The first meeting took place in Louisville, Kentucky in 1980.  Before this retreat was organized, there was not such a meeting for the African-American Christian Women in the fellowship of Churches of Christ/Christian Churches.  It was founded by the late Janet Wilson.  As she went out speaking and promoting the College of the Scriptures where she was a student, she saw a need for African-American Christian women to come together for fellowship, spiritual strengthening and empowerment and to have a forum for training and education.  Four years after the retreat was founded, an organizational structure was put into place to operate the retreat organization in an orderly fashion.  Bylaws were established, officers elected and positions were added as the retreat experienced growth.

In order for the retreat to benefit women in many geographic locations, the retreat travels to a different city each year.  There is a huge concentration of women involved in the Midwest regions of the country, particularly in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio and Kansas, however, women come from all over the United States including Georgia, Alabama, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Colorado, California and as far away as the Grand Cayman Islands.  Although this organization was founded out of a need for African American women, we have a very diverse gathering with women from many ethnic backgrounds. Praise the LORD!

Our commitment as we have entered into the millennium focuses more than ever on ministering to the whole woman by providing learning and guidance in every area of our human existence; particularly - how to be the great woman of God we were created to be; spiritually, mentally, emotionally, socially.

AWCR Timeline

1980 - First Retreat held at North 35th St. Church of Christ, Louisville, KY

1983 - Became organized at the 4th Retreat

1984 - Co-presidents take office, bylaws written, advisory council formed

1988 - ACWR Youth Council introduced

1990 - ACWR sponsored a missionary trip to the Grand Cayman Islands

1991 - ACWR Newsletter introduced

1996 - 1st ACWR Ad Book

1996 - 1st ACWR Volunteer Mass Choir

1996 - Audio tapes made available for purchase

1997 - Debutante program was implemented

2004 - 25 Year Celebration

2005 - Website launched

2006 - Became a 501(c)3 organization

2007 - Organization restructured