Girlfriends Conference 2014 magazine by Trinity Church / Peacemakers

RGIRL Trinity Church Womens Conference

Discover the Covergirl in you...

Girlfriends Magazine Senior Pastors Rich & Robyn Wilkerson Editor in Chief DawnCherĂŠ Wilkerson Assistant Editor Richardy Blanchard Contributing Writers Donna Caudill Katrina Naar Realize Richardy Blanchard Robyn Wilkerson Linda Freeman Angela Norman Graphic Design Terrance Wilson Kerry Phillips Kerri Keith-Spitaleri Johanne Wilson Photo Credits Carlos Garcia Rabson Senat Kerry Phillips Yokany Reyes Stylist Samantha Jo Alonso Girlfriends Magazine www.girlfriendsconf.com Mailing Address: GIRLFRIENDS P.O. Box 680820 North Miami, FL 33168 Trinity Church Miami Gardens 17801 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL 33169 786-888-HOPE (4673) Watch our services online at: www.trinitychurch.tv

Trinity Christian Academy Miami Gardens Campus 17801 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL 33169 North Miami Campus 655 NW 125 Street N. Miami, Florida 33168 786-888-LIFE (5433) Peacemakers Family Center 17801 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami Gardens, FL 33169 786-888-HELP (4357) www.peacemakers.com Follow us on Twitter @RichWilkerson @RobynWilkerson @PeacemakersCom @TrinityMiami Girlfriends Magazine is published by Peacemakers-Trinity Church Incorporated, a non-profit corporation, Miami, FL USA ÂŠ 2014. Girlfriends Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

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Printer and contact info...

Contents Articles 10

Lessons on Forgiveness: Q&A with Joyce Meyer

A womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth by Linda Freeman

Children oF inmates by Linda Freeman

Relax in godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grace by Robyn Wilkerson

REal world covergirls

A life of Worship: Q&A with CeCe Winans

Connect: doing life together by Angela Norman

Facts & fun 6 WElcome 8

Girlfriends Team

Conference Program

28 Fashion Feature 52

Cook Like a covergirl by Donna Caudill

54 Poetic Thoughts 61 Restaurants 62 Notes

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Welcome to Girlfriends Conference 2014! This is an amazing chance for us Girlfriends to hang out, worship God, and get to know one another. We have some amazing special guests this year. I always look forward to spending time with the incredible Joyce Meyer. She brings hope to every person who hears her, and the woman can speak to your heart about God! That is such an amazing gift and I am thankful she will be sharing it with us. CeCe Winans praises God with every note she sings, and she invites us to sing along with her. She has the amazing talent of bringing us face to face with God and His incredible love through her powerful lyrics and her amazing voice! And of course, I look forward to sharing with YOU about how God protects us— how He COVERS us with His GRACE and LOVE! Psalm 91:4 reassures us, “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge…” and Deuteronomy 33:12 declares, “The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long…” If we will just take time to connect with God’s covering, we will have NOTHING to fear. God COVERS us in many ways—we just have to be aware of them and be open to His work in our lives. One of God’s greatest methods of covering us is through our ability to communicate with Him. Imagine that our wonderfully powerful God WANTS to hear from us! He COVERS us through our prayers: There is nothing like a prayer shield to provide covering over the life of a believer. Prayer activates the heavenly host (Psalm 34:7), erects a hedge of protection around us (Job 1:5, 9-11), and seals the gaps through which the enemy tries to gain access to our lives (Ezekiel 22:30). Girlfriend, I am praying for God’s COVERING over you today. I pray that He lifts you up and grants you the desires of your heart! I pray that He will protect you from harm. I pray that He will provide you with special gifts to help you as you go forward and represent His love and grace to everyone you meet! Let’s enjoy every minute of the next three days! Love you girls!

Robyn

Robyn Wilkerson & DawnCheré Wilkerson Girlfriends Conference Hosts

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Beneath the surface is a woman of worth, living

for an audience of one. She is covered... not by

a cloak of perfection, achievement or

affluence. She is enveloped... not by

a shroud of shame, disgrace or regret. The overwhelming, infinite

grace of her creator wraps her

fragile frame in His perfect love. When the storms of

life rage, there is no need to run because she is already covered.

Now & Forever...

covergirl

Get to know your Girlfriends Conference team!

Robyn Wilkerson

Dawncheré Wilkerson

Kathleen Hardcastle

Executive Pastor

Worship Pastor

Education Director

FUN FACT: I sold

FUN FACT: I twirled

FUN FACT: I was a

makeup at Macy’s to

fire batons in high

star baseball player

pay for my wedding...

school and crawfish is

and I backpacked

and I sleep walk!

my favorite food.

across Europe after college.

Linda freeman

Lisette Gonzalez

Johanne Wilson

Executive Director,

Service Pastor, North

Service Pastor

Peacemakers Family

Miami Campus

FUN FACT: I once won

Center

FUN FACT: I clip

1st place at a talent

FUN FACT: My

coupons and I’m on

show performing MC

husband of 28 years

the PTA board at my

Hammer’s Can’t Touch

has been my boyfriend

son’s school.

This (wearing custom

since the 9th grade.

Lydia Echevarria

Sabrina Bixby

Angela Norman

Service Pastor

Nextsteps Pastor/

FUN FACT: I received

FUN FACT: My

Service Pastor

a college scholarship

favorite make-up line

FUN FACT: I love

to play softball

is MAC Cosmetics.

going to the drive-in

and I love playing dominoes.

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glitter hammer pants).

movies.

#girlfriends2014 Krazy KIDZone CONFERENCE We have a special children’s

conference going on simultaneously with Girlfriends Conference! This Krazy KidZone Adventure will be sure to be the highlight of your child’s weekend! Make sure to get here early for each day so that you do not miss the start of service!

TEEN TRACK

We have a fabulous Saturday afternoon Teen Track planned just for all our teenage Girlfriends. There will be food, activities and lots of surprises! Enjoy a Q&A with a guest panel and meet new friends! Directly after Session 4 head to Hospitality for the party! Students from 6th-12th grade only.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM FRIDAY, JANUARY 17 5:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 9:00pm

Registration open Doors Open Session 1 After Party

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18 10:00am Doors Open 10:30am Session 2 12:00pm BREAK 1:00pm Session 3 2:30pm Session 4 4:00pm Break *Teen Track 4pm-5pm 6:00pm Doors Open 6:30pm Session 5

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19

Conference finale! Choose a Sunday Service from 6 service times: Trinity Miami Gardens 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm & 5:30pm Trinity North Miami 10:30am & 12:30pm girl f rie n d s 2 0 1 4

Joyce Meyer is one of the world’s leading practical Bible teachers. She’s a New York Times bestselling author with a world-wide television ministry. But when you get right down to it – foundational to her vision and everything she does – her true passion is helping hurting people.

