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By Sheila Lockwood
IMMEDIATELY after Lisa Bevere spoke at Bible Truth Church’s women’s conference in 2007, pastor Andy Picklyk was back on the phone arranging for her to revisit Kamloops.
“Lisa was so awesome that we wanted to book her again,”he told BCCN. “We want women to move forward in different aspects of their lives, and in God. Our church has been going in this direction, and will be for the next few months.”
Bevere, bestselling author and co-host of The Messenger TVprogram, returned to Bible Truth April 16 as keynote speaker for this year’s women’s conference, ‘Moving Forward.’
The theme was Deuteronomy 31:7–8, with its exhortation to “Be strong and courageous.” Worship was led by Andrea Critchley, a recording artist who works as PAOC Women’s Director for BC/Yukon.
In her intense but accessible style, Bevere shared stories from her own life – often using humour to keep the audience involved.
Recalling a time when she took a passing comment from an acquaintance too seriously, Bevere launched into a light-hearted tale about her physical appearance. She had been told that she resembled an attractive, athletic movie actress.
Thrilled by the compliment, Bevere joined a gym and hired a personal trainer – only to discover she had limited physical strength and a high percentage of body fat. The trainer described her as “skinny fat.”
Bevere used this example to encourage women to find strength in God, through scripture, fasting and prayer.
She told them that many people look good on the outside – but have no strength on the inside. “Don’t be skinny fat in the Spirit,” she quipped.
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Her stories illustrated the ways women can impact both their families and communities, when they focus on the promises of God.
While the presentation was upbeat, Bevere shed her smile at one point, and encouraged her listeners to get involved in ministries that address global problems.
She spoke of a dream she had while pregnant with her fourth son. It inspired her to take a stand against the horrors of modern-day slavery.
She later spent time in Thailand, and witnessed the atrocities firsthand.
Bevere and her husband John have since founded Pearl Alliance. The organization raises funds and awareness to prevent the continuation of human trafficking.
Speaking to a multigenerational crowd, Bevere was challenged to keep her message relevant. She evidently succeeded.
Teenager Tanisha Smith said Bevere helped her better understand her role in friendships with male peers.
“I found the speaker really connected with some of the stuff I was going through.”
“She inspired us with her heart to see God’s justice birthed in the world through women,” said Kowanda Janzen. “It is heavy on her heart.”
For more information on Bevere’s ministries, go to:
messengerinternational.org
pearlalliance.org
May 2010
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