About Us

A MESSAGE FROM JEN ~

Twelve years ago, as dear friend Belinda Dorsey and I walked the pedal path around Big Bear Lake, California, God clearly spoke to us with instructions to begin the Christian Women’s Gathering. On Saturday, September 25th, 2004, that assignment was fulfilled as the first Christian Women’s Gathering, entitled; “I’m A Seed In God’s Hands” welcomed 143 precious women through the doors of the Best Western Big Bear Chateau! They came from local churches, no churches, and all surrounding counties.

Dr. Lynn Logan was our Keynote Speaker, boasting a joyous smile as wide as our prestine lake! As a sought after Christian Counselor she shared how our lives are transformed through our faith in Jesus Christ, the power of prayer, and surrender to Him. This was the launch of seven consecutive Gatherings in Big Bear, and the unifying force for our churches and the beautiful women God called to this blessed community!

Through those years, we watched women enter into a personal, enriching and eternal relationship with their Creator, re-dedicate their lives to His purposes and instructions, and become stronger and more effective in their homes, workplaces and communities. And, what joy it was to come along side ministries and needs within our community, filling the voids and providing extra funds and support all in the Name of Jesus Christ!

Around 2010 God revealed that Belinda and my paths were about to go in opposite directions. She and her hubby, Bryan, eventually moved to Oregon, while I and my hubby, Pat, moved to Hawaii. It was always on Belinda’s heart to expand the CWG nationwide, if not worldwide. So, in 2015 Oregon hosted their own event. Please see “A Message From Belinda” for further thoughts on this vision. And, after living on the Big Island for three years, I began the Christian Women’s Gathering/Hawaii held at the beautiful Nani Mau Gardens in Hilo. One hundred women attended, anxious to hear our Keynote Speaker, Lindy Boone Michaelis, daughter of much loved Pat Boone, as she shared about the challenges of caring for her son after he fell three stories through a roof skylight. The 2nd Annual Christian Women’s Gathering /Hawaii was Saturday, January 23rd, 2016 at the expansive YWAM (Youth With A Mission) campus in Kailua-Kona. And, on Saturday, September 10, 2016, we hosted a special luncheon in beautiful Waimea, HI.

The 3rd Annual Christian Women’s Gathering is set for Saturday, February 18, 2017, again at the beautiful and spirit-filled YWAM campus in Kailua-Kona. I am astounded at God’s faithfulness in equipping His saints for the job at hand. It is only through Him and for Him that this ministry exists! Every life is precious to Him. Every life!

Jen McGeehan
Founder & Coordinator

 

A MESSAGE FROM BELINDA ~

In 2009, the theme for our 6^th Annual Christian Women’s Gathering in Big Bear, CA was: “Jewels for the Journey” – inspired by a sweet song of the Lord composed for Jen to be her parting gift as she was planning her move to Hawaii. At the time of our preparations, it was my hope to take over the coordination efforts in Big Bear, with the vision of her expanding one in Hawaii. This way, our friend/partnership in ministry could still be linked and our vision multiplied nationwide.

But God… While He knows the plans He has for us (Jeremiah 29:11), we didn’t, taking us both through a drastic turn of events that kept us in sync prophetically with our 2008 theme: “Finding a Pathway to God’s Presence …In Every Season of Life.”  I was suddenly thrust into the role of full time caregiver for my mother-in-love and moved to Redlands, CA. It was at that time, when His love for the elderly became my chosen pathway, I also learned from my speaking topic (again, 2008), “Hanging Onto God When The Path Takes An Unexpected Turn,” that His definition of grace is much more about Him hanging onto us than us hanging onto Him (John 10:28-30).  Then, in 2011, I made another sudden move to Rogue River, Oregon where, after the Christian Women’s Gathering/Hawaii debuted in January 2015, we launched the first Christian Women’s Gathering/Oregon on September 18 & 19, 2015 entitled, Rivers Of Life.

But, again, God… Proverbs 16: 9 is now my life-verse: “A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps” (NKJV).  I haven’t been back to Oregon since my dad unexpectedly went to glory in December 2015.  Instead, I have found myself traveling to five different states, again serving as a caregiver to many of my extended family members,  learning about God’s heart for me and for His women. Stay tuned….

Belinda Dorsey
Co-coordinatior, California

 

A MESSAGE FROM LYNN ~

I just have to smile when I reflect upon how God weaves our lives together for His purposes. Jen McGeehan and I live on opposite sides of the Big Island and were introduced to each other literally through a series of “mix-ups” and the happenstance of her striking up a conversation with one of my closest friends. Our first exchanges were via email and a few phone calls, not actually meeting each other until several months later at the first Christian Women’s Gathering in Hilo, Hawaii.

Having been involved with Women’s Ministries and leading Women’s Bible studies for many years, I immediately understood Jen’s desire to see ladies brought together island-wide.

As women we often have such full lives that we can only be involved with small pockets of activities and friends, never stepping back to see the bigger tapestry that God is weaving together. There is a foundational need for us to connect so as to strengthen, encourage and support one another; bringing our individual gifts together to accomplish the work of God’s Kingdom.

That is one of the core purposes of the Christian Women’s Gatherings; meet women you might never run into even though they live just down the street, enjoy a day with friends that you’ve lost contact with, chat with ladies that you have never met and asking them “So, what has the LORD been encouraging you to do lately?” only to realize that He has given you the same vision and desires.

What a joy it is to meet, worship, and work with ladies who would not have normally been a part of my small pocket of friends. What greater things we can accomplish as we serve together, valuing and supporting one another’s gifts and callings.

Lynn Tomsha
Co-Coordinator, Hawaii