Heather Thompson Day, interdenominational speaker, kept listeners riveted with “Controversial Gospel” messages during the fall Upper Columbia Conference Women’s and Young Women’s Retreat held at Camp MiVoden in October 2024.
Through the four messages given, Thompson Day passionately described the covenant of God with His children, “Love God; Love Man.” This love in turn will find His children reaching out and touching the lives of others — especially the quartet of the vulnerable including the poor, widows, orphans and immigrants.
“God is not demanding our righteousness, but rather providing our righteousness,” said Thompson Day, who is an interdenominational speaker, is an ECPA bestseller and has been a contributor for Religion News Service, Christianity Today, Newsweek and the Barna Group. She is now the founder of It Is Day Ministries, a nonprofit organization that serves churches, leaders and content creators in maximizing their communication messaging.
The 150 multi-generational attendees for the women’s retreat came from more than 50 churches. Young women ages 13–18 attended breakouts led by Christina Kinney, an inspirational speaker and ABC Christian Bookstore manager in College Place, Washington.
Thompson Day also presented a breakout for the young women, “I Did It on Purpose.” Years ago, separate breakouts and speakers were planned for the young women, but several young women came to retreat leaders and requested, “We love your main speakers — could we hear them too and have our own breakouts?”
Twenty family groups — moms, daughters, grandmothers, mothers-in-law and sisters — came together during this retreat creating an added layer of family memories.
Saturday night relaxation included a spa supper and two classes: an art party with Dean Sherman and a flower arranging workshop under the tutelage of Angela Ford, Blooms and Berries owner in Leavenworth, Washington. The hot tub and pool were popular among the attendees, along with ping pong, a campfire by the lake, games and popcorn by the fireplace.
The retreat concluded with Michele Davis, who recently returned from a five-year assignment with her husband with ADRA India. She told the story of Hope, a young African girl in a large Indian city whose life changed forever through her encounter with Davis. As attendees all listened to Davis weave the powerful story, they realized, “Our lives have been changed as well.”
The spring Women’s and Young Women’s One-Day Retreat with Jean Boonstra, Voice of Prophecy associate speaker, will be held at UCC headquarters on Sabbath, May 3, 2025. All are welcome to attend.
Dean Sherman leads a painting party on Saturday night.
Heather Thompson Day welcomes attendees to the 2024 fall Women's and Young Women's Retreat.
