The week leading up to Shine Conference, 10 years ago, will always be remembered as one of the worst weeks of my life.

I was carrying so much heaviness that I almost didn’t attend. Yes, me, the Pastor’s daughter.

It was conference week, and the team was busily preparing, and the excitement was palpable, but I had never dreaded something so much in my whole life.

I felt desperately alone, and only a handful of trusted people knew what I was going through.
I was not in a good place.

But for me, not showing up to Church has never been an option, and though I would have done ANYTHING to avoid being at Shine that weekend, God met me there in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

I didn’t want to be there, but He met me anyway.
I didn’t deserve it, but He loved me regardless.
I didn’t feel worthy, but He reminded me that I was.

As I stood on the front row, surrounded by hundreds of worshipping women, I remember the words of the song and I reached for my (physical) Dad’s hand for support as the tears rolled down my face.

‘Are you hurting and broken within?
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself?
Do you thirst for a drink from the well?
Jesus is calling

O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ

Leave behind your regrets and mistakes
Come today, there's no reason to wait
Jesus is calling
Bring your sorrows and trade them for joy
From the ashes, a new life is born
Jesus is calling

O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ’

In that moment, I was reminded that no matter how far away I felt, how difficult my situation was, or how unlovely I felt both on the outside AND the inside, God still loved me with an everlasting, unconditional love. And that love covered it all, by His grace.

I hope that today you find the encouragement in my vulnerability, because maybe you look around and think that all of the other women around you have it together: they don’t.

Maybe you are in a season of loneliness, depression, or the heaviness feels too weighty to carry. Don’t hide yourself away.

I know from my own very real experiences that sometimes you cannot simply ‘put a smile on your face and pretend you’re ok.’

But Jesus loves you far too much to let you walk through life alone, so He’s sent you an entire army of Godly women to walk, (or crawl across the floor if you have to) alongside you.

See you at Shine, girl.
I’ll gladly be the one to hold your hand if you need it ✨

The next chapter … what does that mean for you?

If you read a novel, each chapter follows on from the previous one. As you near the finale of the book, each chapter is building into a great story!

The next chapter is a continuation of what's gone before… a continuance, a journey. It could be that you are in a great season right now and that SHINE conference will propel you into your next great chapter with more knowledge, wisdom, passion and anointing!

But for some of us reading this, God is about to bring you into a completely new chapter in your life. The old has gone, the new is coming!

Ruth had a beautiful new season ahead of her old devastating one. She just had to trust God and follow HIS lead.

No matter what your old season looked like or how hard it was, GOD is about to do something new in you and through you.

Ladies young and old, let's get ready for what God is going to do in these next few days together.

I am excited, expectant and ready to experience that with you.

With LOVE
Pastor Gillian x

I recently watched two programmes that featured the dawn chorus. If you've ever been awake early enough, you'll know what it is, a beautiful chorus of birds singing as a new day begins.

What struck me wasn't just how beautiful it sounds, but when it happens. The birds don't wait until the sun is fully up or the light is at its brightest. Somehow, they sense that morning is coming and they begin to sing before they can fully see the light.

As we prepare for Shine and step into this next chapter, I wonder if God is inviting us to do the same.

In Psalm 30:5 we're reminded, "Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Through the Bible, we often see morning associated with God's faithfulness, fresh hope, and new beginnings. Lamentations 3:22–23 tells us that "His mercies are new every morning."

So often we can find ourselves worshipping once the answer comes, once the breakthrough arrives, once life feels less stressful. But perhaps God is inviting us to respond before we see the outcome.

Like the birds who sing before the sun rises, we can choose to praise before we see God move, worship while we're waiting and lift our voices when we’re going through difficult seasons because we know God is faithful.

Perhaps you're waiting for clarity, an answer to prayer, healing, or a change in circumstances. Whatever your "night" looks like, remember that God is already at work, even when you can't yet see it.

As we gather for Shine this week, may we be like the dawn chorus; expectant, awake, and ready to respond to God BEFORE we see all that He is going to do. Let’s be ready for the next chapter God has for us!

