A Message from the Team

Hello Friends,

We pray you and your family are well in the midst of COVID-19. We trust God is in control and at work. The change in plans may have caught us off guard, but God was not surprised and has a purpose for it all. This virus has changed our lives, but not our God! 

Back on March 5th, before any of this started here in Iowa, our team had a meeting. During that time, we talked, laughed and prayed. We also made a decision. Each year we seek God's plan for the event. We ask Him to be in every detail - the speaker, the theme, the music, the volunteers, all of it. Each year He's been faithful, we expected the same this year. We believe, we received just that even though it looks much different than the past 8 years. 

With that, we're letting you know there will not be a ReNEWed Life Women’s Event this year. This was not an easy decision, but a process of prayer and discernment. We spent time individually and as a team seeking direction and we believe He has once again been faithful to answer.

We are thankful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity and grateful for the support and prayers of the churches. We appreciate the leadership and assistance Pastor Tim and the elders have provided year after year.  Like we said before, none of this would have happened without all those who have volunteered to help, those who shared their story and ALL who attended, so thanks to each of you as well.

The seeds that were planted will continue to grow and come to fruition as time goes by. Though the event comes to an end, the work of the ministry will continue. God started the work and He will be faithful to complete it.

We write these words with hearts of full of praise and countless wonderful memories! At our first meeting in March of 2012, we had no idea what the future held and today the same is true, but our faith has grown and we trust God more now than we did then.

We pray you can say the same. May you continue to renew your mind with His Word and seek to grow in your faith. Thank you for joining us in this journey! It's been a blessing to connect with you! If you have a favorite memory or important lesson from ReNEWed Life we invite you to share in the comments and will praise God together again!

In Christ’s love,

The ReNEWed Life Team

Kim, Teresa, Kathy & Jill

Knowing God and Making Him Known

At ReNEWed Life Women's Event on August 17, 2019, we were blessed to see this video. We are grateful for the way God has worked in Jackie's life. Her words are testimony to His great faithfulness, provision and peace. We pray Jackie's story encourages you as you get to know God and make Him known.

No.

     I’m so thankful for the opportunity to spend Sunday mornings worshipping with brothers and sisters in Christ, being fed and stretched by the Word, and experiencing fellowship in the Lord.

     Last Sunday afternoon, after experiencing the above together, two members of the RL Leadership team asked me about specific songs, and if we were singing them at ReNEWed Life this year. After a short time, I responded with “No,” and joked, “where were you 6 weeks ago?” Note, I did not say, “Beautiful songs; I’ll pray about them.” I did not thank them for their kind suggestions. I just shut them down.

     Everyone thinks this is really out of character for me, and it usually is, depending on what’s at stake. We laughed about it at our meeting last night. If it hadn’t been through text messaging, I would not have answered as I did. I would have said something like, “Hmmm, let me think about that,” or, “Great idea, I’ll see how those fit with the other songs that have been selected.” I mean, I rarely just say no!

     But, I was feeling pretty good about the songs we have, and thankful to have made some final decisions that help me move forward with practices, PowerPoint slides, song sheets, etc. I mean, there’s a lot to get done in the next week and a half! So what hits me on the way home from the meeting? CONVICTION. I am not sovereign over the song selections for RL, God is. I am not sovereign over the technology and presentation, God is. I do not have control over how my days play out between now and then, God does. He knows. He leads. He cares. He IS. Isaiah 55:8 – “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.”

     A danger then slips in. Satan whispers, “Do you really think God directed you in those songs you chose? They’re just songs you like! Do you really think God wouldn’t give the right songs to your more spiritual and more mature friends? You don’t know what you’re doing, and you just wait and see how I’m going to make a fool of you!”

     Thank you, Lord, that Pastor Tim just preached about your provision and protection over us. I raise my shield and extinguish those flaming arrows, and I secure my helmet, knowing my salvation is secure in You, and not in what I do or don’t get right today.

