Over the past 18 years, we’ve served up fresh, grounded Bible teaching to more than 150,000 women. And as a result, over 4,000 women are now in Bible study who weren’t before, more than 1,000 women have found new life in Christ, and over 7,600 children have been released from poverty in Jesus’ name through Compassion International sponsorships.

Isn’t that incredible? I’d say that really is a grand finale!

This all paints a beautiful portrait of what it means to live “devoted.” In fact, our theme verse for this final conference was from Acts 2:42 where the early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Shaun Groves echoed this message beautifully with a story that represented how our devotion to Christ shows up in our devotion to the least of these. Shaun really is one of the finest storytellers—masterful—and he always sheds light on how God is working around the world.

We also got to experience incredible worship led by the Mark Meyers Worship Collective, singing about the goodness and faithfulness of God throughout our lives. Mark was so kind to choose songs I asked for—songs that captured my heart and the spirit of FGF.

And then there was Anita Renfroe! She had us laughing (well, all except for Mark) and reminded us that the joy of the Lord truly is our strength—so strong, in fact, that we didn’t even need strong coffee!

Then on Saturday, Kirk Cameron let us listen in to an authentic, funny, and inspiring conversation about his devotion to Christ that really blessed us all. He encouraged us through his testimony, and it was such a good reminder that God is at work in each of our lives.

We wrapped up our time together by watching a video, “Thank You for Being a Friend.” As the years’ worth of photos scrolled before us, we reminisced in our hearts about all the friends and moments of Fresh Grounded Faith that have shaped us. It was so touching!

And as I lifted my cup in thanks to God for the final time, I realized Fresh Grounded Faith is a wrap. We’re finished! But in a way, it has always been a “wrap.” We have been wrapped in the goodness of God and the power of the Holy Spirit all these years.

So, thank you to Second Baptist Church for hosting this event and to all my friends who will forever be my Fresh Grounded Family. That includes our incredible Local Conference Coordinators, Missy Vestal and Marta Ramey, the hundreds of volunteers who made it all happen, and the 2,000 women who helped us celebrate our final year.

I also want to give a shout-out to my ministry team who make up our “world headquarters” (in my basement ) and to the 18 churches who co-hosted this event to reach women in our area for Christ. We’re so grateful for your partnership in ministry!

Finally—and most importantly—all praise and glory be to God for His faithfulness for 18 years. Thank You, Lord, for the women of Springfield (and beyond) and for all You’ve done through Fresh Grounded Faith. Year after year, we have lifted our cup. Thank You, Lord, for filling it up! Amen.

Blessings,

Jennifer and the FGF Team!

Reviews: See what others are saying about FGF!

Join me over on my 4:13 Podcast! Each week, you’ll get biblical encouragement as we answer a question about how to live the “I Can” life of Philippians 4:13. Go here to listen to the latest episodes.

So, while we were in Lubbock, I took a moment to savor the time we had together and reflect on all the ways these gatherings have touched hearts over the years. I couldn’t help but marvel over what God has done and how He has been so faithful.

But I was also reminded that He’s not done. He’s still at work, and the hundreds of women who showed up this weekend were evidence of that.

Our conference was hosted by First United Methodist Church, a magnificent building that truly felt like a sanctuary. With its beautiful wooden pews and the soft glow of stained glass filtering the Texas sunlight, it was the perfect setting for a weekend of worship and inspiration.

Our Local Conference Coordinator, Shera Atkinson, along with our National Conference Director, Terrie Bitter, made sure everything ran like clockwork. Thanks to their leadership and the many volunteers who served with purpose and joy, there was a sense of smooth organization that let us all just relax and soak in the moment.

Michael O’Brien led worship, and let me tell you, it felt absolutely heavenly. His voice—along with the women’s voices lifting up their praises—filled that sacred space, and you could almost see the notes dancing in the stained glass light.

Tammy Trent brought us such joy and laughter, sharing her story in a way that had us both laughing and tearing up. She reminded us of the power of resilience and faith and how our Heavenly Father is always near, even in the midst of hardship and loss.

