In support of her Reunion Records sophomore project By Surprise, 2002 Dove Award New Artist of the Year nominee Joy Williams has been the musical guest on Point of Grace’s teenage girls’ “Girls of Grace” conferences, since they kicked off on Oct. 3-4 in Lakeland, Fla. In the first two dates, Williams has performed before 17,000 girls. In addition to the “Girls of Grace” events, Williams embarked on an extensive promotional tour across the country in support of her new album.

“Girls of Grace” is a two-day conference designed specifically for girls between the ages of 12 and 18 intended to discuss issues facing youth. The event is lead by Word Records group Point of Grace and also features speakers Nancy Alcorn, founder and President of Mercy Ministries, and Susie Shellenberger, editor of BRIO magazine for girls. Williams performs songs from By Surprise and her feature cut “Live to Worship,” from the multi-artist Girls of Grace (Word Records) album during the events’ Friday evening and Saturday morning sessions.

“It has been an amazing opportunity to be a part of this conference. God’s hand has been so evident during the conference and you know lives are being changed,” notes Williams. “It has been thrilling to see the girls letting down their walls and just embracing God’s word and letting it penetrate their souls and change them.”

“Girls of Grace” will be in Denver, Colo., - on Nov. 8 and will wrap up the 2002 events on Nov. 15 in Grand Rapids, Mich. Overall, Williams is expected to perform before 25,000 girls.

“Joy has always wanted to reach out to young girls with her ministry, and ‘Girls of Grace’ has been a fantastic opportunity for her. She is embracing the opportunity to connect with her core audience, and in doing so is developing into a wonderful communicator and mentor to them.” notes Keri Turner, sr. director of marketing, Reunion Records.

On her recent promotional tour, Williams kicked off the release of By Surprise with a brown bag concert performance at WONU-FM/Chicago, and has since performed in Lancaster, Pa., Dallas, and Los Angeles. In between the next “Girls of Grace” events Williams will perform brown bag concerts for KSBJ-FM/Houston,- and WJQK-FM/Grand Rapids, MI.

Since the release of By Surprise, Williams has conducted extensive radio interviews as well as appearances on cable-TV talk shows, including “Total Living with Jerry Rose,” “At Home Live,” “The New Harvest Show” and music show “Live from Studio B.”