Host a Conference

The purpose of the GEMS Annual Counselors’ Leadership Conference is threefold:

To provide personal and spiritual growth opportunities for women
To allow counselors to experience the international and cross-cultural richness of GEMS
To challenge women to broaden their knowledge and abilities in ministering to girls

Each year, hundreds of women are inspired and motivated by this event, and hosting a Conference is no small feat. Once a location for Conference is chosen, a small group of women from the area form a Local Conference Committee (LCC) and serve as hosts for the event. These women need to have varied gifts and skills and be able to cooperate, communicate ideas, and willingly commit to the entire Conference-planning process.

If you are interested in hosting a GEMS Annual Counselors’ Leadership Conference in your area, please contact Alecia Van Hulzen, GEMS Conference Coordinator, for more information. Alecia will be happy to answer your questions and send you a Conference Planning Packet. This packet includes everything you need to know: from finding a location, recommending speakers, and recruiting volunteers to setting up tours and special events.

Check out what these women had to say about their conference hosting experiences...

Henrietta Reinders

2001 LCC Sign/Facility Coordinator :: Guelph, Ontario

Being on the host committee for convention was truly a wonderful experience. It was certainly a stretch for all of us, but Irene, our fearless leader, had a way of getting us to do things we wouldn't normally do. Good thing she was fearless, because I sure had fears. Fears like: how was this all going to come together? Can I do this? What if I make some HUGE mistake, over-look something...anything?!! But that's when you most depend on God. That's when He can use you most effectively.

I went into this with the expectation to serve; to serve GEMS as a whole, to serve the leaders/women, to serve the girls, thereby, through it all, serving God. Since I was not going to be a GEMS counselor the following season, I had no expectation to be nourished as a leader. I was there to serve. And it was a joy. It was a joy to serve and a joy to see God so obviously working in the details over and over and over again. That was very affirming (and relieving!).

It was also a joy working with the LCC. We all wanted to have fun doing this and we did. Sure, there were challenges, hurdles and frustrations, and by the end we were absolutely drained, but there was fun and laughter. Oh, there was much laughter! Overall, the experience was a big challenge, but a huge blessing in return.

Carol Dirksen

2003 LCC Chair :: Seattle, Washington

I received so many blessings in being part of the 2003 Local Conference Committee in Seattle, Washington. It is very hard to share just a couple. I never could have fathomed the quantity and richness of the blessings. I would like to share a feeling of God's presence before, during, and after the conference.

The seven members of our committee came from very different areas, different denominations, and even very different families. We had members from metro area of Seattle who were very into careers and were single. One of our members became a mom for the first time after 20 years of marriage. Our youngest member had three small children and a husband that would drive her to our meetings on Saturday mornings that were held 35 miles each way from her home. Two of our members drove over mountain passes that were always closed in years previous. The 150 miles each way was no small trip. Another member's daughter wanted to get married the day convention was over! It became clear to all of us, that GOD had called us to this place and He would "smooth" the way.

Nothing in our lives was put on hold by us. Our prayer was that our Heavenly Father would smooth these areas of our lives. Careers went forward without conflict, a beautiful baby girl was welcomed, the husband never had to work on the Saturday of our meetings, the daughter decided the weekend after convention would work for the wedding and not a snow flake fell on the pass that closed the route over the mountains on meeting days. This time together was very special.

The conference came and this smoothness that God brought into our committee became the feeling of our conference as well. I will never forget the ladies that attended. Their smiles, their hugs, and words of encouragement….seeing our sisters with hands raised in praise and worship to our Father. This joy will be a lifetime experience!!

If you have this opportunity, come take your place. Experience!!

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