living, Today's Christian Woman, Billboard Magazine, Dallas Morning News, etc. Pierce has also made special guest appearances on virtually every major Christian talk show, including The 700 Club, Life Today and more. She's worked with Billy Graham, wowed the Grand Ole Opry and has received honors as the 2000 and 2001 Gospel Music Association's Grady Nutt Humor Award recipient. Chonda has appeared more often than any other special guest for the nationally acclaimed conference, Women of Faith. In addition to writing and recording, Pierce has joined fellow comedians Mark Lowry, Ken Davis and Dan Rupple (Isaac Airfreight) to form the Christian Comedy Association.
Design4Living Worship:
Justin Brier
Justin Brier leads the Design4Living Conference Worship. He is a graduate of Biola University, who has a heart for worship and a gift for drawing others into the joy of worship. When he takes the stage to lead others in song there is a sense of excitement about coming before the Lord with Joy and Thankfulness. As part of the Cornerstone Fellowship Worship Community, Justin draws from others in that local community to form the conference band. He works for Tapestry Medical and lives in Livermore, CA.
Justin Brier leads the Design4Living Conference Worship. He is a graduate of Biola University, who has a heart for worship and a gift for drawing others into the joy of worship. When he takes the stage to lead others in song there is a sense of excitement about coming before the Lord with Joy and Thankfulness. As part of the Cornerstone Fellowship Worship Community, Justin draws from others in that local community to form the conference band. He works for Tapestry Medical and lives in Livermore, CA.
One Woman's Story:
Imagine moving over one thousand miles from the home you had known your entire life only to discover in a matter of weeks that you had advanced stage cancer. That's exactly what happened to Lorri Steer this past year. Hear through Lorri's story how God has revealed His love, His plan and His beauty every challenging step of the way.
Break Out Session Speakers:
All Keynote Speakers will be break out session presenters, along with the following special guests.
Rachel Johnson
Rachel has served as the Pastor to Women at Bayside Church in Granite Bay, CA, since 1997. She is committed to helping women find their place in Christ, their place in the church community. A leader of leaders, Rachel serves a large women's ministry and oversees a women's ministry staff team. About the women's ministry, Rachel says, "We love serving together on Teams, which makes a great place for friendships to form, and growth to happen. We're also intentional about addressing pertinent and real issues women face in today's world. We strongly believe that God is all about changing our lives and our world for the better. God loves us desperately, and takes each of us right where we are!" She and her husband have three sons.
Rachel has served as the Pastor to Women at Bayside Church in Granite Bay, CA, since 1997. She is committed to helping women find their place in Christ, their place in the church community. A leader of leaders, Rachel serves a large women's ministry and oversees a women's ministry staff team. About the women's ministry, Rachel says, "We love serving together on Teams, which makes a great place for friendships to form, and growth to happen. We're also intentional about addressing pertinent and real issues women face in today's world. We strongly believe that God is all about changing our lives and our world for the better. God loves us desperately, and takes each of us right where we are!" She and her husband have three sons.
Michelle Williams
Joe and Michelle Williams are the founders and directors of the International Center for Reconciling God's Way--a faith-based, non-profit organization providing help and hope for marriages in crisis. With divorce in their backgrounds prior to becoming Christians, they can relate to most couples whose marriages are in crisis. They have served in ministry since 1990 and in 1997 they coauthored the Reconciling God's Way workbook and support partner handbook.
Joe and Michelle married in 1982 and have five children--his, hers, and a son of their own born in 1983--and ten grandchildren. They reside in Modesto where Joe serves as an associate pastor and Michelle as director of women's ministry at Shelter Cove Community Church.
Joe and Michelle Williams are the founders and directors of the International Center for Reconciling God's Way--a faith-based, non-profit organization providing help and hope for marriages in crisis. With divorce in their backgrounds prior to becoming Christians, they can relate to most couples whose marriages are in crisis. They have served in ministry since 1990 and in 1997 they coauthored the Reconciling God's Way workbook and support partner handbook.
Joe and Michelle married in 1982 and have five children--his, hers, and a son of their own born in 1983--and ten grandchildren. They reside in Modesto where Joe serves as an associate pastor and Michelle as director of women's ministry at Shelter Cove Community Church.
