GVCC Women’s Retreat

A quick glance around the room of the Grace Valley Christian Center’s last Women’s Retreat may have left a passerby puzzled as to what could possibly draw together a group of close to 200 women from such disparate backgrounds. Mothers with small children camped out in the back, while college students, professionals, homemakers, teachers, retired women and grandmothers fellowshipped around coffee. As soon as the day started with prayer however a clear unifying theme emerged: all were gathered as sisters in Christ to receive special ministry from God’s Word.

Grace Valley Christian Center’s Women’s Ministry hosted its 18th annual Women’s Retreat a few weekends ago in Sacramento, CA. Under the faithful leadership of Mrs. Mathew, the ministry leader and wife of Rev. P. G. Mathew, the retreat has evolved from an overnight event, held amidst snow in Sonora in its inception, to a one-day event held locally so that more women can easily attend.

Following a time of singing, Scripture reading, and prayer the first morning session began with testimonies from a retired schoolteacher, a young newly converted college student and a medical doctor who recently visited India with her family. Though speaking from distinct seasons of life each testimony hinged on God’s faithfulness to answer prayer and bring about radical life change by his Spirit.

Mrs. Mathew continued with ministry from God’s word. Speaking from her life she instructed mothers that their role in the family is tremendously important, in that mothers can play a large part in leading their children to salvation.

After lunch, the retreat participants enjoyed a time of laughter and games as all engaged in a rendition of “family feud”, answering Bible and other trivia questions. The retreat concluded with ministry from Dr. Broderick, leader of Beautiful Minds and Principal of Grace Valley Christian Academy.

This post was contributed by Sarah Trombly.