Woman Ignite Success Summit 2022 Conference Magazine

ISSUE #1

Editor’s Note Woman, IGNITE!!

You are entering a safe and radical space! Let your hair down, relax and open your heart to receive all the GOOD things God has in store for you. You were created for MORE! And through this community, we will help you to realize your MORE! Anticipate your BREAKTHROUGH, be hopeful for your BETTER and wait for the LORD to manifest your STRONGER! Stronger businesses, stronger families, stronger careers, stronger marriages, stronger health, stronger faith and a stronger mind!

Welcome to the inaugural Woman Ignite Success Summit 2022 (WISS2022)!

Our goal is to host thousands of women 18-65+years, and provide a safe community for them to learn, engage and grow through the various skills and experiences of the Christian ministers, educators, executives, business leaders and glass-ceiling breakers who have come together to support this initiative.

Over the next two days, you are invited to discover and ignite personal goals and passions, whether you are in the workplace, leading corporate entities, running your own business, navigating school life, leading a ministry at church or whether you just feel lost, misplaced or in pursuit of your purpose. Are you ready to IGNITE? Me too!

3rd John 1:2 reminds us that, God’s plan and wish is for us to prosper and be in health, even as our souls prosper. Believe that your success and excellence in every area of your life is not just your hope, God wants this for you too! So, prepare to open your mind and receive it, in Jesus’s Name, Amen!

Keneshia Nooks Blake WISS Convenor

#STRONGER

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About WISS 2022 Woman Ignite emerged as a radical enterprise, inspired by God and mandated to stir up gifts that have been placed in every woman, to help her actualize her hopes and vision to fulfil the Divine calling that is upon her life. It is a movement to help women, particularly those at-risk, to recognize their purpose and actualize their passions and goals. The Woman Ignite movement is launching with the first of its Annual Conference the Woman Ignite Success Summit 2022 (#WISS2022), under the theme STRONGER. It is our hope that through this conference women will get an opportunity to learn and understand the foundations of success in a holistic way. From propelling her faith, improving her career, deepening family relationship to earning kingdom wealth, the Lord wants us to prosper in all areas of life. The entire two-day programme is designed to empower women in the areas of family, career, business & entrepreneurship, finances, marriage & sex, mental health & wellness and faith.

A legacy project of the Summit is the Launch of the Woman Ignite Foundation (WAR Initiative), specifically focused on helping young women at risk, re-integrate into society and actualize their goals, passions and ambitions successfully. The Foundation will specifically focus on young women who have experienced trauma, incarceration, abuse, teen pregnancy or human trafficking. A special cohort of women will be invited as guests at the Summit annually.

The Summit is organized by One Integrated Group Limited (ONEGROUP), a Marketing and PR firm in Kingston, Jamaica.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:

●Visit www.womanigniteja.com ●Call or WhatsApp: +1876-404-2535 ●Email: ignite@onegroupja.com

●@womanigniteja (Facebook) ●@womanigniteja (Instagram) ●Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: Woman Ignite Jamaica

#STRONGER

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Event Schedule - DAY 1 TIME

EVENTS

SPEAKERS

8:30-9:00am

REGISTRATION

Host: Basilia Barnaby-Cuff

9:00-10:00am

Worshippers Ignite

Rhoda Isabella | Dr. Nadine Blair | Latoya HD | Christina Broderick

10:00 -10:25am

FEATURED PARTNERS: "Sponsored" Blessing

Digicel | Sagicor | Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport

Woman Ignite: Welcome Remarks

Keneshia Nooks-Blake

KEYNOTE: When Two Become One (MARRIAGE & SEX)

Bishop Dr. Carla Dunbar & Pastor Junior Tucker

11:30am -12:30pm

PANEL DISCUSSION: Leading Lady (CAREER, BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP)

Hucey, Dr. Sara Lawrence, Natalie Taylor (virtual)

12:30 -1:00 pm

LUNCH

BREAK

1:00 - 2:00 pm

WORKSHOP: The Power of Prayer (Teaching Women how to pray specifically)

Pastor Dianne Fletcher

2:00 - 3:00 pm

KEYNOTE: Building Kingdom Wealth (FINANCES)