And as for me, I had the privilege of talking about Living LIGHT—letting go of the things that weigh us down and holding tight to what truly lasts. I could sense there were many women among us who needed to let “it” go, and as a result, started to feel a weight being lifted from their shoulders. Praise the Lord!

I was grateful we got to see Him at work this weekend, drawing women to Himself as they renewed their commitment to Christ and stirring their hearts to sponsor several impoverished children through Compassion International. What a good God we serve, right?

As Psalm 100:5 says, “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Thank You, Lord, for Your goodness and faithfulness! May we step into the days ahead with confidence, remembering You are still at work and we can trust You completely.

Blessings,

Jennifer and the FGF Team!

Reviews: See what others are saying about FGF!

Join me over on my 4:13 Podcast! Each week, you’ll get biblical encouragement as we answer a question about how to live the “I Can” life of Philippians 4:13. Go here to listen to the latest episodes.

The auditorium was jam-packed with women ready to worship, learn, and laugh. It was a big crowd in such a little town … but, oh, did they have a HUGE heart!

These women sang so beautifully as Shaun Groves led them in worship, and I could just feel them on the edge of their seats as Laura Story and I taught Scripture. I could hear their sniffles and tears as Laura sang, and I could feel their warmth as they connected with their sisters in Christ.

But I suppose it’s no surprise this event reflected such huge hearts because it was spearheaded by Cheryl Raulerson and Lynn Thomas, our incredible Local Conference Coordinators who led with fervency and grace! This dynamic duo did a great job rallying 14 co-host churches and over 130 volunteers! Amazing, right?

I just love it when local churches work together for the Kingdom!

One of my favorite parts of the weekend was getting to see my mom and dad’s pastor from Dade City, Florida. Pastor Russell brought several women from the Family of God Baptist Church, and it was such a sweet reunion!

As we’re nearing the end of the season and are approaching the retirement of Fresh Grounded Faith weekends, my heart is so tender with gratefulness and affection toward Terrie Bitter, our FGF National Conference Director, and her husband Jimmy, our Production Coordinator, who have led so beautifully for so many years. Those two work incredibly hard, and nothing is too big or little for them to tackle with complete joy and faith!

Praise the Lord for their faithfulness, and for the faithfulness of Laura, Shaun, and many others who have worked alongside FGF to see women transformed through grace and truth. It has been an honor partnering with them in ministry for all these years!

But the best part has always been seeing God’s faithfulness on display…

Just this weekend, we celebrated 5 new sisters in Christ, 40 women who chose to renew their commitment to the Lord, and 38 children sponsored through Compassion International. Praise the Lord!

When I consider the big things God did in the little town of Callahan, I’m reminded that there’s nothing too small for our Father in Heaven! As Zechariah says, we should not “despise the day of small things” (Zechariah 4:10), because with God, everything is a BIG blessing!

Thanks for letting us be part of your beautiful, fresh-grounded family in Callahan! Our hearts are definitely blessed!

Blessings,

Jennifer and the FGF Team!

Reviews: See what others are saying about FGF!

Join me over on my 4:13 Podcast! Each week, you’ll get biblical encouragement as we answer a question about how to live the “I Can” life of Philippians 4:13. Go here to listen to the latest episodes.

Our Local Conference Coordinator, Alisha Pish—along with 160 volunteers—did a phenomenal job making everything run smoothly. The decorations were simply beautiful, and the entire atmosphere was set for a weekend poised to honor God with our worship and praise.

We focused on what it means to “Live LIGHT,” drawing from 1 John 1:7 and remembering to live each day with an eternal perspective. We also got to hear from Katherine Wolf who shared her powerful story and taught us how to find treasures, even in the dark times.

Shaun Groves brought his storytelling magic, and Michael O’Brien sang Heaven down as we lifted our voices in praise. I’m telling you—it was a weekend brimming with joy and heartfelt community!

We connected, we laughed, we worshiped, and we learned together. Our time of fellowship was definitely rich, and the air was thick with enthusiasm!

One particular lady, sitting off to my right, became our unofficial “Hallelujah Lady,” calling out praises that lifted everyone’s spirits and added much joy to our experience. Even though she was the loudest voice, every woman there was a “Hallelujah” to the Lord. Because each woman was a living praise to His love and grace, and her very presence was a testimony to His goodness! Hallelujah!

