‘Celebrate What Matters’ event at Nationwide Arena start of 23-city tour
Teddi Tipton’s son was killed in a motorcycle crash in October 2009. Six months later, Tipton offered a ticket to a Women of Faith event to the mother of the 19-year-old college student who was driving the car that killed him.
Tipton had been attending the annual gathering of musicians, speakers and performers since 2008 and thought the other mother might find some healing there.
“They were just such sweet people, and they were suffering so much, and I knew there would be something very definite for them at Women of Faith,” said Tipton, 76. “God just worked out the details, because it was such a blessing for her to go and feel the peace … and know that she was forgiven.”
Tipton, of Piqua, Ohio, plans to attend the two-day event again this year when it begins today at Nationwide Arena. Columbus is the first of 23 cities on the “Celebrate What Matters” three-month U.S. tour.
More than two dozen speakers, authors, performers and musicians expected include CeCe Winans, Mandisa, Amy Grant, Sandi Patty, Patsy Clairmont and Lisa Harper. The 2012 production introduces a new stage and adds a live worship band and the Ballet Magnificat! Christian dance company to the agenda. Patty, the Grammy-winning performer known as The Voice, rehearsed at the arena on Wednesday alongside a trio of other women, one wearing a pink T-shirt emblazoned with “High Heels High Hopes.”
“It really is like girlfriends gathering together, being real, being honest, having fun, being serious, laughing a lot, singing together, shedding a few tears,” Patty said. “And I do feel like we go back into our lives better women having been together.”
Comments
I am still coming down from the heavenly clouds after attending Celebrate What Matters in Oklahoma City. I can’t even begin to tell you what an incredible blessing it was and how God spoke to me during those precious hours together.
As a volunteer I got to know some great team members and looking forward to the next event.
I would ask that you pray for a woman who came from Amarillo. I saw her standing beside me on Friday night while we were waiting for Ken Davis to sign. She stood looking at him with tears streaming down her face. I asked how I could help and she began to spill out her sorrow and pain over her husband walking out after 27 years and turning her children against her. I stopped and immediately prayed for her.
I tried to find her on Saturday but never did so I don’t know if she stayed and attended on Saturday. She was totally devastated and saw no hope going forward. She spoke her name but her emotions made it difficult to understand with the noise level in the arena. You might be able to tell from the registrations sent in.
Thank you for bring us the gospel and filling me with new hope and encouragement to live more fully for Christ. You changed my life!