     I don’t know if you will hear those song suggestions on August 17^th. God knows. Logistical reality says that final decisions have to be made. Pages have to be printed. PowerPoint slides have to be prepared. I trust Him to lead, in the right time, to the right decisions. Don’t stop suggesting, sweet sisters (for next year, that is!). And whether I’m made a fool or not is irrelevant, because God Almighty will be made much of.

     Come, sing with me!

Thinking about renewal...

Friend, we often say "ReNEWed Life Women's Event is a one day event, but renewal must happen over and over again." I'm not sure if you sense that need in your life, but I know I do mine which has me thinking about renewal today. 

Life can leave us worn out. Daily demands drain us. Broken relationships hurt us. Illness and death change our world. We need God, His grace and His provision. He can renew us. 

I pray the verses below bless you, remind you of Truth and become part of your prayers. May the quotes encourage you to join God in this great process!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, 

the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, 

that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2)

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, 

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4:16)

"The God who made us can also remake us." Woodrow Kroll


"Renewing the mind is a little like refinishing furniture. It is a two-stage process. It involves taking off the old and replacing it with the new. The old is the lies you have learned to tell or were taught by those around you; it is the attitudes and ideas that have become a part of your thinking but do not reflect reality. The new is the truth. To renew your mind is to involve yourself in the process of allowing God to bring to the surface the lies you have mistakenly accepted and replace them with truth. To the degree that you do this, your behavior will be transformed." Charles Stanley

Join us for prayer!

We will be meeting together at 7pm this evening at the First Congregational Church in Cresco. Even if you can't be there in person, join us in spirit by lifting up the preparation work and the preparation of hearts for our time together on August 19th. James 5:16b - The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Greetings from part of the ReNEWed Life Worship Team!

We're excited to be working on music for our day

together on August 19th - see you then!

L to R - Emily, Kathy, Kayla and sweet baby A

Final Give-Away!!

Are you looking forward to this year's ReNEWed Life Women's Event? So are we!! God continues to put details together and show us His faithfulness.We are looking forward to a day of encouragement, fellowship, worship and growing in our faith. But before that day comes we have one more give-away! Today we are giving away a registration, so be sure to enter.

It's simple...just leave a comment with your answer to this phrase - "I'm looking forward to ReNEWed Life because ____________________________________________________."

Also, share this post, let us know and get your name in the hat a 2nd time!

If time is short, simply leave your email address.

We'll announce the winner on July 25th!

Remember early registration ends July 30th so print a form and register today. If you win and have previously registered we will reimburse at the event on August 20th.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Another Give-Away!!

Welcome Friends!! Brooke Sprung come on down you are the winner of Mary DeMuth's "Worth Living"!!! We will be getting you your prize real soon!! If you didn't win this time, no worries - we're doing another give-away today!!

Wendy Blight joined us at ReNEWed Life in 2013 and early this year released another new powerful Bible study. "I Know His Name" is an in-depth study of the names of God. If you long to get into God's Word and want to know Him more this book is for you!

Want to know more about the book? Here's a quick summary -

In this five-chapter Bible study book, Wendy Blight implements her practical and approachable style to equip readers to study the Word of God and then apply it to their own lives in practical ways.

I Know His Name is a Bible study for any woman who wants to move beyond simply knowing about God to really knowing God in a very personal way! Join Wendy as she teaches how the very names of God reveal His character and heart. 

To learn more about the book and receive a FREE 5 day devotional, visit Wendy HERE.

So, if you want to enter to win a copy yourself, leave your answer to this question along with your email address.

"What name of God do you use the most when you pray to Him? Any reason why?"

If time is short, simply say "I'm in." 

Stop back next week for one more give-away - a FREE registration to this year's event!!!

A Give-Away!!

Do you remember last year at ReNEWed Life when Mary DeMuth touched on the lies we believe that leave us feeling unworthy? Could you relate to any of them? Perhaps you are a new friend to our ministry and are not sure what I'm talking about, but can relate to the struggle with unworthiness. I believe if we're honest, we all can! So please don't feel alone in this battle. You don't have to be unequipped either!

