cultivate: A WOMEN’S GATHERING AROUND THE WORD

national Christian speaker KELLY MINTER coming to Fargo

When Judy Siegle of Fargo first heard Kelly Minter speak at a Christian conference four years ago, she says she was “blown away.”

The singer, songwriter and Bible study author captivated Siegle in a powerful way.

“She is authentic,” says Siegle, women’s ministry director at Hope Lutheran Church, Fargo. “She shares insights from God’s word that are relevant to women’s hearts and lives.”

Those are just the reasons several Fargo women’s ministry leaders worked together to bring Minter to Fargo this fall. “Cultivate: A Women’s Gathering Around the World” will be held 7-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6 and 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Hope Lutheran Church’s south campus. The event includes Bible study sessions led by Minter, worship featuring the music of the Cultivate Worship Band and Nashville musician Haley Fry, and time for prayer.

Siegle and the other ministry leaders hope women of all ages will gather for the event – grandmothers, mothers, daughters, cousins, friends. Free childcare is available (registration required) and a block of hotel rooms is saved at a discounted rate.

“Minter appeals to women of all ages and she has such a mission heart,” says Kathy Spriggs, women’s ministry co-leader at Calvary United Methodist Church, Fargo. “She really teaches from the Bible and will pull out things from a verse that you didn’t see before.”

Minter, who takes her Cultivate event around the country each year, says her focus is encouraging women through God’s word, all in a relaxed, warm and inviting atmosphere.

“My nature is pretty down-to-earth, so I wanted an event that reflected that – a place where women could dig deep into the Bible and have community with one another, all the while being comfortable coming just as they are,” says Minter. “We’ve had women in their 80s, young girls in their late teens and everyone in between walk away having had a meaningful experience where they felt welcomed and loved.”

My nature is pretty down-to-earth, so I wanted an event that reflected that — a place where women could dig deep into the Bible and have community with one another, all the while being comfortable coming just as they are.”

Through the Cultivate event, Minter hopes to share her heart for God’s word.

“My hope and prayer will always be for women to be encouraged, challenged and to learn more about God’s word and how that specifically impacts every single part of their lives,” she says. “I want women to know the love of Christ for them personally, as well as the healing, guidance and hope he desires to bring about in each of their lives.”

The event will also include an opportunity for women to partner with a local mission and hear about Minter’s experiences with Justice & Mercy International.

“I travel to both the Amazon jungle in Brazil, as well as Moldova in Eastern Europe, and love sharing about what God is doing there,” Minter says.

Cultivate is being hosted by the Fargo Women’s Ministry Network, a group of 31 women leaders, including Siegle and Spriggs. The women represent 20 faith communities and meet monthly to share ideas, support one another and collaborate on events, such as Cultivate.

They all look forward to sharing Minter’s message with women across the region.

“Obedience to Christ is worth everything,” Minter says. “There’s nothing you’re holding onto that’s so dear that can even compare to the life and blessing of wholeheartedly following Jesus.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Cultivate, visit fargohope.org/women or search Kelly Minter's Cultivate Women's Event: Fargo, ND on Facebook. Tickets are available online, at Hope Lutheran Church, Melberg Christian Book and Gift, and Hurley’s Religious Goods.