On April 13th and 14th we held our first annual Open Hearts Conference for high school and college girls and it was a huge success!
Here is a short video created by Jackson Ingraham:
beLydia Open Hearts Conference 2018 from Jackson Ingraham on Vimeo.
We have so many beautiful photos and lessons learned and we’ll be sharing more in the future but here are a few highlights:
“I love the amount of praying because I pray all the time and I love it! I love how y’all connected to beLydia are helping us come closer to God and understanding Him.”
1. There is nothing that can compare to the power of prayer and fasting.
We are so grateful that God has completely equipped us with the most steadfast prayer warriors. Strong, faithful, humble women of faith that completely covered this event—from beginning to end.
Here are a few of those moments captured when they weren’t aware that anyone was looking. Women of faith aren’t afraid of worshipping in public! Praying for over a year about hundreds of details. Fasting several times during that year and especially leading up to the conference. Praying over every chair before the event. Spontaneous prayer throughout the event and of course, hands held high in worship. God is so good.
“The memories and moments I shared with my sister and friends. The True Colors thing was so cool.”
2. God made us unique.
Finding out your True Colors is so helpful in knowing yourself, recognizing who God made you to be and getting along with and accepting others.
Cynthia Horton was so good—and we are so thankful that she is on beLydia’s Board of Directors.
“My favorite thing was how much we focused on how we’re powerful through God and that we must not forget. All of the speakers were amazing.”
3. Sometimes you need to drown out the lies.
Thank you, Teresa Ann and Trissi for emceeing, teaching us how to drown the enemy’s lies so we can hear God’s truth; preaching with passion, declaring VICTORY over our lives and showing us what it looks like to be on fire for Jesus.
“Getting to be in the midst of other girls and being reminded that we are all broken in our own way and we can use our brokenness to connect with God.”
4. We know who we are in Christ and we know that we are loved.
“That we could come and learn about God with other girls and meeting new amazing women who show us what a true woman of God is.”
5. Joy is contagious! 
“How interactive it was: hands on. Being treated like princesses meant a lot. The heart behind every word and activity.”
6. We can use our creativity to share God’s love with others.
“Jordan and all the speakers! This conference really helped to go back to the basics. Remember to be rooted in Christ even in tough times. Worship was fantastic!”
7. Jordan Lee Dooley taught us how to open our hearts 100%, not 95%, not 99% but all the way for Jesus. 
“I loved the message of freedom. I needed the reminder that we find freedom when we surrender and trust God.”
8. Holy Yoga—we want more of you!
Thank you, Sue Bidstrup for preaching the Word and encouraging us to know in our heart, mind, body and soul that we are free.
“Wisdom spoken through the beLydia women! I also loved the self-care tips and guidance for digging into the Word. You did a great job of getting to the root of why our practices and behaviors matter.”
9. Thank you, Lori Trenasty for sharing the value of rest and wellness that honors God.
“This was a Spirit-led event!”
10. When the Holy Spirit floods the room, it’s easy to lose ourselves in the love of Jesus.
“My favorite part was the worship. Worship was just so beautiful & really touched my heart.”
11. When God blesses you with a beautiful voice, SING TO THE LORD! Thank you Lori & Kalista!
The Open Hearts Conference wouldn’t be possible without these amazing people:
God gets all the glory in this event but He put so many people on our path that we have to thank.
Special thank you to one of our favorite people on the planet, talented photographer Ashley Canfield who took all of these gorgeous photos!
Thank you to to all the volunteers that devoted their time and love to help make this event possible. So much gratitude to Riverbend Church for giving us the space and workers to host this event. They helped us set up and take down and basically bent over backwards to make this event a success!
Special thank you to
- Chase Gassaway for all your help
- Teresa Ann and Trissi for emceeing
- Sue Bidstrup for leading Holy Yoga
- Maddie Pellman of PaintItForwardPrints!
- CaryAnn Pendergraft with BeWee who donated the gorgeous bookmarks!
- Lori Trenasty for donating the lavender oil!
- May Designs who donated the journals!
- Meredith Holm who made our surfer bracelets.
- Jackson Ingraham for sharing Project Beauty and filming the event!
- Jeannette Haffner on behalf of Focus on the Family.
- Loot Vintage
Platinum Sponsor:
Cissy Smucker
Gold Sponsors:
Melody McCaig
Tracy Barr
Rebekkah Cole
Traci & Lance Lolley
T. Ingraham
Christina Ross
Michele Pellman
Heather Long
Kelly & Stephen McDaniel
CaryAnn Pendergraft
Riverbend’s Journey Class
Anonymous
Riverbend Church
Silver Sponsors:
Janet Stinus
Sandi Meagher
Marsha Gephardt
Lillian Katumba
Nancy Glewwe
beLydia Supporters:
Lesa Taylor
Debra Watson
Let’s Talk with Teresa Ann
Patti Mosser
Friends of beLydia:
Jackie Rylander
Lizzie Mahoney
Sharmon Coleman
E. Ingraham
We will, God-willing, have an Open Hearts Conference in 2019! If you would like to participate as an attendee, sponsor or prayer partner, shoot us an email: hello@belydia.org!
For more testimonials from this event, go here.
