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The Sisterhood.
This weekend some women from the 3DM Family spoke at Chosen, a conference hosted by Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina. On Thursday Night, about 1000 women gathered together, ready to meet with God and hang out with one another. The experience did not disappoint.
There were many wonderful things about Chosen. I loved the natural and comfortable diversity both in the room, and on the main stage. There were women of different backgrounds and ethnicities sharing from the Bible, sharing from their lives. I loved the collective sound of women’s voices as they worshipped together. Hearts were open and hungry for more of God, and chosen was a safe place for hearts to be made whole and dreams to be born. I also loved the reality check that A21 gave us about human trafficking globally, but here in the US, in our day, on our watch. In response, the sisterhood took a stand, rolled up their sleeves got on their knees and began to wash the world’s feet… with love and healing.
There were a sprinkling of great men in room. Members of the production team, the worship band… serving, supporting their sisters. There were also some campus pastors, senior leaders and the senior pastor attending every session, celebrating all that God was doing, cheering for all the dreams and visions that God was releasing, encouraging women to be restored and empowered at the foot of the cross.
Alongside the wonderful opportunity to teach and share at Seacoast, it was great to spend a little time with some of my 3dm sisters. There were car journeys, silly fast food, fun, Starbucks and shopping. At the end of each evening there were conversations. Just woman to woman. Life on life, truth, faith, hope into the early hours of the morning.
Soon its Sunday lunchtime. I’m back in Torrance, seated in a restaurant with 3 wonderful women from my huddle. These women are leaders; they are the Josephs, or Daniels of our time, living out their call and ministry in the workplace. They’re influencers like Esther, positioned for such a time as this. But even calling gets complicated and tiring. It takes sacrifice and tenacity, because within our calling there’s the rest of life, marriage, kids, finances all with their own demands. These were women used to being there for everyone else, at work and at home. Who would be there for them? We needed to hear each other’s hearts, speak into each other’s lives, help one another carve a path of God filled simplicity through our complex lives.
This weekend reminded me of the sheer power of a sisterhood. Of relationships that can grow beyond comparisons and competition and surface conversation. The sisterhood are humble enough not just to support one another, but need one another, learn and be led by one another. They strengthen each other in God, they are a conduit for His healing hands. They share His wisdom, speak his love, comfort and truth. They make a woman strong.
You need a sisterhood in your life. Fight for them, invest in them, sacrifice for them, make time for them. Open your heart to receive them. Because when you feel weak, worried or weary, your sisters help you carry on.
About Joannah Saxton
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11 Responses to The Sisterhood.
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Amen! What a blessing to read!
Jo,
Thank you so much for your amazing words of wisdom. My daughter was one of your “4 girls” who chose to attend your break out session. She is still talking about it and has been set on fire by your inspiration. Thanks for coming to Seacoast and for bringing a fresh word to our sisterhood. My the Lord bless you abundantly for your amazing obedience to Him.
Blessings,
Kelly
Thank you for being with us. Thank you for being His voice to this generation of women so needing to hear the call to make disciples as we go. I was challenged and inspired by you opening up His word to us! What a privileged to wash others feet out of the grace we have been given in a good foot washing ourselves. Love you my sister. Katie
Jo, what a blessing to sit under your teaching this past weekend! Your own stories invited me in so that I could really listen to what God was saying through you. You asked so many powerful questions that went straight to my heart. Lots to take around the “circle”. Thank you for being here with the “sisterhood”, for challenging us to discipleship, for encouraging us on this journey. You are so beautiful!
Love ya,
Lana
Thank you for blessings us last week! May God bless you for traveling so far to share His word! You are beautiful inside and out! Love, Sandra
Jo,
YOU, my friend, are such Sisterhood to us. Bringing us fresh perspectives on the Word, the world and women. Thank you for the sacrifices it took on your end to travel and spend some days with us.
And thank you now, for capturing so eloquently - what we desire Sisterhood to be.
We love you and will be praying for you until we meet again.
In Him,
Deborah
Jo,
Thank you so very much for coming across the country to speak to us. You were more of a blessing than you can possibly know; I was inspired, challenged, empowered, and convicted to become the woman of influence that God has called me to be. Thank you. May God multiply the time back to you and your family!
Amy
Jo,
The conference having you, Lisa Bevere and Helen Lee could not have been any more timely in the lives of myself and the women I attended with. It is not until we all use the example of Jesus and “wash each other’s feet” that we will truly fulfill the destiny that God has for us all. Thanks to the leadership at Seacoast who stayed focused on all the unifying aspects that make us all “sisters” and therefore daughters of the King! We will pray for your ministry and that of the larger ministry of 3DM family of which we belong!
Peace in Him,
Laurie
Jo,
Thank you so much for speaking at the Chosen conference. I hate to admit that I have trouble remembering a lesson sometimes. But I don’t think I’ll ever forget your lesson on having our feet washed and using that power to wash other’s feet. You are such a talented speaker and I can’t thank you enough for sharing that talent with us.
Blessings, Lorin
Jo-the CHOSEN conference has been described as “A spa for my soul” to which I heartily say Amen!!! Your time on the stage, speaking to us, making us laugh, exhausting us as you paced so firmly back and forth, back and forth speaking the whole time to our hearts, our souls, our minds - wow!!
Love the words in the Blog - thank you for them, for coming to Chosen, know you are prayed for in thanksgiving and joy by those who attended the conference. God bless!
Claudia (Manning Campus)
Powerful and refreshing. Thank you sistafriend for sharing with us all at Sisterhood!! I will never be the same after last weekend! I told my sister-in-law to look you up since she lives in LA. I hope that she is able to hear you speak locally some time soon.
Blessings,