Mary recently released a new book titled "Worth Living" and it is worth reading! Here's a glimpse of what the book is about -

"All women yearn to wake up each morning know that no matter what their circumstances, they can feel joy because they are secure in God's love for them and their unique place in the world.

With deep compassion, Mary DeMuth dares women to believe that the God who starts a good work in them is faithful to bring it to glorious completion. That the God who redeems them also loves them - right now and always - with a beautiful love. That they are daughters of the King, always welcomed in His presence. She helps women discover a future where they know they are wildly loved, they feel strong and secure, and they are destined to have a great impact on the world around them."

Today we are going to bless someone with a copy of their own, so in order to enter share your answer to this question -

In what way have you ever felt unworthy? 

If time is short just leave your name and email so we can contact you if you win! Also for a second entry, share this post with friends via social media - just let us know you did!

Stop by next Friday when we will announce the winner and do another give-away!!! Registration forms are now available and can be printed from our blog!! Let us know if you have any questions. Blessings friends!

ReNEWed Life 2016

Make plans to join us for the 5th annual ReNEWed Life Women's Event on August 20th in Cresco, Iowa. The first four events have been a blessing to those who've attended, so we pray YOU will make plans to join us this year!!

Our speaker will be Micca Campbell...she is "thrilled to be joining us and is looking forward to sharing about experiencing the power of God in our everyday life." You can find out more about her on our speaker page by clicking HERE.

If you're not sure what this event is all about here are a couple of videos from the first 4 years! If you've attended in the past, we'd love for you to share about ReNEWed with a friend!

ReNEWed Life 2015

ReNEWed Life 2012, 2013, 2014

GIVEAWAY!!!!

ReNEWed Life is just 5 weeks away!!! We are looking forward to a wonderful day and are already seeing God answer prayer! Have you registered? Remember the early registration closes on July 25th, so print the form today for the best deal. And take a minute to comment to be entered into our GIVEAWAY!! The winner will receive a FREE registration...keep for yourself or share it with a friend! (If you win and have already registered we will refund you the day of the event!) Also, if finances are an issue and keep you from registering, let us know - scholarships are available!!

There's more...you can get yourself a second entry into the drawing by sharing the giveaway on Facebook, just leave a comment letting us know you did so!

We will announce the winners on Saturday, August 1st!!

One blessed woman will receive a FREE registration, while another will receive $5.00 off!!

Looking forward to seeing YOU on the 15th and remember to invite your friends!! Now click the comment button and get yourself entered to WIN!!!

A bit about "Thin Places" and a GIVEAWAY!!

Have you ever been hurt? Does your past hold pain you'd like to forget? What if you looked at these trials in a different way? Our prayer is to talk about this in August at the 4th annual ReNEWed Life Women's event, and in her memoir, Mary DeMuth leads you to do just that. Today we are giving away a copy!!

Amazon says this about the book - In this moving spiritual memoir - Thin Places - Mary DeMuth traces the winding path of thin places in her life, places where she experienced longing and healing more intensely than before. From surviving abuse as a latchkey kid to discovering a heavenly Father who never leaves, Mary's story invites you to a deeper understanding of your own story. She calls you to discover new ways to look for God in the past so that you might experience Him more profoundly in the present. What if you could retrace your life and discover its thin places-places where the division between this world and the eternal fades? "Thin places are snatches of holy ground, tucked into the corners of our world, where we might just catch a glimpse of eternity. They are aha moments, beautiful realizations, when the Son of God bursts through the hazy for of our monotony and shines on us afresh."

We'd love for YOU to win a copy, but first you have to enter! To do so simply leave a comment with a thought about "Thin Places". Perhaps you have some thin places of your own, maybe this is a phrase you've never heard or possibly it leaves you with a question. Any comment will do and if time is short, simply say, "I'm in!!" For a 2nd entry into the drawing, share this post on social media and then be sure to let us know you did just that!! (Be sure to include your email address so we can contact you if you win!) 

If you're eager to read and want to purchase a copy for yourself, it's available HERE. If you'd like to learn more about our speaker, you can connect with her today by visiting her website found HERE. 