I’m so thankful for the 11 co-host churches who locked arms and hearts to bring this Kingdom-minded event to Texas! It was a beautiful picture of the body of Christ unified and working together to reach their community.

And this particular location was super special to me because my son Connor and his new bride, Chloe, live nearby and got to come along with Chloe’s mom. Let’s just say I was one very happy lady!

But speaking of family, we were honored to see God move among His family as we reflected on the weekend! We rejoiced at 7 new sisters in Christ, 53 women who chose to renew their commitment to the Lord, and 29 children sponsored through Compassion International.

Let’s say it again, shall we? Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

I’m reminded of the continuous praise given to God in Revelation 19 where there’s a great multitude in Heaven shouting, “Hallelujah … Praise our God.” Sisters, may our praise begin now with our words, our hearts, our minds, and our very presence. To Him be the glory. Amen!

Blessings,

Jennifer and the FGF Team!

Reviews: See what others are saying about FGF!

Join me over on my 4:13 Podcast! Each week, you’ll get biblical encouragement as we answer a question about how to live the “I Can” life of Philippians 4:13. Go here to listen to the latest episodes.

From the plethora of beautiful, hand-crafted decorations to the bounty of donated snacks and beverages, we had more than we needed in every area. And that includes the huge stack of attendee bags that were counted twice and still managed to multiply themselves far beyond what was needed for the overflow of women who attended. Ha!

We even received a vast collection of Buff City Soap samples for the women to take home, which was a first at Fresh Grounded Faith. I’m telling you—there was no shortage of lovely smells, wonderful women, and warm smiles all weekend.

But here’s my favorite part…

There was an abundance of local churches in this community that locked arms to bring FGF to Owensboro—a total of 19 co-host churches. Wow! Isn’t that incredible? But that’s not all! We also had over 150 volunteers, both men and women, who worked together for the same driven purpose: to honor our Lord. And they didn’t just do the work; they did it with pure joy!

I just love witnessing the body of Christ in action, seeing how God equips His people to love, serve, and give abundantly to their neighbors.

Speaking of which, a huge shout-out to our Local Conference Coordinator, Tonya Huff, who did an exceptional job coordinating the many volunteers, orchestrating all of the details, and ensuring everything went off without a hitch! Well done, sister!

I taught both days about “Living LIGHT.” If you were there, you know LIGHT is an acrostic reminding us to “Let It Go, Hold Tight,” or letting go of the “it” that weighs us down and holding tight to the promise of Heaven.

Ann Voskamp and Laura Story also shared powerful messages of encouragement and hope, reminding us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). And Shaun Groves lifted our spirits in praise as he led us in worship.

Our time together was simply beautiful, and what God did in response gave us even more reason to give Him praise … He honored His Word as women honored Him with their trust, because the altar was full!

We celebrated 6 new sisters in Christ, 52 women who chose to renew their commitment to Him, and 40 children who were sponsored through Compassion International. Thank You, Lord!

I was reminded this weekend that Jesus taught true abundance is not found in possessions, but in a rich spiritual life offered through Him. John 10:10 says, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

So that means the abundant life is not fleeting or temporary—it’s a promise of eternity with Him. The abundant life is an inner joy characterized by peace and generosity, and it revitalizes us with hope—sustaining us even when difficult circumstances are prolonged.

May we not only recognize and experience the abundant life we’ve been promised, but also bless others with the abundance God has given us.

Blessings,

Jennifer and the FGF Team!

Reviews: See what others are saying about FGF!

Join me over on my 4:13 Podcast! Each week, you’ll get biblical encouragement as we answer a question about how to live the “I Can” life of Philippians 4:13. Go here to listen to the latest episodes.

After 18 incredible years—and more than 160 weekend events—Fresh Grounded Faith is officially retiring at the end of 2025.

Now, I know what you’re thinking … Is she retiring? Is she done?

Nope, this girl isn’t done! Just our FGF weekends will be done. I’ll still be on the road at churches and events all over the country until the Lord tells me I’m done.

