I met Jennie Allen for the first time in the spring of 2011. It was my final week serving as the Director of Communications at Thomas Nelson and Jennie was presenting her debut book Anything at Thomas Nelson’s Quarterly Sales Conference. Some might say we are an unlikely duo.
Jennie is passionate {sometimes I worry she might physically burst}. I am practical. Jennie is a happily married mother of 4. I am a happily {most of the time} single woman who sometimes has trouble juggling the responsibility of a high demand job and a low maintenance Collie-mix named Molly. Jennie graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with a Masters in Biblical Studies. I graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelors in Marketing, a few hard knocks, and a couple of great ski days.
But we bonded. We bonded fast and we bonded tight. {I would be remiss for neglecting to mention that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths.}
We bonded over the need to gather our generation of women. Our entire generation of women who are believers. Not just the evangelicals or the main-line church-goers. Not just the conservatives or the progressives. Not just the complementarians or the egalitarians. Not just {insert label here}s or the {insert label here}s.
We bonded over our desire to equip them. With like-hearted friends. With a safe space to wrestle, question, doubt and confess. With stories of hope. And most-importantly with Truth.
We bonded over our longing to unleash women to find their voice and their purpose. To refuse the comfortable life. To embrace discomfort as a sign of growth and as a sign we are stepping into the audacious dream that God has for us.
We bonded over a God-sized vision that we couldn’t seem to shake. Over the last three years, by God’s grace and with a lot of help from our friends, the vision to gather, equip and unleash a generation has resonated with tens of thousands of like-hearted women.
And on February 7 and 8, we will host the inaugural If:Gathering in Austin, Texas, at the Austin Music Hall, and in hundreds of homes around the world. Our hope is that the If:Gathering will become a place, both physically and virtually, where we can all come together, reflect, rest, refuel, and redeem our passions, our purposes, and our lives.
“That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:21 (ESV)
Will you consider gathering a handful of friends and joining us February 7 and 8? For more information on the If:Gathering, click here. To register for If:Local, click here.
Leave a Comment
Shelli Littleton says
Lindsey, will this event always be something to visit from home? Or are there future plans for one being able to attend in person? I’m a Texas resident … so just wondered about it.
Lindsey Nobles says
Yes, definitely. We will have another gathering next year that we will open registration to the public.
Shelli Littleton says
Thank you, Lindsey!
jsm says
Can you share a pic of Molly?
jsm
Lindsey Nobles says
There are tons on my instagram — @lindseynobles. She’s the cutest!
Ali says
I will be forever thankful that you and Jennie became friends 🙂
Devi says
I just signed up today for a local group in Stockholm, Sweden – I am so excited.. but now to find others to do it with me :). We moved here six months ago, and are in the process of building community.. let’s see what happens in the next two weeks.
Julie Cannon says
So excited see this unfold! A dynamic team, with a massive vision, and a willingness to make it happen = unstoppable.
Beth WIlliams says
Sounds absolutely wonderful. It is important for young women to get together and share their experiences and life stories of how God got them through tough times.
I pray this goes well for everyone involved!@ God Bless!! 🙂