Bishop Courtney McLean

3:00 - 3:30 pm

Worshippers Ignite

Rhoda Isabella | Dr. Nadine Blair | Latoya

3:30 - 4:00 pm

EXHIBITION/LYME

HD | Christina Broderick

10:25 - 10:30 am 10:30 - 11:30am

#STRONGER

Audrey Hinchcliffe, Tammara Glaves

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Event Schedule - DAY 2 TIME

EVENTS

SPEAKERS

8:30-9:00am

REGISTRATION

Host: Alysia Moulton-White

9:00-10:00am

Worshippers Ignite

Nadine Blair & Friends

10:00 - 10:05 am

Opening Remarks

Dr. Caroline Leaf

10:35 - 11:35am

PANEL DISCUSSION: Mental Health is Spiritual Wealth (HEALTH & WELLNESS)

Dr. Caroline Leaf, Jodi-Ann GoslingWilliams, Shamere McKenzie, Kiki Thombs

11:35am - 12:30pm

KEYNOTE: Building Kingdom Families (FAMILY)

Heather Lindsay (virtual)

12:30 - 1:00 pm

LUNCH

BREAK

1:00 - 2:00 pm

TESTIMONIALS: Women Inspiring Women/ Back to Back Blessings

Glacia Robinson/Dian Barrett (virtual & recorded)

2:00 - 3:00 pm

KEYNOTE: Who We Are Called To Be

Evangelist Althea Stoddart

3:00 - 3:30 pm

(FAITH/PURPOSE) Worshippers Ignite

Nadine Blair & Friends

3:30 - 4:00 pm

EXHIBITION/LYME

#STRONGER

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How to Keep Your Mental Health in Check as a Millennial Woman

by Jody-Ann Gosling Williams

W

hen we think of being healthy mentally, we think of being mentally stable and resilient – knowing how to endure life’s pressures, having a clear vision for our lives and the courage to pursue it. We think of being content, confident, joyful, at peace, living a purpose-driven, fulfilling life, and having the ability to bounce back from any curveball.

Mental health comprises of our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, it is in essence - how we think, feel and act, how we manage ourselves (our mind, emotions and body), stress, relate to others and make decisions. Hence, mental fortitude is heavily influenced by how we were raised, cultured and educated. How we view life- our perceptions/belief systems, experiences and coping mechanisms determine how we stand under pressure.

Let’s look at the average millennial woman and her experiences. A millennial woman is born during the period 1980 to early 2000. She had both the experience of going outside to meet friends, to evolving with time to a world of online interaction as a normalized part of life.

They are also known as the “anxious generation” due to the heavy exposure of social media and its negative effects (comparison, insecurity, inadequacy and the pressure of having a fictitious public image as a show of happiness and perfection). Information became more accessible than before, which made us advance, exposed and educated. Some would have experienced the effects of “The Great Recession” and not being able to find jobs after graduating or being overqualified for positions they held, this made us ambitious, competitive and focused.

Most millennial women strive for the work-life balance and usually don't see gender bias as an issue.

Currently, focus has been on having multiple streams of income especially since the COVID-19 pandemic due to the loss of jobs that drove many to secure financial stability while balancing family, work and play, which have led to mental exhaustion, fatigue, stress and in many cases mental disorders. Such as: • Mood disorders (depression or bipolar disorder) • Anxiety disorders • Psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia) • Eating disorders • Trauma-related disorders (such as post-traumatic stress disorder) • Substance abuse disorders Around 1-in-7 people globally (11-18%) have one or more mental or substance use disorders. Globally, mental illness affects more females (11.9%) than males (9.3%), (Our World in Data, 2017, 2018).

Nearly 1 billion people live with a mental disorder. Every year, close to 3 million people die due to substance abuse. Every 40 seconds, a person dies by suicide. About 50% of mental health disorders start by the age of 14.

(2020-2021 blogs.worldbank.org/health/mental-health-lessons-learned-2020-2021-and-forward).

How does the Millennial Woman keep her mental health in check?

Thankfully, this generation is more open to the discussion of mental health and have put much focus on normalizing therapy. However, statistics show that the numbers are still very high. Some are even disabled as a result of their illness and some even die. There is much that meets the eye when it comes to the management and treatment of one’s mental health, therapy includes medical and psychological yes, however, with the incorporation of the spiritual, recovery can be lasting. Spiritual intervention is connecting us to the source of our healing, through salvation -help in distress, deliverance from bondage, harm, ruin and loss (see John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10).