Only Fresh Grounded Faith weekends are retiring, and the reason is because the Lord is moving me to other things!

Very. Exciting. Things!

In fact, I can finally share with you that my team is creating and launching the Hope of Heaven Tour—an evening with Jennifer Rothschild and friends!

Next year, in 2026, I’ll be offering these amazing evenings of worship and teaching the Word, helping you live the hope of Heaven now. You and your Bible study BFF’s will love it! We’ll laugh. We’ll learn. We’ll love Jesus even more!

Here’s what you can do to be a big part of this: Host a Hope of Heaven evening.

Yep! Wouldn’t that be amazing if your church could host the Hope of Heaven Tour one evening in 2026?

Just fill out this form, and someone on my team will follow up with more details. It’s super easy to be a Host Church or bring a group.

Tell Me More About the Hope of Heaven Tour

If you’re not quite sure, just fill out the form anyway, and introduce us to your church and who we might contact.

Plus, if you fill out the form, you’ll be the first to know who my special guests are and where the Tour is going in 2026.

My friend, this is going to be one memorable evening, packed with truth and encouragement. You will laugh and learn, and I do not want you to miss it, so fill out that form!

Earth is short, Heaven is long … so let’s enjoy some Heaven on earth together in 2026!
 

One of those who passed away was BriLee Kay, a vibrant 17-year-old born on December 15, 2007, who attended Oak Hill Baptist Church.

Sherry Loveless, a member of Oak Hill, came early to the conference on Friday in hopes of donating her tickets because she and others from their church family were attending to this great loss and could no longer come.

While Sherry waited in the lobby, she passed by the Compassion International table and thought she would see if there were any children with the same birthday as BriLee Kay. She fingered through all the packets displayed on the table, but there were none with a child whose birthday was December 15.

Sherry decided to attend the conference after all.

At the close of Friday evening, Shaun Groves shared his Compassion story and asked everyone to pray for the one child on the sponsorship packet found in their conference bag, reminding everyone there were no duplicate packets anywhere else in the world like the one they held in their hands.

“The child packet you are holding in your hand is the only one that exists for this child,” he said.

When Sherry pulled her child sponsorship packet out of her bag, she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. In her hands, she held the packet of Peninah, an 8-year-old girl from Kenya whose birthday is December 15.

Of course, Sherry was overwhelmed and sponsored Peninah in memory of beloved BriLee Kay.

God is in the details. He cares about those in Heaven, He cares about those in need a world away, and He cares about those in our communities who are grieving and hurting. He loves you, and He wants to remind you He is at work and cares about the details.

My sister, that was just one amazing story from Fresh Grounded Faith Somerset.

God also moved through Angela Thomas Pharr as she taught Scripture and made us laugh, think, and feel so loved. And listening to Shaun lead worship and share his incredible storytelling ability with the group had me thanking God for His gifting in Shaun.

I got to teach about “living LIGHT,” and once again, I learned even more from the Word as I shared it. It’s just another reminder that God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) and that His Spirit is always working through His people.

And speaking of His people … BIG shout out to our host church, First Baptist Church Somerset, as well as to our two Local Conference Coordinators, Rachael Adams and Christi Henderson, who did a wonderful job managing all the moving parts to make everything flow so smoothly. Because of them, our 11 co-host churches from around the area, and a wonderful group of volunteers, the women of this community spent the weekend immersed in truth and grace.

And girl, we got to see God do wonderful things…

We celebrated 3 new sisters in Christ, 40 women who chose to renew their commitment to the Lord, and 25 children sponsored through Compassion International, including our sweet Peninah.

Isn’t God good? Oh, my friend, He is! He certainly is!

We were honored to be part of this beautiful community of faith in Kentucky, and we are praying for our Oak Hills church family as they navigate this loss.

Grace and peace to you!

Love,

Jennifer and the FGF Team!

Reviews: See what others are saying about FGF!

Would you like to attend a Fresh Grounded Faith conference?

Find a Fresh Grounded Faith event near you.

Plus, you can join me over on my 4:13 Podcast! Each week, you’ll get biblical encouragement as we answer a question about how to live the “I Can” life of Philippians 4:13. Go here to listen to the latest episodes.

