Ann Downing is excited to announce the 24th Middle Tennessee Women’s Retreat. This is an annual event that seeks to provide an atmosphere of encouragement and emotional safety for women of all ages, denominations, and cultures while learning more about themselves and the grace, hope and love of God. The theme this year is “KEEPING YOUR FAITH IN GOD’S UNSEEN PLAN.â€
Founders Paul and Ann Downing had a vision to provide a place where women from all walks of life could come one weekend each year for the purpose of reconnecting with themselves by taking time away from their “everydayness†and looking to Jesus for their true identities. Having lost everything of earthly value, except each other, Paul and Ann knew first-hand what the healing power of God could do in a relationship. They set their sights to what they believed was a calling of God … to establish a retreat for women. Just two months before the first retreat, Paul passed away. During the 56 day hospital stay, Ann had to decide the fate of the retreat. Knowing Paul would have it no other way, the retreat went on as planned. Amazingly, as only God can do, Ann was the one most ministered to during that first retreat. Her grief bore the emotional safety Paul desperately wanted the retreat to foster, and that safety contributes largely to the reputation for which Middle Tennessee Women’s Retreat is known today.
The weekend opens with an evening full of surprise music guests. Saturday and Sunday offer theme related workshops. This year’s retreat will be held April 24-26th, 2015 (Friday evening-Sunday Noon) at the Briley Parkway Holiday Inn in Nashville. The hotel is located just minutes from Nashville International Airport, Opry Mills Mall, Opryland Hotel and the Grand Ole Opry.
Ann extends this invitation, “At a time when little in the world makes sense, I invite you to step away from those concerns for three days and drink in the encouragement of fellow believers. I invite you to come and help equip yourself for the days ahead. Join us for the journey. It’s a journey of faith, a journey where immediate outcomes are usually impossible to know. It’s about Keeping Your Faith in God’s Unseen Plan. We are finite. God is infinite. Let’s walk forward together trusting the reality of His promised plan.â€
The Keynote speaker this year is Jackie Kendall. Jackie’s ministry spans more than 30 years. As President of Power to Grow Ministries, Jackie is a sought after conference speaker for people of all ages and stages of life. Jackie has chosen a road marked by personal vulnerability, accessibility and honesty. Jackie and her husband, Ken, taught a spring training Bible Study for the Montreal Expos and the Atlanta Braves between 1991 and 1998. Jackie is now a popular speaker for Pro Athletes Outreach (Baseball and the NFL).
Workshop speakers include Sharron Kay King, Darlene Chapman, Sheri Thrower, Melissa Shoemake, Patsy Lewis, Pauline Patterson and Karissa Petty.
Registrations are accepted through April 24th with an early registration special until March 1st. The registration fee covers all materials for the retreat plus a luncheon and dinner banquet on Saturday.
For more information visit http://www.anndowning.