How to Keep Your Mental Health in Check as a Millennial Woman

by Jody-Ann Gosling Williams

The millennial woman needs the word of God as armoury to equip her with the tools on how to overcome challenges. I have summarized 3 solutions based on my experience as a Deliverance Minister: 1. Self-Awareness 2. Balance 3. Direction Self-Awareness 1. Being honest with ourselves, knowing when we need help through accountability and fellowship (Ephesians 9:19, Hebrews 10:23). Pride and self-deception blocks us from the truth and the truth sets us free.

(Proverbs 9:19, John 8:32,1 John1:8-9, Proverbs 28:13-14).

2. Prioritizing time for introspection – examining/observing our mental and emotional processes. (Psalm 119:59, Psalm 142:2).

3. Understanding that we are a Three part being comprising of body, soul and spirit. The body is the physical part of us, that responds to its internal processing. The soul is where our mind, will and emotions interact (1 Thessalonians 5:23). The spirit -God connection, is our solid foundation (Psalm 62:6); being connected to the Holy Spirit helps us to discern whether the oppression is biological, mental or demonic. Sadly, not all of us seek to get connected spiritually.

When we understand that the one who created us has the ability to mend us (Isaiah 61:1-3), we will find rest. Research has shown that persons who suffered with mental illnesses and used prayer, the word or meditation had a positive effect psychologically and emotionally. In return they experienced a sense of hope, contentment, love and forgiveness. These positive experiences affects the neural pathways that connects to the endocrine and immune system, which gives evidence to healing.

For Example, the experience of praise and worship have proven to be an instant transformation to a believer’s mood and may experience increase serotonin and dopamine that would have a positive effect on the body for relief and relaxation.

Balance – Is to truly have management over your perspective, life and responsibilities. To be steady/unmoved by obstacles, focused, composed, unperturbed, grounded in your faith (Colossians 2:6-7), flexible to change and makes room and time for your wants and needs and knowing when to deny yourself. Knowing when to guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23), understanding suffering (Romans 5:3-4), that you are not alone, that nothing can separate you from the love of God, that all things are working together for your good (Romans 8:28,31-38), you are equipped (Ephesians 6:11-24) and have the support of a God who fights for you (Exodus 14:14).

Direction – Many persons have experienced a mental breakdown or confusion at some point in life, whether mildly or severely, not knowing what to do when all things seem to be falling apart or when bombarded can weigh heavily on our hearts and minds; which leads us to make decisions that either make us or break us. Who wouldn’t like help, guidance, wisdom or advice in those moments ? This is where having a personal relationship with God becomes forefront, getting under spiritual covering and having a supportive church community to help you discover who you are, whose you are and why you are here brings clarity to your purpose.

Counselling and medication is great help, but now let us also put focus on the intervention of the soul through Jesus Christ who has the ability to heal us of our infirmities (Hebrews4:15,Psalm 147:3). We are only truly saved from our internal and external afflictions by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), because salvation can be found in no one else but Jesus who supplies all our needs (Acts 4:12, Philippians 4:19).

A Neuroscientific Approach to Setting Sustainable & Attainable New Year Resolutions

by Dr Caroline Leaf

Let’s talk

about New Year’s resolutions; what they are, how to think about and make New Year’s resolutions, and how to use resolutions to bring about sustainable change in your life. First, let’s be honest with ourselves: many of us don’t stick to our New Year’s resolutions. And we are not alone! Several studies show that around 80% of people abandon their resolutions very early in the new year, usually by February.

So, why do we keep on making resolutions? What drives us to make changes in the new year? Is this a bad thing? Not at all!

From a neuroscientific perspective, it is good to set goals and not just in the new year. When we set goals, we are using our executive functions, -- thinking, feeling, and choosing -- in a more coordinated way, which generates coherence and healthy changes in the brain. For instance, when we set a goal the amygdala evaluates how important that goal is for us based on past goals we have set and achieved (or not achieved), while our frontal lobe helps us problem solve, figure out the details of how we will accomplish our goal or resolution. These parts of the brain function coherently together when we are focused on a specific goal and begin to perceive obstacles that might hinder the goal as less significant!

Even with all these great things happening in the brain, resolutions can still be hard to keep. A great way to see a New Year’s Resolution is to imagine it as a cake, identifying the ingredients needed for it to bake well:

1. Be kind to yourself and grateful for what you did achieve this past year, or even over the past two years!

Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small or big they are.

