The Story Behind Her Gathering®

I was in the midst of a 40 day fast that would end the day before my birthday in April. This was the longest period of time I had committed to fasting (certain things out of my daily diet). But on this particular day, I finished my morning devotional (another thing I had committed to doing), and walked over to my kitchen sink. My son was watching a show on our couch before we started our routine for the day.

I'm a "highly sensitive" type of person who is in tune with the mood and energy of people around me. This is important to note because it's not unnatural for me to become quickly aware of the little things that sometimes others may overlook, or not even pick up. So even though my son and I were alone in our house, I felt a clear and distinct presence near/in my kitchen. My senses became heightened. I didn't feel fear, but as I was trying to process this feeling, I looked down and saw my hands were trembling and I felt a shaking run through my body. As I lifted up my head again, I had an overwhelming emotional wave come over me. It felt like a burden about women and there was a multitude of them. There were distinct things about these women I took note of. 

 It felt like a "call" to gather these women. But I didn't know who they were or how I would be able to find them. The most logical thing in that moment for me was to simply create a place online for us to meet.

Now, three things must be shared at this point in the story: 1) My schedule was full, and I was not looking for extracurricular activities during that season of my life, 2) I was not interested in starting a "women's ministry" and 3) I had no idea the world was about the enter into a global pandemic the next month.

So let's pause here for a moment to catch you up on one other thing that is important for the context of this story.

The year or so before, I had attempted to launch on online women's ministry. But a few months later, I had to make a really hard decision to step away. I was not the only one running this ministry, and I learned a valuable lesson during this time. It's a term Christians believe from the Bible called "unequally yolked." Typically, this is used in the context of dating/marriage. But I've discovered this to still ring very true in business partnerships or any other "relationship" where you are working closely together in a leadership role. 

Unequally yolked in a very simple way, means not aligned, specifically with the same values and beliefs. I, personally, live my life with two guiding principles that are foundational for my Christian faith: character and integrity. It was ultimately, the deciding factor for my decision to walk away from that other ministry. I just didn't realize at the time that God was using all of that experience to prepare me for what He already had planned with Her Gathering®.

Once I decided to have women gather together online, I then asked myself what the name would be. Almost immediately, I remembered something. Just months before, I had made a note in my journal about a name that I "randomly" thought of: Her Gathering. I loved it but saw no need or value for it because it sounded like something for "women's ministry", and now that you know what I shared, I certainly didn't think I would have a need for it. So the business part of my brain kicked in, and I checked to make sure it was available for both a domain and Instagram account. Indeed it was and the rest became history now 4 years later.

Her Gathering® was launched on April 13th with just shy of 100 women from across the United States and around the world. I hosted our very first Zoom call and it was a special place, especially fitting for the period of time we were all facing at that time. Since then it has continued to grow and evolve in many ways, including my own walk and journey with God. But the most incredible part of this online community has been watching women's hearts and lives change and transform seemingly before my very eyes into who God had always designed them to be.