Woman Thou Art Loosed Conference

It’s been a weekend of blessing which kicked off on Friday evening (7th August 2009) with the Woman Thou Art Loosed Conference in Salford, near Manchester, where I was one of the speakers.

Seriously now, if any one wants to know how to run an event smoothly, you need to attend next year and watch excellence in action.  I told the host, Pastor Toyin Jama that in my 30 years of being a Christian, I had never been looked after so well by any Church and, I’m not saying that to flatter.  Honestly they didn’t miss anything. 

I had travelled with my husband, daughter and a friend and, at the end of each meeting, we were given food to take back with us to the hotel and, I’m not talking finger rolls and cucumber sandwhiches!  I’m talking chicken, rice and peas, fish, plantain and all the trimmings.  Even the location of the hotel was chosen with my husband and little girl in mind … Manchester football stadium was nearby and the hotel overlooked the docks. 

In terms of the speakers, I was personally blessed by the others who ministered and I hope to post some photograps of the event and add some testimonies over the next couple of weeks.

I spoke on Friday evening about how my husband and I used Kingdom of God principles to begin the process of debt cancellation and, to keep ourselves from losing our home almost two years ago now.  Saturday morning for the women’s session, I spoke about “Breaking Free from Emotional Bondages” and after the break, a presentation on  Equipping Men and Women for Business and Commerce.  I’m not going to do the self praise thing though … the testimonies will speak for themselves.

For me, this conference marked the rebirth of my ministry … 

“… and God could not have chosen a better venue or a better group of people to initiate this rebirth.”

Though not intentionally, since being called into ministry back in 2003, I have taken a back seat on too many occasions.  When Toyin called me about speaking at their conference, there was no doubt in my mind that this was a God sent assignment.  I prayed far more than I prepared, not because I was so confident about my message but because for the first time in my speaking career and ministry, I was relying on the Holy Spirit and not my own ability.  It’s also the first time I experienced such peace before I spoke.

In fact, on Friday evening, I thought I was going to give a 10 minute word and then discovered I had 25 minutes to speak.  Even then, I was so calm and told God “you’re really testing out this ambassador now aren’t you … but I trust you.”  As I flipped through the pages of my Bible to find a message, I came across these words from Isaiah 51:15 …  

“And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand …” 

That was it!  My reassurance from God that I had nothing to worry about … just be obedient and He would put His words in my mouth. 

Well, I decided that I would speak about the Woman at the Well  ~ John 4, but, all that changed when I stood on the platform to speak.  Instead, I felt led to speak about how we used Kingdom of God Principles to keep our home and begin to recover from the financial mess we found ourselves in a couple of years ago.   And even then, I only intended giving a brief overview but it took over.  And, I had no idea that so many people were faced with this issue.  People were coming up to me afterwards and saying “you were speaking to me.”  My heartfelt prayer is that these people experience the Kingdom of God in all its fullness. 

I personally know there is more to come than we’ve even experienced so far.

Conference Speakers

Elder Niyi Adeoshun spoke on money management and the myths surrounding money which stop us from walking in our full blessing.  One such myth as I’m sure many of you are aware, is the fact that “money is the root of all evil” when in fact, the Bible states that it’s the ”Love of money …”  And as Elder Niyi pointed out, 1/6 th of the scriptures refer to money and so our problem as Christians isn’t money, but what we do with money and, whether we allow money to control us.  Niyi Adeoshun is a Money Management Coach who truly understands the spiritual elements of financial freedom. 

Rev Joanna Barratt blessed us with her rendition of Esther and how we as women can get our husbands to respond to our needs by being more feminine and not bulldozing them.  “Joanna, I’m hearing you!”  Queen Esther when she learned about the fate of her people, not only prayed and fasted, but she prepared for her entrance into the Kings court with the view, that ”If I perish, I perish.”  When the King saw Esther enter his presence, not only did he put out the sceptre, he was probably so captivated by her beauty that he asked what she wanted and offered to give her anything, up to the half of his kingdom.  I mean wow!  I’m going to try this one the next time I have a serious issue I need my husband to do something about.  In truthfullness, I probably won’t get offered half of his estate, but I bet I’ll have a listening ear!

Rev Maurice Barratt ministered to the men whilst his wife ministered to the women, but I did get my chance to hear him during the Q&A session and when it comes to family matters, this man of God is “loaded” to use Pastor Toyin’s phrase.  In fact, if you’re thinking of getting married and your pastor isn’t doing the right thing of counselling you before you say “I do” I would highly recommend that you purchase one of the Barratt’s teaching materials on marriage and family … just fantastic.

Minister Victor George led the session with the young men and his wife, Minister Jumi George led the session with the younger women, on “Before You Say I Do” and so again, since I didn’t fit in either category (too late now, I said it … 20 years ago!) I didn’t get to hear them speak but sat on the panel with them for the Q&A and it was great to hear them giving feedback to the younger men and women on ironing out relationship issues.

Pastor Toyin Jama runs on duracell batteries!  I say this lovingly.  Seriously now, this woman teaches the Word of Truth and encouraged us on Friday night to trust God for our miracles.  I know at least one person who experienced God’s healing touch after her message and being prayed for, which is a testament of God grace and power as well as the integrity of His Word.  When Pastor Toyin isn’t ministering the Word, she’s ministering somewhere … whether in hospitality, arrangement of the next speakers, encouraging the children and whatever else is presented before her – this is why I say she runs on duracell batteries.   I really do give God thanks for her life.  Pastor Toyin truly is a Woman of Influence on a mission, with a mission and doing it on purpose.

Pastor Joshua Jama joined us on the panel for the Q&A and demonstrated a level of humility that is rare.  But, in addition to hearing Pastor Jama’s feedback at the conference, I attended Good News Assembly Church on Sunday morning and was “blessed beyond my socks” as my friend Pastor Christine Kumbin would say.   Pastor Jama started with the story of Jairus’ daughter and he connected the story of Jairus with the story of the woman with the issue of blood … Jairus’ daughter was 12 years old, this woman had an issue of blood for 12 years.  Pastor Jama gave us a prophetic word to expect that something signifcant would happen in our lives in the next 12 days.  Bridget, my friend who attended the conference with me, and myself have already seen some great things happen in our lives this week.  God is Good!   

It was interesting that Pastor Jama received his message from the Lord at 5:00 am in the morning.  At 5:00 am, I woke up with a splitting headache and decided I wouldn’t go to Church that morning.  But, by 7:00 am, I was woken up with the noise on the docs and during my slumber, just kept seeing Pastor Jama preaching and people dancing and I knew in my spirit, I had to get up and go to Church.  I can’t even begin to imagine what I would have missed out on had I not attended.  I need to get a copy of that message since it’s one that needs to be in my audio reference library for listening to again and again.

I continue to pray that the seeds of faith sown last weekend will one day soon flourish and other people’s lives will lives will be touched as a result.

A heartfelt “thank you” to Pastors Joshua Jama and Toyin Jama for the invitation to bless and be blessed under their anointed ministry.