Shine is so much more than just a conference. It is a community where inspiration meets connection. For me, Shine is the start of my next chapter. It's about growing, learning, and discovering what I can do next. It is a place where we gather to find fresh vision, align our hearts, and connect with people who truly help us grow into our best selves.

As we enter this Next Chapter, it isn't just a turn of a page; it’s a new season of faith. It’s about stepping out of our comfort zones, trusting God with the unknown, and getting ready for the incredible things He wants to do in and through our lives.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
— Isaiah 43:18-19

When we stop dwelling on what lies behind, we open our eyes to the new path He is carving out for us right now. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, there is a place for you here. This is your invitation to turn the page, step into your purpose, and shine bright.
Don’t miss out on what’s next.

Come and join us at the Shine Conference!

Psalm 23:2-3
He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.

Ladies, we live the most selfless lives and spend so much of our time making sure everyone else is okay. We love deeply, serve faithfully and give generously. We pour ourselves out for our husbands, children, family, friends, colleagues and communities. But somewhere along the way, we quietly place ourselves at the bottom of the list.

How many times have you…
* Made sure your family has the latest clothes while you’re still wearing outfits you’ve had for years?
* Planned meals that everyone else enjoys and told yourself, “I’m easy—I don’t mind what I eat.”
* Rearranged your work schedule around everyone else’s commitments but realised you haven’t spent quality time with friends in months—or even years?
* Let everyone else choose the restaurant, the holiday destination, or the day’s plans because “I’m happy with whatever.”
* Gone above and beyond to celebrate your friends but felt uncomfortable letting them do something special for you?
* And ladies… when was the last time you bought yourself a new bra? (Sometimes it’s the little things that remind us how easily we put ourselves last!)

If you’re smiling, it’s probably because you recognise yourself.

The truth is, many of us have become so accustomed to putting everyone else first that we’ve forgotten what it feels like to simply stop… breathe… and allow God to minister to us.

Yet Psalm 23 paints a beautiful picture of our Shepherd. Notice that He makes us lie down. He leads us. He refreshes us. Before He sends us out again, He first restores our souls.

Perhaps that’s exactly what Shine is meant to be.

As we gather at the beautiful Lenchwood Ranch, surrounded by open fields, may those green pastures become more than scenery. May they remind us of the invitation from Jesus - our Good Shepherd—to pause, to rest, and to let Him restore the parts of us that have grown weary from constantly giving.

So, for one weekend, give yourself permission to receive.

Switch off from the demands waiting at home. Lay down the endless to-do lists, the mental load, and even the guilt that sometimes comes with taking time for yourself. Lean into God’s presence and allow Him to speak to your heart.

This isn’t selfish.
It’s sacred.

Because when God refreshes our souls, everyone around us benefits. We return home not simply rested, but renewed—better equipped to love, serve, encourage, and lead from a place of overflow instead of exhaustion.

Come expectant.
Come ready to receive.
Come and let Jesus refresh your soul.

Life is made up of chapters – some are exciting and full of celebration while others are marked by waiting, uncertainty, or change. We don’t always know what the next page will hold, but we do know the Author of our story.

When I look back over the last few years, Shine has marked so many chapters of my life. For me, Shine was actually the first chapter of a whole new book – it was where I found my home at Champions and where I truly encountered God for the first time, discovering the joy of a daily relationship with Jesus.

Since then, Shine has been part of many different seasons – buying my first home and learning to live alone, seeking Him wholeheartedly when things felt uncertain or lacking, building new friendships, celebrating my engagement and preparing for marriage. Now, as I prepare to welcome our baby into the world, Shine continues to remind me that God is faithful in every season.

Looking back, I can see that while my circumstances have changed dramatically, God’s presence has remained the same. And so has this gathering of women pursuing Him together.

This year feels especially significant because we’re stepping into a new chapter together. For the first time, Shine is a whole weekend away - it’s an opportunity to step away from the distractions of everyday life and fully immerse ourselves in God’s presence and in community.

Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing what God has done at Mankind Conference at the Ranch. I’ve watched lives be transformed as the Holy Spirit moved powerfully among the men. I’ve cried as I’ve seen the breakthroughs and freedom that comes when people make space for God. It has left me full of expectation for what He wants to do among us as women this year.

