Women of Faith tour begins in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY — About 5,500 women are in Kansas City for the Women of Faith gathering.

Kansas City is the first stop of a 28-city tour that goes through the end of the year. Women of Faith is scheduled to be in St. Louis June 26-27.

The two-day gathering offers worship, music and speakers. Those on the program include Grammy-award winner Steven Curtis Chapman; "American Idol" finalist Mandisa; Steve Arterburn, a radio show host and author who created the Women of Faith tour; award-winning soloist Sandi Patty; and Sheila Walsh, author and former television talk show host.

Cori Ingram of Basehor, Kan., who has attended two other Women of Faith gatherings, described them as "very uplifting and very spiritual."

Since Women of Faith started in 1996, a reported 4 million women have attended the events.