Women of the Vine conference set

By Staff
special to The Star
Jan. 24, 2004
Two nationally recognized Christian motivational speakers will headline a women's renewal conference scheduled for February in Philadelphia.
Jan Silvious and Alicia Williamson will be featured speakers for the 2004 Women of the Vine Spiritual Renewal Conference set for Feb. 21 at the Neshoba County Coliseum.
Also featured will be The Women of the Vine Praise and Worship Team and Kay Faulkenberry, one of last year's speakers, who will join the band as a worship leader, as well as serve as hostess.
Avenue for spiritual growth
Women of the Vine began with the vision of glorifying God by reaching out to Christian women and providing an avenue for spiritual growth. One such avenue is to bring national caliber conferences to the coliseum in Neshoba County.
The core committee for the ministry, formed from various denominational backgrounds, began its monthly meetings in spring 2002 in Neshoba County. The group adopted the name Women of the Vine from John 15:4: "No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine."
While the original idea was to provide conferences to Christian women in the East Central Mississippi area, the vine ministry extended to another area branch studies.
The branch studies are geared to be a source of spiritual growth throughout the year.
2004 conference speakers
Silvious has years of experience as a counselor and Bible teacher. Her passion is to help others understand relationships and be freed from the ruts of life. Her bottom-line, humorous messages appeal to the young and old alike.
Silvious is a guest speaker for Women of Faith and has spoken for Moody's Women's Conferences, Moody's Founder's Week, Women of Faith Pre-conference Event, Bailey Smith Ministries, Precept Ministries' National Women's Convention and numerous church conferences.
Through her books, Silvious gives practical biblical tools to those who are floundering in deep water. Her books include "Look At It This Way," "Big Girl," "Fool-Proofing Your Life," "Please Don't Say You Need Me" and several others.
A native of Florence, S.C., Williamson began singing in the church at age 5. When she was 7, she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior while listening to her father's first sermon.
Williamson graduated from Winthrop College in Rock Hill, S.C., with a bachelor's degree in vocal performance. After college, she traveled six years with the contemporary Christian group TRUTH, where she first recorded her signature song, "There Is A Hope."
Williamson began her solo ministry in 1993 and now makes nearly 200 solo appearances annually. Not only an accomplished singer/songwriter, Williamson also is a prominent author and TV host.
During the last few years Williamson has teamed with several other ministries, including Precept Ministries, The Brooklyn Tabernacle, Dr. Tony Evans of the Urban Alternative, Women of Faith and The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
For more information about the speakers, visit their Web sites at www.jansilvious.com and www.aliciawilliamson.com.
While much of the benefits of the spiritual renewal conference are from speakers, music and other areas, Seal said participants receive much more.