4 July 2022

Riverbank Women's Conference: 'All I can say is wow!'

Rachel Gotobed

Women worshipping at Riverbank — Worship at Riverbank Women's Conference

Under the new name Riverbank, the rebranded Women and God weekend offered women of all ages the opportunity to come together to encounter God in worship, engage in Christian teaching and explore their God-given potential, writes Outreach Mission Partner (Family Ministries) Rachel Gotobed.

Taking the theme Just Imagine!, its purpose was to lead Christian women to imagine or re-imagine what God wants to accomplish through them in the 21st century.

I was so blessed and privileged to attend Riverbank and all I can say is wow!

Victoria Dowse, delegate

The weekend was hosted by the director and deputy director of Family Ministries, Major David Betteridge and Liz Hall, at Warwich University from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 June. Speakers included Director of Anti-Trafficking and Modern Slavery Major Kathy Betteridge, Bekah Legg, the CEO of Christian domestic abuse charity Restored, and Rachel Turner, founder of Parenting for Faith.

Worship leader Lou Fellingham, supported by her husband, Nathan, led the inspiring sung worship on the Friday and Saturday, and their band joined them in leading a praise party on Saturday evening.

Swan Bank Gospel Choir leader Trudy Purkiss led worship on Sunday, which included testimony in word and song by Megane Moki (Birmingham Citadel).

Lou Fellingham leading worship — Lou Fellingham leads worship

Delegates talk at Riverbank 2022 — Delegates at Riverbank Women's Conference 2022

Other highlights of the weekend included a beautiful prayer space, artwork created to reflect the weekend, a workshop led by Gilly Parish (Sale) and a PechaKucha session where five amazing women shared their personal stories of God doing more than they could have thought or imagined. There were also opportunities to join in challenges and raise funds for the Helping-Hand Appeal, receive a relaxing facial and visit a marketplace full of information, resources and things to buy.

Attendees described the event using recurring words such as ‘relevant’, ‘inspiring’, ‘real’, ‘uplifting’, ‘nourishing’, ‘encouraging’ and ‘wonderful’.

The Riverbank team — Major David Betteridge (front left) and the Riverbank team

Delegate stories

It was my first time at the conference and I am so glad I went! It was such a blessed time. The worship was refreshing and I came away with renewed energy, especially after worship on Sunday morning when the Holy Spirit was clearly moving in our midst.

The speakers were inspiring and each one definitely delivered their message on behalf of the Holy Spirit. I could name each speaker one by one and reflect on what I learnt, but that would take up too many words! Major Kathy and Megane’s testimonies were moving and I know that each of their stories delivered desperately needed messages for many of us.

I would really recommend Riverbank to any woman connected to The Salvation Army. I want to recommend it especially to my fellow young women as it’s important to have strong support systems and people around us. This conference is an ideal way for us to get to know others who can support and guide us through the trials we face as Christian women.

The whole response to the conference has been overwhelmingly positive and, if the stories of these delegates have inspired you, then put 9 to 11 June 2023 in your diary now so you can join us at the Riverbank next year!

I was so blessed and privileged to attend Riverbank and all I can say is wow! I’m not sure how I can share my highlights from the weekend because it was full of highlights.

People gave some brutally honest testimonies, where God used horrific situations and turned them into blessings. They reminded us that, if we become rooted in God, then the Devil cannot make his way in, and that there is no doubt that God can do immeasurably more through us than we can ever imagine.

We were also reminded that we can do anything in God’s strength because his love will never let us go. We need to trust him that we can achieve healing and fullness through his amazing grace.

Because of the weekend, I am reassured that God places us where he needs us and that his everlasting love is mine. God gave more than I imagined this weekend and now I am excited to see what he can do through me!

Friday evening commenced with hearing how, in Acts 16, Lydia went to the riverbank in Philippi to pray with those gathered. We read of the life-changing encounter she had there with Jesus. This set the overall theme for the conference, and we listened to how this encounter became part of Lydia’s life story.

Throughout the weekend we continued to hear story after story of such encounters from those attending the conference. People shared how God had sustained, saved, forgiven and restored them. We heard how these everyday miracle moments had changed the lives of ordinary people.

As these daughters of God shared their heart-wrenching life stories, they then testified to God’s unfailing faithfulness and praised him for the new and trusting heart he placed within them.

Hearing the life-changing encounters of others led me, in my heart, to the riverbank, where I too met with Jesus and renewed my trusting heart.

I was invited to The Salvation Army by a young man when we were junior students at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. I loved the style of worship and soon began to attend regularly. I went to youth councils in 1964 and during the appeal I went to the mercy seat. I have never regretted making that decision and am still serving God at my corps.

Incidentally, that young man became my husband seven years later! When he was promoted to Glory 18 months ago, I felt my life was over. I am still grieving but I have turned a corner now thanks to conversation and prayer with others at the conference.

I so enjoyed our weekend because the fellowship and worshipping together is an amazing experience. It was so uplifting and helpful to me. I have attended in the past and hope to come back next year. I am so grateful to all the team for such a wonderful weekend.

I enjoyed listening to people’s testimonies about how God has worked through them, lifting and transforming them beyond all imagination amid the challenges they faced. These stories lifted me spiritually. The worship was fantastic, Spirit-filled and helped me encounter God as I love worshipping and praising him through song.

With a quiet space and prayer rooms available, it was easy to step away from others and have a ‘me and God’ time for reflection and prayer. The event had sign language interpreters throughout and I am grateful for the opportunity to have met and shared with so many great people.