We were lucky to get her thoughts about one key component of compassion... forgiveness. COVERGIRL: Why do you think forgiveness is so important? Joyce Meyer: So many people live with anger and unforgiveness, and many of them are Christians. At conferences, I have asked the crowd, “How many of you are mad at someone right now?” And it’s been amazing to me that each time, it looks like about 80-90% of the people raise their hand. So it’s a common problem that we need to confront. I know from personal experience how damaging it can be to live with bitterness and unforgiveness. I like to say it’s like taking poison and hoping your enemy will die. And it really is that harmful for us to live this way. That’s why I have such a compassion for people who are struggling with forgiving people who have hurt them. I also know there is a way to get set free, in Christ, from anger and unforgiveness. I want to help as many people as I can find that freedom too. 10

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CG: Why do you think forgiveness is so difficult for us? JM: When an injustice happens, we want to be vindicated. A lot of times, people feel that if they forgive the person who hurt them, then they will continue to take advantage of them or not take responsibility for what they did wrong. And if we’re honest, we’ll admit that we usually want the person who hurt us to pay for what they did. We can’t get past this until we get the revelation that only God can pay us back. He is our Vindicator and will heal and restore us if we will trust Him and forgive our enemies as He has told us to do.

CG: How do you know if you have truly forgiven someone? JM: Forgiveness is not a feeling—it’s a decision we make because we want to do what’s right before God. It’s a quality decision that won’t be easy and it may take time to get through the process, depending on the severity of the offense. The first step is the desire to do it, no matter how you feel toward the person who hurt you. Then you make the decision to do it, and it’s a “quality

For 30 years, her annual Women’s Conference has attracted thousands of women. Joyce’s “Love Life 2014 Women’s Conference” is September 25-27. For more information log on to www.joycemeyer.org.

decision,” which means it’s a firm decision that won’t change when your feelings change. The next step is to depend on the Holy Spirit to help you do what you’ve decided to do. See, just deciding to forgive isn’t enough because willpower alone won’t work—we need the grace and strength only God can give. As He gives us the strength, we need to pray for our enemies and bless them. Praying for those who have hurt us is vital to successfully forgiving them. I can honestly say from personal experience that it is not easy to do but it is the right thing to do, and when we do what is right before God, He will always give us the ability to overcome unforgiveness and be free.

Trinity Church and Hand of Hope Ministries joined together to host HOPE JAM, a community event that serviced over 3,000 people in Miami Gardens.

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CG: After forgiving, what can a person do to stop the negative emotions that pop up when thinking about the person or incident that hurt or angered them? JM: It’s so important to understand that emotions are fickle and if they are not controlled, they will control us. Part of managing our emotions is learning to do what is right even when we don’t feel like doing it. For example, if my husband, Dave, has done something that hurt me, I can have the grace of God to help me be kind to him and treat him nicely while I am going through the process of forgiving him. Continue to pray for the person or situation that caused your pain and anger. Ask God to give you understanding about why they did what they did. When my dad finally told me he was sorry for all of the abuse he had done to me throughout my childhood, he said he knew what he was doing was wrong, but he didn’t think it was hurting me as much as it was. I believe him. And I firmly believe that usually, the person who hurt you doesn’t realize what they’ve done or how much it hurt you. I don’t think there are many people who intentionally decide to do harmful things to others or who get up in the morning and think, “How many people can I hurt today?” Hurting people hurt people. And when we understand them more, it can help us pray for God to help them and bless them.

CG: You make a distinction between anger that is and is not sin. Will you tell us about that? JM: God has given us the emotion of anger to let us know when we or someone else is being treated unjustly. This type of anger is referred to as righteous anger, and its purpose is to motivate us to take godly action to rectify the wrong. God’s Word never states that feeling anger is sin, but it does become sinful behavior when we don’t manage it properly or when we hang on to it. In Ephesians

4:26-27, the apostle Paul tells us we are not to let the sun set on our anger. This indicates that people will experience the emotion of anger, but within a reasonable period of time, they should be able to let it go. This requires prayer and making a decision that goes beyond how we feel.

CG: We have all heard to forgive and forget. What do you say about that? JM: There are some hurts that we experience that can be forgiven but we won’t forget them. I have forgiven my father Joyce and Husband Dave have been for the years married for over 40 years. of sexual, emotional and verbal abuse that he put me through, but I haven’t forgotten everything he did to me. Because I have forgiven him, I can share my testimony to help other people find the healing and restoration they need. If you’re holding on to an offense, then you haven’t forgiven the person who hurt you. Unforgiveness finds excuses to talk about what people have done to us, and we’ll tell anyone who will listen. There’s a difference between sharing your testimony to help someone and talking about what’s been done to you because you are angry about it.

CG: Can you forgive so much that you become a doormat?

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suffering, so I can’t believe He exists.” But while I can’t answer all of the “whys,” I can say that I know He is real. And without Him in my life, I wouldn’t want to be alive. He is my life, and I would rather have a relationship with God and not understand everything about Him than try to do without Him.

Joyce believes “Our goal is simply to help as many hurting people as we possibly can, to alleviate human suffering and to help Christians grow in their faith.”

God never promised us we wouldn’t suffer, but He does promise to comfort us and give us the strength to carry on when we do. He also promised to work good out of everything that happens to us if we love Him and want His will in our lives.

JM: God isn’t asking us to be doormats for people to walk all over. There are going to be times when He leads you to confront someone about their bad behavior. Forgiving others has to do with your heart attitude toward them and how you treat them. Jesus never mistreated anyone just because they mistreated Him. He confronted them in a spirit of gentleness and then continued to love them. The Bible tells us not to return evil for evil or insult for insult in 1 Peter 3:9. Romans 12:21 says we overcome evil with good. When we forgive our enemies, we are more concerned about what they are doing to themselves than what they are doing to us. And no one can truly harm us if we obey and put our trust in God. When we are hurt, God can always heal us.

CG: People get angry with God sometimes. Can you share your thoughts about this? JM: We tell people that God is good and loving, but when they see pain and tragedy in the world, they question whether this is really true. After all, if God has all power and can do anything He wants to, then why doesn’t He prevent suffering? It seems we are constantly hearing about injustices like child abuse, wars and world hunger, as well as sickness and disease that attacks good and evil people alike. These things can make people wonder, “Where is God?!” I understand these questions, and why some say things like, “If there really was a God, He would prevent 14

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Joyce Meyer’s with one of the youngest Survivors of Sex trafficking at Prem Karen Transformation Center in India. “Hand of Hope” is the mission arm of Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.

