IF:Gathering is an event aimed at women of all ages, cultures and languages to provide a space where they can feel welcome and comfortable to come as they are and hear the gospel. On Feb. 9 and 10th, around 20 female Milligan students met on campus to participate in this two-day, gospel-centered worship and discipleship conference.
While the fifth-year live event was located in Austin, Texas, the sessions were recorded and streamed to women who signed up to host local events. According to ifgathering.com, the gatherings have reached over 1 million women in 179 countries, including a total of 7,000 IF:local leaders.
Seniors Praise Gichuru and Brianna Tuscani hosted Milligan’s gathering. They saw an opportunity to increase inclusivity and personal discipleship on campus.
“We were hoping to create space for people to feel welcome and to ask tough questions, and also work through the pressing questions on our generation, especially in the church,” Tuscani, an English major, said. “We also wanted some to see that there are members of the body of Christ that look like them and worship like them in a multicultural and multilingual environment.”
The event featured three sessions; one on Friday evening, one Saturday morning and another Saturday evening. The sessions were focused around the scripture 2 Timothy 1 and 2 and continuing faith in perseverance. Each session lasted about three hours and featured at least two or three women speakers and leaders, as well as worship music led by a praise band. Speakers included authors Jo Saxton, Bianca Olthoff and Christine Caine, who is also the founder of A21, a foundation focused on abolishing human trafficking. Food and drinks were provided during each session.
When asked if the event could be considered a success, Tuscani said, “I think it went really well, because each session consisted of a different group of girls, but it was cool to see how God showed up in little but different ways. And if just one person heard the gospel, then it was worth it.”
Since they are both graduating in the spring, Gichuru and Tuscani are hoping that underclassmen girls will continue the legacy of IF:Gathering at Milligan.
IF:Gathering also offers resources such as IF:Equip and IF:Table to women who want to further their discipleship means.
For more information on future events and opportunities, go to ifgathering.com.