Women of Prayer and Purpose are a Force for Good
Hundreds of women in the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventist were recently challenged to heighten their spiritual experience by discovering and living their purpose. The call was made on International Women’s Day of Prayer March 4, 2023.
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Madam Winifred Benjamin, Mayor of the Municipality of New Amsterdam, Berbice, receiving her recognition award from the Women's Ministries Director of the Guyana Conference, Pastor Carolyn Brandon. Image by Women's Ministries staff.
Hundreds of women in the Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventist were recently challenged to heighten their spiritual experience by discovering and living their purpose. The call was made on International Women’s Day of Prayer March 4, 2023. This annual Women’s Ministries Conference was held at the Berbice High School Auditorium under the theme, “Transformed through Prayer.”
According to Pastor Carolyn Brandon, Women’s Ministries director and main organizer of the gathering, the theme is a reminder that women are loved by God and poised to achieve His great purpose when they pray. “When women find their purpose in Jesus they can be used by the church with greater impact because they are living that purpose,” she said.
The main presenters Candace Fraser and Shabekie Vyphius further challenged the women to commit to stirring and enriching the lives of other women in their congregations. “God has put in your heart a special passion and energy to do what you do for the Lord,” Fraser said. “You represent a very important force that perhaps is not as appreciated as it should be, but you are all important and have a place in God’s plans.”
Women attending the Guyana Conference annual Women's Ministries Conference at the Barbice High School Auditorium on March 4, 2023. Image by Women's Ministries staff.
In one of the prayers sessions when participants were divided into small groups, each with its own prayer objective, God’s working became evident. Ms. Abiola Dowridge responded to the invitation to approach the throne of God and fully surrendered her life to Christ in baptism. “Today God brought an end to an unforgettable experience. He has relieved my anxiety and has shown me that transformation is possible when we pray,” she said.
Personal testimonies relating to the power of faith-filled prayer made it possible for the participants to appreciate the practicality of the Prayer Conference. Many could relate to the reality that there are, at times, similarities among their struggles; but, even in the face of disparities, God empowers them to be triumphant.
Additionally, the women were exposed to literature that promised to aid in the navigation of their prayer-focused journey. “All of us are chosen… in spite of our strengths and weaknesses so we can be a light in our communities,” said Sister Debra Henry, Women’s Ministry Director of the church in the Caribbean Union (CARU). “You are chosen to be a disciple, chosen to bear fruits of mission, love and service…We want women in the church to be strengthened and nurtured. When prayer is incorporated into the lives of our women, transformation will take place in our homes and in our churches,” Henry said.
Ms. Abiola Dowridge responded to the invitation to approach the throne of God and fully surrendered her life to Christ in baptism. Women's Ministries' Director of the Guyana Conference, Pastor Carolyn Brandon was happy to lead the ceremony. Image by Women's Ministries staff.
Along with Henry, Brandon celebrated the notion that women’s ministry is very strong in the Caribbean Union and the retreat empowered committed women to continue their robust service.
“The women are actively engaged in many community outreach activities, in evangelistic campaigns and in Church planting where there is no Adventist presence,” Brandon said, but this initiative will inspire them to reach even more this year, she added. “We look forward to these sessions where together we can be empowered and transformed for service.”
As part of the one-day exercise, several women were recognized for their stellar contributions to and notable sacrifices made for the benefit of their communities. Among them were Madam Winifred Benjamin, Mayor of the Municipality of New Amsterdam, Berbice, as well as the current headmistress of the Berbice High School Ms. Colleen Liddell who contributed more than 35 years of impeccable service to the teaching commission. In all, more than 50 Seventh-day Adventist women were inducted into the Hall of Faith.