Joyce Meyer is one of the world’s leading practical Bible teachers. A New York Times bestselling author, her books have helped millions of people find hope and restoration through Jesus Christ. Through Joyce Meyer Ministries, she teaches on a number of topics with a particular focus on the mind, mouth, moods and attitudes. Her candid communication style allows her to share openly and practically about her experiences so others can apply what she has learned to their lives. Joyce has authored 100 books, which have been translated into more than 100 languages. She conducts close to a dozen domestic and international conferences every year, teaching people to enjoy their everyday lives. In the past 30 years her annual women’s conference has attracted well over 200,000 women from all over the world. Joyce’s passion to help hurting people is foundational to the vision of Hand of Hope, the missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries, which supports outreaches around the world, including her hometown of St. Louis. Please note: The views and opinions expressed throughout this publication and are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Joyce Meyer Ministries.

PR E S C H O O L : Age 1 thru 5 years old, and VPK E LEM E N TA RY SCHO OL : Kindergarten and 1st Grade Monday–Friday l 7am–6pm Vouchers accepted 2 CAMPUSES! T CA N O R T H : 17801 NW 2nd Avenue Miami Gardens, FL 33169 T CA S O U T H : 655 NW 125th Street Miami, FL 33168 786-888-5433 trinitychristianacademymiami.org trinitychurch.tv

DCF Childcare License #C11MD1596 (north campus) and #C11MD0636 (south campus)

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A woman’s

worth:

covergirl cause 2014

Did you know that there are 1.39 million victims of commercial sexual servitude worldwide? Did you know that the U.S. Department of Justice* has documented South Florida as the third busiest area in the United States for sex trafficking? Did you know that 89% of women in the sex industry in the U.S. grew up in Christian homes? Did you know that at least 66% of women in the sex industry in the U.S. report being sexually abused as children?

Women of Hope Beginnings In December 2012, Trinity Church launched a ministry entitled “Women of Hope” to reach out to youth and adults that have been victimized by sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and the sex industry. The concept for 16

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Women of Hope grew out of Pastor Linda Freeman and her daughter-in-law Daniella’s, personal involvement with a local anti-sex trafficking project at His House Children’s Home “The Garden”. Women of Hope (WOH) was designed to provide mentoring, support groups, counseling, access to basic needs, and referral services for victims of sex trafficking. WOH’s purpose is to empower these individuals to be restored by providing spiritual support and practical guidance and support. After Girlfriends Conference 2013, twenty women volunteered to become WOH mentors. The group began training in February 2013. In April 2013, these WOH mentors began a bi-weekly Friday night event with a select group of foster care girls living at His House Children’s Home (HHCH). These children were considered high-risk to become recruited by sex traffickers due to their status as female foster home children. The WOH mentors have consistently hosted the bi-weekly Friday events for the past ten months.

Prevention Program “PlanBe__”, worked to gain permission from the Miami-Dade County Public School System to add a module focused on recognizing and avoiding the dangers of sex trafficking. PlanBe__ is presented year-round in local public high schools, middle schools, and community youth organizations through funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Beginning the Fall 2012, There is H.O.P.E. for Me has presented their module alongside Peacemaker Family Center PlanBe__ staff in the local schools.

“This is a great opportunity to reach out to women who would not normally venture into a church setting, We don’t step into this ministry lightly.” – Anna Johnson “The strip club outreach is a love ministry. We will be planting seeds of love into the lives of these women by faith. Many may never have the strength to break out, but we will be there for those who do.” – Pura Ramos Also after Girlfriends Conference 2013, Peacemakers Family Center (PFC) staff simultaneously worked to connect with the ongoing efforts of another local nonprofit organization already deeply involved in ending sex trafficking: There is H.O.P.E. for Me, Inc., an organization of survivors reaching out to help survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. (Both There is Hope for Me and HHCH work directly with the FBI and local law enforcement agencies when girls/ women are rescued.). Additionally, PFC staff managing the Teen Pregnancy

Women of Hope Strip Club Outreach 2014 WOH has begun a strip club outreach. WOH team members Pura Ramos and Anna Johnson participated in a national training hosted by Strip Church in October 2013 with the purpose of learning strategies and techniques for ministering to women who work in strip clubs. (Strip Church has linked 42 ministries together to provide a message of hope, unconditional love, and restoration to those in the sex trade industry across 25 States and 3 countries.). During the training, Anna and Pura learned that there are six strips clubs within a five mile radius of Trinity Church. WOH has determined to conduct quarterly outreaches to these strip clubs in 2014. To join the WOH Strip Club Outreach team, register for the team training scheduled for February 15, 2014 from 10:00am - 2:00pm by emailing your contact information to Pura Ramos at pramos@peacemakers.com You will receive detailed information about the training day. girl f rie n d s 2 0 1 4

Women of Hope in Cambodia In October 2013, Pastor Linda traveled to Cambodia to participate in a mission trip to assist Teen Challenge Cambodia (TCC). TCC’s Women Center serves women who have been rescued from sex trafficking and their children. Cambodia leads the world in sex trafficking and the production of child pornography. Within the city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia an estimated 17,000 women are involved in the sex industry with 20% of that number (3,500) believed to be under the age of 18. At the TCC Women’s Center, Pastor Linda spent time with women who had been rescued from sex trafficking in Phnom Penh, addicted to drugs, sick, and broken. These women are not only being rehabilitated from drug addition, restored from being sex trafficked, and given job training, they are also being taught how to be mothers. This is an enormous task. One of the

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young women Pastor Linda met just finished the one year program at TCC and is on a waiting list to move into a transitional housing/job development program at another NGO, along with her three year old daughter (shown below) very soon. Her dream is to have a job that will provide enough salary for her to be able to pay tuition for her daughter to attend school. Public Schools do not exist in Cambodia. The young woman in the picture below came to the TCC Women’s Center after years of being sold as a sex slave in both Cambodia and Thailand since age eleven. She tested positive for HIV and receives monthly treatments at a nearby medical facility. Unable to have children of her own because of the years of abuse, she has volunteered to care for Baby David. Baby David’s mother came to the TCC Women’s Center at age fourteen, pregnant and severely traumatized. She

died a few months ago from an undiagnosed case of internal parasites. TCC Pastors Koy and Reny made her a promise before she died to keep David at TCC and care for him. Pastor Linda was so overwhelmed by the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stories and the ministry burden of TCC that as soon as she returned home she started planning a mission trip back to TCC. The dates of this construction/medical team mission trip are scheduled for September 7-19, 2014. One of the focuses of the trip will be to assist TCC with one of their sustainability projects: a Biogas Generator. Currently, TCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staff uses firewood to cook three meals a day for more than 70 individuals. A biogas generator would use the waste from livestock to generate methane gas. A biogas generator would provide TCC with 1) a job development opportunity for the residents as they care for the livestock and the biogas generator system, 2) a source of income and

nutrition from the livestock, 3) a sustainable source of odorless cooking fuel for their kitchen, and 4) fertilizer for their rice field and other garden projects. Our team will help them obtain additional livestock (TCC has four cows and five pigs now), acquire equipment for the biogas generator design, and install the biogas generator system. A simple diagram of a biogas generator is included here.

