Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Medina.
Linda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Be Mine Conference is designed to empower young women in middle and high school. The faith-based conference encourages these young ladies to recognize their true inner beauty, gain self-confidence, know their worth, and identity. This conference started in 2012 and held once a year. It began with the idea that led to a passion for helping young women to be empowered and inspired by others.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The beginning of even thinking about it. I was helping a girl’s event at church and I heard God said, “You’re going to do this one day.” I laughed. I’m just figuring out my identity and self-discovery as an adult, wife, and mom. But years later, the question was asked by a friend, “Linda, what do you want to do?” I said, “I think I’m supposed to lead a girl’s conference.” She said, “Ok, let’s do it!” It’s a long process for my own self as I had to go through things I didn’t want to come to terms with as a young girl. God was bringing everything I needed to be dealt with as a “refining” process. It was messy, ugly, and beautiful, all at the same time. But God, How am I to lead if I don’t deal with myself first.
Be Mine Conference – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As the founder and director of the Be Mine Conference which is a conference for young women in middle and high school. It was held at a church I was attending for the first two years and then I decided to branch out independently with the help of two others. BMC became a nonprofit organization in 2014. It’s been amazing seeing what God has done with this ministry. I’ve been stretched and tested, but when I see lives shift on a day at the conference, I must keep on. It’s worth it, even if it’s for one who just recognized her value and that she is loved.
When I began this eight years ago, there was no budget, no money. I used my resources and got things donated by people, especially our volunteers. Everyone came together with their time, talent, and treasure. This method still applies to how it is run today. BMC cannot be what it is without the help of churches, donations, and our amazing volunteers. It’s beautiful when the community comes together. Our conference is not under one umbrella, but of many people from different churches, or no church, different middle and high school, different counties all over Georgia, some even traveled from other states. It’s a day everyone put aside their own and show these young women why it’s important to come together in unity. That is why each young lady feels loved because they see and feel it through the team on this day.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
When I felt that this is my calling, it became my passion. I also have many other passion. Being a nail tech is one of them I get to do professionally for the past 15 years. Success is defined by impacting others. I don’t believe there’s much joy when it’s self-enjoyment. It only last but for so long. When you don’t keep it to yourself and you share what you know to others, you are a vessel to good. Building others up is what success means to me. A saying I’ve heard from a pastor, “There are two important days of your life. The day you were born and the day you realize why you were born.”
Pricing:
- Student Cost $50
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bemineconference.org
- Phone: (678) 235-8635
- Email: bemineyouth@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bemineconference?igshid=1fkcpmloshk73
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/bemineconference/?ref=bookmarks
- Other: bemine2020.eventbrite.com
Image Credit:
Anthony Daniels and Hope Connolly
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