Editor’s Note: This article is a draft of an article the church is working on to send to Annual Conference with the goal of inspiring community growth just as we saw here!
The Power of Shared Passion & Faith
“I enjoyed hearing our beautiful voices singing … I am taking away a confirmation of the present journey I am taking.”- A Women’s Retreat Attendee
107 Kern County women registered for the First Church Women's Retreat
On a Saturday morning in July, eighty-seven women from six different towns and six different denominations stood together in a circle at First United Methodist Church in Bakersfield.
They sang with one voice, creating what participants described as “one body”, in a moment of unity that transcended geography, denomination, and expectation.
Participants unite voices in worship, creating 'one body' across denominational lines
Among them was a woman who had planned to slip away at noon. By day’s end, she confessed, “I can’t leave this.”
Another attendee, recently widowed, would later write through tears: “Had not cried until today, Thank you!” For her and dozens of others, the Women’s Retreat wasn’t just a weekend event - it was deeply spiritually renewing.
This transformation wasn’t magic. It was the product of a core belief: Operational Excellence is Spiritual Hospitality.
For Conference churches facing declining ministry participation, disconnection between area churches, and the difficulty of sustaining momentum between annual events, the First Church story offers both inspiration and a tested, transferable model that proves how translating spiritual vision into strategic execution can ignite passion and renewal in their people’s hearts.
The Grand Endeavor: Planning Becomes Ministry
What sparked church-wide excitement in a congregation began nine months earlier, when Sharon Wainwright gathered a Spirit-led planning committee in October 2024.
They began what became a grand endeavor: a long-term, highly visible project that united the entire church towards a shared goal while being guided by the Holy Spirit at every turn.
Other ministries, such as Knit-A-Prayer with handmade shawls and quilts, shared yet more opportunities for the visiting women
Committee members describe their meetings as encounters with divine guidance. “We were led,” explained Jackie Att, crediting the Holy Spirit for everything from major decisions to the smallest details.
The nine-month planning runway wasn’t a burden; it was a community-building process that became ministry itself.
For Valentine’s Day, a restaurant fundraiser at Tahoe Joe’s brought together men, youth, and others who wouldn’t themselves attend the retreat, but became indirectly invested in its success.
Moreover, many men spent the entire day volunteering in the kitchen, doing everything from cooking to cleaning and helping in countless ways, in complete support of the Women’s Retreat!
Men volunteer throughout the day, demonstrating whole-church support through servant leadership
The long-term project aligned the entire congregation around a shared goal, proving that the shared work towards a goal can be as transformational as the event itself.
The Power of Dignity & Details: Theology Meets Practice
Every detail of the retreat carried intentionality and consideration. This was theology in action, where operational excellence became the primary delivery mechanism for communicating God’s love.
The central piano, played by Char Gaines, was adorned with lace, flowers, and a beautiful cross.
The committee understood that concrete choices communicate sacred truths:
- Pre-printed name tags proclaimed, “God knows your name, and we expected you.”
- Real plates and quality catering declared worthiness.
- Beautiful décor signaled that guests were honored.
- A circle formation for worship created participation over only listening to a speaker; transforming “rows-of-chairs lecture” into “joining in song and praise as a unified faith community.”
Each woman had a well designed and unique nametag prepared in advance as a sign of love, care, and invitaiton.
Geographic Grace: Building Bridges Across Kern County
In an era of rural church isolation, the retreat demonstrated the power of intentional inclusion across the Kern County region. Participants traveled from tiny towns like Tehachapi and Weldon, and Anglicans, Presbyterians, and independents joined United Methodists at shared tables.
Women connect over a shared home-cooked meal, building friendships that cross town and denominational boundaries
This cross-geographic and cross-denominational reach was no accident. One attendee brought five friends from different churches, and now those very friends now plan to bring their own circles next year. This friend-to-friend multiplication created an impact no traditional marketing could achieve, showing how focused excellence in one area can ignite renewal across an entire worshipping region.
Planning Playbook: Your Replicable Framework
The First UMC example proves that transformation isn’t about big budgets—it’s about translating spiritual vision into disciplined execution. Here’s how any church can adapt this approach:
1. Begin Promotion and Planning Early
- Spiritual Foundation: Begin with a Spirit-led team who feel called, not just recruited. Let planning meetings become prayer gatherings.
- Strategic Action: Use the long timeline to build anticipation. Create visibility with a Sunday “retreat table” in the narthex. Schedule one pre-event appearance by your speaker in Sunday worship.
- Introduce Your Speaker(s) Early: Having DS Mary preach on Mother's Day was the best possible introduction to the congregation!
- Unifying Element: Frame this as a project for the whole church. Schedule a churchwide fundraiser that doubles as community building.
2. The Ministry of Care & Tangible Details
- Pre-print name tags - “You are known and expected”
- Use real plates and quality catering - “You are worthy of our best”
- Invest in beautiful décor - “This space is sacred because you’re here”
- Arrange seating in circles - “We are one body in Christ”
- Provide clear signage throughout - “We prepared for you”
People at the Retreat already 'knew' Mary's preaching and speaking style before signing up, and some joined just to hear Mary specifically.
3. Participation Over Passive Listening
- Start with group singing to level the room and create unity
- Use structured small groups with trained table leaders
- Provide guided prompts tied to a simple framework (faith-family-friends-service)
- Build in journaling time after each session for personal reflection
4. Strategic Follow-Through
- Capture feedback immediately with same-day comment cards
- Send thank-you notes within a week
- Schedule quarterly gatherings before the retreat ends to maintain momentum
Moment to Movement: Turning One Day Into All Year
To prevent the energy from being lost, the committee designed quarterly gatherings that transform a one-time event into an ongoing movement.
The next quarterly gathering of the Women’s Retreat on October 25th is already in discussions to extend beyond the initial two hours based on direct feedback that participants wanted more connection time.
Meeting every 12 weeks keeps a thriving community between annual retreats
With 36 respondents “very interested” and another 11 “somewhat interested,” the demand for sustained connection is clear.
This follow-through is the key to turning a successful day into a sustainable long-term ministry.
Your Church’s Next Chapter
The metrics tell a powerful story: 107 registrations, 81% registration-to-attendence retention, and representation from both six towns and denominations.
But the real story is in the ripples of renewal now compounding, turning into waves across other areas of First Church and through relationships across churches in Kern County.
DS Mary Maaga (Retreat Speaker) and Sharon Wainwright (Head of Women's Retreat Committee) after a successful Saturday!
For Conference leadership, this retreat offers a tested model addressing multiple challenges. It demonstrates that one congregation’s initiative, executed with excellence and rooted in authentic spiritual vision, can be the catalyst for systemic and regional church health.
The question isn’t whether transformation is possible. It’s clear that people will dedicate time and resources to be involved in well organized gatherings.
The question is whether you’re ready to begin the journey to treat planning as ministry, hospitality as theology, and operational excellence as spiritual obedience.
“The stories she shared made me know we all go through life’s hard times … God is right next to me whenever I reach out”- A Women's Retreat Attendee
The movement in Kern County continues to grow, one authentic connection at a time. The Spirit is moving.
Will your church join the movement?