If you would like to become a team member on this September 2014 mission trip to Cambodia, please email Pura Ramos at pramos@peacemakers.com. The first organizational meeting will be held on February 9, 2014 at 3:30 p.m. Women of Hope Hotline: (727) 379-4673 Women of Hope email address: trinitywoh@gmail.com *CNN Freedom Project report dated August 26, 2013. Photo credits: Linda Freeman. Biogas Diagram created by Heifer International.

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Children of Inmates

Impacts the Lives of Incarcerated

Women and Their Children More than 15,000 children in Miami Dade County have a parent in prison or jail. The incarceration of parents has severe, unseen consequences for children who are often left confused and uncertain about their future. Research has shown that children with incarcerated parents are more likely than their peers to exhibit depression, poor academic achievement, separation anxiety,

impaired

development,

acute

emotional traumatic

stress reactions, survivor guilt, and delinquent juvenile behaviors such as drug use, violence, and teen pregnancy. To address this unmet social service need, Peacemaker Family Center partnered with four other local organizations to develop the Service Network for Children of

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In the last seven years, COI has served over 1,500 children and been recognized by the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) as a best-practice model program. COI has grown into a network of 12 faith-based and professional organizations coordinating innovative services to strengthen the bond between children and their imprisoned parents and mitigate the trauma caused by the separation.

Thank you letter from an incarcerated mother in the COI program.

Inmates (COI) in 2006. The overall goal of the Service Network for Children of Inmates is to end intergenerational incarceration.

One of the services provided by COI is the Quarterly Bonding Visit. Developed by the COI leadership team and a warden from FDOC in 2007, Quarterly Bonding Visits occur on weekdays when the children have a school holiday or teacher work day. The itinerary of the day includes a Parenting Tips session for the incarcerated parent before the children arrive, a themed arts and craft project, a family luncheon, and free play with toys and games. During this past holiday season, COI took children and their caregivers to eight Florida correctional facilities: Dade, Homestead, Charlotte, Lowell (Main), Lowell Reception, Broward, DeSoto, Everglades. Natasha*, one of the incarcerated women, who was able to see her four month old son for the first time since he was born in August. She wrote us a Thank You letter expressing her gratitude for the program (excerpt shown left). If you would like to assist in this ministry or become a financial supporter of COI, please call 786-888-HOPE (4673). girl f rie n d s 2 0 1 4

G G G by

Robyn Wilkerson 22

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Relax in God’s

RACE RACE RACE Grace. It’s not a word used much in everyday conversation. Grace isn’t a topic we discuss with our girlfriends over coffee, or with our colleagues in the break room.

I’m not talking about how graceful a beautiful woman is as she walks down the hallway, or the graceful lines of a piece of furniture or a pair of high heels. I’m talking about true grace. The GRACE of God. The Greek word charis, the origin of our English word grace, means divine, gracious, favor and blessing; gracious care, help, goodwill, benefit, gift, goodness, benefaction and endowment. I know that is a lot to take in, but even if we think about only one part of the definition we can see how wonderful God’s grace is! girl f rie n d s 2 0 1 4

“As a father is kind to his children, so the Lord is kind to those who honor him. He knows what we are made of; he remembers that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:13-14 GN) God understands you completely. He’s fully aware of your humanity. He knows your faults, fears, failures, and frustrations. He doesn’t expect you to be Superwoman. If you’re a parent, do you love your children at every stage of their development, or are you waiting until they’re mature to love them? The point is, God loves you at every stage of your development, so you don’t have to have unresolved guilt and unrealistic expectations. Listen: There is nothing you will ever do that will make God love you more than he does right now. There is nothing you will ever do that will make God love you less than he does right now. God’s love is unconditional. It’s not based on what you do or don’t do. I like to think of it like this: I have four kids. All of them had to learn to walk, and all four of them went through the same process: They’d take a step; they’d stumble. They’d get up, take two steps, then stumble. They’d get up and take a couple steps and fall again.

stumble, God says, “Get up! What are you doing, you dummy?”

The Bible teaches us that, “There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 TEV). What does that mean? Let’s say I take a card and write every single thing I’ve ever done wrong on it — all my sins, faults, mistakes, all the skeletons in my closet, all the shameful acts and thoughts and memories and temptations. Then I put the card in a book and close it. You can’t see the card anymore; you can only see the book. That’s the way God sees us when Jesus is in our lives. He no longer sees our sin; he sees Jesus at work in our lives. When you come to Christ and say, “God, here’s my life. Everything I’ve ever done wrong, every time I’ve ever made a mistake, all those stupid things I’ve done. I want to put my life in Jesus Christ,” Jesus wraps you with his love. God looks at Jesus and sees that Jesus is perfect; he doesn’t see your sin. That’s what it means to relax in God’s grace.

Think About It • If God doesn’t see your sin anymore, what do you need to let go of so that you are also not focused on your sin? • What more could you do for God if you were able to relax in his grace?

“There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1 TEV)

As their m o t h e r, what was my reaction? Did I scold them? “What are you doing stumbling? You’re a Wilkerson! Wilkersons don’t stumble! You can do better than that.” Of course not! How silly! But a lot of us think that’s how God treats us. We think that every time we 24

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When we have faith in God and maintain a relationship with Him, He in return gives us favor. He blesses us in more ways than we can count, cares for us even when we don’t care for ourselves, and helps us through life’s difficult situations.

Relationship with God and Others Relationship is the key to grace. We experience God’s grace through His relationship with us, and He allows us to share it through our relationship with others. By extending grace to others, we are responding to God’s grace. Looking back, I can see grace in the earliest relationships of my life. My father showed grace in how he cared for his family. He worked hard to provide for us, even as he worked to serve as a role model and pastor for the people in his congregation. Think of relationships in your life that reflected God’s grace. Maybe your grandmother always had a hug for you when you were sad. Did you have a teacher who took time to show you they cared about you, not just your test score? I can remember times when a stranger appeared at just the right time and showed kindness when I was having a horrible day. ALL of these people were extending favor to others, they were a reflection of God’s grace.

Love Conquers All My father is gone to heaven now, but I know I will get to spend eternity with him. God created all of us to live in relationship for eternity. Think about that for a moment. You are going to spend eternity with those you love, and even better, an eternity with God!

someone is controlling you. Have you ever said, “You make me so mad”? What you’re admitting at that point is, “You are controlling me.” The only way you get this person out of your mind and heart and not controlling you any more is you heal it with grace — God’s grace. Hebrews 12:15 says, “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” (NIV). Friends, if you don’t get God’s grace in your life, life will make you bitter. Because life isn’t fair. Why? Because sin is in the world. We live on a broken planet. This is not Heaven. Evil people get away with evil things all the time. Life is not fair. And if you don’t get grace in your heart, it’s going to make you bitter. Is forgiveness fair? Absolutely not. But it is not about fairness. It is not about justice. It’s about grace. You don’t forgive a person because it’s the fair thing to do. You forgive a person because it’s the right thing to do, and you don’t want your heart full of poison. You don’t want your heart holding on to the hurt and the hate. Leave justice to God. Heal your bitterness with his grace.

