Central Houston IWA!

Are you feeling alone as a Christian writer? I felt the same way when I accepted the call to write for God’s glory. At first, I didn’t know a lot of other writers. The few I had met at my job didn’t share my desire to make the gospel known through the written word.

However, I was not by myself—and neither are you. God is with us. Lots of other Christian writers live throughout the world too. Many have gathered in groups to encourage and equip one another.

Why Join a Christian Writers’ Group?

Joining a Christian writers’ group helps advance us on our writing journey. We grow and become stronger when we fellowship with other Christians. Connecting with people who share our special calling inspires us to develop and use our unique gifts. Support from like-minded writers can help us overcome challenges and persist on our course.

Most Christian writers’ groups provide training that will enhance our skills. We can learn about writing, publishing, and marketing from seasoned authors who happily share their knowledge at conferences, meetings, and workshops. Some groups also offer contests and critiques through which we can receive valuable feedback and well-deserved recognition for our work.

Where to Look for a Christian Writers’ Group

We can look in several places to find a Christian writers’ group. Common meeting places for these groups include churches, coffee shops, homes, libraries, universities, and other locations. So, we might look at a church directory, community newspaper, or local message board. And of course, we can look online.

A handy resource for learning about Christian writers’ groups is “The Christian Writers Market Guide.” The Christian Writers Institute publishes an updated version of this guide every year. The guide shows details such as current contacts, fees, meetings, and websites for writers’ groups in various locations.

How God Can Lead You to a Christian Writers’ Group

You don’t have to wander around, waiting to stumble upon other Christian writers. God guides our steps when we embrace and move forward in our calling. He is willing and able to direct you to a group of Christian writers in or near your community.

When I started telling people I was pursuing Christian writing, a friend asked if I had heard about Inspirational Writers Alive! (IWA!) This interdenominational Christian writers’ group has chapters in Texas. I visited the one closest to where I lived in Houston.

Central Houston IWA! became the first Christian writers’ group I joined, and I am still a member today. I thank God for this group of amazing people. I wrote more about the impact of IWA! on my writing journey in the blog post, “Connecting Through Words.”

God can point us to a group of Christian writers who assist us in fulfilling our special calling. He may use a friend’s spoken words or a written resource like “The Christian Writers Market Guide.” The fellowship and training found in these groups can bolster our abilities and resolve to share God’s message through our writing.