I enjoyed the speakers, especially Mrs. Trahan. She brought out how the Bible will help us to be a better Christian and how to help others be stronger for the Lord.—Claudia Bruce
One quote from Carol Trahan that is life changing, “To know Him is to love Him is to trust Him.”—Melody Parrish
I love being with the ladies of Faith. We laugh and shop and eat and laugh and shop and eat! It is medicine for my heart.—Alice Sladick
I was most amazed and convicted by Mrs. Trahan’s knowledge of the Scriptures; not just memorization, but HEART knowledge. I pray that God would give me the courage to always be faithful to Him, no matter my circumstances.—Denise Worley
“Be Still and Know”—such a wonderful theme! Thoughts from the speakers were both a challenge and blessing.—Sharon McNeese
Through the voice of God spoken in the two special speakers, God spoke to my heart to continue in His Word by study and memorization. No matter what He allows in my life may He use it for His glory.—Margaret Holloman
Carolann Capaci gave some great tips for busy moms to just STOP and “Be Still and Know” that God loves you, has a plan for your life, and He knows what’s best for you. We just need to listen and obey. Carol Trahan has an incredible memory of the Scriptures. I was blessed and inspired to dig deeper in God’s Word and trust Him more for every area of my life. She was a blessing; especially after all she has been through. I also enjoyed winning a door prize on the shuttle bus and at the retreat!--Della Stocks
Mrs. Trahan’s Bible knowledge was so amazing. She quoted Scripture as naturally as taking a breath of air. She personally challenged me to know God better by memorizing His Word and to trust Him more in every circumstance. The fellowship with the Faith Ladies on the travel bus and at the Cheesecake Factory was an extra special blessing.—Barbara Bell
I’m renewed with the fact that the theme of the conference “Be Still and Know that I am God” was a thought which came to mind at a time while going through adversity several years ago. While needing comfort, the Lord laid this Scripture on my heart. I praise the Lord when in adversity I was able to “Be Still and Know that I am God” and HE handled it all.—Diane Graham
The retreat is just what I needed at this time in my life with some recent trials that I have been through. I learned that everything (trials) that comes into our lives God has approved of and allows to make us more like Jesus. The retreat was really great and inspired me to know God more through His Word.—Pam Chestnutt
The retreat was so inspiring and so much fun. Totally awesome!—Dorothy Evans
I was challenged by Mrs. Trahan to really KNOW God. Her testimony of forgiveness, overcoming and surrender to God and His will challenged me to examine my own life. Just because we can’t see God’s hand working doesn’t mean He’s not working in our lives. “JUST BELIEVE!”—Peggy Sloan
Mrs. Trahan was the best speaker I have ever heard at a Ladies Retreat. Her mastery of Scripture was tremendous and challenging for me to learn more and to better apply it to my life. –Shelba Buchanan
I enjoyed the retreat so much. Both speakers spoke with such a passion about doing what is right and following the Lord in everything.—Crystal Davis
It was a wonderful retreat. The speakers were so inspiring. They touched on so many things that have happened in my own families’ lives. I pray that I can one day walk with the Lord as they do. This was one of the most inspiring retreats I have been to.—Rose Whitley
Both speakers were excellent; however I really appreciated how transparent and “real” Mrs. Capaci was. Both testimonies challenged me. Gateway did a great job of keeping the retreat simple, uncluttered, refreshing, and running smoothly.—Amy Smith
Mrs. Trahan was a wonderful speaker. It was a blessing to hear her testimony and faith in God.—Hazel Davis
This year's retreat was such a blessing to me. It is always wonderful to be with the Ladies from Faith, but it was also good to see many friends who have moved away to other ministries. The fellowship was fantastic! The best part of this year's retreat was most certainly the speakers. WOW! Carol Trahan's knowledge of the Scriptures and the way that knowledge just flowed from her was breath-taking. I was convicted beyond words! May the Lord help all of us to "Be still and know God" in such a way that His words flow from our hearts as well! –Darlene Marshall