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” (Hebrews 12:15 NIV)

Now let’s take that a step further. We are going to spend eternity with ALL of God’s children. So what about that person who annoys you every week in small group? Or the boss you cannot stand…..or the friend who betrayed you? You know them; everything they say just rubs you the wrong way. Your only goal is to avoid them, or escape as fast as possible.

If you’re still holding on to resentment, then

Serving Others Serving others is another way to show grace. Jesus came to earth to serve others. He even told His disciples to set an example by helping others. The examples of His actions help us know God. girl f rie n d s 2 0 1 4

He shows us that authority is not the goal in life, helping others is. My father set a wonderful example for me when it comes to serving others. I watched him serve my mother by mother by cooking dinner every Wednesday. He served different member of the community in different ways, and I learned from his example. I am blessed to know so many people who serve others. The foundation of our ministry is serving the community. Goodwill and benefaction were two of the words in the definition of grace, and I can attest that I see grace manifest around me every day. One elderly man recently came into the Peacemakers Food Bank and said that he hadn’t believed in religion for a long time, but their grace and unconditional love had changed his life. He was smiling for the first time in months. Their grace changed his outlook on life and started him on a path to reconciliation with God. That is the power of grace and love.

Grace Saves Us Most importantly of all, we are saved by Grace. No matter how hard we work to gain God’s favor, we cannot work our way into His Grace. God showed His love for us by making the ultimate sacrifice. He sent His Son to die for us because of His mercy and grace. He showed each of us how much He desires a relationship with us in the most tangible way. It is our job to share that grace with others, through our relationships and service to others. We need to extend grace as a way to introduce others to God’s grace. If we are to be who God wants us to be, our relationships may have to change a lot. It will not be easy, and it will not be an immediate change. We need to have patience, both with ourselves and with others. God will finish the work He has started in us. God wants us to enjoy eternal life. GOD’S GRACE IS HIS LOVE FOR US.

You are covered by grace! 26

COVERGIRL

Trinity Church CDF Freedom SchoolsÂŽ After Care Program

Bus pick-up available from many area elementary & middle schools

Kids & Teens ages 5 to 14 Mondayâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Friday l After school to 6pm Trinity Church North Campus 17801 NW 2nd Avenue Miami Gardens, FL 33169 Games, reading, drama, sports, music, field trips, loving trained staff, character building curriculum, crafts, science exploration, art, and FUN!

Call 786-888-5433 trinitychristianacademymiami.org trinitychurch.tv

DCF Childcare License #C11MD1596 (north campus) and #C11MD0636 (south campus)

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The strength of a woman is not measured by the impact that all her hardships in life have had on her; but the strength of a woman is measured by the extent of her refusal to allow those hardships to dictate her and who she becomes. C. JoyBell C.

COVERGIRL

girl f rie n d s 2 0 1 4

COVERGIRL

girl f rie n d s 2 0 1 4

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in !"#$%!&"'(")*+*,-*."'&"/*)"($012

COVERGIRL

It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years. Audrey Hepburn

girl f rie n d s 2 0 1 4

COVERGIRL

There are women

make it through.

There are women who change

who- through strength and courage-

of wit and wisdom

And women who make us smile.

a difference.

There are women who make

make their way.

who make things happen.

There are women

simply by showing up.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are women who make things better...

Joan of Arc

that is a fate more terrible than dying.”

and to live without belief,

But to sacrifice what you are

and we live it

“One life is all we have

as we believe in living it.

Wo m e n l i k e y o u . ” Ashley Rice

the world everyday...

REAL WORLD COVERGIRLs Be inspired by these reallife women who have found refuge in Christ.

COVERGIRL

Vanessa Freeman Med School Student â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cover is a multidimensional action word. One can be covered by another just as one can do so for her-

self. The covering can be literal as to cover

oneself with clothing or a shield for protection from cold or danger. Conversely, the

covering can be figurative as to cover oneself with the praise of others. To be a Cover Girl is to be a multidimensional woman who is not only covered in a

divine way, but who can also continually cover oneself and extend such power

and protection to others. In other

words, this is a woman who is not only blessed beyond

measure, but she also is a

woman who is able to stand strong in transient

periods of adversity (as they are transient

and WILL pass) &

blesses others simply by being

a part of their lives.â&#x20AC;? girl f rie n d s 2 0 1 4

“When When it comes to fitness, God’s covering gives me the opportunity to try again and grow in discipline

each day. It states in Psalm 23:3-4, “He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths

of righteousness for his name sake”, meaning his grace and unconditional

love for me covers me in every moment. i’ve learned

to laugh when you can, apologize when you

should and let go of what you can’t change.

find COnfidenCe in yOurself

by putting yOur trust

in Christ..”

my nAme’s Tressy tressy, i’m St. Fleur A Fitness fitness entusiAst & Enthusiast A COVergirl!

38 36

COVe Er Rg G iI r R lL

“God personally personally covers covers me me inin the the area area of of self self congod trol, which which isis one one of the fruits fruits of the spirit. in In my past

iI struggled struggled with with anger, anger, suffered suffered from from depression depression and had maj o r trust i s sues. These ems had major trust issues. Theseprobl prob-

stemmed from different events events in my life lems stemmed from different in that my took place as an adolescent. It all began life that took place as an adolescent. it all at gan the at age nine I wasi was raped by theofage of when nine when raped be

by my moms mom’sboyfriend, boyfriend, which which led led me me to to join ageage of twelve a gang gangatatthethe of 12and andparticipate partici-

pate in heavy drug andalcohol alcohol abuse. abuse. in heavy drug and my My past past poured pouredinto intomy mypresent presentdaily life

until i made the decision to forgive, release judgment and cast all my cares upon god. this decision brought healing,

deliverance and self control into my life. before i covered myself with what the world

Janet my nAme’s “Realize” reAlize, i’m Plaza An Artist &A Artist COVergirl!

had to offer but now

i cover myself with the blood of Jesus.

tOdAy i stAnd

COmpletely set free. i Am A COVergirl..” girl g irlfr rie iends 2014

39 37

“Psalm 91 Is one of my favorite Psalms.

Verses 2 and 4 say, “I will say of the Lord,

He is my refuge and my fortress; my God,

in Him I will trust. He shall cover you with

His feathers, and under His wings you

shall take refuge.” In addition to

His wings, there is also

the blood covering.

I think I identified

with that little bird – always

secure under

God’s lovi n g w i n g s.” Bonnie Wilkerson Grandma, Pastor & married for 63 years & counting!

