The annual Sparkle Conference for women began in 2018 and was/is the brainchild of Pastor Sharon Fridge, who came to Conroe First Assembly of God from Kentucky in 2016.  She wanted to reach out to women who had suffered rejection, trauma, addiction, abuse, and the feeling of not being enough.

Fridge began by creating special events for women throughout the year. At first, women met for dinners together at restaurants and similar activities.  However, she and the core leaders of women’s ministry at Conroe First wanted to reach out to women outside the church building.

The planners avoided calling the conference by familiar names, because one of the biggest drawbacks can be when the name has “ministries” or another religious tag attached to it. That name sometimes prevents the involvement of folks who may be intimidated or shy away from coming to gatherings where people talk about Jesus.

Under the leadership of Pastor Sharon Fridge, a group of 75 volunteers from her church began planning the Sparkle Conference of 2017.  They decided the conference would be an annual event and would have a different theme each year.

The scripture that inspired the name Sparkle was Isaiah 1:31 “The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire.  Since then, the church calls women’s special events Sparkle Events.

The first two-day conference was in 2018. As one of the conference planners put it, “The difference between our conference is this gathering is spirit led, and we wait on the Holy Spirit with no agenda.  God just moves in a mighty way that touches everyone with whatever need they have.  It’s just liberating when you have that freedom to worship and glorify God.”

|Marsha Loucks attended the 2021 conference and remembers, “The conference was so refreshing. I saw the Holy Spirit move in amazing ways.  Women’s lives were touched.  And the worship was amazing.”  Marsha is already registered for this year’s event.

In 2021, nearly 300 women from 24 churches in Beaumont, Houston, and San Antonio attended the conference. Women who attend the Sparkle Conference become a spark of their own and take it back to their home church.

More are expected at the 2022 event on June 3-4.  This year’s theme is “Wildly Blessed.” The conference is being hosted by Conroe First Assembly of God at 3993 Interstate 45 (Exit 90) in Conroe. Services start Friday, June 3 at 7:00 PM and resume on Saturday, June 4 at 9:30 AM (CDT).  Saturday’s lunch is included in the registration costs.  No childcare will be provided.

The main speakers will be Sharon Fridge, conference organizer, and Susanne Cox.

Sharon Fridge is an anointed speaker.  She is an Ordained Assemblies of God Minister and Co-Pastor of Conroe First, along with her husband Ernest.  Sharon ministers across the nation and overseas at conventions, retreats, conference, and church services.  She delivers a message that encourages the listener to live a life empowered by God’s Holy Spirit.  Sharon’s passion is to see people hungry and desperate for a more intimate relationship with God.

“Suzanne Cox was here in 2017 and I enjoyed every word that came out of her mouth,” Rebecca Barker said.

Susanne Cox is an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God. She has served as General Presbyter for the Southeast Region as well as on the National “Women in Leadership” Committee for the Assemblies of God.  Her life experiences have uniquely positioned her to minister hope and encouragement to others. After many years of addiction to drugs and alcohol, she experienced a miraculous salvation at age 31 which radically transformed her life and gave her a great hunger for God and a desire to serve the Lord. 
Susanne passionately challenges and inspires her audience to be transformed by the Word of God and to fulfill their divine destiny. Her unique blend of humor and honesty is refreshing and appealing to all generations.

The Conroe First Worship Team, led by Chase Hasara, will be leading worship during the conference. Chase credits his healing from cancer to an event at a previous Sparkle Conference. (see photo)

Early registration is available at  https://wildlyblessed.eventbrite,com.  The conference cost is  $40 per person;  Students over 18 pay $20.  T-shirts sizes small through 3X are available for $20 and must be ordered prior to the conference. 

On-site Registration starts on Friday at 5:30 pm.  The cost will be $50. For hotel discounts mention Sparkle Conference / Conroe First Assembly for best rates at Fairfield Inn & Suites – $104 and La Quinta Inn – $89.