I have searched my heart for weeks, attempting at least half a dozen times to place just the right words in this space about the IF:Gathering. I thought that if I could just write pretty or bravely or passionately enough, then you would understand. Then you would believe me. Then you would want in.

But here I sit, all those failed attempts later, watching the cursor blink.

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I want to tell you so many things about IF, and I want to say them as eloquently as Jennie Allen would, as funny as Jen Hatmaker could, as undaunted as Christine Caine would, as preciously as Sara Bessey or Rebekah Lyons have, but I’m struggling. Really, really struggling this year to tell you why you need to do whatever it takes to attend an IF:Local gathering in your city on February 6-7.

This is all too weighty, too wonderful, too wild to be wrapped in my words. I’m sorry for that but, at the same time, I’m not. Because this IF thing? It’s that special.

So here’s what we are going to do instead.

I am going to grab you by both shoulders, stare into your tired eyes, and say one I-beg-of-you thing.

Are you ready?

Okay, look right here.

“Trust me.”

Trust me when I say that the IF:Gathering is for you.

Trust me when I tell you that the IF:Gathering is you. 

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Trust me. Show up. Risk something.

You need this.

We all do.

**

To find an IF:Local event to attend in your city, search here.

To join us in Las Vegas, head over here. We’d love it if you could register no later than January 25th.