Are you looking for a speaker for your next women’s event or retreat? I’d love to chat with you about your needs.
Below I’ve listed topics I love to discuss, but I will gladly consider any theme you have set for the gathering. Email me at marissahenley@gmail.com and let’s start talking about whether I’d be the right fit for your event. You can also read more of my story and ministry purpose here.
When Life Hurts: A Study in Habakkuk
This series of three talks works well as a women’s retreat or can be condensed for a single talk. The first session, “Where is God When Life Hurts?” looks at Habakkuk 1-2. We see that God is always at work, acting consistently with His character, even when our circumstances seem to be getting worse. The second session, “Walking by Faith When Life Hurts,” examines Habakkuk 3. We learn how to remember God’s faithfulness, rest in God’s promises, and rejoice in God’s salvation even in times of suffering. The final session is a discussion of “Living in Community When Life Hurts.” We talk about the importance of Christian community and practical ways we can care for those who are hurting in the body of Christ.
How the Gospel Transforms Us from Frantic to Free
As women, we often feel pressure from the expectations of our culture, church, families, friends and ourselves. We struggle to keep up, but often we feel crushed by life’s pressures. God’s Word offers an alternative to life in the pressure cooker: walking in freedom by God’s grace. In this Bible study, rooted in Ephesians 2:1-10 and other scriptures, we examine what it means to walk in the freedom of the gospel. We discover how to leave the expectations of the world behind as we walk in the good works God has prepared for His redeemed children. This topic can be covered in a single talk or in multiple sessions for a retreat.
Clinging to the Anchor of God’s Character in the Storm of Suffering
On the day I was diagnosed with a rare cancer—the day before my 34th birthday—most of what I believed to be true about my life washed away. Gone were my plans for the following days, weeks and months. Gone was my identity as a healthy, busy mom of three young children. Gone were my expectations for a long life spent watching my kids mature into adulthood and growing old with my husband. I was left standing on what I knew to be true about God’s character. And I found it to be the only foundation worth building on. In this talk, we will look at different aspects of God’s character: His goodness, sovereignty, love, faithfulness and peace. We will discuss how the truth of God’s character anchors our hope in the midst of challenging circumstances.
Loving Your Friend Through Cancer
If you haven’t experienced a friend’s diagnosis with cancer yet, it is likely that you will. As a cancer survivor, I hear this all the time: “My friend was just told she has cancer. How can I help? How do I support her? I’m so afraid I’ll do or say the wrong thing?” In this talk, I’ll share details about the physical, logistical, emotional and spiritual challenges faced by women with cancer. And I’ll provide practical guidelines and suggestions for women who want to walk with their friends through cancer with confidence and compassion. My goal is to equip women with information and action points they need to meet their friend’s needs and rally others to do the same.
My Story: God’s Faithfulness in the Midst of Cancer
In the fall of 2010, I was a busy mom of three young kids. I never imagined that by New Years’, I’d be bald and fighting for my life, receiving my third round of chemo as part of a clinical trial in another state, while a full-time nanny cared for my children. The story of my battle with a rare cancer isn’t simply a story about cancer—it is the story of God’s faithfulness in the midst of suffering. In this talk, I share the challenges I faced, logistically, emotionally and spiritually, as well as God’s awe-inspiring provision for our family. You will be encouraged and strengthened for your own trials as we discuss God’s care for His hurting children.