One great way to do this is writing down all the things that happened in the last year that brought you joy. Note what has changed in your life for the better—what happened over the past year that got you here?

Celebrate these achievements! And, when you do this, try to focus on the positive and reframe the negative. You may feel a sense of peace when you write this list. Embrace this feeling! Surround yourself with the people who made you happy, the things that brought you joy and the places that made you feel at peace.

Next, write down all the things you are looking forward to in 2022. Is there a vacation you are looking forward to taking? Are you visiting a friend/family member you haven’t seen in a while? Is there a new movie or TV show you want to watch, or a book you want to read? Are you starting a new job, or plan to start a new job? Do you want to achieve something specific? Why? How will this improve your life? As you write these lists, you will feel more encouraged and develop your sense of hope for the future.

2. Remember that the biggest thing about goals is the TIME it takes, whether it’s a new lifestyle habit or changing something that is stealing your peace.

Changes in thinking and behavior occur in 63-day cycles. This is how long it will take to build a new thought network that influences how we think, feel, and choose. Essentially, for a thought network to be usable (which is how a goal starts in the mind), it needs lots of energy/repetition. Repeatedly thinking about it and practicing daily, facilitates the required neurochemical and structural changes in the brain that make it a usable and useful thought, especially during the first 21-day cycle.

A Neuroscientific Approach to Setting Sustainable & Attainable New Year Resolutions

by Dr Caroline Leaf

Then, for the next 42-days, you need to continue to consciously practice using the new thought, which allows a useful habit to form.

This means that we can all realistically achieve 5 to 6 major goals or resolutions each year! Just do the math: 365days - 63day cycle = 5.8 goals achieved! Can you imagine making 6 major changes to your life each year? The transformation would be incredible!

To begin, start with 1 or 2 specific goals and break them into 9-week segments that you can start working on now and then add the others after.

Different studies indicate that new year’s resolutions tend to fail because they are often quite overarching and not specific enough.

Consequently, our motivation tends to wane as we see all the days stretch out ahead of us. Instead, try setting increments of tasks every 7-days to achieve a specific goal by the end of the 9-weeks.

For example, you may wish to be more adventurous. This is the big picture goal. Now, you can break that down and say something like, “Each month I will think of something new that I want to do that will fulfill my needs in that moment and make me feel like I am adventurous.” This will help you focus on the present moment while keeping your bigger goal in mind.

3. Practice daily mind management and self-regulation to achieve your overall goal.

Make sure you stay focused on what you want to change each day by building your goal into your mind, brain, and body in little bits each day.

To do this, I recommend using the mind management technique I have researched, developed, and applied clinically over the past three decades: the Neurocycle. This helps to deal with the root of toxic cycles in your life and reconceptualize them and how they impact your wellbeing.

It is done in 5 steps: Step 1: Gather awareness of what you are feeling emotionally and physically as you work on a negative cycle/habit in your life.

Step 2: Reflect on how this is impacting you and why—be as specific as possible.

Step 3: Write this down—this is way to help organize your thinking and gain clarity.

Step 4: Recheck what you have written. Look for patterns in your life, your relationships, your responses, your attitudes and so on. What is the antidote? What do you want to change and how?

Step 5: Take action. I call this step an “active reach”. It is essentially an action you take to reinforce the new, reconceptualized pattern of thinking you want in your life (which is replacing the old, toxic habit).

4. Set a time for when you are going to build this goal into your life, and pick a theme for the year.

This could be any word, idea, or concept that speaks to you. For example, my theme last year (which I am going to use this year again) was to have a possibilities mindset, and my mantra is that every failure is knowledge gained—when something doesn’t work out, this is a possibility to grow, because now I know something doesn’t work, and I am one step closer to achieving my goals!

As you face the start of a new year, give yourself space, compassion and grace to achieve your goals. Don’t rush the process—take things moment by moment. Remember to enjoy life while trying to achieve your goals. Don’t try to sprint through the marathon! Pace yourself, and you will be able to finish. You got this!

For more on New Year’s resolutions, listen to Dr Caroline Leaf’s podcast at drleaf.com You can also purchase her latest book Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess download her app Neurocycle on android and ios.

Woman…Walk in YOUR DIVINE Purpose!

By Toshiba Archer

What is the purpose of a woman?

