Controversial Gospel unveiled at Women's and Young Women's Retreat

By Patty Marsh

Upper Columbia Conference children's ministries, community services and women's ministries director

Heather Thompson Day, interdenominational speaker, kept listeners riveted with “Controversial Gospel” messages during the fall Upper Columbia Conference Women’s and Young Women’s Retreat held at Camp MiVoden in October 2024.

Through the four messages given, Thompson Day passionately described the covenant of God with His children, “Love God; Love Man.” This love in turn will find His children reaching out and touching the lives of others — especially the quartet of the vulnerable including the poor, widows, orphans and immigrants.

“God is not demanding our righteousness, but rather providing our righteousness,” said Thompson Day, ECPA bestseller and past contributor for Religion News Service, Christianity Today, Newsweek and the Barna Group. She is now the founder of It Is Day Ministries, a nonprofit organization that serves churches, leaders and content creators in maximizing their communication messaging.

The 150 multi-generational attendees came from more than 50 churches. Young women ages 13–18 attended breakouts led by Christina Kinney, inspirational speaker and ABC Christian Bookstore manager in College Place, Washington.

Thompson Day also presented a breakout for the young women titled, “I Did It on Purpose.” Years ago, separate breakouts and speakers were planned for the young women, but several came to retreat leaders and requested, “We love your main speakers — could we hear them too and have our own breakouts?”

This year 20 family groups — moms, daughters, grandmothers, mothers-in-law and sisters — came together during this retreat creating an added layer of family memories.

Saturday night relaxation included a spa supper and two classes: an art party with Dean Sherman and a flower arranging workshop under the tutelage of Angela Ford, owner of Blooms and Berries in Leavenworth, Washington. The hot tub and pool were popular among the attendees, along with ping pong, a campfire by the lake, games and popcorn by the fireplace.

The retreat concluded with Michele Davis, who recently returned from a five-year assignment with her husband with ADRA India. She told the story of Hope, a young African girl in a large Indian city whose life changed forever through her encounter with Davis. As attendees all listened to Davis weave the powerful story, they realized, “Our lives have been changed as well.”

The one-day spring Women’s and Young Women’s Retreat with Jean Boonstra, Voice of Prophecy associate speaker, will be held at UCC headquarters on May 3, 2025. All are welcome to attend.