Sarah Proeber
Tuesday, Jan 24
3:15 – 4:30 pm
Engaging Women by Design
Too often, the connections women share in church remain polite but shallow. Smiles at worship, brief hallway conversations, and surface-level fellowship can leave hearts longing for something deeper. Yet God designed his church to be a family—where people encourage one another, speak the truth in love, and bear each other’s burdens. When women across generations walk together through joys and trials, the result is stronger faith and a clearer witness to the world.
This breakout is practical. We’ll show how to design deeper connections for your context—adaptable gathering formats, welcoming practices that lower barriers (time, trust, childcare), and simple approaches that help relationships take root and align with your church’s mission. You’ll leave with actionable ideas to gauge momentum so women are known, supported, and sent for lasting kingdom impact that goes beyond church walls.
Sarah Proeber partners with congregations and women’s ministry teams to design connection on purpose—helping communities move from polite to truly connected in ways that fit real life. After a decade with WELS Communication Services, she turns listening and data into clear next steps leaders can use right away. Today she speaks broadly about cultivating church family: low-friction on-ramps, equipping everyday hosts, and simple follow-up rhythms that let relationships take root across generations. Sarah serves as director of alumni relations at Wisconsin Lutheran High School, where she applies these principles to strengthen belonging and engagement. She and her husband, David, live in Waukesha with their three children. Her passion is giving leaders doable practices, so people are known, supported, and sent—so the everyday life of the church feels more like family and becomes a hopeful, compelling witness.