It’s a heavy question with a simple answer. This subject matter has sparked much dissension, attention and thankfully some amount of liberation over the centuries. Yet the question becomes even more relevant today, when the idea of the new age woman is being challenged. Is she a representation of the biblical virtuous woman? Or is she a contradiction to the word of God? This discourse is often spurred by the need to differentiate the woman’s role versus the man’s role whether in the home, church, government, organizations, or society in general. Nonetheless, a woman’s purpose is not limited to her female role.

When we scroll through the pages of history, particularly looking at gender related laws and subsequent amendment to those laws, we see how the outcome has invariably shifted societal paradigm across the globe. And still men are feeling displaced, while countless women, likewise, are drained and struggling; struggling to become the woman God called them to be.

Still the question looms, what is the impartial purpose of a woman?

Contrary to many arguments, the Bible is not silent on this matter, nor does it contradict itself, “For God is not the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33) but as with all themes in the Bible, wisdom is needed.

all your soul and with all your mind” (Mathew 22:37). Again, King Solomon, through Divine wisdom declared that at the macro level “[when] all has been heard; the whole duty of mankind is to fear God and keep his commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Now the word man in scriptures, in many use cases has a plural meaning, and references male and female. Some Bible readers and scholars do not consider these plural references when contextualizing the purpose of a woman.

Dr Myles Munroe, answered this pre-eminent question by going back to the beginning - Genesis 1:26 -27. In these scriptures God said “Let us make man; [then] God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Here we find a profound revelation and a truth lost to many of us. Man in the true context of this scripture and in its original Hebrew form has a plural connotation. Here, man is being referred to as a spirit, which God took from Himself and poured out into two separate earthly forms- male and female.

Therefore, every human being is a man. Yes! Every female was built with the spirit of man, otherwise called the lamp of the Lord (Proverbs 20:27). And the purpose of every man-kind (male or female) is to serve God. Why then was it necessary for God to create both male and female bodies to host man? The answer is simple. God said it is not good for man to be alone (Gen 2:18). The spirit man was then given to different gender roles- so that each human would have all they need to fulfil their purpose; and for the continuity of the species and their peaceful togetherness. For these reasons, through different creative processes God formed the male BUT built the female.

Woman…Walk in YOUR DiviNE Purpose!

By Toshiba Archer

Yet the overarching purpose of man remained constant and that is to have dominion over the earth in service to God. Dr Munroe further posited that the purpose and character of both the male and female can be understood from this simple chart:

Let us examine this chart which highlights the concluding purpose of any man. You will find that the complete purpose of both the male likewise the female should be summed up from three identical viewpoints.

Clearly, attributes 1 and 2 points back to the supreme purpose of man, whether male or female. Both are made in the image of God and both are inherently made to worship Him. Here again lies the imperishable truth found in Ecclesiastes 12:13, the whole duty of both the male and female (man-kind) is to worship and serve God. If a woman is observing this first aspect of her purpose, her innermost being will freely allow her to observe the other two aspects of purpose.

The second aspect of purpose can also be derived from the fact that we are all unique and were intricately knitted together by God. No one female is exactly like the other. Psalms 139:13 reveals her idiosyncratic nature; the scripture says “For [God] created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” This stands to reason that if each human was intimately knitted with distinct features by God, so too each woman is made to carry out a distinct mission. Each woman is designed to uniquely imprint on the story of God’s reconciliation with humanity. Jeremiah 29:11 says for I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Therefore, for a woman to fully understand God’s unique plan and mission for her life, she must seek God to understand His distinctive mission for her. No other human can know this for her. This is the second aspect of purpose.

The third aspect of purpose that the female-man must consider is based on her physical gender assignment within the world. Here we see her duties, from 3-10 on the chart coming to life. Undoubtedly each female also has a duty to seek to master her female essence and play her part in supporting the male in specific ways and the overall progress of the human race in its pursuing of God. When a woman becomes aware, accepting and obedient to all three aspects of her unified purpose, she is able to actualize God’s Divine and wonderful plan for her life.

I Don’t Want to Get Married

by Kathr yn Edwards

I

had my first boyfriend when I was 7 - Jake. He was handsome, kind, romantic, funny...and very, very imaginary. That last characteristic, though, didn't stop me from telling all my friends in school about him and our incredible relationship, conveniently omitting the imaginary part. It also didn't stop me from subconsciously comparing the future guys I met for the next couple years to Jake. (I mean, come on, Jake took me to the nicest restaurants and gave me a diamond bracelet on our first imaginary date. Tell me you're not looking for him, too!).