COVERGIRL

“Recently, I was robbed and kidnapped by gunpoint. I would have never thought that something so traumatizing could happen to me. While, I was in the trunk of my car, hearing one of the suspects say “if she kicks,

moves or screams I’m going to shoot her’, I immediately began to pray.... then I started to panic. I felt

as if I couldn’t breathe and then I heard a voice say, “Don’t be afraid, I am with you.” I knew it was God and I just started asking God to protect me and cover me with his blood. Then I

started to pray for the two boys that robbed and kidnapped me, that God would soften their hearts and they would let me go. I can only thank God that they

didn’t injure me and they left the trunk open so that I could

leave when they ran away. It reminded me that no

matter what storm we face, no matter what attacks the enemy has planned, we serve

a God that is mighty and undefeated.

HE is not done with me yet and I am here for a reason.”

Jamila Pereira Grad Student

girl f rie n d s 2 0 1 4

Daniella Freeman New Mom

“God’s covering is what gives me hope as a new mother. Noah was an unexpected

addition to our family in our first year of marriage, and it was scary at first. But God’s covering has strengthened us, challenged us, humbled us, and given

us confidence. He has given me the peace to know that

He will be with us always. I know He guides me on this

journey, teaching me how to be a better

Mother for my son. No matter what

happens in my life, God is there

with me, seeing me through every step of the way.” 42

COVERGIRL

“Our physical appearance is a small part of

what makes us beautiful. In my life,

I discovered my true beauty when l discovered my true worth. I always thought

I wasn’t very beautiful and I didn’t value

myself. After having four children I finally realized that God had always loved me and I didn’t need a man to tell me

I was beautiful to believe it. God told me to look within myself and find who

He created me to be. He told me I am priceless and to move forward into greatness.

After that life-changing

realization, l kept my

head up & never looked back

on my past.” Suzeline Celestine Mom & Student

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“God’s covering has helped me in my marriage. It’s really opened my eyes to be self-

less and understand that marriage is not about being perfect, it’s about

helping each other become better. Putting God in the center of my marriage helps me understand that it’s okay to say sorry and forgive as Christ

forgives us. God has taught me how to be a wife who encourages my husband in everything he does and we keep our

marriage strong by making prayer a daily

thing in our marriage. Having faith and

always trusting Jesus with Karla Lopez Newlywed

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everything that we do is the foundation of

our relationship.”

“When I have decisions to make and I do

not have answers, God is always faithful. Some decisions are straight forward, how ever,

some are not. These are the moments that I have to trust in God

for direction. He has a covering that is a lot like an umbrella. When I am walking in the will that He has

chiseled out for my life, I am

reminded of His promise

“I will never leave you

nor forsake you.” That is my assurance that

God has a promise

for me therefore

he will help

me on ce I seek him.”

Antoinette “Toni” Singh Married for 23 years & mom

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My is my name nAme’s ,

_____________________________ ______________________________

I’m i’m

__________________________ ___________________________

__________________________________ __________________________________

&A a COVergirl! CoverGirl!

46 42

CO O VV eE r Rg G iI r R lL C

Covergirl... COVergirl... what’s WhAt’s your yOur story? stOry? Head over to Conference Room A, B, C Visit the lobby thisLink weekend (across from the Café) to share your story story with our your very veryown owncovergirl covergirl with media team!team. We want your story! our media

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A LIFE OF WORSHIP Qwith &A

CECE WINANS 48

COVERGIRL

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CG: CeCe, What inspired you to become a gospel artist? CW: My family inspired me to become a gospel singer. My mom, dad and all my siblings all sang gospel music together growing up. And I was inspired to keep blessing people by singing Good News. CG: How have you and your family found time for God and continue spiritually in the midst of an extremely busy schedule? CW: I was always taught that keeping your personal relationship with God is most important. You put God first on your schedule, He must come before anything and anybody else. I must be filled with the presence of God if I’m going to minister to others. CG: How have you allowed mistakes or family mishaps to ultimately cause your family to prosper? CG: What is the correlation between your music and CW: God specializes in turning what the enemy

how it inspires families around the world?

meant for evil into something good. I always handle my mistakes or family mishaps according to God’s

CW: I am a firm believer if it comes from the heart it

Word! When I mess up I must repent like everyone

touches the heart my music – my life inspires families

else. I must apologize when I offend and I must

around the world because the God who created the

forgive when offended. When you obey God’s Word

world lives within me. It’s who I live for and sing for

in every situation God will do the miraculous!!

that people relate to.

“When you obey God’s Word in every situation God will do the miraculous!!!” 

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CG: How did your solo career

CG: Coming from such a large family

evolve?

of ten, what family values attributed to the talents, anointing and renown

CW: Wow! First solo in church

greatness of the Winan’s family?

at the age of around eight years old. I sang with my family in

CW: Holiness!! The prayers of those

family concerts sponsored by my

who were before us, those who were

parents throughout my early teens.

over us prayed and fasted for my

Andraé Crouch allowed me to sing

whole family. They knew God had

background for him on one of his

a plan to use us as individuals and

albums. My brother Bebe and I

as a family, so they taught us to live

went to sing on a Christian television show when I

out The Word of God. My parents, grandparents,

was seventeen. And a couple of years later we got a

great grandparents, and my pastor covered us by

offer to record and the rest is history. God has been

disciplining us.

faithful every step of the way. CG: What impartation does your anointed musical lyrics give to our COVERGIRLS? CW: I want to encourage everyone to Love God with all your heart!

CeCe Winans is a multi Grammy award-winning, best-selling, high-profile worshipper, but when CeCe celebrates what matters most, she’s focused on “the power of the living God, His awesomeness and His holiness.” Her music serves to remind us that “nothing is more powerful than when you’re face to face with God.” We are thrilled to have CeCe with CeCe with her brother, BeBe

us in concert at Girlfriends Conference this year!

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COOK like a

COVERGIRL

with Donna Caudill

Donna’s Delicious Pork Tenderloin Ingredients

Directions

Marinade 2 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves) 11/2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves 2 teaspoons yellow mustard 1 can of Pepsi 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice 2 cups low sodium soy sauce 1 teaspoon Kosher salt 1 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper 3 pork tenderloins (about 1 pound each) Olive Oil

Combine marinade ingredients in a sturdy 1-gallon resealable plastic bag. Add the pork tenderloins and turn to coat with the marinade. Squeeze out the air and seal the bag. Marinate the pork in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours but preferably overnight. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Remove the tenderloins from the marinade and discard the marinade but leave the herbs that cling to the meat. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large oven-proof sauté pan over medium-high heat. Sear the pork tenderloins on all sides until golden brown. Place the sauté pan in the oven and roast the tenderloins for 10 to 15 minutes or until the meat registers 137 degrees F at the thickest part. Transfer the tenderloins to a platter and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Allow to rest for 10 minutes. Carve in 1/2-inch-thick diagonal slices. The thickest part of the tenderloin will be quite pink (it’s just fine!) and the thinnest part will be well done. Season with salt and pepper, serve warm or at room temperature with the juices that collect in the platter. Searing is an important part, do not skip this step. It locks in the juices before roasting in the oven. If you don’t have fresh herbs, dried can be substituted or omitted. Your favorite seasoning blend can be added in marinade.

