Women Influencers for Missions
Board Members’ Retreat!
You are invited to join us March 27-30, 2025 for the Women Influencers for Missions Board Members’ Retreat! This inaugural event will be held at the beautiful Maranatha Bible & Missionary Conference Center in Norton Shores, Michigan.
You will have the opportunity to:
- Meet your fellow Board Members
- Learn how to engage and encourage event hostesses as they share their gifts of hospitality
- Discover how great things came come from small beginnings
- Experience a “mock” fellowship event
- Dive deeper into the life and influence of Lydia and the lessons we learn from her story
- Hear the concepts and heart behind the ministry initiative of WIM and how the program supports global missions
- Consider which comes first: an open heart or an open door
- Spend time enjoying the beauty of God’s creation
- Have some great fun with your sisters in Christ!
Great Things Come from Small Beginnings
We’ll explore the life and ministry of Lydia, a Gentile believer of God working in Philippi. At that time, there were not enough Jewish men in the city to establish a synagogue for worship. Wanting to honor the Sabbath, Lydia sought out other believers and found a small group of women praying by the river.
Because of her faithfulness to honor the Sabbath, she happened to be at the riverside when an unpretentious group of men were passing through. Paul, Silas, and Timothy had arrived in Philippi and found this humble gathering of women praying by the river. God used Paul’s preaching to open Lydia’s heart and she believed!
These seemingly unrelated circumstances in Lydia’s life could easily be overlooked—the absence of a synagogue, a modest group of women worshipers, and a simple band of apostles. However, each of these were small details in Lydia’s life that eventually developed into great things. These “small beginnings” resulted in Lydia and her household being baptized and ultimately led to Lydia being credited with the birth of the church in Europe.
“Great Things come from Small Beginnings”
Join us as we delve deeper into Lydia’s story and discover how God can use “small beginnings” to accomplish “great things!
Meet Our Speaker and the WIM Team!
Shelly Schaller, our speaker, lives in a suburb of Los Angeles with her husband, David.They have three grown sons and two daughters-in-law. Shelly and David work at Church of the Open Door in Glendora, California, the same church that supported them for the 15 years they served overseas, first in Hong Kong and later in Vietnam. “My interest in and calling to missionary work evolved over time, “ writes Shelly, “through serving on several short-term trips, through the influence of my Wheaton College experience, and through the example of faithful men and women. I am thrilled to be able to be part of the work of Africa Inland Mission as a US council member.”
Debby Stephens, Director of Development, joined the staff of Africa Inland Mission (AIM) in 2011 and became a member in 2012. Prior to joining AIM her career was in Real Estate, owning her own company and servingclients for over 25 plus years. It was through Real Estate she was introduced to AIM representing them in their relocation to Peachtree City, GA. Her heart is to walk alongside each partner in their calling of stewardship and support of the ministry of AIM.
Karen Keen, Executive Assistant, also joined the staff of AIM in 2011, initially as the Logistics Assistant. In 2016, Karen was invited into the role of Executive Assistant and now serves the U.S. Director and the Director of Development. AIM was God’s provision for Karen as a safe and grace-filled environment where she was able to heal from a significant life crisis. She enjoys having a front-row seat to watch God’s work among the unreached peoples of Africa.
Kristi Threatt has been with AIM since 2011 when they relocated to her hometown of Peachtree City, GA. Her roles have included Candidate Facilitator, Appointee Coach, Personnel Director at ABS in Nairobi and most recently, Development Officer. Prior to being at AIM, Kristi served for 14 years in Thailand with Pioneers. She loves all things missions!
We’ll gather at the beautiful Maranatha Bible & Missionary Conference Center in Norton Shores, Michigan.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, March 27th—Arrival Day!
Airport pick-ups are scheduled for 12 Noon and 3:00 PM.
6:30—Dinner
8:00-9:00—Ice-breaker/Get-to-know-you activities
9:00—End of Day
Friday, March 28th
9:00-9:45—Breakfast
10:00-12:00—Group Sessions
12:00-1:00—Group Activity
1:00-2:30—Mock Hostess Event
2:30-3:30—Break/Free Time
3:30-5:30—Group Sessions
6:30—Dinner
7:30ish—S’mores at the Campfire
8:30—End of Day
Saturday, March 29th
9:00-9:45—Breakfast
10:00-11:00—Guest Speaker
11:00-12:00—Group Session
12:00-2:00—Lunch and Free Time
2:00-4:30—Group/Small Group Sessions
4:30-6:30—Free Time
6:30—Depart for Dinner at Local Restaurant
End of Day after Dinner
Sunday, March 30th—Departure Day
9:00-9:45—Breakfast
Airport drop-offs are scheduled as needed
Lunch served as needed
Cost
The retreat is free of charge and
includes 3 nights’ accommodations,
all meals, and all activities.
Transportation costs are the
responsibility of the attendee.
Let us know you're coming!
Registrations are needed
by October 31, 2024.
Airport Transport
We’ll provide shuttles
to and from the airport
Women Influencers for Missions is a ministry initiative of Africa Inland Mission.