Hey, hey! I’ve got some news for you about this year…

One of my favorite things in the whole world is savoring an excellent cup of coffee with a few friends in the warm, fragrant setting of a good coffee shop. There’s just something about being surrounded by the laughter, the conversations, the music, and the scent of freshly roasted beans that settles me down and lifts me up.

That’s the flavor I’ve tried to capture at Fresh Grounded Faith conferences for over 17 years now.

But, you know that it really isn’t about the coffee. Followers of Jesus Christ have been encouraging one another and enjoying fellowship with their Lord and with each other for at least a thousand years before the first Ethiopian goat herder crouching by his highland fire tasted his first sip of that original bitter brew.

Coffee or no coffee, women at Fresh Grounded Faith have found that a living connection to Jesus Christ has given them the inspiration, the perseverance, the renewed vision, and the emotional and spiritual strength to face any circumstance.

Yet, just like the coffee shop I loved down the street closed, Fresh Grounded Faith will be closing up shop. 2025 will be our last year of Fresh Grounded Faith, and we’re going to make it a great year!

I’m calling this year twenty twenty-THRIVE! Fun, right?

Now, I know what you’re thinking … Is she retiring? Is she done?

Nope, this girl isn’t done! Just FGF will be done. I’ll still be on the road at churches and events all over the country until the Lord tells me I’m done. So, follow me, invite me, and let’s hang out until the Lord calls us home. The reason Fresh Grounded Faith is retiring is because I sense the Lord moving me to other things!

Very exciting things that I can now share with you! Check out this blog post with my BIG announcement for 2026!

So, as we step into our last year of Fresh Grounded Faith, I’d like to tell as many women as possible how God can bring light, hope, wisdom, perspective, and even joy into the darkest dead-end moments of life. Because when it’s all said and done…

The lift isn’t in the coffee; it’s in the Lord.
The power isn’t in the dark roast; it’s in God’s Word.
The richness isn’t in the espresso; it’s in relationship with God and each other.

My hope is through all God has done in Fresh Grounded Faith for the last (soon-to-be) 18 years, He has made us grow into the kind of sisters, daughters, wives, friends, and mothers we really want to be in our heart of hearts. And as Fresh Grounded Faith comes to a close in November of 2025, my hope is that we will all celebrate the grace of God, the wisdom of His Word, and the gift of each other. You can find 2025 locations and tickets here.

So, until we meet somewhere this year at a Fresh Grounded Faith, take a coffee break with Him today. Open His Word and wrap yourself in the warmth of His counsel and the fragrance of His love.

He’ll be there. When you’re ready, He’s ready.

Love,

Jennifer

Stay Connected

• Fresh Grounded Faith Events Schedule
• Have you attended a Fresh Grounded Faith event? Share your experience!
• See where I’m speaking next.
• Stay tuned for what’s next! Sign up for my emails.
• Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

But what a joy it was to gather in Bloomington-Normal where, despite what the name suggests, nothing was ordinary at our Fresh Grounded Faith event! Held at Second Presbyterian Church, this was a weekend full of extraordinary moments, and I can’t wait to share some highlights with you…

First off, a huge shoutout to our fabulous Local Conference Coordinators, Ellen Wylie and Martha Miller. These two women were phenomenal! Their hard work and dedication set the stage for a truly unforgettable experience.

From the moment we walked in, it was clear that the Spirit was moving. The air buzzed with anticipation as women from all walks of life, all denominations, and all ages came together, eager to connect and grow in their faith.

Our time of worship led by Michael O’Brien was powerful, the messages shared by Margaret Feinberg were inspiring, and the fellowship was as sweet as the treats at our coffee breaks!

But what made Normal so exceptional was the sense of community. We laughed, we cried, we learned, and we lifted each other up. I’m so grateful for each woman who attended, every one of the 137 volunteers, and all 10 of our co-host churches who brought their unique stories and added to the vibrant tapestry of our weekend.

And as we all came together as sisters in Christ, God did wonderful things…

We celebrated 4 new sisters in Christ, 31 women who chose to renew their commitment to the Lord, and 21 children sponsored through Compassion International. Praise the Lord!