For the majority of my pre-teen years, I was wrapped up in the idea of all things romance and relationships. I had my wedding and ideal proposal mapped out before I finished high school. I tried on engagement rings for fun, and I could not wait to be the perfect wife and mom who cooked and cleaned for her family. (Double points if I can do it in heels and a full face of makeup!)

Can you imagine that this girl arrived at the stage where she doesn't even want marriage?

To be honest, I can't pinpoint one specific day when it all changed. But, as I grew in my faith, I came to understand that marriage was more about daily choices of sacrifice and service rather than the grand romantic moments that movies are made of. In time, I exchanged false narratives featuring men who would complete me, know my every thought and make me happy, with the Biblical truth that I would be complete only in Christ; men are far from mind-readers and no one is responsible for my happiness, but me.

And that was not what I signed up for! Where do I purchase the life package with the knight in shining armor who could make me feel better without me saying a word? And exactly how do I upgrade to include the adorable and well-behaved kids who say the cutest things but also go to bed when I want them to?

I Don’t Want to Get Married

by Kathr yn Edwards

In time, my illusions vanished. In its place, the reality set in that marriage means sacrifice. Gary Thomas, in his book Sacred Marriage shared that, “the purpose of marriage is not to make you happy, but to make you holy." (Where's the Hallmark movie about that?).

I came face to face with the fact that I didn't want marriage as much as I thought, not a Biblical marriage, anyway. Admittedly, I didn't even want to love anyone, because romance books and movies are not synonymous with the love I would be required to GIVE in a marriage.

Biblical love is trying again even when you want to give up (patient), giving when you don't want to (kind), wanting the best for someone else even if it means you can't have it (not envious), humbly accepting and offering correction (not proud), being respectful even when you don't think they deserve it (does not dishonour others) refusing to bring up old fights to win an argument (not self-seeking), forgiving even when no apology is offered (keeps no record of wrongs), and so much more! (see 1 Corinthians 13).

So, for a person who wants things done her way and doesn't want to have to answer to anyone, marriage, the kind God intended, just doesn't have the same appeal it used to.

Now, don't get me wrong. I didn't say all of this to try to convince you marriage is a poison you should avoid at all costs. Instead, my goal today is two-fold. Firstly, this is a reminder for all my single sisters eager to get married (and the married ones, too!) - Don't forget the true purpose of marriage, the sacred sacrifice. If you're expecting 90% romance and 10% sacrificial love, you will be in for a bumpy and disappointing ride.

My second goal is the primary one, and it's for people like me. The strong, independent women who know that God called us to be fruitful and multiply, but being single, and dare I say selfish, is just more appealing. We applaud ourselves because we are not like 'those' people who want to be married for all the wrong reasons, but we conveniently ignore the fact that not wanting marriage for all the wrong reasons is just as bad! God wants us to know the real requirements of marriage, not to avoid it, but so we can be prepared - entering in with an eagerness to be like our Saviour and sacrificially love those placed with us here on earth.

So, avoiding marriage because of the hard work required actually nullifies the work of the Holy Spirit and His role in making us people who do love like our Father, with grace to live this life of godliness. The idea that marriage is here to make us holy instead of happy should actually have us all rushing to the altar to get hitched because we want to be a people who don't shy away from the hard things but use the hard things for God's glory.

My friends, I say this to you even as I say it to myself. Some of us may end up like the Apostle Paul, unmarried and living wholeheartedly for God. Or we may be like Peter who had a spouse but still followed Jesus closely, leading more than 3,000 to Him in one day. Either state we are in, let our goal be sacrifice, not ease; and love, not as the world gives, but as the Lord showed us on the cross.

Marriage and the Millennial Woman b y B i s h o p D r. C a r l a A . D u n b a r

A

n article, published by Bentley University in October 2021 titled “NowUKnow: Why Millennials Refuse to Get Married”, purports that traditional marriages are being delayed if not completely denied by millennials.

It shared that, “While traditional marriage has been on a downward trajectory for generations, with this group — the oldest now 40 years old — it appears to be in free fall…They've invested a lot of time and money into college, so they're getting a job and delaying marriage — if not opting out completely."

Whilst I concur with the excerpt concerning some millennial women choosing economic advancement and career motivation over marriage, I assert against a general fact of millennials refusing to get married. Data is usually collated in clusters or sparsely across a geographical expanse, though used generally in support for a theory.

