National radio host and author Luann Prater will lead 'Encouragement Extreme' this weekend.

Luann Prater will lead retreat open to all ages, faiths
By SUSAN LEATHERS
Brentwood Home Page
“Tired?  Drained? Hopeless?  STOP going through the motions of life and absolutely, boundlessly abandon boredom for Freedom!”

With an opener like that, it’s a wonder the 12,000-seat sanctuary at Brentwood United Methodist Church isn’t fully reserved yet for this weekend’s Encouragement Extreme women’s retreat. Reservations are still being accepted for the Friday evening and all-day Saturday event featuring national radio host Luann Prater, artist Betty Shoopman and a cast of other inspirational speakers.

Though it’s sponsored by the church’s Singles Ministry, BUMC singles minister Shebbie Shields said the event is designed and open to all women of all faiths from the entire Middle Tennessee area, and beyond.

Session topics have names like Boundless, Abandon, Journaling, Communion, Prayer and Connect. But Shields said the point to it all is to help women find and sustain peace in their busy, stress-filled lives.

Prater, who leads conferences across the country in addition to hosting her Encouragement Café radio show, is a contributing author to the books God's Purpose for Every Woman and The Reason We Speak, along with the P31 Women's Magazine and Encouragement for Today email devotions reaching over 306,000 subscribers every day worldwide.

She is also a wife, mother, stepmother, grandmother, runs two businesses and is active in her church.
Prater uses her own life struggles to illustrate how God has used her life to portray a picture of hope and encouragement to others.

“Luann illustrates her messages with her own life experiences and infuses her sense of
humor into her speaking, reminding listeners that she is human too. Whatever topic she
addresses, her unique combination of humbleness, practical advice, honesty and
genuine optimism is both powerful and effective,” Juli Gallagher, a senior producer of  CNN’s Larry King Live, explained.

Shields said the retreat is the perfect place to “laugh, learn and share with girlfriends who ‘get you!’  This event’s goal is to help you pursue total surrender to Jesus Christ and live in the fullness of all you were created to be in him.”

Artist Betty Shoopman will create an original painting during the event, based on what is discussed and discovered. Several other speakers and musicians will take part.

Encouragement Extreme opens Friday with registration at 5:30 p.m and kicks off with praise and worship at 6:30 p.m. Session 1 begins at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, doors and registration open at 9 a.m., with the first session beginning at 9:30 a.m. It will run through the afternoon, with an “on your own” lunch break from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Brentwood UMW is located at 309 Franklin Road. The event is $60. Registration is accepted online and at the door. Click here to register. For more information, visit www.encouragementcafe.com.