Convention Part 1: Scripture-Centered Encouragement

This is the first in a series about the LWML CNH Convention held in Sacramento, CA, April 24-26, 2026. The convention theme, “Jesus is our Passport”, was front and center in Bible study, inspirational speeches, convention backdrop and décor–highlighting how God’s Word sustains and equips us as joyful servants in everyday life.

Following two years of planning, more than 200 LWML members and guests from California, Nevada and Hawaii (CNH) attended the LWML CNH convention. We were thrilled to welcome 79 first-time attendees!

On Saturday, District President Michael Lange greeted attendees and read the original purpose statements of LWML, adopted in 1942 and still relevant today.

Pastor Mark Oatman led the Friday evening service centered around the theme: We Are All Citizens of Heaven. We all carry our identity with us in our wallet or purse so we have access and the ability to acquire something. As with these items, our earthly passports can be lost or stolen. But the gift of eternal life can’t be stolen and never expires. We are already citizens of heaven just waiting to go home.

In her Bible study, “Granted Citizenship: Delivered and Claimed”, Deaconess Dorothy Glenn shared how she has used her U.S. passport to travel to many countries, but how her eternal passport in Jesus guides her life journey. Through personal stories, she illustrated how her faith has led her to serve others. She reminded attendees, “Our official passport is issued and sealed with the ink of the blood of Christ.” Many women also shared that it was their mothers and grandmothers who first introduced them to LWML.

Inspirational speaker Sue Xiong—who also had a breakout session of Hmong fashion and history—shared her powerful journey. She and her family fled Laos to escape communism, spending 10 years in refugee camps in Thailand, before immigrating to the United States in 2007. It was in the U.S. that she came to the Christian faith.

She reiterated Pastor Oatman’s thought that our heavenly passport never expires. We hold on to our heavenly passports.

We may not realize it, but we can share the Good News with others through our SMILES. It takes only 17 or our 43 muscles to smile, but all 43 to frown. Smiles are powerful and contagious. Smiles connect people. “Joy is God’s smile. Laughter is God’s love.”

A former chemistry and math professor, Shannon Conroy shared her artistic skills by creating a large Tree of Life backdrop for the main meeting room. Shannon said that she wanted to create her vision of Heaven. Her inspiration was the Biblical description of Heaven: a road of gold; a river of clear, pure and clean crystal water; and trees of life on either side of the road, creating a tunnel leading to the throne of God. The trees are connected by roots, with ethereal colored shadows at their base. The sky is made of serene light pastels, all leading to a beautiful new world of hope.