Janice Gutierrez
Janice Gutierrez has been on staff at CrossWinds Church since 1994 and currently serves on the Community Life Pastoral Team. A faithful Aggie, Janice graduated from UC Davis with a double major in Political Science and Mass Communications, and has a Masters in Theology from Fuller Seminary. Having come from a traditional family of four, the collision of marriage to a man (a highschool sweetheart) from a family of sixteen provides Janice with an ever-enlarging knowledge of the way relationships work. She has added to this knowledge by having had three kids within a 18 month time span (one girl and twin boys, now all in the throes of their teen years) Though a great chunk of Janice's time goes into work with Crosswinds, she still finds minutes to work on "JustFriends," her social justice network, and to experience her favorite little leisure pursuits- things like speaking French, dreaming of her next trip to Paris, power walking in the early wine-country mornings, playing with her cattledog, reading, writing, poetry, photography and gardening (code for "pulling weeds").
Janice Gutierrez has been on staff at CrossWinds Church since 1994 and currently serves on the Community Life Pastoral Team. A faithful Aggie, Janice graduated from UC Davis with a double major in Political Science and Mass Communications, and has a Masters in Theology from Fuller Seminary. Having come from a traditional family of four, the collision of marriage to a man (a highschool sweetheart) from a family of sixteen provides Janice with an ever-enlarging knowledge of the way relationships work. She has added to this knowledge by having had three kids within a 18 month time span (one girl and twin boys, now all in the throes of their teen years) Though a great chunk of Janice's time goes into work with Crosswinds, she still finds minutes to work on "JustFriends," her social justice network, and to experience her favorite little leisure pursuits- things like speaking French, dreaming of her next trip to Paris, power walking in the early wine-country mornings, playing with her cattledog, reading, writing, poetry, photography and gardening (code for "pulling weeds").
Virelle Kidder
Virelle Kidder served for many years as a contributing writer for Today's Christian Woman and enjoys being a mentor with the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer's Guild. She is widely published in national magazines such as Moody Magazine, Focus on the Family's Pastor's Family, Decision, Journey, HomeLife, Tapestry and others. She has been writing and speaking about the love of God, for over 25 years. She is funny, transparent, highly relatable and solidly biblical. A full time writer and conference speaker, Virelle also hosted her own daily radio talk show in New York's capital district. Now she's a Florida resident focused on encouraging women on their spiritual journey. She is the author of five books including her newest release, Meet Me at the Well, in January 2008 with Moody Publishers. She recently completed a sixth book, The Best Life Ain't Easy, and is working on her first murder mystery.
She and her husband, Steve, have four grown children and eight grandchildren and love their new life in Sebastian, Florida.
Virelle Kidder served for many years as a contributing writer for Today's Christian Woman and enjoys being a mentor with the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writer's Guild. She is widely published in national magazines such as Moody Magazine, Focus on the Family's Pastor's Family, Decision, Journey, HomeLife, Tapestry and others. She has been writing and speaking about the love of God, for over 25 years. She is funny, transparent, highly relatable and solidly biblical. A full time writer and conference speaker, Virelle also hosted her own daily radio talk show in New York's capital district. Now she's a Florida resident focused on encouraging women on their spiritual journey. She is the author of five books including her newest release, Meet Me at the Well, in January 2008 with Moody Publishers. She recently completed a sixth book, The Best Life Ain't Easy, and is working on her first murder mystery.
She and her husband, Steve, have four grown children and eight grandchildren and love their new life in Sebastian, Florida.
Lorri Steer
Lorri Steer has a gift for writing, speaking, and seeing God in refreshing Technicolor beauty . She spent years being part of the Cornerstone Family and served as a heart group leader and bible study teacher/ leader. Now she has spent the past year holding God's hand walking through cancer. She and her husband Scott are parents to three daughters ages 5 to 15. They moved from California and Cornerstone Fellowship last June to Longmont, Colorado and White Fields Community Church. Lorri looks forward to resuming teaching bible study, speaking, and writing as her health allows. In the meantime, she delights in being a homemaker, a scrapbooker, and keeping a blog of her journey at: http://lorriscancerupdates.blogspot.com. Her current project is growing hair and learning how to live in the land of "new normal".
