It's summertime in Chicago, and thousands file into the Allstate Arena to begin finding their seats for the evening. Over the hustle and bustle of the crowd, sound checks can be heard as the band makes last-minute adjustments on stage.

Each year hundreds of the best shows come through town. But tonight these people didn't come for a show, and they didn't come to simply be entertained. They came to participate in a Joyce Meyer Ministries conference...and to experience a life-changing encounter with God.

From the first moment the worship team takes the stage to lead the crowd into energetic praise, there is an expectation that God is going to do something great. And He always does.

For over twenty-five years, Dave and Joyce Meyer have traveled the United States and abroad, annually bringing a practical message of hope to thousands.

What began as a small women's Bible study has, over time, exploded into full-scale events in some of the largest arenas and stadiums in America. In fact, in 2006 Joyce held conferences in thirteen different U.S. cities, with a combined attendance of over 380,000 people—the largest number to date.

And while Joyce Meyer Ministries has a worldwide presence through television, radio, and the Internet, the basis of our media ministry is Joyce's passionate teaching in front of live audiences at her conferences. These practical, God-inspired messages end up becoming CDs, DVDs, and TV and radio programs that reach around the globe to impact the lives of people everywhere.

And none of this happens by mistake. In fact, from start to finish, every aspect of our conferences is prayerfully and specifically designed for our attendees. No one knows this better than Conference Director Doug Holtzmann. For each conference his team hauls over one hundred tons of stage, sound, lighting and video equipment days in advance. Preparation and setup take a lot of hard work, but he knows this is the kind of work that will last into eternity.

"Most people have no idea what kind of time and work go into an event like this," says Doug. "But at the end of the day, we know that all of our efforts are worth it. Just to know that we play a role in impacting people's lives for God is a fantastic privilege.

"Joyce's most anticipated conference of the year—her 24th Annual Women's Convention—drew a crowd of over 19,000 women to St. Louis, Missouri. This year's theme was The Confident Woman, and they got what they came for...

Lisa traveled from Puyallup, Washington, to attend the event. And for her, this convention was more than just another seminar—it was a giant step toward living the life she had always imagined.

“I lived with drugs, alcohol and negative thinking for twenty years…those things had been my life,” she says. “But God, through Joyce, has just transformed me. This weekend I feel like I’ve been given a new chance to live…and I feel refreshed and new.”

Adria from Waterloo, Iowa, had a similar experience. Suffering abuse as a child, she was left with a damaged self-image and literally no confidence. “I didn’t even know the definition of confidence!” says Adria. “After suffering abuse as a child, I didn’t know it was okay to feel good about myself. I can’t tell you how much Joyce’s teachings have helped me. It was moving, inspiring and touching.”

Other 2006 highlights include our conferences in Chicago, Illinois, and Nashville, Tennessee. Joyce Meyer Ministries united with Brian Houston, the senior pastor of Hillsong Church in Australia, along with Darlene Zschech and the Hillsong worship team for two very special weekends of practical teaching and powerful praise.

And these two conferences were just a taste of what's scheduled for the future. In an effort to reach more people, more cultures and more generations with the love of God, the worship at our conferences in 2007 is being led by various artists, including Delirious?, Hillsong London, Matt Redman, and Hillsong's Darlene Zschech and Reuben Morgan. We know that this cutting-edge, life-changing worship will be a vital part of what God wants to do through our ministry in the days ahead.

For Joyce Meyer Ministries, it is indeed a new day. When people come to one of our conferences, they are embarking on a complete experience. They come to find modern stage designs, state-of-the-art lighting and sound, pyrotechnics, and giant video screens.

Then, in the midst of it all, Joyce walks to the podium with her Bible and her message. Some things don't change. Joyce's practical, straightforward teachings from the Word of God are still the same...teachings of hope that point every listener to the One True Source of life and freedom.

Friends and partners, we are excited to bring you this good report—the report of what we have accomplished together for the kingdom of God. And for every Lisa and Adria, there are thousands more who left our conferences with new hope, new life and new direction. Thank you so much for your generous support that has sent us from city to city and across the nation. Because of you, even more people have found the Answer they've been looking for...even more people have found the road to freedom.

Click here for a list of 2007 U.S. conferences.