DAVIS—Oklahoma Baptist women took full advantage of the registration options that were available to experience the Women’s Retreat, April 22-23, at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center. As Amy Cordova, Oklahoma Baptists’ missions and women’s ministry partner, described, it was “a two-day, hybrid retreat.”
“Three registration options were available to women, including: in-person, digital pass and host church,” Cordova said. “More than 1,600 attended in person at Falls Creek. Sixty churches hosted the event with more than 2,000 in attendance virtually.”
Speakers share importance to ‘Dwell’ in Christ’s Word
The theme for the Women’s Retreat was “Dwell,” which Cordova said is based on Col. 3:16. The retreat speakers were experienced Bible teachers who elaborated on the retreat’s theme.
Kandi Gallaty opened the first session at the Women’s Retreat. She and her husband Robby Gallaty, a pastor in Tennessee, co-authored Bible reading plans.
“You were formed for relationship,” she said, speaking on Gen. 2:18. “You bring something to that relationship and help accomplish something that may not otherwise be accomplished.”
Gallaty also emphasized how Christians are to be filled with the Spirit. “The Holy Spirit breathes into us, and we become a living breathing spiritual being,” she said. “Never short-change the Spirit of the living God. We will spend so much time scrolling on that phone reading the wrong text, when the ‘Holy Text’ will change your life.”
Julie Busler, a member of Shawnee, Immanuel who serves as Oklahoma WMU president, opened her speaking time with a video of her testimony. The video explained how she hid depression and suicidal thoughts. She was serving as a missionary in Turkey, but she returned home under the direction of a psychiatrist. The video shared that God redeemed her through treatment but also through consistent time in the Word every day.
“It was nothing that I did,” Busler explained after the video presentation. “In His timing, (God) found his child, and He revealed Himself. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that lives in you. Yes, there is pain, but there is also purpose.”
The Saturday morning session opened with a virtual interview with Hunter Beless, who recently wrote the book “Read It. See It. Say It. Sing It.”
“I think there are times where we really need Scripture,” Beless said. “That’s why Scripture memory is so important, so that we are able to reach for it, so that the Holy Spirit can bring it to mind.
Christine Hoover, author and wife of a church planter, spoke on the importance of seeking wisdom.
“Wisdom is this skill in the art of Godly living,” she said. “Wisdom begins with having a fear of the Lord, which means we are submitting to God as the authority in our lives. As we submit to Him, the Holy Spirt begins to conform us into the image of Christ.”
Todd Fisher, executive director-treasurer of Oklahoma Baptists, was the first man to speak at the Women’s Retreat in many years. He gave a presentation on the importance and the validity of the Bible being the inspired Word of God.
“This Book is not just the creation of humanity,” Fisher said while holding up his Bible. “The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to us. It is inspired by God. The Bible is authoritative; the Bible is authentic; the Bible is accurate and is accessible and applicable.”
Offering taken to support IMB deaf ministry
More than $6,000 was given in an offering taken at the Women’s Retreat. The offering will support the International Mission Board help fund Bible translating into signed languages.
“The Deaf Culture is one of the most unreached people groups in the world, with less than 2 percent knowing Jesus,” Cordova said.
Women representing churches with the Oklahoma African American Fellowship (OAAF) were involved in taking up the offering at the Women’s Retreat. This was the largest attendance of African American women ever attending the Women’s Retreat, staying at the Tulsa Gilcrease Hills cabin at Falls Creek, which was purchased on behalf of OAAF.
For more information on the Women’s Retreat and to view the sessions online, visit oklahomabaptists.org/women/retreat.
