Thelma Wells testifies on ‘The Buzz’
By Meliqueica Meadows
For the St. Louis American
The Women of Faith conference is making a stop at the Savvis Center on June 17 and 18. Over 16,000 St. Louis women will pack the Savvis Center to hear musical guests, a comedienne and six headline conference speakers, including professor and author Thelma Wells.
Wells has written over seven books on the topics of faith and Biblical affirmations. Her latest book, The Buzz: Seven Power-Packed Scriptures to Energize Your Life, will be the cornerstone of three speeches she will present at the conference. However, Wells also plans to introduce three additional scriptures dealing with the attributes of God relating to extraordinary faith and how women can apply those attributes to their lives based on God’s faithfulness to them.
Wells has been around since the conference began in 1996. Even after ten years, she still seems enthusiastic when she talks about the Women of Faith and how it can affect the lives of women across the nation.
“I hope women take away a clearer understanding of what faith is,” she said.
“I hope they gain the liberty of understanding that it is not the amount of faith, because we’ve all been given a measure of faith. That God loves them no matter what they have done, because I think women have such a distorted image of God that they feel they cannot be loved by God. I want them to know that God loves them.”
The Buzz presents seven Biblical scriptures that Wells says “have kept me above board” through the trials and tribulations of life. Along with each scripture are personal stories recounting her personal journey and the ways she used her faith to discover her purpose and stay focused on her goals.
Wells credits her faith with helping her to succeed in business and in life. A native of Texas, Wells was the first African-American woman to become assistant vice president of a commercial bank, NorthPark National Bank in Dallas, Texas. Now the owner of A Woman of God Ministries, Wells hopes to inspire other women to be their best at the conference.
“Every woman who breathes is invited to come to this conference, regardless of race, denomination, background or education,” she said.
“Even if a person is physically impaired, there is a section available for them. If they need Spanish interpretation or sign language interpretation, that is available as well.”
Wells encourages St. Louis women to dress comfortably and come to the conference open to receive something extraordinary.
“Don’t wear your ‘Sunday go to meeting’ clothes,” she said. “It is a safe place where you can bring anyone, even your unsaved friends and family. It’s going to be a therapeutic time of laughter. It’s a great, fun time of laughter until you crack your sides.”
The Women of Faith conference is the largest of its kind in the nation, attracting millions of women to sold-out arenas and stadiums across the country. The conference consists of six core speakers, including Wells, Patsy Clairmont, Nicole Johnson, Marilyn Meberg, Luci Swindoll and Sheila Walsh. Special guests for the St. Louis conference are comedienne Chonda Peirce, Dove Award-winning singer Nichole Nordeman and the Grammy-nominated vocal group Avalon.
“We have one agenda at Women of Faith and that is to ignite a spark of hope, love and extraordinary faith,” Wells said. “I’m inviting everyone in the St. Louis area. Get a ticket and come to the Women of Faith conference; you will never be the same.”
For information. call (888) 49-FAITH or visit www.womenoffaith.com. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. June 17 with the actual conference beginning at 7 p.m.
