Gathering with these women refreshes my heart, challenges my perspective, and deepens my faith. I always leave with a renewed sense of fulfillment, reminded that the Holy Spirit is at work. In the midst of a chaotic world, I’m deeply grateful for these weekends of stillness.     

~C.N., Attendee - 2025 Advance

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It is a weekend that we can focus completely on God’s word and experience a renewal of spirit. The teaching somehow felt like God had been reading my mail and knew exactly what I needed. 

~T.M., Attendee - 2025 Advance

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First, I have to say I did not know what to expect but so grateful that I obeyed the voice of God. I was on a 3 day fast prior to coming and the theme was surrendering to the will and way of God. On Friday night, Michelle taught us from the book of Joshua and encouraged us to "Step Out". What I heard was step out of grief, step out of my comfort zone and return to what God has ordained and purposed me to do. Saturday, Stephanie taught us about disappointment; the act or instance of not meeting expected expectations. Disappointment has been such a deep hurt for me and I thought I had really learned to release my expectations of what I think should be done or not done to realize that I still had some residue of the pain of disappointment. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of the restoration and healing that God was doing in my heart, mind and spirit. This was the beginning of a new season for me. I have restored and renewed Hope and I have been "Advanced" in my spirit man.  

~T.V., Attendee - 2025 Advance

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Had a wonderful time at the Hope is Rising Advance. What a wonderful group of ladies, from different backgrounds, and churches with one thing in common, a love for the Lord, and wanting to go deeper in His word. Stephanie and Michelle rocked it when it came to preparing for our stay at Willowood. Going deeper with the Lord was our goal, but leaving with new sisters in Christ was a blessing. Each lady was able to open up freely, without feeling shame or judgement. This is one Advance, that I will look forward to every year....

~M.C., Attendee - 2025 Advance

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I struggled with forgiving the ex-husband for abandoning his children after our divorce. I would go back and forth trying to understand. Through this ministry answers for releasing the pain I had inside of me and to truly in faith, let go and let God were answered!

 

The teaching was about the blood of Jesus and how it covers me and my family for healing. We took some time alone to really focus and I ask Jesus Christ why? I wrote down everything about my hurt and hate. Oh, how I cried like a child as I was writing everything down. I had some red cloth that symbolized the blood of Jesus. I placed the

red cloth on top of everything I had written, covered it up and sealed it in a book. This time I felt something was very different in my faith. I can’t explain it but I didn’t feel heavy anymore. I spoke to Jesus and told him, ok, Jesus I am trusting you fully and letting go.

 

2 ½ months later my youngest had her sweet 16 birthday party. Her father attended the fellowship, celebrating a grand milestone in her life. The night was still young, we hadn’t spoken. He walked up to me and apologized to me about what he had done and asked me to forgive him, right there in front of everyone. I was shocked. It took me a few minutes, and I knew Jesus Christ had answered my cries of prayer. Inside me I felt relief.

 

I learned though the Hope Is Rising ministry that what I prayed for to God, I also must do my part. I must also participate for what I pray God for.    

 

Colossians 3:13/Matthew 6:14-15/Luke 23:34  

~F.B., Attendee - 2025 Advance

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