“The wise woman builds her own house; the foolish one tears hers down.”

Pictured are organizers of the Wise Women Build Conference. Sitting front row, from left, are Margaret Johnson and Daphne Payne. In back row, from left, are Monica Green, Charlene Haines, Cynthia Eubanks and Cynthia Jackson. The three-day conference, which begins Friday, is hosted by the Ninth Street Missionary Baptist Church. It will include fellowship, worship, speakers and a prayer breakfast, and is designed as a spiritual retreat for women.

Taken from Proverbs 14:1, this principle is the defining theme for the Wise Women Build conference, an annual event hosted by the Ninth Street Missionary Baptist Church, 847 Ohio. The three-day conference launches at 5:30 p.m. Friday. And this year, the event’s planners hope to attract more women than ever before — women of all ages, races and economic backgrounds.

“Women are on the go so much, we often times don’t take the time to stop and recharge,” says Carmen White, who has been a member of Ninth Street for more than three years. “This weekend’s conference … provides women an opportunity to immerse themselves deeper into God’s word.”

The retreat began eight years ago as an annual breakfast, expanding in duration and attendance with each passing year. White calls the retreat a time of renewal, a place for souls to unite, rest and rejuvenate. After being asked to speak at the event a few years ago, White found the experience so pleasant she’s been involved ever since. And through time, she’s watched it grow.

“I remember it being a small intimate group of women who had a vision to come together to pray and fellowship and more importantly to seek God’s direction for successful Christian living,” says White. “Over the years, I had several invitations to speak; each time I saw a growth not only numerically, but also spiritually.”

Cynthia Jackson, who serves as deaconess ministry chairperson, says it is one of her favorite annual activities.

“It is a weekend that I look forward to each year,” Jackson says. “There is a great bond in women coming together to fellowship, worship and prayer. The spiritual aspect is so uplifting, and I always come away with a renewed faith.”

Activities begin with a dinner reception in the fellowship hall of Ninth Street Ministry. Afterward there will be a LIFT (Ladies In Fellowship Together) service that starts at 6:30 p.m.

“LIFT Night is a time when women of all ages, race and church affiliations come to fellowship together,” Jackson says. “It will be a night filled with high praise and worship, songs, (and) prayer.”

Saturday’s events start off with a prayer breakfast at 6:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 925 Vt., and will be followed by breakout sessions on topics, including single parenting, friendship and a women’s roles in the church.

And finally the conference will conclude with a Sunday worship service, commencing at 9:30 a.m at the Ninth Street church. The service is open to the congregation and the general public, but it will honor women in particular. Planners hope women outside of the church are able to attend.

“We’ve set aside this time for fellowship and worship with whole body of women, not only those from Ninth Street, but other women as well,” White says. “I would definitely recommend and invite those who don’t know anyone who’s coming (to still go). There will be plenty of friendly faces to greet them.”

The event is free and open to everyone. Those interested in attending can register online at www.nsmbclk.org.