This was written two years ago (yikes!) and somehow got overlooked. We still think it’s a fantastic story, though, and hear that Eva is bringing close to 30 women from Grace Community Church to True Woman ’12 in Indy again this year.

Take one women’s ministry with a heart for biblical womanhood. Add 125 women of all ages, plus True Woman DVD messages, creative breakout sessions, and compelling testimonies. Mix well. Throw in a generous measure of laughter, a pinch of tears, and a sprinkling of good food. Let flavors marinate for two days. The result—a life-changing weekend of women discovering God’s unique design for their lives!

What’s the recipe for a real woman? Well, it takes a lot of ingredients and patience to put together. To help with the process, the women of Grace Community Church in North Liberty, Iowa, cooked up their own version of a True Woman Conference.

Their women’s ministry team had been studying biblical womanhood for two years and planned this mini-conference, entitled “Recipe for a Real Woman,” as a time to spread the message wider and help women catch the vision of the True Woman Movement.

Over a Friday evening and Saturday, the conference combined True Woman DVD messages with personal testimonies, as well as offered several options for breakout sessions. These creative, practical workshops centered around various areas of living as a true woman such as “The Measure of Intentional Mothering,” “Thyme for a Titus 2 Mentor,” “Adding to the Pantry: A Discussion on Adoption,” and “Sweetness of Peace: Body Image from a Biblical Perspective.”

Eva Anderson, the Director of Women’s Ministries, said it was very evident how God orchestrated the entire event. “I was moved by the beautiful way that God has fashioned each of us as women. The women of the church came together with their wide array of talents and gifts. God wove it together into a unified masterpiece.

“We’re now organizing our road trip to Indianapolis so women can experience the ‘bigger’ version of the conference and continue to be inspired to live for Christ and embrace biblical femininity,” Eva said. Plus, the church has decided to shape their entire women’s ministry around training women in biblical womanhood.

“It’s what we’re all about,” Eva said. “Our mission statement for women’s ministry is: Women of Grace desires to glorify God by equipping and encouraging each woman to know Christ personally and to live out His purpose in all aspects of her life. We see the True Woman Movement being instrumental in helping us fulfill this purpose.”

Recipe for a Real Woman
From the Kitchen of Jesus Christ
Written by Becky Johnston of Grace Community Church, North Liberty, IA. Used with permission.

Ingredients:
1 whole heart (Deuteronomy 6)
2 tablespoons trials (James 1)
1 cup faith (Hebrews 11)
1 cup hope (Romans 5)
1 Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1)
1 portion Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5)
Dash of submission (Colossians 3)
Dash of temperance (1 Timothy 3)
Dash of trustworthiness (1 Timothy 3)
2 portions love (1 Peter 4)
1 fearfully and wonderfully made body (Psalm 139)
1 sprig truth and dignity (Proverbs 31)

Take the whole heart devoted to the Maker. (It must be a whole heart because anything less will leave the dish wanting.) Tenderize the heart with trials, then sauté over Proverbs 1:7 heat. Add faith and hope until the heart is broken before its Maker. Add the Holy Spirit guaranteeing a finished work. Add the Fruit of the Spirit chopped, to ensure freshness. Sprinkle submission, temperance, and trustworthiness over top. Juice enough love to cover everything. Place in the body. Cut slits in top to let Colossians 3:5 & 8 escape. After cooking at 2 Corinthians 5:17, all will be transformed.

Garnish with strength and dignity.

Is a great dish served single, but may be complemented with a godly husband and a quiver full of children if the Maker so desires.