As a part of the Singles Ministry here in Las Cruces, New Mexico. I want to share about the Southwest Singles Conference that we just attended in Palm Springs, California. This was my first conference as a single after being in the Campus Ministry. The faith I saw in the Singles moved my heart.Just to give a background to who I am, I entered the Singles Ministry about 
a year ago after five years in the campus ministry. I have attended five International Campus Conferences (ICMC) in the past and this was my first Singles Conference. The SW Conference Facebook Page is here.
On my way there, I was not sure what to expect. As a campus student, I heard many views by students how they viewed the Singles Ministry. Most did not want to transfer into the ministry after graduation and almost looked down on the ministry itself. I am not referring to any particular church, this was a common view expressed from variety of campus students. As for me, I felt ready to be in the Singles. I had lived the campus life, and embraced the transition into the Singles. I want to share this to the church and also hopefully to other campus students that have this view or know someone that do what I saw this weekend.
Unlike the campus conference for me, which the lessons sliced my heart, in the singles conference it was the people's lives that pierced my heart. As we sat there listening to peoples' lives shared during the conference as well as during the fellowship, I was amazed to the amount of faith that goes unnoticed in this ministry. There was much maturity that came from perseverance in these brothers and sisters' faith. I felt humbled as I listened and amazed by their joy and hope after all they had witnessed and experienced. I sat in tears listening to the "transformials" of these disciples. These men and women persevered trials after trials not only to become a disciple, but within the kingdom as well. I felt inspired and "elevated", as the theme of the conference goes. Not to mention the talent! These disciples have years of experience in their field and know how to use it for God. It was incredible! See the website at http://www.southwestsinglesconference.com/.
I encourage you to hug a single brother or sister and listen to their stories for they too have much to offer.I hope this encourages other singles as well to know that they are part of a great ministry, if they had any doubt.
Thank you for your time, and I hope this has encouraged your faith as it did with mine.
YSIC,
Emily Poppenberg