This past week, I was privileged to participate in a gathering called Speak Up. A conference for Christian Speakers, Writers, and Leaders. A time to spend in the company of like-minded individuals who desire to fulfill their callings for God's glory.  

I could share many things with you, my reader friend, yet too many in one short blog. The very first word that comes to mind is servant. The coming together of incredibly talented and accomplished professionals to serve others. Publishers, literary agents, marketing professionals, speakers, and authors gave of themselves to teach, coach, support, and encourage for next to nothing. I’m serious! Opportunities were provided to help others move up a level out of generosity, not for personal gain. Hours and hours of preparation were required. Time away from work and family, many traveling across the country to attend.

Seeing integration in multiple ways, working together for a common goal made my heart soar. A willingness to link arms and live out “better together.”

I was allowed to meet with a literary agent, editors, marketing experts, and publishers. I was given excellent feedback and walked away with some end goals in mind.

Meeting new people who are working in the areas of leading, speaking, and writing was certainly a highlight. Some of those connections are the beginning of friendships. With each conversation, I was given the opportunity not only to learn but also to glimpse into the heart behind the passions of others. I am always amazed by the unique stories behind this coming together.

Sharing my story and what brought me to Speak Up was remarkable. Every single conversation was met with looks of understanding and encouraging responses. Responses of, “This book is needed,” “We, the church, need to represent Christ well. This isn’t being done in many ways, and Christians are considered homophobic and hateful.” “How awful Jesus is being misrepresented by those called to love.”

Everyone expressed the heart of Christ, and that, my friend, is encouraging. It hasn’t always been this way in our experience since founding Unconditional Ministries. Sometimes we encountered groups who felt their role was to point out the struggles and lives of others they perceived as “less than” and as enemies. I am a mama bear through and through, and I admit that in those moments, I was snarling on the inside, and it was difficult not to hurl hateful remarks. Instead, I chose to think it through and ask God where their fear and hatred came from.

I did not have an immediate sense of their issues and certainly did not know the why for the public outrage. What I do know is this. Jesus loved me while I was still his enemy. I lived a life that shook a fist to all he is. I completely ignored all things church I’d ever been exposed to, good or bad. If anyone, and I mean anyone, said anything I ever perceived as “churchy,” I did a 180 and waved with one finger. 
Maybe those sign-holders had a sense of self-righteousness and an obligation to set others straight. Oh, goodness, no pun intended, but there it is. Perhaps they’d led a life far from God and somehow thought they had to repay God for his mercy. Although the reason does matter, because of all our issues of brokenness to God, the damage inflicted only adds to the pain. Sigh.

At the Speak Up conference, I did not experience any division or hatred, or finger-pointing. I’m not naïve; I know we did not all agree with each other; that does not exist. The vast difference and blessing was sharing the same space. Worshipping and learning together were not a place for pointing out differences. No, our focus was vertical, not horizontal. We had our hearts and minds looking to the God who created each of us. We chose love over being right. We desired to learn with and from each other. The experience was beauty expressed collectively.

I am still basking in the blessing of Speak Up, given to us by our loving God. May we choose to stand together, move forward in love and embrace the people God places in our lives. Because. He first loved us.

Becky on: Aug 2nd, 2023 09:54am

I'm so glad you had a wonderful experience and I can't wait to see what God does in and through you after this experience.

Helen Nemetz on: Jul 18th, 2023 10:08pm

God placed Jenn Krogh and my Kewanee Bible study group and First Place in my life when I needed them most. Thank you God.