Butterflies are beautiful, delicate and soft creatures but to become the insect we know, they must transform from a caterpillar into the butterfly. The four young ladies responsible for developing the Butterfly Conferences have chosen to use the butterfly as a way to show that the lives of young women much resemble the stages of the butterfly as it develops in the a beautiful creature in nature.
The next Butterfly Conference is scheduled for Saturday, June 2 starting at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary of Holly Grove Holiness Church on Indiantown Road in Clinton.
The conference is an event for all girls and their mothers. These dynamic group of young ladies have felt the need and call to serve the Sampson County and surrounding areas by sharing through fellowship, God’s word and worship. The Butterfly Conference welcomes middle school, high school, and college-aged ladies.
Emily Bass, one of the conferences coordinators, stated, “This event is held to bring together the women of our community at one event to worship our Lord, learn more about Him, and fellowship together. This will be our third conference held at Holly Grove Holiness Church. We are so excited to be serving our lord and having a fun time in worship and fellowship,” asserts Bass.
The theme of the conference will be “Prepare for Battle”.
The four young ladies, that state they may have come up with the idea of the Butterfly Conference, but God has run with it, are: Bass, Faith Zazueta, Kasey Young, and Caitlin Parrish. They are each young college ladies who live in different towns. The conferences started early last summer while the four ladies were holding a Bible study together and God spoke to them to do more to help others in their situation.
“We may be spread out but we come together to pull off these conferences. We try to have at least one per quarter. To get everything to work, we meet together whenever we can, usually for a meal and work session, e-mail, text and call one another a lot, and we spend a lot of time in prayer,” expressed Parrish. “We are all Christians but we have come through some difficult times and we have fallen at times. But we know with God all things are possible and with his help we want others to know that as well.”
Although the young ladies are spread out, they are very good friends and all have similar stories about their development into women.
“We chose the butterfly because it has to be a painful experience for the caterpillar as it metamorphosis into the beautiful butterfly. As women we have to go through a similar experience. As we grow and change we have to go through some painful times and experience things we do not like. One of the obstacles we all must face in today’s world is image,” stressed Bass.
Bass, who attends Liberty University, went on to explain that girls traditionally have more stress on them as they start to mature. “A lot of pressure is placed on girls as they develop. We are told to act, look and be a certain way. That way may go against what we know to be right in the sight of God. That is what our conferences are all about. Helping to give tools in and exciting and worshipful way to other young ladies to get through the battles of life,” said the Liberty senior.
The conference is expected to be fun and exciting and filled with worship for everyone in attendance. Bass and Parrish do most of the speaking, while Zazueta is the worship leader and Young helps with public relations and helping people find where they are to be and coordinate the conference. Other volunteers help with the program, decorating the church, turning it into a mystical and beautiful place to encourage worship where butterflies adorn the ceiling.
“We are going to be exercising our spiritual biceps and we want everyone to feel comfortable and participate. Although we will be speaking, there will plenty of time in which we can fellowship and discuss with each other. Work on and solve problems that we all face. We encourage all young ladies and their mothers to come. It is not important where you go to church or don’t go, what you look like, where you live, what color you may be, we want you to come and share with us as we celebrate Jesus as a savior and helpmate in our lives,” expressed Bass.
There will be refreshments served and a breakout session is planned where the participants can break up into small groups and talk about the various issues.
“This conference is not for us. It is a mission that God has given to us to spread his gospel and share his strength with other young women like us. It is our desire and hope that all we do will be in his glory and to the betterment of his kingdom. We encourage all young ladies and their moms to come be with us. God is going to be here, so what don’t you come see him,” remarked Bass.
For more information visit the Butterfly Conference website: www.butterflyconference.moonfruit.com.
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