Arlene, a long-time volunteer and friend of ACE, shares her experiences and favorite moments from our 2026 Men’s & Women’s Conference.
At ACE, we believe that being a beacon for Christ is the fundamental purpose of everything we do. One of the ways we live this out is through our annual Men’s and Women’s Conference each February. Though I’m often serving in Jamaica during this time, I’m especially grateful to have participated again this year.
The theme was “From Pain to Purpose.” We invited people from the communities we serve to join us in experiencing the love and light of the Gospel. Evenings began with joyful Praise & Worship, and then the men and women separated for teaching.
The women were privileged to be taught by Melinda Hendrix, who beautifully unpacked the theme through three powerful truths:
God Sees You!
Melinda shared Hagar’s story—fleeing pregnant, alone, and desperate. God’s angel called her by name, saw her misery, and promised her a son, Ishmael (“God hears”). Hagar responded, “You are the God who sees me,” and returned obediently.
God Hears You!
Next, she shared the story about the Samaritan woman at the well. Avoided by others due to her past, Jesus initiated conversation with her, listened deeply, and revealed Himself as Messiah. She shared the news, leading many in her town to believe after hearing Him themselves.
God Loves You!
On the final night, Melinda tied the stories together: Sin can lead us farther and cost more than expected, yet God sees us where we are, hears our hearts, and loves us unconditionally. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
After each message, we broke into small groups to discuss thoughtful (and sometimes challenging) questions. The women opened up vulnerably, making the truths personal and impactful. It was a joy to connect deeply with them. The conference closed with written prayer requests, which I continue to lift up—reminders of our special time together.
What a blessing to see lives move from pain toward God’s purpose!
