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Event
Overcoming Conference
OVERCOMING is a conference designed to bring local churches together to address the needs of sexually-abused women from a spiritual perspective.
This conference is desperately needed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 3 women have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes. While the national discussion about these disturbing trends continues to bellow loudly, the Church has remained largely silent. Come As You Are Community Church, led be Pastor Anthony Payton and First Lady Sandra Payton, will host this event, working with Licensed Counselor Arlene Story. The goal is not to duplicate society's methods of investigation and proclaiming guilt or innocence on men. Instead, our focus is on the trauma and pain that so many women have experienced without being offered avenues for healing. Many abused women are involved in our churches, yet feel they have no outlet to express their pain or to heal from it. Some don't realize the long-term impact on their lives, their families, and their relationship with God. We want to expose this dark issue to the light of His Word and take away the shame. We want to let women know that neither God, nor the Church, has forsaken them. We want to help equip churches in Allen County to assist them in overcoming this serious trauma.
We hope that church leaders throughout Allen County and beyond will join us in unity. How can you get involved?
1) Training (Begins July 16, 2019): This summer, training will be available for women who want to lead sexual abuse support groups in their churches and nonprofits. We hope that church leaders will sponsor this training for select women in their congregations. The training will be conducted in three sessions led by Arlene Story, an accomplished licensed counselor of sex abuse issues and the founder of Healing Heart Connections, LLC (healingheartconnections.com). Cost: $75.
2) Conversation (Friday, September 6): The two-day conference will begin with a gathering of men and women interested in learning more about sexual abuse and supporting victims from a spiritual perspective. We are encouraging church leaders and lay members, as well as the general public, to attend. The evening will include an opening performance to start the conversation, a presentation by counselor Arlene Story on the meaning and effects of abuse and trauma, a Q&A, and remarks from Pastor Anthony Payton. Admission: FREE.
3) Healing Session (Saturday, September 7): Women will take part in this powerful day of transparency, sharing, and learning, led by licensed counselor Arlene Story. Lunch will be provided. Cost: $25.
4) Aftermath (September 2019 Beyond): Women who attend the conference will be given a list of participating support groups at various partner churches in the area. (These are groups led by women trained over the summer through the OVERCOMING training sessions. These groups will launch after the conference.) The support groups will provide women with avenues for long-term healing. Also, lists of licensed counselors and other helpful organizations will be made available during the conference.
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LocationCome As You Are Community Church (View)
7910 S. Anthony Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46816
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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Contact
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