“…Listen to My Life bridges the gap between information about God…and intimate life-changing relationships with God”

The Listen to My Life experience came at a very strategic time in my personal and professional life.  Due to job relocation, my husband and I had recently moved thousands of miles away from our three sons, family, friends and a thriving ministry of over 800 women which I had the privilege of leading. I arrived in Dallas grieving. I desperately needed to hear God’s voice, to receive his peace, and to gain some sense of direction for the next season of my life. What I received was that and so much more!

I was first struck by the authenticity and openness of Sibyl Towner and Sharon Swing.  I felt immediately I was in a place where it was ok to be me, to be honest about my struggles, fears and questions for God. I felt as though my story was important to everyone present. I was celebrated for simply being my own unique self, yet at the same time being challenged to become more fully the person God created me to be.

The Listen to My Life maps were especially significant in that they provided me with questions that allowed me to focus my thoughts; and together with Sibyl and Sharon’s teaching, they brought clarity and insight which helped me put in order the details of my life. Most importantly, the maps helped me in a visual way to gain a fresh perspective of God at work in my past and present circumstances.  Months later, I enjoy looking at my maps. They are “my” story… and they remind me that I am part of God’s bigger story.

The Listen to My Life experience helped me to position my heart to hear from God; to experience His presence; and gain much needed clarity, counsel and peace. The “cherry on top of the sundae” for me were the friendships formed, the amazing times of worship, special treats, and dancing together to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough!” 

I can remember feeling a sense of sadness as I boarded the plane to return home from the event. My sadness came from the fact that my leadership team and women I serve were not able to share the same experience I just had. One of the greatest burdens of ministry for me is providing the right resources and creating an environment that will facilitate spiritual growth in the lives of women. I am always looking for ways to close the huge gap between women who gather massive amounts of information about God and the women who develop deep, intimate, life changing relationships with God. The Listen to My Life experience bridges that gap. Needless to say before I got off the plane I had a plan in place to bring them to Rockford!

In January 2009, Sibyl and Sharon, like well traveled tour guides, lead our team of 95 women on a one day step by step journey toward experiencing God in a deeper more intimate way. In the process, our team grew in openness and honest communication with each other. The experience served as a catalyst taking our team to a new level of effective leadership, and we are currently making plans for our next Listen to My Life experience!