Sister Chicks event offers women a night to reconnect with faith

An event that began in 2003 with a group of just eight women has now grown into one that serves hundreds.

The 13th Annual Sister Chicks for Christ of Rutherford County is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 28, at 6 p.m. at The Foundation Performing Arts & Conference Center on the campus of Isothermal Community College.

"The event was started by Janet Fountain, who wanted to provide something for women that would serve as an encouragement and appeal to those who might not go to a church," said Janet Roller, event organizer. "Sister Chicks offers ladies a light-hearted night of music, message and encouragement."

This year's event features Dove Award-winning songwriter, author, speaker, television host and nationally sought-after recording artist Babbie Mason. An engaging teacher with a heart for women, Mason will present "Embrace: A Worship Event for Women" at Sister Chicks.

Mason is a favorite guest of women's conferences such as Women of Faith, Roller said. The takeaway will be the same from Sister Chicks, she explained.

"Sister Chicks offers a dose - it provides enough to encourage women to get them through the next thing or to get them to go to church," she said.

Women by nature, she continued, give of themselves continually. This event offers them a chance to "visit the well" and reignite their relationships with other women. "If we don't take time to foster our relationships with each other and with God, we're going to come up dry."

Unlike other years, this year's Sister Chicks for Christ will incorporate local women vocalists, musicians and more, Roller said. There will be a choir made up of community women and a violinist. And, there are volunteers who come in and pray over every seat in the venue.

"We want to continue to grow and hope that this event will grow into other counties," Roller said. "We hope people will take this vision and start it in their own area. I would love for Bible study groups to grow from this to create a community."

Tickets for the event are $10 and are available by calling the Foundation box office at 828-286-9990 or by visiting SisterChicksforChrist.com. Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. A meal won't be served before this year's event, however, those who present their event ticket at Mi Pueblito in Forest City or Rutherfordton will receive 10 percent off their bill.