I really enjoyed Mrs. Capaci. Her transparency about her everyday struggles and how she is continually working to overcome them was very helpful. I also loved my first trip to the Cheesecake Factory. It was a really great retreat and I am glad that I went.—Lauren Rouse
It was really a great blessing to hear the Word of God flow from the abundance of the heart of Mrs. Trahan. I was really challenged to devote more time to memorizing God’s Word. The fellowship was great.—Rose Hales
Retreats are fun! The fellowship is great. Door prizes are fun also. The retreat was a blessing to me. The spiritual teaching was inspiring. My prayer is that I make more in-depth studies of the Word. I would recommend the retreat for all women who desire a deeper walk with God.—Debra Roach
I enjoyed both speakers very much! The testimonies spoke to my heart and the Scriptures that were used were perfect. Mrs. Carol Trahan was my favorite of all. The time spent with the ladies was such a blessing to my heart and an encouragement. The Lord really spoke and blessed me through everything.—Rachel Lauren Conyers
How rare to see a lady--whose trials were not planned by, but were permitted by God--come through with such grace and strength. Mrs. Trahan did not just sweetly survive, she gave herself to the Lord mentally, physically, and emotionally to allow Him to use her to help the hurts of others and bring Him glory. She carried with her the sense that she was not too good to help anyone, and she honestly desired to help ladies through the power of the Scriptures. I am still thinking on verses and Biblical promises she shared in a way only someone who had suffered and been to the Lord for healing could do. –Jeana Griffin
It is hard to put on paper what the Lord did in my heart at the East Coast Ladies Retreat at Gateway Church. I had the opportunity to have my sister Erica with me for this retreat and that was a special blessing. The laughter, the fellowship, the music, the speakers, the late-night run to the Cheesecake Factory . . . it all adds up to a wonderful time. The sessions from Mrs. Trahan and Mrs. Capaci were amazing. They are BOTH testimonies of God's grace. They BOTH challenged me to stretch myself as a Christian. Mrs. Trahan's recall of the Scriptures put me to shame. I am thankful that BOTH of the speakers focused in on my relationship with the Lord, realizing that if THAT relationship is right, then my relationship as a wife, mother, daughter, employee, etc. will be in the right perspective. I am so thankful for these times of refreshing—Andrea Holloman
Carol Trahan, who is a professor of science and Bible at Northland Baptist Bible College, gave us the meat of the Word wrapped in a personal testimony of victory over some of life’s greatest challenges. She greatly inspired us to have a vibrant walk with God, to let God work His ways on all of our problems, and to forgive others “even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). Carolann Capaci, Brother Eric’s wife, reinforced what Mrs. Trahan taught so well when she shared her testimony and pointed out how we learn from God best when we face difficulties. The retreat time refreshed us by the truths taught and the sweet time of fellowship that we enjoyed. Gateway Church did a great job—the speakers, the music, the total atmosphere all lifted up the Lord.—Brenda Patrick
The Lord really spoke to my heart in all of the sessions. The testimonies of the speakers brought strength to my heart. I also enjoyed winning door prizes.—Alicia Johnson
I really enjoyed the teen girls’ time with Mrs. Capaci talking about the need to spend more time in God’s Word than on your books and how you dress.—Abby Sladick
I love Mrs. Capaci. She was funny and her lesson was very encouraging. I also enjoyed the vendors and Mrs. Trahan as well. It was really cool how she knew so many verses and her testimony was too. I am really glad I came this year.—Hannah Stocks
The teen service was great. Mrs. Capaci talked about how we should have a good spirit and worry less about how we look on the outside.—Kayla Davis
I loved all of the messages, but most of all I loved the teen service. Mrs. Capaci really encouraged us to focus more on our inner self rather than the outer.—Rachel Collier
I had a really good time at the Ladies Retreat. The speakers really encouraged me to give my all for God. The ladies of Gateway were very welcoming to everyone. The shopping and food was a highlight of the trip.—Kellie Floars
Both speakers were very encouraging. Mrs. Capaci and Mrs. Trahan have been through many trials, but it’s so encouraging to see that they still love the Lord and praise Him even in their trials.—Rebecca Collier