Lorri Steer has a gift for writing, speaking, and seeing God in refreshing Technicolor beauty . She spent years being part of the Cornerstone Family and served as a heart group leader and bible study teacher/ leader. Now she has spent the past year holding God's hand walking through cancer. She and her husband Scott are parents to three daughters ages 5 to 15. They moved from California and Cornerstone Fellowship last June to Longmont, Colorado and White Fields Community Church. Lorri looks forward to resuming teaching bible study, speaking, and writing as her health allows. In the meantime, she delights in being a homemaker, a scrapbooker, and keeping a blog of her journey at: http://lorriscancerupdates.blogspot.com. Her current project is growing hair and learning how to live in the land of "new normal".
Jill Rigby
Jill Rigby, often called the modern day William Wilberforce, is bringing a return a respect and civility to our society through the reformation of manners. With heartrending passion, she is an accomplished speaker, family advocate, television personality and founder of Manners of the Heart. Jill has appeared on the CBS Early Show, CNN's Glen Beck show, Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, and more than 100 venues across the country. She enjoys a popular parenting segment on Baton Rouge's local CBS Morning Show.
Jill's newest book, Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World, is flying off the shelves and into homes to help today's parents raise children who put the needs of others ahead of their wants. She's already hard at work on the next book, The Business of Manners, for those in business who are ready to do the heartwork needed to succeed.
Jill Rigby, often called the modern day William Wilberforce, is bringing a return a respect and civility to our society through the reformation of manners. With heartrending passion, she is an accomplished speaker, family advocate, television personality and founder of Manners of the Heart. Jill has appeared on the CBS Early Show, CNN's Glen Beck show, Focus on the Family, FamilyLife Today, and more than 100 venues across the country. She enjoys a popular parenting segment on Baton Rouge's local CBS Morning Show.
Jill's newest book, Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World, is flying off the shelves and into homes to help today's parents raise children who put the needs of others ahead of their wants. She's already hard at work on the next book, The Business of Manners, for those in business who are ready to do the heartwork needed to succeed.
Barbara Wilson
Barbara Wilson is the former Director of Sexual Health Education for faith-based Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center in Sacramento, California. Speaking and writing for the past ten years on sexual health, her messages on abstinence and sexual bonding are heard by several thousand adults and teens per year. Released from a past of her own, Barbara shares her journey to healing in her book, The Invisible Bond: How to Break Free From Your Sexual Past published by Multnomah Waterbrook Press, a division of Random House Publications. Her second book, Kiss Me Again; Healing Sexual and Emotional Intimacy in Marriage releasing in 2009 will help couples heal from their sexual pasts so they can re-bond sexually and emotionally in their marriages. She is an active member of Bayside Covenant Church in Granite Bay, California where she offers a bible study that leads women to God's forgiving, healing power for past sexual sin and trauma. Barbara and her husband Eric of 27 years, have four adult children.
Barbara Wilson is the former Director of Sexual Health Education for faith-based Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center in Sacramento, California. Speaking and writing for the past ten years on sexual health, her messages on abstinence and sexual bonding are heard by several thousand adults and teens per year. Released from a past of her own, Barbara shares her journey to healing in her book, The Invisible Bond: How to Break Free From Your Sexual Past published by Multnomah Waterbrook Press, a division of Random House Publications. Her second book, Kiss Me Again; Healing Sexual and Emotional Intimacy in Marriage releasing in 2009 will help couples heal from their sexual pasts so they can re-bond sexually and emotionally in their marriages. She is an active member of Bayside Covenant Church in Granite Bay, California where she offers a bible study that leads women to God's forgiving, healing power for past sexual sin and trauma. Barbara and her husband Eric of 27 years, have four adult children.
Partnering Churches:
Bayside Covenant Church in Granite Bay, CA
Crosswinds Church in Dublin, CA
Shelter Cove Community Church in Modesto, CA
Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church in Walnut Creek, CA
Your church can partner with Design4Living in prayer, promotion and participation. Any church that brings over 50 women, we will try to accommodate special seating for your group. You church name will appear in the program with contact information. We will provide you with media information to promote this as your women's summer event within your church. If you would like to be a partnering church, please contact Susan Timm at susant@cornerstoneweb.org.