“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2–4).
This year many Christians are wondering if they’re going to make it: Will our faith, health, and mental well-being survive all the trials we’ve experienced in 2020 and now in 2021?
This year’s Gospel Coalition Women’s Conference was centered around the book of James and explored how to have steadfast faith. The Gospel Coalition was co-founded by D.A. Carson, emeritus professor of New Testament at TEDS, “to encourage and educate current and next-generation Christian leaders by advocating gospel-centered principles and practices.”
Alumna Mary Willson Hannah, who earned a PhD in Old Testament from TEDS in 2018, kicked off the conference speaking on James 1:1–18 and having a “Steadfast Foundation.” Willson Hannah walked through the text, reminding us that steadfast faith comes from a foundation of remembering our identity in Christ, finding joy within trails, and appreciating the gifts God has given us.
In the breakout session “Becoming Bible Teachers,” Willson Hannah expressed the importance of effective Word ministry by walking through 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12. Key takeaways were to speak God’s Word clearly, teach with love, display the Word in conduct, and show reverence to Scripture.
TEDS alumni were also featured in various breakout sessions:
- Collin Hansen (MDiv '10), co-hosted “Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age”
- Colleen McFadden (MDiv '15), hosted “How to Read the Bible One to One” and “How to Train Women Teachers and Leaders in the Local Church”
- Irene Sun (ThM ’17), co-hosted “Mothering with Gospel Hope”
TEDS alumnus and TGC President Julius Kim (PhD '03) was the closing speaker of the conference, teaching on James 5:13–20 and “Steadfast Prayer.”
Trinity is grateful to have so many TEDS graduates speaking at the conference encouraging women to be steadfast in their faith, fulfilling every calling to which God has called them.
For those who attended the conference and would like to continue their study of James, consider picking up former TEDS professor Grant Osborne’s James: Verse by Verse.
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