Isabel Segovia shared the background information with us detailing what led them to branch out from their normal meeting place and to try something different.
Isabel said, “As with most Area Teams, for years, we held our annual conferences at the same place, South Padre Island. A few years ago, we felt to circle our area, meaning to hold gatherings/conferences on the three corners of our area – South Padre/Port Isabel, then northeast to Corpus and then west to Laredo.
When we were in Laredo in February of 2022, we felt impressed to reach beyond providing a setting for believers mostly, to thinking about reaching the lost. I had noticed that most, if not all persons attending our events already had a living relationship with Jesus. While these events provided a safe place for a time of refreshing, the team felt the Lord was leading us to reach beyond ourselves and beyond those who were familiar with us.
I felt in my heart that we should hold a fashion show, so the team started planning. Honestly, we could not see the connection between ministry and outreach with the fashion show which appeared worldly. As we prayed and planned, the purpose came more into view.
Initially we planned for 100 attendees and God doubled our numbers! Nearly 200, many who were not yet Christians came at the invitation of others. We also had 10 vendors, 2 boutiques, and 8 models – mostly who were younger.
Our plan was twofold. One, for those who knew the Lord to come away refreshed and loving Him more. Two, for people who didn’t know Him, to come to know Him – His love and goodness. Many who came did not know the Lord, nor had they heard of Aglow. Now, they do!
Another step of faith we took was to decrease the price of tickets to attend. Even charging $25 each person was able to enjoy an appetizer, full meal with dessert. We suggest to our Lighthouses that they buy their own ticket and then purchase at least one more to give away to a friend or family member.
The results were amazing as the Gospel was shared and the love of God was demonstrated to our community. Those attending left knowing who Aglow is and that it is a safe place to come and grow in their relationship with God. They also learned that there are monthly meetings where they can come and fellowship with other believers. Can you imagine them learning all we know about Israel, Islam, and what it means for men and women to partner together to display the Glory of God?
All in all, instead of only focusing on having a retreat event that blesses us as Christians, we are planning for more outreach events that draw in the lost so that they might taste and see how good God is.”
We asked Isabel a few follow up questions and here are her replies:
Did you take an offering during the event for future events?
We did charge each vendor $25. That gave us a little extra funds to work with. We announced a basket in the back of the room where people could give donations if they wanted. We received less than $45 and when I asked the Lord how we would be able to do bigger events, He replied, ‘Trust Me.’
The event setting looked beautiful in pictures. That must have been expensive.
We were blessed to get the venue very inexpensively for $1,000. The first 100 plates of food cost $12 each and the second 100 plates cost $15. We left feeling very blessed. And while we did not take up an offering outside the basket at the back of the room, learning to trust God more for the next event is proving to be priceless for us. So, here we go!
We would love to hear what your team is doing. Don’t wait for us to ask. Send a write up to