Our great security,
Our key to being free:
Living in the shadow of the Almighty.
Come spend a weekend with us at Ridgecrest in the North Carolina mountains, where we’ll dive deeper into God’s heart together. Great worship, inspiring teaching, fellowship and relaxation are all part of the plan! We can’t wait to see you!
October 7-9, 2011
Location Information
Lifeway Ridgecrest Conference Center
For map & directions, visit the Ridgecrest Directions page here.
Ridgecrest is a conference center located near Black Mountain, NC that’s surrounded by the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. At Ridgecrest, all of your meals, sleeping accommodations and meetings are within an easy walking distance.
Conference Speaker & Leaders
Keynote Speaker: Gloria Cotten
About this year’s conference Gloria says, “The last year has been difficult in our family. We have walked through two open heart surgeries with our 7 year old grandson, my sister’s on-going battle with ovarian cancer, another family member’s courageous and determined stand against a vicious onslaught of depression and anxiety, and a near-fatal crisis with heart disease in my own body. Through all of these traumatic events we have experienced the goodness and faithfulness of God. We have experienced both heartbreaking disappointment and exhilarating celebration over miraculous intervention, what the sportscaster calls ‘the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.’ Through it all, God has been good and I have been changed.
“At this conference, called “In the Shadow of the Almighty”, I will share with you some of what I have learned this year. God is good and He has ALL authority. His goodness and His authority ensure that when we live in His Presence we are absolutely safe and therefore we are absolutely free to be ourselves. Under His wings is where our creativity finds full expression and we can break out of our boxes. Under His wings is where His power finds manifestation through us to heal and deliver. Under His wings is where God’s plan finds fruition in us and His enablement challenges us to do more than we ever thought possible.
“The Holy Spirit is going to show up at Wellspring this year. That’s not presumption speaking; it’s the repetition of God’s promise to me. He is going to relieve us of the fear we associate with the word ‘authority’ by imparting to us the great love and the surpassing vision of our heavenly Father for us. Please come and join me on the mountain. We will never be the same.”
Gloria Cotten has been speaking at Wellspring Women’s Conferences for about 15 years. She speaks at other conferences and churches as well, most often ministering to women, and she and husband Michael also travel together in joint ministry to the Body of Christ. They are parents to 3 adult sons and have been blessed with 3 awesome daughters-in-law, 7 incredible grandchildren, and 1 granddog named Pippin.
She has written one book, published in 2001, In the Beginning. She will be finished with a study guide for this first book by the end of the year, and she and Michael have begun work on a joint writing venture. (She has a “secret” plan to write at least 2 more books, possibly 3, sometime soon!)
Chrissy Davidson is a graduate of the University of Tennessee (Go Vols!) with a BS in Music Education and an MS in Education.
She has played piano since early elementary school and still enjoys sitting down to tickle those ivories. She taught in the public schools for 10 years and now teaches piano privately.
Chrissy has always enjoyed worshipping and got involved with the church music program while still in high school. From there she has enjoyed being on a few worship teams and learning better how to give praise to God.
In 2006 Chrissy tried something new and put out a Christmas CD of old favorites with a “Few Minor Changes”.
She is married to a wonderful man and they have one terrific 12 year old boy. Glory to God!
Workshop Leaders
Queen Utley-Smith
Queen’s workshop title: “Growing a Life of Prayer: It’s a Natural Thing”
Have the eyes of your understanding opened to the reality that prayer is an instinctive, inherent part of who we are as Christians. Prayer isn’t a struggle or anything to be feared or done out of a sense of duty; it’s natural. We will focus mostly on our vertical relationship with the Father and the freedom we have as Christians to cultivate a life of prayer without strain or mystery. The workshop will be interactive, incorporating both lecture and discussion. Whether new to Christianity and prayer or a seasoned prayer warrior, there will be something for you. Each participant will leave with an increased sense of comfort and liberty in prayer.
Dr. Queen Utley-Smith, Ed.D., RN, works as a nurse educator and also spent 7 years of her career as a certified family nurse practitioner. She has authored or co-authored articles in peer-reviewed journals and presents at national and international conferences professionally. Her husband Charles is a law professor and her daughter Lindsey is a senior at Howard University. She and her family are members of Christian Assembly Church in Durham NC. She has taught Christian classes on intercessory prayer and she is also an administrative board member of Wellspring Women’s Ministry.
