Photo by Madison Meyer

Each consecutive spring semester, since the spring of 2014, Harding has hosted a women’s event called the Bloom Conference. This year’s theme focused on the idea of living “Unveiled.” The event was Feb. 18-19.

Bloom is for women to come and listen to teachings and testimonies given by other women from numerous generations. The women speakers share about their experiences and words of wisdom as they seek to deepen and expand their faith in the Lord. 

One of the speakers was senior Lily Beth Ayers, who shared her journey of stripping away religion and experiencing Jesus unveiled in his true nature of radical love. 

“It means a lot that I have been given the space to voice my experiences and share my mistakes as I have sought to better understand and embody God’s design for community in the church,” Ayers said. 

Ayers said she wanted to leave her audience with a challenge to rethink the church. 

“I think we need to reassess who we invite into the church and the effects our actions have when we deny people the chance to know the radical love of Jesus,” Ayers said. 

Junior Meg Sinha said the conference was an impactful experience for her. 

“I think the most impactful part of the weekend for me was seeing the different generations of women learning about God together,” Sinha said. 

Sophomore Harli Crossen attended the conference, as well, saying it taught her and challenged her faith.

“The testimonies I had the chance to hear challenged me to see the church and Jesus through a different, less judgemental lens, and I was reminded that love should always be my first course of action,” Crossen said.