Lakeside Christian Church, His House host ‘There4 Gathering’ event

Lakeside Christian Church recently hosted a livestream of the ‘There4 Gathering’ conference originally held in Fort Worth, Texas, on Feb. 14-15.

According to those who attended, the local event, which brought together 40 teenage girls from grades 8-12, was an unforgettable experience of faith, community, and personal transformation.

“It was really amazing to see God’s love working in the hearts of those girls,” said Alicia Parsons, local resident who helped support the event.

The two-day gathering was enriched by an overnight lock-in for the teenagers at His House Foundation, an organization committed to supporting families through its life-transformation program. Thanks to the generosity of His House Foundation, attendees stayed at The Gathering Place, a hotel-style retreat center on the foundation’s third floor, creating an atmosphere of fellowship and reflection.

The gathering’s theme, ‘Living Loved,’ centered on helping teen girls understand and embrace God’s love in their daily lives. The event featured renowned speakers such as Sadie Robertson, Jada Edwards, Megan Fate Marshman, Jackie Hill Perry and Brenna Blain, who delivered impactful messages of faith and empowerment.

Worship music, engaging discussions, and fun activities kept the energy high, culminating in a memorable dance party that brought everyone together in joy and celebration.

The There4 event in Shell Knob was spearheaded by Millie Thompson-Krug and Thalia Lewallen, both moms of teenage girls, who aimed to provide a unique opportunity for the girls of the community.

“Our vision was to create a space where young women could come together in faith and fellowship,” they said.

With help from its many supporters, Thompson-Krug and Lewallen plan to make There4 Gathering an annual event to continue fostering growth and connection within the community.

In addition to Thompson-Krug and Lewallen, 20 area women rallied behind the pair to support, uplift, and love the teen girls in attendance.

The generosity of local businesses and individuals played a crucial role in making the event special. Geraldi’s provided a delicious lunch, while Table Rock Ice Cream Co delighted the girls with a lavish ice cream sundae bar.

Swag bags, packed with gifts such as journals, heart-shaped sunglasses, hair clips, pen pouches and squishies, were generously donated by Smokin’ Pistol Chic Boutique and individual sponsors. Jennifer Hadlow of Jenneration Links created a touching moment by gifting each girl a permanent bracelet as a reminder of her connection and value.

Additional sponsors, including Retreat Day Spa and RE/MAX Lakeside realty, contributed financial support, ensuring that the event was a success. Watson’s On the Water provided drink tumblers, Karrie’s Kookies baked personalized Valentine’s-themed cakes for every girl and volunteer, and Jug ‘n Plug supplied ingredients for a delicious pink punch.

Teen girls from Shell Knob, Cassville, Blue Eye, Aurora and Berryville, Ark., came together in a spirit of unity, embracing both the message of the event and each other. The conference encouraged deeper discussions through table groups led by adult volunteers, allowing the girls to reflect on the speakers’ presentations and engage with thought-provoking questions. Many sought prayer, and testimonies of God’s immediate answers and blessings filled the gathering with faith and gratitude.

In addition to the inspiring discussions, the girls participated in lively games with the chance to win exciting gift baskets. A fun photo opportunity and custom-made event T-shirts provided lasting keepsakes of the experience.

There4 Gathering began in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2015, after founder Tiffany Daniels attended a national teen conference with her own daughter in 2012, an experience that deeply impacted them both.

“However, I learned the following year that the conference would be discontinued,’ Daniels said. ‘I searched for a similar event, but could find none.”

With the support of an incredible board, Daniels says she established the non-profit organization, “There{4} Teen Gathering” in 2015, and the group held its first event in February 2016.

According to the group’s website, since its inception, THERE{4} has reached over 20,000 girls through in-person conferences across the U.S., Africa, and Mexico, and thousands more worldwide via livestream.

“What started as a step of faith has become a movement, equipping and inspiring young women to boldly live out their faith,” Daniels said.

The livestreamed There{4} event in Shell Knob was a shining example of community support, faith in action, and the power of young women coming together to seek the Lord. As the final prayers were spoken and the last song played, it was evident that God had moved in mighty ways, said those in attendance. The ‘There4 Gathering’ event left an indelible mark on the hearts of those present, reminding them that they are truly loved and valued.

For those who missed this year’s event in Shell Knob, plans for future gatherings are already in motion, to ensure that more young hearts will continue to experience the transformative love of God in the years to come, say Thompson-Krug and Lewallen.

For updates and information, follow the group’s plans on Facebook and Instagram @there4shellknob.