I’m so excited for Shine because I believe God is inviting each of us to encounter Him afresh: to leave lighter than we arrived, hear His voice more clearly, be filled with fresh fire, and be strengthened for whatever lies ahead.

Whatever chapter you’re in now, my encouragement is simple: make the space, come expectant and trust God as you step into the next chapter He has authored for you.

Isaiah 43:19 (MSG)
Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new.

The truth of all things is spoken in the Bible and when you know this truth it will set you free to shine the light God gave to you to make a difference around your world.

John 1:4-5  In Him was Life, and that Life was the light of all mankind. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

As we turn the page to the next chapter, we reflect on the goodness of God during this journey. A gathering that started with women of like minds and deep love for God and His house is now a life channel for women in our local area and beyond. Shine has become a Statement upon which individual women have built their lives and a Movement that has drawn women of all ages every year to feast at the Lord’s table. A table from which visions have been birthed, dreams have been actualised, stories have been written, and testimonies continue to be shared about the goodness of God. I am a living witness.

Across this generation, there are many women of all ages who want to shine but can’t because they have turned their backs on the One who created the light they carry - His name is JESUS CHRIST. Therefore, let me use this opportunity to encourage you as you turn the page in this new chapter to take His hand.

For me SHINE means:

1. Keep your Lamp Burning until the Master returns –  life’s journey exposes us all to different experiences and we must be determined to use every circumstance we go through to glorify God. For our present suffering cannot be compared to the glorious future that awaits us (Romans 8:18). So, through all your pain, challenges and struggles, we learn to trust in God. Although we are hard pressed on every side, we are not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). It is only by doing life this way that the true oil we need for our lamp to keep burning will be released within us. This oil cannot be shared, borrowed, inherited, or gained through short-cuts in life but only through your life story. Mathew 25:1-13 reveals ten virgins, five wise ones and five foolish. The five wise ones kept watch and lived purposefully and intentionally every day, while the foolish ones forgot their purpose. Choose now to live purposefully.

2. Occupy until He returns – This is as urgent as the command in the parable Jesus spoke in Luke 19:11-27. You must actively use the gifts, talents and resources God blesses you with to advance the kingdom, and remain faithful, diligent and productive until He returns. Do not despise your gift… it is meant to be used, don’t bury it. When you use all He has blessed you with to serve Him, that’s when you truly shine.

3.  Build on the Right Foundation – Mathew 7:24-27 There is no other foundation which has been given except the ROCK who is JESUS. It is only those who put what they hear into practice that shall stand. They are called the wise, but the foolish hear and do not put it into practice. Listen to wisdom.

God is preparing us for the next chapter, are you ready to receive? Then let’s consecrate ourselves to receive from Him just what is needed for our individual life, our women’s ministry, and the church of God. Our world, countries, communities and families need us.

LORD MAKE ME TRUELY USABLE IN JESUS NAME, AMEN!!!!!

Philippians 3:13b-14 & 4:1b
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus…
…that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!

As you know by now, the theme of this year's SHINE conference is The Next Chapter, and perhaps you feel as though you're on the cusp of your next chapter… with doors having closed firmly shut behind you, you now find yourself waiting for the right doors to open in front of you.

And perhaps at times the very thing you're waiting on God for feels so close, yet you still find yourself waiting.. and waiting.. and waiting; left wondering when the breakthrough is going to come.

In seasons like this, you may be tempted to go back through one of those closed doors, or even give up entirely, but can I encourage you to stand firm in the Lord.

What does it look like to stand firm in the Lord?

Paul explains it as straining towards what is ahead and pressing on towards the goal. Straining speaks of challenges and hardships, so we shouldn't expect the path to be an easy one. It will require us to remain faithful as we wait for what's next, even when the pressure builds and we're entertaining thoughts of "I can't do this any longer!"

In the same passage, Paul reminds the church that they are citizens of Heaven, who “eagerly await a Saviour from there" (Philippians 3:20). It's not that their Saviour resides in Heaven (although he does of course) - it's that they do too!  – this is their (and therefore our) position of spiritual authority. And so it is from Heaven that we wait.