As we all return to our everyday lives, let’s carry the extraordinary spirit of Normal with us, remembering that God can transform us through His grace for His glory and the good of everyone we encounter.

Thank You, Lord!

Blessings,

Jennifer and the FGF Team!

Reviews: See what others are saying about FGF!

Would you like to attend a Fresh Grounded Faith conference? Or, bring one to your city? Click on the buttons below to find out more information.

Find a Fresh Grounded Faith event near you. Bring Fresh Grounded Faith to your city.

Plus, you can join me over on my 4:13 Podcast! Each week, you’ll get biblical encouragement as we answer a question about how to live the “I Can” life of Philippians 4:13. Go here to listen to the latest episodes.

One of Second Baptist Church’s values is showing open-hearted hospitality, and wow, they sure did! Partnering with several co-host churches in the area, they hosted over 1200 women from all over, and just to hear everyone together laughing and worshiping was like a preview of what we’ll experience in Heaven.

And speaking of Heaven, our theme over the weekend was Living LIGHT.

If you weren’t there, LIGHT is an acrostic reminding us to “Let It Go, Hold Tight.” So, we talked about what we needed to let go—the “it” that weighs us down and trips us up—as well as what we needed to hold tight. We learned that, ultimately, we need to hold tight to the promise of Heaven and live with an eternal perspective (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Whitney Capps also brought us some straight-up solid Bible teaching, made us laugh, and shared her very touching story of being a cancer steward. She was so faith-filled and honest as she revealed she is still in the hard middle of cancer, and though she has seen some improvement, the future is still unknown.

Girl, I don’t think there was one dry eye in that sanctuary on Saturday when she explained that if cancer is what God allows to take her home, it’s His sovereignty that prevails. She said, “On my obituary, it will not say cancer killed me, as the Lord is the one who determines how long I live on earth.”

What a way to take on the hard things of life, right? Whitney received a standing ovation, and I am still standing and applauding her God in my heart even now. He did great things this weekend, and this is just one of them!

Point of Grace, or “The Points” as I affectionately call them, were absolutely amazing! What harmony! What hearts! Their ministry maturity and love for the women who attended was so refreshing. I was personally ministered to just by being in their presence.

Then on Saturday, the altar call was beautiful. So many women with so many needs and so many tears. But Revelation 7:17 gives us a promise that “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes,” which is just one more reason to fix our eyes on what is eternal.

What an encouragement to see the women love on each other so well during the altar call as well as throughout the weekend. It made me so thankful to be part of this fresh grounded family, which is what we are—a family—and it was to this family that I broke the news on Friday night…

I shared that 2025 will be our last year of Fresh Grounded Faith because the tour is retiring. So, to all my Springfield-area people, mark your calendar for November 7-8 as that will be the very last FGF event.

Now, just to be clear, this girl is not retiring! I’ll still be out and about speaking and writing, but we are letting FGF retire to make room for what God may have next. So, stay tuned and tell your people to come see us at an FGF event somewhere in 2025.

But until then, we continue to see the Lord’s faithfulness at each and every conference, working through those he has called to serve through this ministry. And that includes Missy Vestal and Marta Ramey, our Local Conference Coordinators, as well as FGF Springfield’s army of volunteers, many of whom have served since the very first FGF event in 2008.

Through their faithfulness, year after year, we’ve witnessed God do wonderful things. And this year was no different…

We celebrated 5 new sisters in Christ, 54 women who chose to renew their commitment to the Lord, and 33 children sponsored through Compassion International. Praise the Lord!

Heavenly Father, we are grateful.

“To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” – Philippians 4:20

Blessings,

Jennifer and the FGF Team!

Reviews: See what others are saying about FGF!

Would you like to attend a Fresh Grounded Faith conference? Or, bring one to your city? Click on the buttons below to find out more information.

Find a Fresh Grounded Faith event near you. Bring Fresh Grounded Faith to your city.

Plus, you can join me over on my 4:13 Podcast! Each week, you’ll get biblical encouragement as we answer a question about how to live the “I Can” life of Philippians 4:13. Go here to listen to the latest episodes.