By Mandy Rees
The 2015 National Association Church of God We Are Better Together Conference was held in October in St. Charles, Missouri. Women and men entering the convention center were warmly welcomed by brothers and sisters in Christ, all clad in red. These greeters could be found around every corner and were sure to guide you to your destination, leaving you happier than when you first met. During the opening service on Thursday night, worship leader Quincy Fielding not only filled our hearts with music, but he filled our imaginations with a beautiful picture of unity. He described a place where a person's race will never be a subject; instead it will be a place of unity. This place is heaven. The evening was filled with inspiration from Rev. Dr. Kevin Earley on how we can bring that sense of unity to earth as Jesus intended.
As the women gathered into the conference ballroom Friday morning, we were awakened by Rev. Cynthia Thomas’s “That’s a Wrap” rap. The room was quickly filled with so much joy. Our attention was on Rev. Thomas and we were eager to hear what The Lord had for us. She reminded us to unlock ourselves so He may work through us and prepare us for the blessing He will give us; with the reminder that not all blessings are microwave blessings. She walked us through the steps of being about our Father's business, and urged us to pray for lives to be saved, instead of being critical of others. Friday evening ended with Rev. Marilyn Lambe encouraging us to be ourselves and allowing Him to shine through us. She presented the question that Alice in Wonderland asks the Cheshire Cat at the fork in the road, “Where should I go from here?” Rev. Lambe went on to explain the Cheshire Cat's answer, “It doesn’t matter,” meaning if you allow the Holy Spirit to fully guide your life, than you are able to walk down either path to fulfill your work for Jesus. She later praised our Executive Director Arnetta McNeese Bailey as an example of someone fulfilling God’s purpose.
Saturday morning, Rev. Cynthia Thomas once again “unleashed” upon us her magnificent ability to express God’s power. Relating her personal experiences, she challenged us all to share our testimony with others. She reminded us that past circumstances we think might destroy us, will be used by God to light our fire so we will emerge looking like gold.
There were also five conferences held on Friday and Saturday mornings, allowing us to delve deeper into certain topics and connect with one another. Ending the day, the women and men gathered together in the ballroom for a banquet celebration. The group was a gathering of brothers and sisters praising God. It exemplified unity and displayed the importance of allowing our individual God-given purposes to shine. Sunday marked the end of the conference. Rev. Marilyn Lambe sent us off with a powerful message: we each hold a light that allows God’s glory to unite us as His church.
As I reflect on the weekend, I see hope in the future. In a world that seems to be distancing itself from God, I was shown that by uniting and hearing each and every one of our stories, we are capable of building His kingdom. By educating our youth and showing them God’s grace, we can be the light to guide their path. This is not the time to be weak, but the time to unite as one body and show the world that We Are Better Together.
As the women gathered into the conference ballroom Friday morning, we were awakened by Rev. Cynthia Thomas’s “That’s a Wrap” rap. The room was quickly filled with so much joy. Our attention was on Rev. Thomas and we were eager to hear what The Lord had for us. She reminded us to unlock ourselves so He may work through us and prepare us for the blessing He will give us; with the reminder that not all blessings are microwave blessings. She walked us through the steps of being about our Father's business, and urged us to pray for lives to be saved, instead of being critical of others. Friday evening ended with Rev. Marilyn Lambe encouraging us to be ourselves and allowing Him to shine through us. She presented the question that Alice in Wonderland asks the Cheshire Cat at the fork in the road, “Where should I go from here?” Rev. Lambe went on to explain the Cheshire Cat's answer, “It doesn’t matter,” meaning if you allow the Holy Spirit to fully guide your life, than you are able to walk down either path to fulfill your work for Jesus. She later praised our Executive Director Arnetta McNeese Bailey as an example of someone fulfilling God’s purpose.
Saturday morning, Rev. Cynthia Thomas once again “unleashed” upon us her magnificent ability to express God’s power. Relating her personal experiences, she challenged us all to share our testimony with others. She reminded us that past circumstances we think might destroy us, will be used by God to light our fire so we will emerge looking like gold.
There were also five conferences held on Friday and Saturday mornings, allowing us to delve deeper into certain topics and connect with one another. Ending the day, the women and men gathered together in the ballroom for a banquet celebration. The group was a gathering of brothers and sisters praising God. It exemplified unity and displayed the importance of allowing our individual God-given purposes to shine. Sunday marked the end of the conference. Rev. Marilyn Lambe sent us off with a powerful message: we each hold a light that allows God’s glory to unite us as His church.
As I reflect on the weekend, I see hope in the future. In a world that seems to be distancing itself from God, I was shown that by uniting and hearing each and every one of our stories, we are capable of building His kingdom. By educating our youth and showing them God’s grace, we can be the light to guide their path. This is not the time to be weak, but the time to unite as one body and show the world that We Are Better Together.
Mandy Rees is the Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director at Christian Women Connection.
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