The Rev. Linda Hunter feels fortunate to have been able to attend Christian conferences and special events all over the world.

“I like to go to conferences myself. I’ve been to one with (Christian healer) Benny Hinn in Israel for two and a half weeks. I just like the charge you get from an event like that, with a lot of Christians coming together,” says Hunter, co-pastor of Community Church of God, 2300 Anderson Road.

Her positive faith experiences during her travels recently sparked an idea.

“I just said, ‘Why not have a Christian conference here in Lawrence? A lot of people don’t get the opportunity to go out of town. We’ve prayed about it, and God has really just put people in our path who have volunteered their time. It’s been wonderful,” she says.

That’s how the Community Church of God Women’s Conference 2004 came about.

The event, scheduled for June 11-13 at SpringHill Suites by Marriott in the former Riverfront Plaza, is a nondenominational conference that will feature three speakers, a dinner, a praise-and-worship music ministry team, prayer and time for fellowship.

“It’s to encourage women in their spiritual development. It’s really kind of nice to have an event where women are speaking to women. It’s just nice to have women joined together,” says Lois Pachella, program coordinator and a member of Community Church of God.

“We’re looking for God to speak into our lives through anointed teaching and preaching of his word, and to touch us as we are led into his presence through our praise and worship.”

The conference’s theme is “Women Dressed in Armour,” a reference to a biblical verse, Ephesians 6:11. The verse talks about putting on the “whole armour of God” in order to “stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Community Church of God, co-pastored by Linda Hunter and her husband, Jesse Hunter, was formed about 10 years ago. The independent, nondenominational church averages 70 people at Sunday worship services.

Pachella says she hopes to have 100 to 150 women attend the conference. She has received about 50 registration forms.

“For me, this is really about doing the work of the Lord, so that others will be able to come and hear good teachings. It’s something that I feel inspired to do,” she says.

Linda Hunter has been working to spread the news about the women’s conference.

“I’m hoping that we will have as many people as the building will hold because we have a message for them. When the Holy Spirit is talking to people, we need to listen,” she says.

The event is for women of all faiths.

“Even if you don’t know the Lord, I would like to introduce you to him,” Hunter adds.