Sisters in Christ retreat to return Jan. 24 at Fairlawn Mennonite Church

Because she loves attending a conference in Indianapolis for Christian women focused on biblical worship and prayer, Jenna Bauer wanted to create a smaller version for her own church and community.

That’s how the annual Sisters in Christ Women’s Retreat at Fairlawn Mennonite Church in Apple Creek started in 2024.

The third one will take place Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.

It’s an all-day event for any interested women in high school and older.

“I’m so grateful to have a wonderful Sisters in Christ team who shares the desire to create a space for multiple generations of ladies to spend a day learning and having meaningful fellowship,” said Bauer, co-lead of the event with Christa Hershberger.

They are helped by a team of six other women: Vicky Falb, Nancy Yoder, Heidi Branham, Molly Bontrager, Aubriana Groves and Kendra Schultz.

Throughout the year the team plans the event and usually books the next speaker shortly after the previous one.

The speaker for the upcoming conference is Judy Dunagan from Colorado, who is the author of the book “The Loudest Roar: Living in the Unshakable Victory of Christ.”

Bauer met Dunagan a couple of years ago at the Indianapolis Christian women’s conference.

“I ended up speaking with her after (her breakout session) and just thanking her, and she prayed with me,” Bauer said. “I was hoping someday to hear her speak again but wasn’t sure if we could make it happen. Last year, a week before our 2025 retreat, she came across my mind, and I decided I was just going to ask, and if it didn’t work out, then at least I tried. I was shocked when she responded shortly after and was interested and able to.

“I am so excited she is our speaker and that other ladies can hear the encouraging and equipping message God has placed on her heart, and I pray she will draw every lady who attends into a closer and deeper relationship with God.”

In addition to sessions at the beginning and end of the conference by Dunagan (“Take Heart” and “Behold Him: Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus”), attendees will be able to choose two of seven breakout sessions, ranging from a hymn sing to a women’s hormonal health talk, creating a decluttered home, how to ferment food, and learning about backyard herbs, preventing burnout and jewelry making.

“The breakouts are a chance to learn something or participate in something a bit lighter than the main session but still encouraging growth,” Bauer said.

Because the retreat has grown from 60 participants in the first year to 120 the next, the 2026 version will be capped at 250. Doors will open at 8 a.m., and the event will wrap up at 4 p.m.

To register, visit https://fmcapplecreek.elvanto.net/form/2a6964c1-6b6a-4ea8-b1c3-b2495d9d07ca.

An early-bird discount is available through Nov. 30. The last day to register is Jan. 14.

“Through this retreat I want ladies to draw closer to God and to find community with other sisters in Christ from different ages and stages of life,” Bauer said. “The theme of this year’s retreat is living in the unshakable victory of Christ and fixing our eyes on him. I believe doing this will make us better disciples, daughters, moms, grandmas, sisters, aunts and friends."