Marketplace Women of Orange County is a gathering of Christian women in the marketplace. We join together for friendship and encouragement to integrate our personal, professional and spiritual lives. Our mission is to build the character of women and to encourage them to be a positive influence in the marketplace based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

There are many groups for professional women, but most do not embrace Christian values or worldview. On the other hand, there are many Christian ministries for women but often they are not appropriate for marketplace women due to misfits of scheduling and content. A marketplace woman wears many hats, often wife, mother, businesswoman, church member, community volunteer and "person"! Because of the many responsibilities and roles they fulfill, their needs are unique. Desires for excellence in personal, family and professional life as well as a meaningful relationship with God require a delicate balance and consistent attention. Marketplace Women was designed by and for this influential but underserved group of women.

All women are welcome! While we have executives and professionals from many fields we also include women who work part-time or are taking a break for childraising but want to stay connected to the community.

For us there is a broad definition of "marketplace." Our marketplace is the larger social, economic, intellectual, or creative community. The marketplace is the place where we:

• have a commerce of ideas
• have financial employment
• work for the welfare of our family
• do charitable works
• exhibit our entrepreneurial spirit

Our objective is to unite Christian women who are in the marketplace in order to:

• Provide constructive, creative and assertive leadership to facilitate the integration of faith and work.
• To help women to see what they do in the marketplace as vital ministry
• Offer an opportunity for fellowship and encouragement in a warm and welcoming environment
• Present a vision of work as a means of demonstrating our love and service for God

We work to achieve these goals by sponsoring regular luncheons that are structured for maximum networking and inspiration and by providing a networking directory of members and prayer chain, which offers prayer support for personal requests. We are also developing both a website and conferences to provide more positive inspiration and information as well as more time for relationship building.

No, we welcome all women of faith. Our Statement of Faith includes the basic tenets of the Christian faith. We believe:

• In the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
• In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ and His virgin birth
• In the forgiveness of sin through the blood of Jesus Christ alone
• In salvation by grace though faith alone
• In the guidance of the Holy Spirit
• In the return of Jesus Christ

We encourage women to attend a local church for ongoing teaching and fellowship.

We operate financially completely on the gifts of members and those who believe in what we're doing. Checks for luncheon reservations and membership dues are made out to Marketplace Women and are not tax deductible. Additional donations are tax deductible. Checks are made out to Foundation for Christian Stewardship, a respected community foundation with an official 501(c)3 tax-exempt status.