Refresh Women's Conference - A weekend conference for women to gather and be renewed through inspirational talks and connection with other women in a delightful atmosphere.

Sandy Schwartz, wife of Rich and mother of six children ranging in age from seven to twenty-one, has lived in NYC since her marriage in 1998. During the last seventeen years in NYC, she has served as pastor’s wife, mostly at Followers of Jesus Mennonite Church in Brooklyn, but in the last three years at Believers in Jesus Church, a church plant in The Bronx. The years have been kind to Sandy—her husband loves her, God has blessed her with six healthy children, and she has “kindred spirit” friends who pray with her and love her. But even in the “kind” years, there have been intensely difficult seasons of grief and struggle that have shaped and molded her heart, eventually making it softer and bringing more refining. Out of those painful seasons, joy still comes in the morning, and God still faithfully draws her back to himself.

Sandy loves to play piano and sing with her family, with the church, and with anyone else who will join her. What else does she love to do? Well, she loves praying with women, participating in ladies’ Bible studies, connecting over coffee or tea with friends and even strangers, and laughing. The laughter helps keep her young. It is probably fair to say that walking in the Spirit is what makes her come alive the most. When she is able to listen to the Holy Spirit and obey His voice throughout the day, her life opens up in greater wonder. She hopes that her speaking sessions will help point you to Jesus, the source of real joy.

Rosalee Schlabach (known to many of her friends as Rosy) and her three children, ages 8, 11 and 12, live on their little plot of land in Dundee, Ohio along with a dog, rabbit and seven chickens. Having been a widow for eight years now, she has learned many valuable lessons, not only about grief, but also about the faithfulness of God and appreciating each day. Although there has been much stumbling along the way, the Lord continues to gently lead her on the journey to finding joy in the midst of unwanted circumstances.

She has taken many creative adventures into things like acrylic painting, macrame, digital design, and candid photography and enjoys all of them. She also likes to relax with a good book or a warm bubble bath. Quality conversation is her love language, preferably over a good cup of coffee. Small talk is an unwanted necessity for this introvert.

She is passionate about truth and loves to share what God is teaching her with others.

Lolita Hershberger, wife to Lavern and mother to five children, has lived in Poland serving with Anabaptist International Ministries since 2001. Through joy-filled moments, heartbreaking disappointments and constant change, she has found her shepherd to be completely trustworthy. He is the Steadfast Rock under her feet.

Lolita loves spending time with ladies, sharing and praying together, and moving closer to Jesus. She is looking forward to inviting you (virtually) into her living room for Refresh 2021, to sit around her fireplace and hear what the Holy Spirit has given her to share.

Family together time, whether at home or traveling Europe, is Lolita’s favorite thing. The Hershbergers have always sung a lot together, and Lolita is delighted for the opportunity to worship and sing together with her daughters Hadassah, Annaliese, and Sara for Refresh 2021.