Bloom Conference

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Register Now

Register

Tickets available Dec. 1 at hardingtickets.com. Call to register by phone at 501-279-4449.

Lodging

To stay on campus, book your room at the Heritage Inn today (1-888-766-2465).

Contact Us

Location: Heritage Center, 915 E. Market Ave. in Searcy, AR 72149

Schedule

All events are held in the David B. Burks American Heritage Center.

Friday, February 23, 2024

5:30 p.m. Dinner
6:30 p.m. Welcome & Worship
7 p.m. Lesa Willis "In This Place"
8 p.m. Dr. Andrea Morris "Tea time with Andrea: a table discussions about living in community." 


Saturday, February 24, 2024

8:30 a.m. Welcome and Worship
8:45 a.m. Alicia Williamson "Holding Fast to Community: Hebrews 10:24-25"
9:20 a.m. Lisa Williams "The Inspired Purpose of Community"
10 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m. Breakout Classes
11:15 a.m. Breakout Classes
12:15 p.m. Lunch
1 p.m. Lesa Willis "The God Who Sees Me"
1:45 p.m. Dismissal

Breakout Classes

Spiritual Disciplines: Alicia Williamson
Restoration and Difficult Conversations: Brianna Cunningham
Finding your Community: Kayla Fitzhugh
Developing Community Panel: facilitated by Sherry Pollard
Community at the Table: Anna Yingling
Community at the Table: Britney Njeri

Course Credit

Bloom Syllabus 

A one hour course is offered in conjunction with the Bloom seminar. Register for the course, "Bloom Community" in Pipeline using BRES 3131-01 (CRN 18836 ). For more information contact Dr. Anessa Westbrook at adwestbrook@ryoju.net

WHEN: This seminar runs from February 23-24, 2024. Students need to be available 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday for the conference.

WHERE: Second Floor of Burks American Heritage Building, plus other locations as announced.

WHO: Any female who is already enrolled at Harding University, or any other female who
qualifies as a special student, is eligible to take the seminar for credit. It is important to
remember, however, that each student is responsible for verifying with her advisor that
the one-hour seminar satisfies the requirements for her degree plan. It is also important
to remember that a ministry seminar does not meet the general education requirements
for graduation.

HOW: To receive credit for this seminar, the student must enroll for the course before attending
the conference. This means that the student must include the seminar on her schedule at
the time of enrollment or officially add the course to her schedule prior to attending the
conference. This one-hour seminar will cost Harding University’s usual tuition plus a
course fee of $45 for the conference. Last day to drop this class is 4 pm February 16,
2024. All conference sessions must be attended to receive credit for this course.

Requirements

  1. Enroll before attending the seminar with the registrar
  2. Physical presence at all sessions of the conference. Sign in/out at registration. (30% of grade)
  3. Prepare a portfolio with the following materials to be turned in on Canvas
    • Saturday Afternoon Session. February 24 (10% of grade)
    • Typed Notes (20% of grade)
      Your own typed notes of each session. Due Wednesday, March 13th
    • Assigned Book & Reflection Paper 40%

All assignments must be turned in properly on Canvas. Late assignments will be docked 20%
and will not be accepted more than one week past the due date. For more information contact
Dr. Anessa Westbrook (adwestbrook@ryoju.net preferred form of contact).

Meet the 2024 Speakers

Learn more about the keynote speakers

Lesa Willis

Lesa Willis is a vibrant, life-loving, adventurous Christian woman, wife and mom with a passion for serving others. She has been blessed with opportunities throughout her life including time working as a bicycle messenger in our nation’s capital, serving as a network design engineer and manager, teaching English in the Dallas Independent School District, and leading her nonprofit focused on assisting the homeless with transitional housing. With God’s direction, she has embraced every blessing that has culminated in her creating Lesa Willis Ministries.

Dr. Andrea Morris

Dr. Andrea Morris believes that acknowledging and appreciating others can lay the foundation for strong relationships and self-formation. When that appreciation is based on God’s love through Jesus, formation can result in disciples who are committed to building this foundation in others. Dr. Morris is assistant to the provost for strategic initiatives at Harding University, where she is creating and expanding opportunities for students to invest in the community through experiential learning assignments.

Alicia Williamson

Alicia Williamson spent fourteen years alongside her husband Carl working as a domestic church planter in central New Jersey. They, along with their two daughters, Zoe (17) and Elle (15), were part of a team that planted two churches and taught and equipped a number of new Christians. While in New Jersey, she also worked as a health and physical education teacher for thirteen years. After moving to Searcy in 2018, Williamson decided to pursue graduate education in theology. She currently holds master’s degrees in systematic theology and Christian ministry from Harding School of Theology and is in her third year of doctoral work at Regent School of Divinity. She plans to write her dissertation on the spiritual formation of young adults. She also works as an adjunct professor of Bible at Harding. During almost every break from school, you can find her and her family trekking through a national park.

Lisa Williams

Lisa Williams was the first of he family to graduate from college. From humble beginnings in rural West Virginia, she earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from Harding University. She has been involved in a number of roles in public policy and advocacy including being appointed to the Arkansas Board of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology and the Alabama Charter School Commission. She also has served on the boards of Montgomery Education Foundation, Montgomery Area Mental Health, and HEAL United. She currently serves as the chair of the Women of Faith initiative at Harding. With a zealous faith, a compassionate heart and a contagious enthusiasm, she distinguishably serves as Harding University’s first lady.

Contact Us

BLOOM is hosted by College of Bible & Ministry

501-279-4449

bloom@ryoju.net