Cheryl Rasmussen
Cheryl’s workshop title: “The Royal Law of Love”
In this workshop, we will look at how God’s love is the foundation of our lives. We’ll learn about things that sometimes hinder us from entering into His love, and whether it is possible to love others with His love (it is!). We’ll explore together how God’s perfect love functions in every aspect of our lives, our past, our present, and our future.
Cheryl has 4 children and 14 grand children. She has been married to husband, Don, for 46 years. As a young teen she met Jesus and has been on a great adventure ever since. She attended Bible College, where she met Don, and there they both dedicated their lives to being career missionaries. Cheryl learned to trust the Lord and see miracles in the jungles of South America as well as in the “asphalt” jungles of outreach to people caught up in drug addiction, prostitution and street life. Through the years she has studied Christian counseling, attended several schools, has a B.A. in Biblical Studies and Theology, has been a pastor’s wife, and led and participated in various ministry outreaches. Her years in Colombia, South America have allowed her to gain a love of the Spanish language and its people. She considers it a joy to serve with husband, Don, as part of an apostolic oversight team for a network of churches in Colombia.
Kathy Oakes
Kathy’s workshop title: “Perk, Persevere & Press On…”
Kathy’s style is always a mixture of humor, tenderness, and life-giving truth from the Word of God. This year she felt like the Lord told her that the word He wanted her to share was PERSEVERE. If you want to go deeper into God’s will for your life, and if you need to hear someone tell you to not give up, then come to this workshop! We’ll learn how to keep going, in the midst of the various circumstances life throws at us.
Mother, wife, sister, daughter, writer, realtor, photographer-wanna-be, storyteller and princess, Kathy Oakes lives in Johnson City, TN with her husband Jeff, senior pastor of Hosanna Fellowship, along with three clever, beautiful daughters and a talented, handsome son who provide much of her inspiration, or at least impetus, for her epiphanies. As a Real Estate Broker she was named 2010′s Realtor of the Year for her region, which she knows is nothing more than the favor of the Lord! All of these things together are God’s tools for teaching perseverance in Kathy’s life. Her joy is sharing and encouraging women along the journey. Kathy wraps insight in humor as she shares the secrets she has learned from life’s hard to read map. Kathy’s funny and insightful book, Epiphanies of a Middle Aged Princess, will be available on our book sales table.
Tammy Crowley-Deloatch
Tammy’s workshop title: “How’s Your Heart?”
How is your heart, physically and spiritually? In this workshop we will be using zone training that is designed for you personally. God created each of us differently, so that no two of us will have exactly the same goals in fitness and heart rate. Individual differences in age, gender, and desire plus differing life circumstances and differing seasons of life cause us each to have very individual goals. At this workshop you will learn how to train in the individual zone designed just for you: to burn fat, to achieve and maintain fitness, or to undertake cardio training. Each person that attends will train that day with an individual heart rate monitor! Fun! Tammy will also give a demo of her new, online Meal Planning and Nutrition Program!
If you decide to participate in Tammy’s workshop, you will be able to sign up at the conference for one of the two basic levels of fitness. A less intense workout will be offered on the “Silver Sneakers” level and a more intense workout will take place in the “Piloxing” workshop. Both will take place Saturday afternoon 3:00-4:30, so you can go to her workshop as well as 2 others on Saturday morning.
Tammy Crowley-Deloatch has been a fitness gym owner and personal trainer for 26 years. She has a degree in Sports Management from the University of Phoenix, is the author of Spiritual Stretch: Your Best Shape Ever, is wife to Kenny and mother to two daughters and two sons. Tammy believes God gave us a body that is to be used for His glory in all things. For this reason, she delights to help us learn about proper nutrition and exercise.
Kim Jagwe
Kim’s workshop title: “Made For Victory”
Are you tired of living in defeat? Is your faith big enough to support your destiny? Kim Jagwe delves into the issues of life, from faith and fear to destiny and dieting. Through powerful biblical teaching and practical tools for daily living, you will be empowered to live victoriously. She is back for her second year leading a Wellspring Workshop because of the powerful impact she had on the lives of those who attended her workshops last year.
