Caribbean Women’s Conference – “Connected Through Christ”
“How Do You Stay Connected?” This was the topic throughout a very successful Caribbean Women’s Conference which was recently held in the Dominican Republic from 29 April to 1 May 2015. The women (and some men who attended) were encouraged, admonished, directed, empowered and reassured about their connectivity through Christ.
With about 200 delegates from different nations, plus the hundreds of those from the Dominican Republic, the sessions were packed to capacity. This well supported Conference saw persons arriving at the venue much, much earlier than the official start time to ensure they had the perfect seat.
There were devotions, worship and session which addressed different aspects of being connected through Christ. The Executive Committee shared with us on Connected Through L-O-V-E: Loyalty – Others – Visibility – Eternal.
Rev. Cheryl Trottman of Barbados spoke in the day session on “Connected through Christ by Worship.” She told us that one cannot connect to her if they are not close. The example was given that if you have an electric cord plugged in, then you get the current. The cords are covered inside by a protective coat. This for us, is the Blood of Jesus. We cannot get connected if we are not close to God. She said we are to decide if we want to be connected to Christ and if we want to have a change. If we want to be connected, we have to get on the right voltage.
Sister Dawn Grey of St. Croix reminded us in the evening session that “The Fight Is On”. She spoke about how God connected the world through oneness and how nothing could stop His Church. Sis. Grey pointed out that our enemy is not our brothers and sisters. She said that the enemy of our souls wants to keep us separated because then we would be powerless. The power is in connection with Christ. God wants to build an army. The fight is on and we must win. If we join together, linked by God, no weapon formed against us shall prosper! That which divides us is nothing compared to that which connects us.
Sister Geraldine Ritter-Freeman of Tortola, brought the question as to how do we stay connected through adversity? She spoke about Hannah and said that she had her faith tested and when she persevered in prayer, God blessed her beyond her original request. Sis. Geraldine spoke about a topic which we don’t hear much about in church – The Other Woman – Peninnah. Peninnah provoked Hannah to irritate her and there are people who do the same to us but as Christians, we must be careful how we respond to them.
Sister Deysi Cuevas of the Dominican Republic shared with us on Connectivity Through Diversity. She told us that God is calling us to enjoy diversity and to be connected through diversity no matter our color or place of birth. She showed us examples of diversity in the Bible in the animals, living beings, between women and men, but it is ONE GOD. Sis. Deysi went on to tell us that there is diversity which we have to show the world. We ought to dip the world with the Blood of Jesus. We haven’t done it yet because of pride. It’s our duty/obligation to understand that God has connected us through diversity. Ministerial competition will be over and Satan will be overthrown if we respect and embrace diversity.
Sister Persis Moran of the United States spoke about women connected to Christ and letting go of hindrances. She said that connected means linked, attached to each other and we sometimes don’t like to admit that we need each other. She asked us who do we need in our lives? She said that we all need someone but, the right person. Sis. Moran went on to say that we have to be willing to be hurt and extend grace over and over again. Even the best human will disappoint us. It was said that sometimes we have a case of spiritual identity theft. Some of the hindrances to connecting are envy, jealousy, gossip, competition and comparison. Sometimes the table is set in the dessert or wilderness with only two chairs, but God prepared it for us, yet we are busy checking out someone else’s table. We ought not to desire the food of someone else as it can cause indigestion.
As the various Women of the Great Caribbean gathered early to secure their seats, something marvelous began to happen. Prayer broke out and the Spirit of the Lord hovered over us and there was a tangible presence of the Almighty Lord in the House. Women connected through Christ began to pray for each other and with each other. The stage was further set with glorious worship music. Praise and adoration rang through various tongues. It was hard to know what to do next or what would happen next, as this awesome presence escalated higher and higher. The women obviously came expecting great things in their lives. The Holy Spirit took over and after two songs, it had to be turned over to devotion.
Sister Dahlia James of Tortola spoke on Connected to Christ Through Prayer and showed us how without prayer it’s like living in total darkness going through life injuring ourselves as we have no light until the curtains are pulled back and the window opened to let the light in. She said that prayer is that window that God has placed on the walls of our life and is so important, for it keeps us focused on God in the fulfillment of His will for our lives. When we pray our hearts are moved towards God. We are able to face situations that are beyond us. We are forced to wait patiently for God’s timing though it is not easy, but there are benefits to waiting. Our connection to God through prayer equals our confidence in His love knowing that all things works for the good of those who love Him. Nothing can separate us from this love.
Dr. Shanda Duncan of Bermuda spoke on Connected Through Christ as One. She said that we are connected as one through the Spirit of Christ as we have the same Blood running through our veins. Dr. Duncan reminded us that no one is greater than the other. When we kneel at the cross we’re all on the same level. When we’re connected, we lift each other up and not pull them down. We encourage them, we compliment them and we speak love to them. We are connected through the spirit of peace and sometimes we have to shut our mouths. We need to ask God for some shut mouth grace when we face situations. She also told us that we are connected through spiritual maturity and we must be mature and be an adult/grown up in the Spirit and not be like a child because dwarflike spirit makes us stay where we are.
Lady Patricia Charles, the director, closed the conference by telling us that we are connected to royalty through Christ. We are a chosen generation. We are different. God picked us out and He chose us because He knows our profile but still decided to pick us. Lady Charles said that some of us are rejecting our own selves but God choose us before the foundation of the world. He knows everything about us but it didn’t stop Him from picking us. The Lord is a King and has the authority and says we are His daughters and we shouldn’t let anyone tell us we are not royalty. We are connected to royalty Who has the authority.
Testimonies from Conference Attendees:
“Saludos! What a wonderful time was spent in Santo Domingo, Republicana Dominicana. I would like to share with you the experience by summarizing the Women’s Caribbean Conference held this past week as follows: “THE FIGHT IS ON! but there is hope in God! Despite ADVERSITY, through PRAYER and WORSHIP unto God, we must continue to LOVE because there is DIVERSITY as ONE. We are ROYALTY in God through our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus. STAY CONNECTED!” Dios los bendiga a todos!”
Andrea Webbe-Grant, Children’s Ministry, BVI
“I had to make a decision as to whether to go to Santo Domingo or take my children overseas. The family trip did not work out so I decided that one door closed so the other one is opened. Although registration and reservations had passed, I felt an extra urge to attend the conference and by the time I confirmed that I was going, God miraculously provided all that I needed for the trip. I believe it was properly organized and the logistics were carefully worked out, even to make room for any delays that would occur. Spiritually, I went to the conference to sharpen my personal walk with the Lord as it became time for a spiritual check up with the Holy Spirit. The messages came one after the other confirming what the Holy Spirit has been saying to us as women. We ought to let go of all the hindrances that blocks the connection to the Holy Spirit and the importance of having the right people in our lives. Well done CWM Team!!!!”
Min. Stephnie Turnbull, Family Life Ministries, BVI
(Submitted by Yodi Franklyn, New Testament Church of God (IWC), Tortola, BVI)
