Coffee Break Conference Attracts Hundreds of Women

Nearly women gathered in Oakville, Ontario recently for The Amazing Race. But this wasn’t a taping for the popular television show of the same name (although that was some of the inspiration).

It wasn’t even a real race.

It was the 14th annual Ontario Coffee Break Women’s Conference, sponsored by Christian Reformed Home Missions.

The gathering of women, reflecting on the race of life that they are called to run, focused on God’s amazing grace. Women in attendance included local Coffee Break leaders and participants, as well as the friends and neighbors they had invited.

The day-long event began with worship led by Ruth-Ann Schurringa and the worship team from Brampton Immanuel CRC of Caledon, Ontario. Opening devotions encouraged those in attendance to surrender the things that they were troubled about that day, and take the opportunity to sit at the feet of Jesus.

A drama called “The Plate Spinner” humorously set the conference’s theme in motion, as a woman worked at spinning the various “plates” in her life.

One of the conference’s main speakers was Barb VanGiessen, wife of Home Missions Eastern Canada Ministry Team leader Rev. Adrian VanGiessen.

VanGiessen also works for the Home Missions Eastern Canada Leadership Development Network. She, along with fellow speaker Coby Hogendoorn, coached women at the conference with God’s Word through a series of race clues, road blocks, and detours. Throughout the “race,” women were challenged to make new commitments to spend time studying the Bible and connect with others who will support and encourage them along life’s journey.

Also presenting at the conference was Christian comedian and juggler Bob Cates, who juggled balls, Chinese yo-yos, knives, and rode a unicycle while racing around the stage spinning plates.