As a marriage officer serving in Jamaica for over 15years with a thriving family practice, I have had the privilege of guiding numerous millennials locally and internationally through premarital and subsequently marriage counselling, and the trend continues. Millennial women, especially Caribbean women, have advanced academically over the years. One study shows that approximately 60% of Caribbean CEOs and Senior Managers are women, making this category of women financially independent.

This is coupled with the fact that, compared to our male counterpart, millennial women score higher percentages in academic advancement. This disparity I believe is due largely to the gender socialization of our boys vs girls and has led to the theory that Caribbean men are academically marginalized

This is coupled with the fact that, compared to our male counterpart, millennial women score higher percentages in academic advancement.

This disparity I believe is due largely to the gender socialization of our boys vs girls and has led to the theory that Caribbean men are academically marginalized.

Certainly, millennial women are more assertive and assured about who they are and what they desire from their partner . They are, for the most part, self-sufficient and not totally dependent on their spouses financially with many possibly being higher income earners. This can put a ‘spoke’ in the formation of intimate partner relationship for a responsible man, because men still have an inherent need to be needed as provider and protector. Women have a need to be and feel secure.

Certainly, some have seen examples of mothers, girlfriends, aunts etc, being mistreated and abused because of financial dependence, but many women still enter a relationship for security, however small, because this is an innate need. With professional guidance, however, these marriages can and are thriving.

Millennials are indeed marrying, although some are marrying later because they are pursuing career advancement. I have also seen educated financially stable women having regrets of not pursuing a relationship whilst pursuing a career.

Speaking for Jamaica and our very fragile society, where does such a millennial engage a qualified suitor? A song released in 2006 by Jamaican reggae artiste, Perfect Giddimani titled ‘Handcart Bwoy’ epitomizes the saga, “She get whole heap a love and joy from di handcart bwoy; she never know she woulda deh wid I”.

I have come across a few well educated self-sufficient, financially viable and stable women during my presentations across different sectors of society and even internationally who have had to settle for good loving rather than financial affluence.

Marriage and the Millennial Woman b y B i s h o p D r. C a r l a A . D u n b a r

my point, millennials are marrying, but it would seem some are “marrying down”. This then poses another problem; intellectual disconnect, no mental intimacy, because they are worlds apart academically. With this millennial couple not knowing how to bridge the gap of communicating effectively, the man ends up feeling insecure and emasculated. This is manifested with aggression, leading to the problem we now face globally of domestic intimate partner violence.

I posit there is a better way. I posit that whilst there is a challenge with the different socio-economic levels. Good foundational preparation for the marriage, like what I offer, helps with navigating this seemingly uneven disparity. A solid informed perspective, a better way of handling social differences, a taught approach to loving your wife in a Christ-centered way and learning how to speak so your husband will listen, can significantly assist in this area.

Bottom line, Men need Respect, Women need love.

These are motivational needs that cannot be overlooked by anyone millennials or not when they choose to enter marriage. Marriage is a lifetime commitment. If it is to thrive and survive the atrocities aimed at it, both parties must have a knowledge and understanding of self-first and then the other. We must know and understand our different core values, each other’s motivational needs and expectations entering the marriage. Blind can’t lead blind. When we know, we can then apply the wisdom necessary to foster equality and harmony of the millennial independent woman in marriage.

There are divine instructions to help the Millennial Woman, 1 Peter 3:1 instructs: “Wives conduct yourself in such a way”, (i.e. don’t flaunt your education, your wealth, your profession). Attend to the situation in humility, using your fine witty intelligence to uplift a man of lesser education or financial viability so that your man will not feel incompetent.

‘when you know you are the boss you don’t need to say you are the boss’, our value in our marriages cannot be overlooked or underplayed. We either bring value to the table or we are the table.

Now as millennials if you choose to be single, then be confident and show that you know who you are. But if you decide to marry, the dynamics will be altered somewhat. Good men will not be poodles because we have the bone.

They will need to feel respected and necessary. Men are told in 1 Peter 3:7 to live with their wife in an understanding way according to their knowledge of their wife. So, understanding who a man is to be to his wife (paraphrased) he is commanded to treat her with the fragility she desires and deserves, respecting and appreciating a woman’s contribution.

The instructions are clear, spouses are to be to each other what they themselves desire.

