Original Conference 2023 (Rockford)

If you’ve never heard about Original, it’s not just a conference, it’s an encounter. This is a girls weekend with a God purpose. An unforgettable time with Jesus. It’s a movement of women discovering the confidence to walk in who God has designed them to be! And here’s the truth – when we get a change in our everyday space, a change in our normal pace, we will experience a change in our perspective!

So gather your girlfriends and set aside time to learn, grow, worship, and laugh together! We will encounter God in a powerful way and leave encouraged, challenged, refreshed, and new – all because of Jesus.

The weekend won’t be the same without you! We’re saving a seat for YOU at Original Conference 2023!

Featuring

You girls know we always bring you the best!

Jen DeWeerdt

Conference Host, Author & Lead Pastor, City First Church


Jen DeWeerdt serves with her husband, Jeremy, as the Senior Leaders of City First Church, a growing, multi-generational, multi-cultural church in Rockford, IL. She is honored to play a key role in the very church she grew up in. As pastor, communicator, author, and founder of the Original Women's Conference, Jen is passionate about encouraging and empowering women to step into their God-given callings, regardless of their profession. Thousands of women have discovered their destiny and design through these powerful conferences. Jen and Jeremy have been married since 1995 and have three sons: Caden, Connor, and Paxton. When she is not cheering on her boys, you will find her enthusiastically rooting for her Chicago sports teams (White Sox not included).

Lisa Seaton

Senior Executive Pastor, City First Church


Lisa Seaton is passionate about empowering others to live a life full of God's freedom, truth, and purpose! She serves on the Executive Team at City First Church and is a founding member of the Original Women's Conference. She resides in Rockford, Illinois with her amazing husband, Adam and their two wild boys, Nash and Ryder.

Lisa Harper

Author & Speaker


Rarely are the terms "hilarious storyteller" and theological scholar" used in the same sentence, much less used to describe the same person but then again, Lisa Harper is anything but stereotypical! She's been lauded as a compelling communicator, whose writing and speaking emphasize that accruing knowledge about God pales next to a real and intimate relationship with Jesus.  Her style combines sound biblical exposition and exegesis with engaging anecdotes and comedic wit. Pastor Max Lucado calls Lisa one of the "best Bible tour guides around," and author/actress Priscilla Evans Shirer adds, "Her God-given ability to not merely teach the Word but package it in a way that stirs the heart and calls to action is incomparable. When she speaks, ears perk up!" Lisa's vocational resume is comprised 0f 30+ years of church and para-church ministry leadership, including 6 years as the director of Focus on the Family's national women's ministry where she created the popular "Renewing the Heart" conferences, which were where she spoke to over a million women about the unconditional love of God. her academic resume includes a Masters of Theology Studies from Covenant Seminary, and she recently completed her doctoral studies at Denver Seminary and is now working on her thesis. She's been featured on numerous television and radio programs and is a regular on TBN's globally syndicated Better Together show. She's spoken at hundreds of national and international women's events, as well as in churches around the world. She's also invested locally and has been leading the same weekly neighborhood Bible study for 15 years. And if you can't find her teaching, studying, hiking, or riding her motorcycle, she's probably in a coffee shop sipping a mocha and typing away on her computer because she's also had 14 books published - including the recent best-selling devotional, Life, and has written and filmed 6 well-received Bible study video curriculums, including Job: A Story of Unlikely Joy and How Much More:  Discovering God's Extravagant Love in Unexpected Places. However, when asked about her credentials, the most noticeable thing about Lisa Harper is her authenticity. During a recent interview, she said, "I'm so grateful for the opportunities God's given me but don't forget, He often uses donkeys and rocks!" She went on to describe her greatest accomplishment to date as getting to become Missy's mom through the miracle of adoption. Because in 2014, after a difficult journey and several adoption losses, she finally got to bring her daughter home from Haiti and she's been smiling even wider ever since!

Donna Pisani

Author, Pastor, and Co-founder of Circle of Twelve


Donna, the author of "The Power of Not Yet - Living a Life of Endless Possibilities", and her husband Dennis were the founding Pastors of Capital City Church in Washington DC metro area. They have recently transitioned to a new role using their forty years of ministry experience to coach and encourage pastors and leaders. Donna is a dreamer, loves adventure, and lives for date night with Dennis, family time with her kids and grandchildren, and a daily supply of coffee and chocolate. Her greatest passion is to see people empowered to live a life of endless possibilities, connecting with their unique, God-given purpose and living fully in their leadership gifts.

When

April 21, 2023
- TO -
April 22, 2023


Conference Schedule

Where

City First Church
5950 Spring Creek Rd., Rockford, IL 61114


Get Directions

Schedule

Friday, April 21
Registration5:30pm
Doors Open 6:30pm
Session 17:00pm
After Party9:00pm
Saturday, April 22
Doors Open8:30am
Session 29:00am
Session 310:45am
Lunch12:00pm
Breakouts1:15pm
Session 42:30pm
Session 53:45pm
Dismissal5:00pm

Have A Question?

We want to help make your Original Conference experience as easy as possible! Check out some answers to frequently asked questions to help you plan your trip. And if we still haven’t answered your question, click the button below to contact us and one of our Conference Concierges will be glad to assist you.

FAQs

HOW DO I REGISTER?

You can register online at here or by calling 815-639-7556.

CAN I GET A PROMO KIT?

If you would like a promotional kit sent out to you, please email groups@originalconference.com.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I REGISTER?

All registrants who provide an email address will receive a confirmation email with your ticket attached. Retain this email for future use. When you arrive for conference, you will receive your registration booklet, bag, and wristband and you’ll be set for the weekend! If you don’t receive a confirmation email, please email us at info@originalconference.com and we would love to help.

WHAT IF I’M COMING ALONE?

Upon registration, let us know if you would like to be part of what we call “Friend Link,” which is designed for you to connect with others who have come on their own to the conference.

CONTACT US

WE CARE

If you suffer from a severe ailment, require a wheelchair, or need any other assistance, contact us at 815-639-7556 or email us at info@originalconference.com. We want to help make the conference possible for you to attend!

IS CHILDCARE PROVIDED?

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide childcare, but we do encourage you to bring your daughter(s) who are 11 years or older. Children attending DO need a ticket of their own.

IS THERE A DISCOUNT FOR GROUP REGISTRATIONS?

For information about our group rate email please email groups@originalconference.com.

CAN I SHARE MY TICKET WITH SOMEONE?

Each individual attendee will need their own ticket to attend the conference.