Consider our Safety and Protection team members at church. They take an authoritative stance around the building; with their arms folded and chests puffed out. And when a situation arises, whilst I'm sure many of them would rather turn in the opposite direction, they don't, they remain resilient and step towards it.

Standing firm is digging your heels in and standing your ground, yet it is anything but passive; it's pressing on in faith, keeping your eyes on the prize and not giving up hope.

So friends…
Just you wait… your breakthrough is closer than ever now.
Just you wait… it will be worth it!
Just you wait… doors will soon open in front of you.
Just you wait… you're about to step into THE NEXT CHAPTER!

At SHINE we are all about building and encouraging other women but sadly this can historically not have happened in our lives.

Peninnah, her rival, would torment and humiliate her…
1 Samuel 1:6

In this passage there are two women, Hannah and Peninnah. They are both married to the same man, Elkanah (I know that’s a bit weird but that was the custom of the time). Hannah was favoured by her husband but could not have children, but Peninnah had children with their husband. In the passage it says that Peninnah provoked Hannah and made her cry.

This is typical of how the enemy works. He picks on our most vulnerable area, maybe the area we have not seen answered prayers. We have maybe experienced this hurt from other women, negativity and even bullying and jealousy.

What do we do when we are hurt and offended by others?
It’s understandable to moan, be disappointed, to lose our joy, grow bitter or even fight back and tell them what for!

My testimony, and most probably some of yours too, has been that I have been hurt by others and sometimes I have reacted in the ways just mentioned. On a SHINE mentoring night, Pastor Gillian delivered a powerful message about friendship, and I knew I had to forgive and give my hurt of the past over to JESUS. It was a wonderful turning point for me and He has blessed me with wonderful, encouraging and kind new friends.

“Almighty LORD, look at me, your servant! See my trouble and remember me! Don't forget me!”
1 Samuel 1:11

Hannah does this in a very powerful way.

She turns to JESUS.

She prays with passion and she takes that hurt to GOD and pleads for her breakthrough. Hannah’s prayers are answered and she gets her lovely little boy Samuel. Hannah silences the voices of negativity and builds a new chapter.

In our theme this year, can I encourage you to come to Jesus if you have been hurt by other people, turn to Him and give Him your hurt, and get ready for your breakthrough and next chapter.

Thank you JESUS that you care for me and heal my hurts. Help me to forgive anyone who has hurt me and may I feel new freedom and joy as I give that hurt to you. Help me to be a woman who builds others up and encourages and cheers on my SHINE sisters.

As women, we often live full and busy lives. Before we can leave for a conference, there are jobs to finish, husbands to organise, children to sort, meals to prepare and countless details to make sure everyone and everything survives while we’re away. We often put ourselves last, pack our suitcases at the last minute and arrive wondering if we’ve forgotten something, not being present in the moment.

We “turn up” and expect God to speak to us, expect to receive and be filled up again so that we can return to our day-to-day lives refreshed and renewed, but we haven’t prepared to give God the space in our minds to speak to us, free from distractions.

I want to challenge you today, how are YOU preparing your head and your heart for SHINE? As well as the practical things we need to organise in order for us to physically attend, what about the spiritual things?

What are you personally praying and believing for in your life right now? Our conference theme is “The Next Chapter”. What doors are you preparing to close to allow God to open new ones for you in this new season? What old habits, disappointments, fears or mindsets do you need to leave behind? What chapter is God asking you to finish so that He can pour out fresh anointing over the next season of your life?

My challenge to all of us is to spend daily time with God leading up to SHINE to prepare our hearts and make room for Him to reveal to us the part we need to play for our Next Chapter.

Hosea 10:12 “Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers His righteousness on you.”

Before we expect a harvest we must prepare the soil. Hard soil needs to be broken up, seeds need to be planted and time needs to be spent tending to the field. We can’t expect fruit without first doing the work in preparation.

My prayer for us today is that we wouldn’t simply arrive at conference physically present but spiritually ready and on fire for everything God wants to do within us.

Prepare your hearts and come expectant, believing that God has something fresh for each of us as we step into The Next Chapter together.