My Story at Propel Women
Imagine a day that inspires and affirms all the leadership potential God placed inside of you. God wants you to be propelled forward into all He’s called you to do. Don’t miss this one-day experience. Make your reservations now!
Two years ago, I was a junior in college, passively checking my Instagram account in the middle of a biology class to pass the time.
That day I ran across a post from Christine Caine, saying that she would be speaking at Liberty University later that day and launching her new women’s ministry Propel Women and that the event would be live streamed.
Not thinking much about it at the time, as soon as I got out of class I rushed to my dorm room, plopped down on my bed and tuned into Liberty’s livestream to see what it was all about. I didn’t know much about Christine Caine at the time (just the fact that she had a super cool Aussie accent and could do push-ups), but what I did know was that anyone who felt a call of God on their lives to reach this generation of women was someone I needed to hear from.
For months, my heart had been stirring for the call of God on women. At the time, I was attending a liberal arts college in the heart of Chicago and all around me I saw women searching for love and acceptance in all of the wrong places, but I didn’t know how to reach them. Plus, I wanted to know why God had placed me in the arts and entertainment industry when I hadn’t seen many women function in that industry for the sole purpose of building up the kingdom of God like I wanted to.
I grew up in the church, felt God stir my heart for creativity in the church, but could never quite put my finger on how to function in my calling when God had called me to be the church outside of the four walls I was used to.
When I tuned in that day, I had no idea that Christine would commission the very thing that I had been feeling, but wasn't able to define yet. The mission of Propel Women: for women to walk freely into their God given spheres of influence; no matter whether they functioned as a minister, a stay-at-home mom, a business woman, or a creative like me, stirred up a profound sense of freedom on the inside of me. So that same year when Propel announced event dates in four major cities across the U.S. I made it my business to be there.
There was no other women’s ministry that spoke to my heart quite like Propel Women and I was at a place in my life where I needed clear direction and the strength that I believe only comes when we as women gather together.
Thankfully, my brother lived in Tulsa at the time and I knew that I could cut costs if I attended Propel’s event at Guts Church in Tulsa, OK.
The day before the event I arrived in Tulsa and started feeling super nervous. I had never attended an event alone. Then again, I had never felt so strongly to be present somewhere either. I knew that this time it wasn’t about the camaraderie of having my girlfriends around.
That night I wrote in my journal about how I was feeling. I scribbled down thoughts like, “God WHY am I here? I have no idea what you’re doing, but I’ve never felt so strongly about being somewhere”. And I remember that night, just as clear as day, lying in bed in my brother’s guest room, I heard God say to my heart, “Just show up and I’ll speak.” That was it. No fireworks, just instructions.
So, I did and He did. He spoke!
I remember I sat in the very back row of each of the sessions that day and honestly, I couldn't have cared less because I knew God had a word for me.
I worshipped. I cried. I sang with my whole heart in the back row of Guts Church on November 14, 2015. My heart felt refreshed as I worshipped with thousands of women that I had never met before. Maybe it was because we were all there on one accord, simply anticipating for God to speak to each one us.
It always amazes me how God can take one message, translate it 5,000 different ways and touch every person uniquely at the same time.
In retrospect, that day really did change everything for me.
It was that day that I felt the call of God to volunteer for Propel Women after I graduated college.
A year later, here I am with Propel Women sharing my gift with you in the form of writing and that one day sparked the flame.
On top of that, the story of inner healing and freedom that God took me through during my college years is now being shared with thousands of women by video at the same Propel Women events that I was nervous about attending.
Let this be your encouragement. Just show up and He’ll speak.
Maureé Sullivan
Maureé Sullivan is a Detroit native who is passionate about spreading God's love through the creative arts. She is an art director, blogger and recent college graduate who now enjoys spending her days in sunny California as a part of the Propel team. You can connect with Maureé on Instagram, Facebook and ByMaureé.com.
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