Oven Roasted Corn on the Cobb

Ingredients

Directions

6 1 2 6

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Mix oil and seasoning blend. Coat each ear of corn in 2 tablespoons of the oil mixture and wrap individually in foil. Roast until hot and steaming, about 25 to 35 minutes.

ears corn, shucked cup of Vegetable Oil teaspoons of Montreal Steak Seasoning (can substitute your favorite spice blend or garlic powder, kosher salt & pepper) Aluminum foil squares large enough to fully wrap each ear of corn

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Can also be cooked on outdoor grill, tuning frequently and check after 10 minutes. Delicious with hot sauce added to the oil mixture as well. Oil can be replaced with butter.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Ingredients 4 slices cooked bacon, chopped (reserve liquefied fat) 2 tablespoon olive oil 1 small onion, chopped 11/2 pounds Brussels sprouts, halved Salt and pepper, to your taste Garlic Powder Directions SautĂŠ onion in olive oil. Toss the halved Brussels sprouts with chopped bacon, bacon fat and sautĂŠed onion. Season to taste with Garlic Powder, Salt & Pepper. Roast in Oven for 40 minutes at 375 degrees. Montreal Steak Seasoning can be substituted for the Salt & Pepper and Garlic Powder or your favorite seasoning blend. Do not over cook the bacon, because it will finish in the oven, you really just want to cook down the fat. This is the best way I have found to cook Brussels Sprouts. Tastes delicious. Enjoy. Fresh Brussels Spouts are best but frozen can be used.

Quick and Easy Best Tasting Red Velvet Cupcakes Ingredients 1 boxed red velvet cake mix 3 large eggs 1 /3 cup vegetable oil 11/2 cups buttermilk 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 1 cup chocolate chips Cream Cheese Icing 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened 1 /2 cup butter, softened (1 stick) 4 cups powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla Directions Mix eggs, vegetable oil and buttermilk together until well incorporated. Add in cake mix and cocoa powder. Mix for two minutes on medium speed. Gently mix in the chocolate chips. Prepare the cupcake liners and scoop in the batter making sure not to over fill them. Bake as directed on the box instructions. Mix cream cheese and butter until well incorporated, stir in vanilla. Add in powdered sugar one cup at a time, until all mixed together. Once cupcakes have completed cooled, frost with cream cheese icing. Packaged Icing can be substituted. Cupcakes can be topped with cake crumbs or tinted sugar or sprinkles. Cake mixture can be made into two 9 inch cake rounds instead of cupcakes. Icing will top the cupcakes best from a pastry bag with a smooth round tip.

Donna Caudill studied Culinary Arts at Johnson and Wales University and received a bachelors degree in 2001. During college Donna worked at Indian Creek Country Club under a Swiss Pastry Chef for two years. She also worked with Famous Cookbook Authors and Food Brokers. Donna currently is the General Manager for Aramark Corporation and manages $7 million in top line sales and is responsible for over 150 employees and 12 managers at 10 different corporate offices in South Florida. She loves to travel, enjoy fine dining and began coming to Trinity Church in July of 1997. Donna is our COVERGIRL CHEF! girl f rie n d s 2 0 1 4

Poetic thoughts

for a covergirl

Covered by Katrina Naar She is covered, every given morning sun That breathes the first ray of daylight into casting shadows of past Flawless she awakens For the blood that she is reigned in calls all specks of muck into its place And to the ground they fall But she rises up only to find herself on her knees again, clothed in the finest they come For she wears the grace and redemption of the Risen Son In this day, this day that she has She enters His presence with joyful song and thanksgiving Fasting from the worlds calling to rest her head at His feet just to hear from Him, just to speak “Father,” she humbly prays. “I thank you. For who you are, for what you’ve done and are going to do. Use me in this day to bring you glory.” And she waits She waits upon The Lord to find new strength To walk with purpose and in victory To be refueled and refreshed Today, Each aspect of her spiritual and physical attire bleed through life’s tests and mires Leaving behind only lessons learned for her next trial Yet the beauty of this truth that she dwells in lies between her past and future 54

COVERGIRL

It wasn’t always this way, The freedom she lives in today The light that shines through her face was once masked by past of shadows casting into daylight of ray First, the breathes that sun morning gave every, Choked her with specks of muck that seeped through her skin, to her insides, n ran down as tears from eyes Covered was she is sin As impurities forced her to the ground She fell Crying out for help An illusion from her eyes to those who passed by That didn’t notice she was dying from the inside Her routine became a religious show For anyone who cared to look her way But she knew that life could not remain in the dirty cloth she wore And one day, in one moment after many All that pursuit of what the world gave She gave her life to gain new skin That overtime she grew in As her filthy rags of clothe were cleansed Covered is she, every given morning sun today and forever more

Cover Girl by Realize

Vibe’n, slide’n, live it up ride’n, Watch the women stand up as we risin, Rib from the man yet it’s us they survive in Made to give birth in his image n his likeness, Survivor taken over pain we can bear Head held high thru the storms were prepared, Both young and old different races we stand United one body in Christ on demand, Love hard, patience, strong in our minds Give praise to our King with our hands lifted high, You can come against us tare us with your words Watch as we shake it off rise above the herds, Tears revealed we can never be broken Soldier’s in a battle winners with purpose, Enemy defeated under our feet God gets the victory yes we are free! Leave legacies through a life, pray together bring the light, Women of faith Cover Girls we unite, Rockin dat pink, nikes stay clean, Rendezvous logos crushin the scene, Women with power glowin through the night Warriors engraved through the blood of Christ, This is a cover girl reppin with the truth Catch us with our crown in city near you!

Healing for a Broken Woman

by Richardy Blanchard

I stood gazing in front of a mirror at the woman that stood before me. It is a reflection of myself that I could barely recognize My eyes expressionless as I stared back at my scares Eerie flashbacks of moments made through crimson colored tears. It is the constant reminder of the darkness and emptiness that this world could offer, Like Eve tasting of the forbidden tree. It’s the destruction of “The Garden of Eden”; my youthful innocence lost and stolen And was buried somewhere deep inside of me.

Until one day it dawned on me, “use to be.” Past tense, meaning I no longer had to remain shackled to the pain of my past But I had the power to heal and become whole and apply the balm of Peace. The peace of loving myself unconditionally. See the scars were once a reminder of my hurt but it also told a story of my survival. A road map of whom I was becoming and whom I was called to be. Purposed to be a voice of the Voiceless. Purposed to be a Conqueror of whatever life brought my way

Now my flesh bared the wounds and scares on the outside but nothing could compare to the wounds on the inside. A Broken, shallow image of my former self. Scared, and each day I would pick at my scares and scabs, Reminding myself of what I’ve done and what I use to be.

