MARS — True View Ministries once again plans to equip women at its annual one-day conference this year titled “Battle Ready!” It will be at Woodland Valley Church, 225 Crowe Ave.

“The goal is to equip women to bravely speak and boldly live God's truth in a world full of lies,” said Jamie Shaver.

Shaver of Gibsonia and Julie Van Gorp of Marietta, Ga., head up the ministry.

“We believe many women are not living to their full potential because they are succumbing to distractions, discouragement, passivity and other temptations keeping their focus away from God and his purposes for their lives,” Shaver explained.

She noted these distractions are causing women to miss out. “Many women are not experiencing the victory over their struggles that God promises and are missing out on the true peace and joy that God desires they have,” Shaver added.

The conference will include training on how to fight as Jesus did: with humility, prayer, obedience and faith to advance the cause of truth.

“We believe this is a topic that God desires for his church to embrace so that we will live as victorious Christians no matter our circumstances,” said Van Gorp.

Shaver and Van Gorp decided to tackle this topic for their conference because they both at various times were unaware not only that there was a battle for their souls, but that it was when they were distracted that they became indifferent to the battle entirely.

“I can remember a time when I sought promotions and wealth in a desire for happiness. Once obtained, I realized they did nothing to bring about the changes I was looking for in my life,” said Shaver. It wasn't until she began putting Jesus first in her life and gaining knowledge about the Bible that things changed.

“I began to feel like I was living my life for a greater purpose and many of my 'issues' like anger decreased and the overall quality of my life has continued to reach new heights as I've sought to put God first,” she said. Van Gorp had similar revelations of her own that she plans to share.

Now that they have realized how a quality of life can be attained and what needs to change, they are sharing their experiences with women across the country.

“We want every woman to experience the joy of living for a higher purpose, and the peace of knowing that your time invested on Earth was not in vain,” said Shaver.

Their teaching centers on how to become a more effective 'women of the Word' (Bible). “We will be demonstrating how to pray, doing role playing to teach how to speak truth in love to those you may disagree,” Van Gorp said.

With distractions being the main culprit, they will illustrate what some of those distractions are and how to avoid them.

“There is a lack of focus with so many responsibilities of taking care of children, families, and/or careers while allowing their spiritual growth to take a back seat,” said Shaver. “Many women are unaware that if they put their spiritual life first that it would allow them to gain the wisdom and clarity they need to conquer tough situations with family, friends and co-workers.”

Pastor Norb Levesque, senior pastor at Woodland Valley Church, agrees with women of True View and was eager to host the conference again at his church.

“I believe we are in a spiritual battle that has real-world, physical and emotional ramifications. With the struggles both men and women face today, I feel this topic is vital and practical in our daily lives,” he said.

Levesque noted while both men and women struggle, women face specific issues that men do not.

“Some issues such as: depression, self-image and the general passivity of men in the home are especially hard on women who desire to live God honoring lives and produce God-honoring children,” he said.

Levesque is confident not only in the material but in the women who will present it.

“They are all very competent, highly motivated, real, authentic women who have faced many of the issues everyone else faces. The difference is, they have come through the battles, been wounded, suffered loss and are still in the fight. They inspire me and will inspire all who attend the conference,” he said.

I AM Art Ministries is new to the conference this year.

Giovanna and Steven Lein, its founders, will perform several skits and play original music. Now based in Pittsburgh, they lead an arts ministry that gives acting and guitar classes.

The conference is a non-denominational event targeting women older than 12 and mature enough to sit through an all-day conference. Child care will not be provided.

The conference's primary focus will be on biblical teaching. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer session.

WHAT: Battle Ready! — True View Ministries’ 2016 Women’s ConferenceWHEN: From 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 16.WHERE:Woodland Valley Church, 225 Crowe Ave, MarsINFORMATION: http://www.trueviewministries.org/