We will announce the winner on May 1st! Stay tuned for more fun giveaways coming up!!

Announcing our 2015 Speaker

Drum roll please...we are excited to announce this year's speaker!! Joining us from Texas will be Mary DeMuth, wife, mother, speaker and author!

Mary has a powerful testimony and a strong desire to share transforming Truths. She says, "I have spent my adult life sharing the message that Jesus wants to be our everything. When we dare to give up control and surrender everything to Him (even our hurts), we find the everything He provides."

Learn more about Mary by visiting her website by clicking HERE. She has some free resources, a powerful blog and an opportunity to hear from her in the comfort of your home. Take a few minutes to watch a video or listen to a podcast and then share it with a friend.

Stay tuned for upcoming giveaways and registration materials. And friends, join us in prayer as we look forward to what God has planned!

ReNEWed Life '15

Plans are underway and the prayers are going up! Look for information soon, but for now mark your calendar for Saturday, August 15th and make plans to join us for a wonderful day. This is a weekend later than the 3 previous years, so please note the difference and encourage friends to save the date!!

Save the Date for RNL '14

The 3rd ReNEWed Life Women's Event is quickly approaching! We've been praying and planning since last fall and are now preparing for RNL '14!! Mark your calendar for Saturday, August 9th and make plans to join us in Cresco, IA at the Heritage Events Center from 9 AM to 3 PM.

Teske Drake will be sharing from her heart as we focus on the faithfulness of God. There will again be wonderful worship and encouraging fellowship as we spend time renewing our faith in God's Word.

Please stay tuned for more details and registration materials! Perhaps even a give-away!! In the mean time, we appreciate your prayers as we seek God's wisdom and direction to plan this year's event! Looking forward to seeing you in August!

Pictures from ReNEWed LIfe Women's Event '13

It is really hard to sum up such a wonderfully, blessed day in a few short words. What a joyful, Spirit-led, God filled day, August 10th, 2013 was at ReNEWed Life Women's Event 2013 at Heritage Events Center in Cresco, Iowa!

While even pictures can't do it justice, here are some great shots that give such a wonderful glimpse into the day!

Some of the highlights...

Before the day even got underway the LORD was already shining His light down on us!



The Beautifully Harmonious Worship Team ~ So thankful for Kathy, Jackie, Kayla and Brooke who blessed us and glorified God with their talents and gifts.

  

Jackie Beran, Kayla Meirick, Brooke Sprung, Kathy Lichty

Our Wonderful Guest Speaker Wendy Blight from Proverbs 31 Ministries in Charlotte, NC allowed the Holy Spirit to flow through her.  His words were on Wendy's lips, souls were fed and lives were transformed by the Truth.  So very thankful for her!

 
   

National Speaker Wendy Blight

Times of prayer, singing and worship...

  

    

We enjoyed the GREAT food both in the morning and at lunch time by McAllister Catering...

  
  
  

We were blessed by great fellowship with one another (and notice the beautiful table decor by our decorator Anna Knode!)...


  
   

  

Each of the ReNEWed Life Leadership Team members played a roll in the day...

Jill Beran

Kim Sir

Teresa Watson

While one of our ReNEWed Life leadership team members, Rachel, shared along with two other local speakers "How God Transformed Their Life Through His Word"...

Jennah Harken

Jennifer Jensen

Rachel Beran

To wrap up the day, Jill led us in a time of writing letters to ourselves that will be delivered at a later date while Teske Drake blessed us by performing a special song...

   

ALL PRAISE to the LORD who faithfully answered our prayers and did exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ask or even think!  He is amazing!!

The ReNEWed Life Leadership Team
with Guest Speaker Wendy Blight:
Jill, Teresa, Wendy, Rachel, Kim

We're already prayerfully thinking ahead to NEXT YEAR!  Stay tuned for more details soon.  :)

A BIG THANK YOU to Maddy Watson who took these amazing photos!!  Here she is with her mom, Teresa...


To see even more pictures check out our FACEBOOK PAGE by clicking here!