The Voice of Hope Church in Lakewood, Wash., with an average attendance of 12, sent their whole congregation to the Washington Conference's Impact Your World retreat and found new energy for ministry.
Sixteen Voice of Hope representatives, alongside nearly 200 other people, participated in instructive and inspirational workshops for Bible workers and prayer warriors. The congregation went home from the retreat, decided to hold a 40-hour period of fasting and prayer, watched their weekly attendance grow to 22 people and welcomed three new members through baptism — all in one month's time.
The annual Impact Your World retreat began four years ago as an opportunity for ministry trainers to provide instructive workshops and nurture an active network of Bible workers and prayer warriors.
"The retreat is designed to equip people to make a difference for God, whether they are just getting started in ministry and unsure what to do, or well established in sharing their faith," says Gayle Lasher, Washington Conference Bible worker trainer.
In addition, participants have the opportunity to commit or recommit their lives to God through a communion and anointing service.
"I hear from people months and even a year after they attend the retreat that they are continuing to share their faith with their family, friends, neighbors and coworkers," says Lasher.
The next retreat will be held March 30–April 1, 2012, and will feature Mike and Gayle Tucker and other presenters. Discover more at washingtonconference.org/impact.
Impact Your World Bible workers and prayer warriors join together in a prayer circle to commit their lives to making a difference for God by sharing their faith. (Jonathan Ray)
James Rafferty, from Light Bearers Ministry, provides Bible worker training at the Impact Your World retreat for people who desire to share their faith more effectively. (Jonathan Ray)
Retreat participants place prayer roses at the foot of a cross at Impact Your World. The retreat is designed as a time of revival, reflection and reformation through ministry training. (Jonathan Ray)
Impact Your World retreat, organized by Gayle Lasher, Washington Conference Bible worker trainer, provides an opportunity for Bible workers and prayer warriors like Louise Weller, from Auburn City Church, to network and share stories of how God is leading in their ministries. (Jonathan Ray)
Impact Your World retreat participants join together for a special communion and anointing service — a sacred time of reflection and commitment to God. (Jonathan Ray)
