Reflections from the Orchard Women’s Conference
On Saturday 10th October, a group of women from Emmanuel travelled to Birmingham for the Orchard conference.
Rachel Hughes and Amy Hughes independently had visions in 2020, and were drawn again and again to Jeremiah 17:7, a picture of a tree that “sends out its roots by the stream,” that “has no worries in a year of drought” and “never fails to bear fruit.”
That image shaped everything.
They then had the vision of an orchard. A vast company of women, deeply rooted and abundantly fruitful. Women filled by the Holy Spirit. Women sustained by Biblical truth. Women liberated by Jesus from all that keeps them captive, so they can carry freedom wherever they go.
From that vision, Orchard Women was born and the highlight each year are 2 conferences, one in London (next year, Brighton) and one in Birmingham.
This year, 3000 women gathered around Romans 12:2 to ‘be transformed by the renewing of your mind’.
Most of us know what it is to be held back by our own thinking. There are thought patterns that keep returning, and a voice that tells us who we are and what's possible. God says one thing, our internal voice says another, and over time, without us really choosing it, the wrong voice wins.
It was a day led by truly inspirational women of God, for women to be empowered by the Holy Spirit and to step boldly and purposefully into every season of life. Through outstanding, Biblically based talks, Spirit-led worship, and powerful prayer ministry, we were taken on an emotional journey. Through vulnerability, Christine Caine spoke about David and Goliath, but not in a way any of us would have heard before! I could have listened to her for hours! We were challenged to identify our own Goliaths that can hinder us in our spiritual journey, and become women sustained by the truth of God’s Word, to be unswayed by the values of the culture around us, and to know that we are women who are imperfect, but completely loved.
Never having gone to such an event, I was apprehensive walking into the ICC with 3000 other women and hundreds of teenagers, but I am so glad I went. The teaching was brilliant, the sung worship made room for God to move, and I certainly left feeling more equipped, and more convinced than ever of my value and identity as a child of God. In the youth stream, so many teenagers gave their lives to Jesus, and we were able to celebrate that together towards the end.
Such a special day. So much so, that I have already booked for next year! Will you join us?
"I thought the energy that arose when the youngsters came in was tangible and will be a spiritual force to be reckoned with. I also could have listened to more from the speakers, they were great."
“The Orchard is a breath of fresh air. To be able to abandon myself in worship with words I understand and no children tugging on me is so good for my soul. It fills me up ready to be sent back.”
“For me The Orchard was a real breakthrough of knowing I am seen by God. Amy's talk was impactful and I went forward for prayer and the lady praying simply prayed a series of blessings which were spot on.”
"It was a day of gentle nudges, of experiencing the presence of God, of feeling freer and letting go of burdens I have been carrying."
Early bird tickets are available from www.theorchardwomen.com