Now I stood gazing in front of a mirror at the woman that stood before me. It is a refection of a woman that I could take pride in and whose eyes beamed with life’s wisdom. Lived and was given a second chance, Broken and renewed And through the sufferings of the experiences within my soul, I am strengthened and healed to be an example that even after being buried our youthful treasure will always be deep inside of us. © 2012 Richardy Blanchard. All rights reserved.

girl f rie n d s 2 0 1 4

Connect doing life together by Angela Norman

Designed to help every member at Trinity Church find a group of people with whom they can belong. Connect Groups happen every day of the week all over the Miami area. Whatever you are passionate about, we have a group where you can get connected.

I love the word Connect. It simply means doing life together, coming together for a common purpose or a common goal. Another definition says fastening together. But the shared word in all these definitions is TOGETHER. We were never meant to do life alone. We were meant to do it TOGETHER! Throughout scripture you’ll find that God wants us to have people to do life with. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says it best “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together

Fitness Connect Group “KukMuKwan/ MissionImPOSSIBLE Miami” led by Kervin Beaujin and Johanne Wilson, Share A moment of Prayer to prepare for an intense workout

COVERGIRL

can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken” You see, we need each other! We all will go through very difficult times. And we need someone there who is willing to walk by our side. But we also go through some really “Christian on a Mission” Connect Group led by Yveta Brise walked the streets of “Little Haiti” in Miami Fl, handing out gifts on Christmas morning. incredible times, and we need people there to celebrate with us. That’s what connect group provides. It’s a family away from family. It’s a support system when no one seems to understand you. It’s a group of people that you can trust they are praying for you. It’s people that believe in you. I could tell you story after story about people’s lives that’ve been changed by connect groups. So I’ll tell you mine. When I was a teenager in high school, life was intimidating. I didn’t even know how to approach my day or how to live a Godly life. So I decided to join a connect group. I had been involved in church my whole life, but still never felt at home. So finally I just decided that I could either choose to keep feeling like I’m walking through life alone or I can find people to do life with. It was my choice. So I did just that, I joined a connect group. It not only changed me, but I have friends that I still consider my greatest friends, even after 13 years. These are friends that I would’ve never had if I hadn’t decided to go to connect group that night. These friends have literally been from the valleys to the mountaintops with me. And for that I am forever grateful to connect groups. The truth is, that is exactly what God wants you to have. Relationships that will encourage you, challenge you, and most of all walk through life with you. I believe everyone should be in a connect group, because everyone needs someone. As a church we believe a way for you to feel at home is to get into a connect group! Its not only an opportunity for you to receive but it’s an opportunity for you to be that “someone” to somebody else.

We have several groups for you to join. Make sure you find one and try it out; you can stop by the Next Steps booth or visit www.girlfriendsconf.com. So excited for you to build the most life-changing relationships!

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Stop by our bookstore for Girlfriends Tshirts, Fabulous Jewelry, DVDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Resources & more!

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A PLACE FOR YOUR FAMILY! KidZone/Childcare provided in all services

Information & Prayer: 786-888-HOPE (4673) TrinityChurch.tv | Peacemakers.com | theVous.com

TRINITY 17801 NW 2nd Avenue • Miami Gardens, FL 33169 MIAMI Sunday FunDay! – 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm & 5:30pm GARDENS The Vous (Young Adults) – Tuesday 7:30pm Vous Youth United – 2nd Thursday every month

TRINITY 655 NW 125th Street • North Miami, FL 33168 NORTH Sunday FunDay! – 10:30am & 12:30pm MIAMI Vous Youth – 2pm

Watch Us TUESDAY NIGHTS @ TRINITY CHURCH 7:30pm

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WOMEN OF HOPE MINISTRY Thursday: 10am–2pm Sunday: 12m–3pm

Peacemakers Family Center & Trinity Church

Have you been ever been sexually abused or exploited? Have you ever been a victim of domestic violence? Are you ready for restoration?

Women of Hope Ministry was designed for you. Weekly support groups, restorative counseling, safe housing, and mentoring from women who have overcome are just a few of the services this ministry provides. For more information and to enroll, please contact Mrs. Ramos at 727-379-4673 or email trinitywoh@gmail.com

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Assisting our congregation and our community with services and programs, including:

 Social Service Counseling  Job Placement Services  Unemployment Insurance Benefit Counseling  Parenting Education  many more Family Support Services

786-888-HELP

4357

www.peacemakers.com OPEN FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! Monday–Thursday: 9am–5pm Sunday: 9am–7pm

The Peacemakers Family Center office is open for walk-ins and appointments. Staff members will assess needs and connect those who are eligible to resources available in the community.To schedule an appointment, please call 786-888-4357.

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NOW OPEN!

Sundays from 12pm to 3pm / Thursdays from 10am to 2pm Located at Trinity Church’s North Miami Campus 655 NW 125th Street, North Miami, FL 33168 We distribute USDA and *TEFAP commodities (Additional foods may be available) *The Emergency Food Assistance Program

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RESTAURANTS

Hiro’s Yakko-San Japanese

Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill

The Cheesecake Factory

Wynwood Kitchen & Bar

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza

Crumb on Parchment

Miami Juice

Power Smoothie

Sushi, Tapas $$ Vegan Friendly, Kid Friendly, Late Night, Free Wi-Fi, Outdoor Dining (305) 947-0064 3881 NE 163rd St N. Miami Beach, 33160

Desserts/Ice Cream, Bakery, International $$$ Kid Friendly, Late Night (305) 792-9696 19501 Biscayne Blvd Aventura, 33180 Aventura Mall

Pizza, Italian, Sandwiches/Subs $$ (305) 830-2625 17901 Biscayne Blvd Aventura, 33160

Vegetarian, Smoothies, Middle Eastern $$ Vegan Friendly, Outdoor Dining (305) 945-0444 18660 Collins Ave Sunny Isles Bch, 33160

Japanese, Tapas Latin American $$ Kid Friendly, Late Night, Outdoor Dining (786) 369-0353 Wynwood/Edgewater 3250 NE 1st Ave Miami, 33137

American, Latin American, Tapas $$$ Late Night, Live Music, Outdoor Dining (305) 722-8959 Wynwood/Edgewater 2550 NW 2nd Ave Miami, 33127

Sandwiches/Subs, Bakery, Salads $ Kid Friendly, Delivery (305) 572-9444 3930 NE 2nd Ave Miami, 33137

Smoothies, Wraps, $$ (305) 792-5338 20475 Biscayne Blvd #G-14 Promenade Shops Aventura, Florida

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grace

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love

mercy

Special Guest

Lisa Bevere January 16-18

Reserve your spot today!

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You are now and forever a Covergirl.

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