Kim Jagwe, was born into a female dominated family of strong and powerful women. She attributes her passion for speaking to the women who birthed and trained her in the way to go. Kim’s destiny was nearly destroyed as her battle with food addiction began to consume and dominate her life. God delivered and restored her from the bondage of obesity. Today she inspires others to live in victory. Kim is currently a full-time elementary teacher, mother and wife. She resides in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Her book, God’s Perfect Size, will be available for sale on our book table.
Joanna A. McKethan
Joanna’s workshop title: “Bright Writing from the Dark Room”
From creation to now, good writing emerges from the struggles and dark places of life. In art, dark-side, light-side refers to the shadow on a face which makes the lit portions show up most strongly. The creative process itself is begun in darkness—aha, not all darkness is bad—and in this course, we will compare and contrast RAW MATERIAL to FORM, with short (but not too short) exercises which will get the beginning or advanced writer more apt in transitioning from idea to excellent writing product. The raw can be transformed into polished beauty; the form can pulsate with raw life. We will look at George MacDonald and Agatha Christie. Joanna will help in the transition while making work seem play. Bring your writing materials, but don’t worry if you forget them.
Joanna McKethan, wife, mother, and grandmother, did Bible smuggling work for the Underground Church in Communist Eastern Europe with her husband Sandy. An artist and writer, she is a published poet and feature writer working on her first novel. She paints commissioned portraits and sells original paintings out of her business, j’Originals Art Studio, in Dunn, where she teaches art to children and adults. Her writings and paintings have won prizes regionally and nationally. She leads a creativity group sponsored by her home church, Manna in Fayetteville, NC. She published her first novel, Lady in White, this year and directions for downloading it will be available at the conference.
Schedule
Friday October 7:
- 3:00 PM Registration in Main Lobby, Pritchell Hall (The big building with columns on the hill as you enter the parking lot past the sentry.)
- 7:30 – 9:30 PM Opening General Session in The ARC
- 9:30 PM The Nest in the Auditorium, Rhododendron Hall
Saturday October 8:
- 7:30 – 8:30 AM Breakfast in the Cafeteria, Rhododendron Hall
- 9:00 – 10:15 AM First Workshop Session in Rhododendron Classrooms
- 10:30 – 11:45 AM Second Workshop Session in Rhododendron Classrooms
- 12:00 Noon Catered Lunch in Auditorium, Rhododendron Hall
- Free Time Afternoon: The Nest (Auditorium, Rhododendron Hall)
- 3:00 – 4:30 PM Physical Fitness Workshop in The ARC, with Tammy Crowley-Deloatch from New Day Fitness
- 5:00 – 6:00 PM Dinner in Cafeteria, Rhododendron Hall
- 7:00 – 10:00 PM General Session in The ARC
- The Nest After General Session
Sunday October 9:
- 7:30 – 8:30 AM Breakfast in Cafeteria, Rhododendron Hall
- 8:30 – 9:30 AM Check-out in Main Lobby, Pritchell Hall
- 9:30 – Noon Closing Session in The ARC
Registration Information
To register, call Ridgecrest at 1-800-588-7222.
Registration Costs:
When you register for a room, the cost includes your meals and conference fee.
- Single Room $282.00. Deposit due: $164.00.
- Double Room $193.00 per occupant. Deposit due: $119.50.
- Triple Room $170.00 per occupant. Deposit due: $108.00.
- Quad Room $158.00 per occupant. Deposit due: $102.25.
- Note: If a designated roommate does not show up, your fee will be increased accordingly.
- No refunds will be given after September 30.
Some have asked for the option to attend the conference but not use Ridgecrest’s sleeping accommodations. If you would like to do so, your cost will be $100.00. This will include the conference fee and the Saturday catered lunch.
Other Information
Dress is casual. Bring a light sweater or jacket as October nights can be cool in the mountains, and wear comfortable shoes since some walking is required getting to our various venues. A shuttle will be available for those who prefer not to walk.
You will have free time after lunch on Saturday afternoon. Check the Ridgecrest web site for their great recreational activities available on site and for nearby attractions.
On Sunday morning, we’re going to give you the opportunity to donate to Wellspring Women’s Ministry. We’d appreciate it if you asked God if He would have you give.
A book table will be available featuring books & music from several of our speakers and ministers. There is also a Lifeway Bookstore onsite that you may want to browse as well. Most importantly, there is an ice cream parlor and coffee shop for you!
We hope to see you on October 7!
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1
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