Faith and fellowship, with a good amount of humor thrown in — that’s what the Heart to Heart Women’s Conference is planning for eastern North Carolina women next week.

Slated for Jan. 24 and Jan. 25 at First United Methodist Church in Washington, conference-goers will be witness to speaker Lisa Harper’s unique mix of humor and theology. From 7 to 9 p.m. on Jan. 24, then again from 9 to noon on Jan. 25, Harper will connect the dots between the Bible era and modern life with relatable anecdotes and stories.

Harper is part of Women of Faith, an event-based organization that brings well-known Christian authors and performers to venues nationwide. Before going on tour, Harper spent six years as director of Focus on the Family’s national women’s ministry, then another six as the women’s ministry director at a large church in Nashville, Tenn. She’s both author of 10 books and a columnist for “Today’s Christian Woman” magazine, but it is her wit that makes her a speaker in demand, according to her Women of Faith biography.

First United Methodist Church has hosted the Heart to Heart conference for three years running, though last year’s event was cancelled when snow blanketed the East Coast and stranded speaker Micca Campbell in the Charlotte airport for the weekend. Since, in a joint effort between local churches, a slew of volunteers have been gearing up for Heart to Heart 2014, according to Karyn Styers, a member of the conference’s planning committee.

“We want everyone to hear the Gospel of Jesus. Whether you attend church regularly or are searching for a night out of wholesome entertainment, it doesn’t matter where you are on your walk with the Lord — a new seeker or a seasoned sister of Christ — we are all on the same journey,” Styers wrote in an email.

“I think the purpose (of Heart to Heart) is twofold: one is just to provide the opportunity for women to fellowship with each other,” said planning committee member Beth Page. “The second purpose is that women would have the opportunity for spiritual refreshment and renewal.”

This time around, spiritual refreshment and renewal will come with a hearty dose of humor.

“She’s funny. She’s real,” Page said. “This (conference) is not just for women who go to church every week. She will appeal to women who have been in church their whole lives and women who have never walked into a church.”

In addition to Harper’s words of theological wisdom, the Washington-based Christian gospel group River Song Trio will perform on both days of the event.

Those interested in attending this year’s Heart to Heart conference can download a registration form from www.hearttoheartconference.org. The cost of attendance is $20 per person. Doors open at 6 p.m. on Jan. 24, at 8 a.m. on Jan. 25, at First United Methodist Church, 304 West Second Street, Washington. Participants are encouraged to carpool.