Unbreakable conference set for LR

Hundreds of women from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas are expected to attend the Unbreakable Women's Conference on Friday and Aug. 20 in Little Rock.

The conference, featuring televangelist and gospel singer Juanita Bynum, will be presented by Brenda Hatton-Ficklin. The program will begin at 7 p.m. Friday and continue from 9 a.m.-noon Aug. 20 at Second Baptist Church, 1709 John Barrow Road.

Sharon Nesbitt also will be a featured speaker and recording artist Lecresia Campbell will serve as master of ceremonies and psalmist. The St. Mark Baptist Church Praise Team also will perform.

The "Unbreakable" theme comes from 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, which states:

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

"We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you."

Hatton-Ficklin organized women's conferences for her church, St. Mark Baptist Church in Little Rock, for years with the last one being held about four years ago. Since then, she says, many women have encouraged her to restart the conferences on her own. This year, Hatton-Ficklin decided the time was right to offer an event to encourage and empower women.

"It's scary because I'm doing this on my own. I have a few sponsors, but not the impact of a church supporting me," Hatton-Ficklin said. "I stepped out in faith and said, 'God, if this is of you, make it happen. If it's not you, shut it down.' And the ball has been rolling ever since. People have been so encouraging."

With the help of volunteers and sponsors, Hatton-Ficklin organized the conference and is offering it free to attendees. VIP tickets also are available for $50.

Hatton-Ficklin said she has kept Philippians 3:13 in mind while planning the conference. The verse refers to "forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead."

"It's my favorite Scripture of all time. It's talks about pressing forward and forgetting those things that are behind me, pressing toward a higher calling," she said. "We can't stay stuck in the past. It's so easy to wallow in sorrow and get stuck. So I know the women's conference is something that will help women to grow and to press forward."

Hatton-Ficklin said women from all walks of life are welcome. She expects about 800 to attend.

Despite the time and energy required to organize a large conference, Hatton-Ficklin said the experience has been fulfilling.

"It's been so much fun, and I would not trade this journey for anything," she said. "Anybody can put on a party, but to put on a party for the Lord is the biggest party ever. It's something I enjoy doing and something I get so much life from doing that I don't think I can stop."

Doors open at 6 p.m. Friday. VIP tickets are available at Faithful Chics Boutique, 400 N. Bowman Road, and Uncle T's Food Mart, 1509 W. Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive.

More information is available by contacting Hatton-Ficklin at (501) 960-6745 or by email at bhficklin@yahoo.com.

Religion on 08/13/2016

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