by Sharon Mager
Davidsonville, Md. — Last year’s BCM/D Revive Conference astounded leaders throughout Maryland/Delaware and beyond when nearly 700 women filled the Riva Trace Baptist Church auditorium on March 7-8, prompting churches to stand up and take notice. The excitement from Revive spilled over into the men’s conference two months later, as women strongly encouraged their husbands to attend.
Women love the time of fellowship at the annual Revive Women’s Conference. (Photo by Sara Zeni)
This year’s conference topped those numbers, but there is so much more to the story, says Women’s Ministry Consultant and Communications Director Somer Phoebus. “As much as I love those numbers, the number that I love the most is that there were 180 different churches represented in this event, which, for our two-state convention, is huge. Out of 400+ churches, we’re close to 50% participation. That is just enormous for us to see that many women come together from all different experiences. We had so many different churches represented that just came to worship together. They look different, they talk differently, they speak different languages, they worship differently, and they all came together for one thing, and that was Jesus. It was a really powerful experience.”
Phoebus explained, “When we plan an event, any of our conferences here, we ask ourselves just a few questions as we’re trying to put them together. One of them is how to create a simple, easy, and fun event for our church leaders to engage with and invite their people to. The other question we ask is how do we create an event that sends church leaders, their teams, and church attendees back stirred up, burning on fire for the Lord, and excited to do what God has called them to do. The last one is how do we create a space where the Holy Spirit can move and change lives. That happened at this conference, and it was an incredible time.”
Since more women were on the waiting list than the church worship center could hold, the planning team began praying. They didn’t want women to miss out! Phoebus said, “We just prayed and begged God to answer that dilemma. And in working with Riva Trace Church, they offered us an overflow space.”
Women in the overflow room engage in worship at the Revive conference. (Photo by Sharon Mager)
Though there were some reservations about the idea — would women want to come and be in another space? It wasn’t a problem. Fifty women took advantage of the opportunity. The set-up team working with Riva Trace made the area beautiful for the women, with flowers on the tables, soft lighting, snacks, and a huge 20-foot screen with great sound. Like those in the worship center, women in the overflow were standing, raising hands, freely worshipping, and responding to speakers on the screen.
Throughout the two-day conference, women responded to powerful worship led by Marcus and Carolina Akins, and throughout the halls, ladies were talking with one another about the breakouts. But Phoebus said an incredibly amazing thing happened when guest speaker Dr. Sarita Lyons shared for an hour over the allotted time — hitting women at gut level with “the inaudible cry of the soul, the “hum beneath the surface of our lives,” the deep need for child-like faith. Women were transfixed, completely engaged. No one left or grumbled. Phoebus said, “She presented the gospel, then the altar was full of women.
“At the end of the entire event, our last and final session, we had the women separate into their church groups and pray for their churches, pray for their communities, pray about God’s calling on their own lives, what God was doing inside of them. We prayed for our pastors and our leaders.
BCM/D Women’s Ministry Missionary and Communications Director Somer Phoebus founded the Revive conference. Somer prayed over the women before the conference was dismissed.
Following the event, Phoebus reported “some amazing life transformations.” These included healed marriages and some wanting to be called into ministry opportunities. Even speakers were amazed at what God was doing. One speaker noted the women’s hunger and said she had never experienced anything like it.
Jessica Hudgins, who works with the media ministry at First Baptist Church of Damascus, posted on Facebook, “The presence of Yahweh was so tangible as we worshipped together, seeking Him with open hearts. May we continue to walk in His presence, filled with His Spirit and transformed by His love. Let this revival not be a moment but a movement — one that overflows into our daily lives. Lord, we welcome You. Fill us. Lead us. Keep reviving us!”
Phoebus says that’s what it’s all about. Amen.
Sharon Mager serves as a communications specialist and editor of BCM/D News.
The BCM/D has many opportunities for women, including an upcoming conference for women in ministry on May 3 at South Shore Church. Click the photo below for more information and to register:
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