By Katie Ginn
I want to tell y’all something: I do not enjoy having to “market” events.
This might surprise you, as MCL has hosted a Women’s Retreat each fall since 2020 – and I’m the one who started it!
I love the events themselves. I’m always happy the day of. The Women’s Retreat is an awesome way to bring women together and speak truth over them, and we always receive excellent feedback.
But I’ve never been able to figure out “the formula” when it comes to marketing: “Spend money to make money.” Where’s that sweet spot between not spending enough on ads (and nobody shows up) versus spending too much (and going into the red)? What do I say to convince people to give me $40 and part of their weekend? Why should I have to say anything at all?
That’s my issue: Whenever I’m promoting an event, I feel like I’m “begging” people to come; like I’m trying to persuade them that it’ll be worth their time. This makes me feel needy and annoying. In my mind, they should just know that any MCL event will be good! They should automatically want to attend!
But in the immortal words of The Temptations, The Rolling Stones, and a certain football player in “Remember the Titans,” I ain’t too proud to beg.
A few days ago, I attended a promotional video shoot set up by my fabulous marketing assistant/bridesmaid/friend, Mandy Bufkin, for this year’s MCL Women’s Retreat, happening September 19-20 at Broadmoor.
And y’all, that shoot got me excited.
Years ago, the first time I had to do a selfie video at the Clarion Ledger, I was so nervous that I couldn’t stop giggling. Nowadays, I just have to work on my inflection sometimes. At one point during last week’s shoot, Mandy had to tell me not to be so – “what’s the word I’m looking for?” she wondered. “Monotone,” I replied.
However, I needed no encouragement while discussing our 2025 Women’s Retreat theme, “Finding Our Worth in Christ,” with keynote speaker Cyndi Grace. That conversation came naturally, even while holding tiny mics.
We often bemoan social media’s effect on young people’s sense of worth. But it’s not just 18-year-olds who struggle to know their value. And it’s not just people who scroll Instagram for hours. The devil is an equal opportunity destroyer; social media is only one of his weapons.
The unquenchable truth, though, is that in Christ we can all find our identity and worth – as God’s creation and image bearers, and as His bride.
So yes, ladies, I’m begging. If you’re at all interested in women’s events; if you’re at all interested in growing your faith with sisters in Christ; or if you just want to get out of the house for a Friday night and Saturday morning; then please, join us September 19-20 at Broadmoor. We’ll eat, sing, pray, and learn together, and we’ll leave empowered to serve our worthy God. It’s going to be awesome!
Sign up for the MCL Women’s Retreat at bit.ly/MCLWR2025, via the link at www.MSChristianLiving.com, or via the QR code in this magazine. Groups of five or more are discounted!
Must-reads in this month’s issue:
- Abiding in Jesus in the midst of overwhelm
- Mississippi mental health resources
- Chris and Kayla White on marriage, mental health, and navigating career changes