About RISE!
The story behind the creation of the RISE! Women's Conference is truly inspiring and heartfelt.
Cheryl Montgomery, the Co-Pastor of ALCWC, was determined to create a conference that would nourish the women in a holistic way—body, mind, and soul.
During a conversation with Melanie Grassi, she shared her vision of incorporating Andra Day's song Rise Up into the event. Melanie then suggested the name "Rise," and Cheryl took it a step further by naming it RISE!, not knowing that her beloved late mother-in-law had written letters to her daughters during their life challenges, reminding them in all caps with the exclamation point that they would—RISE! This emotional connection added such depth to the conference’s meaning.
Cheryl's son Matthew later came up with the acrostic for RISE! which is: Restore, Inspire, Surrender, Encourage
The first conference in 2017 was a huge success, even though the team of six was exhausted after three days of hosting the event. The original team members—Debra Griffin, Evelyn Murphy, Monicka Dugger, Sharon Parchia, Tracy Griffin, and Cheryl Montgomery—poured their hearts into the event, and it became a special gathering for women to come together and empower each other.
As the years went on, the conference was condensed into a shorter, more impactful format. It continues to focus on reaching out to women who need that reminder of their strength and ability to RISE!. The ongoing partnership with the women at the Tacoma Rescue Mission has been a significant aspect of their mission.
Over the years, the conference has elevated to new heights. It's Incredible to see how far it has come, all rooted in the belief that every woman has the power to RISE!.
It’s such a beautiful and powerful origin story for an event that continues to uplift and support women!
Proverbs 31:25 – "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."
Our Mission
Our mission at RISE! Women's Conference is to empower women of all ages and backgrounds to rise above every circumstance through faith in God. We are committed to supporting, honoring, and encouraging one another by sharing our personal walks with Christ, fostering a sisterhood rooted in His love.
Through the generosity of donations and the grace of God, we offer this life-changing conference at no cost, ensuring that every woman—regardless of financial struggles—has the opportunity to experience spiritual renewal, encouragement, and empowerment. Together, we create a space of worship, restoration, and fellowship, equipping women to walk boldly in their God-given purpose.
Our Vision
At RISE! Women's Conference, we are called to Restore, Inspire, Surrender, and Encourage women of all ages to rise above every adversity with unwavering faith in Christ. Our vision is to create a sacred space where women can experience spiritual renewal, strengthen their relationship with God, and find empowerment through fellowship, worship, and transformative teachings.
Through restoration, we embrace healing and renewal; through inspiration, we ignite passion and purpose; through surrender, we trust in God’s divine plan; and through encouragement, we lift each other up to walk boldly in faith.
Together, we RISE—stronger, bolder, and deeply rooted in God’s love—equipped to impact our families, communities, and the world for His glory.