Ladies, we are God’s gift to men when we choose to marry, and we ought to know this whether we are young or old. My dear husband advises a truth, “It pays to advertise if you have the ‘goods’(merchandise)”. As ladies, we work hard to achieve our dreams academically and financially and should not apologise for doing so. However, we must strive for the art of balance, knowing who we are, what we do and who we are to be, as both women and wives submitting to the Lordship of Christ. We must, in Him, live our best life - intentionally and vivaciously. We must protect ourselves from all evils of life and from men who cannot appreciate our worth, and we must do ALL to the glory of the Father. We must endeavour to be grateful to Him for our socio-economic advancement whilst being humble enough to make graceful deposits of our character into the institution of marriage. We must see marriage as a ministry in which we serve each other dutifully to reflect the Love of Christ for His Church. Millennial women are marrying, and can live effectively, balancing both worlds optimally - Marriage and Career.

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Success Starts in the Mind

By Kiki Thombs

“I want to have a successful year, in my health, personal life, relationships, finances and my career!”. Have you heard or even said this yourself?

Question is, how badly do you want it and what are you willing to do to ensure your end results will be deemed 'successful', as defined by YOU. Well, 2022 is here. Whether we want to accept it or not the clock keeps ticking and life is continuing. The question is are you evolving or are you remaining the same. The quandary we are in is that every 12 months the clock figuratively resets, giving us a chance to start 'anew'. But how many of us continue living life as in the years prior seeing the same results, only to turn around and then say, life sucks, or life is too hard.

Can we really blame life?

The one constant in life is CHANGE. Everything changes and change is not inherently a bad thing. Change represents growth. So, what would you like to change in 2022?

Personally, one of the greatest lessons we must learn has to do with the power of our thoughts. For many it may feel like we are addicted to our thought pattern, but we need to understand is that we cannot change anything about ourselves or our lives if we cannot change our thinking.

In many instances we have been trained to think incorrectly from birth, attaching ourselves to an identity or accepting limiting thoughts that really don't serve us. We have become addicted to negative thoughts about who we are and the world around us. Some of those thoughts were probably passed onto us from the limited thinking of those who were entrusted with our care.

Sadly, most of us are subconsciously existing as mere reflections of our parents, caregivers, or teachers. If we stop to think about it, we were raised based on how our parents or caregivers viewed the world.

They projected their own beliefs on us of who we 'should be' or how we should show up in the world. This is important for us to acknowledge because technically, we would have been trained to adapt to everyone's version of who they expect us to be, and even accept it and label it our personality.

This leads us to question, is this who I was really created to be? Have you ever stopped to really ask yourself, who was I created to be, with an answer truly defined and designed by you?

Personally, 2021 was a heck of a year for me. It was chock full of lessons, some of which came through blood, sweat and tears. All lessons however, come when they are supposed to because nothing happens by chance.

Success Starts in the Mind

By Kiki Thombs

1. You can do it, even when you think you cannot. Take the first step!

(Philippians 4:13)

deep understanding and acceptance of who I am and create the me I believe I AM created to be.

2. God will always provide, no matter how we doubt him or panic in fear, we must know that he will provide. He always has and always will. (Psalm 23:1)

What were your takeaways and lessons for 2021? Hold on to them lessons for 2022 & beyond as they will serve you well. My 2021 takeaway is that I am not mediocre! My 'flaws', insecurities, concerns, and worries are null and void in reality because truthfully, they only exist in my mind.

They exist based on my training, my upbringing, and my past experiences and once I accepted that lesson, I wiped the slate clean and started over, on my own terms, redefining life for myself.

3. It is no one's responsibility to fill the void your parents/caregivers may have left by being incapable of loving you the way you deserved as a child.

It's best to learn how to feel the pain of not receiving that love as a child and release it, it's important to start understanding how to honor YOU even through the pain that comes with acceptance. You have to learn how to love yourself through that pain and the most difficult step might be learning how to forgive. ForGIVING your parents/caretakers who might have failed to love you, forGIVING yourself for expecting so much from your partner(s) and forGIVING yourself for ever believing you were less than, or even worse, you were unlovable. Once you are able to heal from that wound, life takes on a new meaning. Remember, someone's inability to love you does not make you unworthy or unlovable. It just means they are incapable. Because we are multilayered and multidimensional some wounds run deep and spawn other hurts that we must take time to address. Self-love does not happen overnight, I repeat usually Self-Love does not happen overnight.... I digress.

My greatest task has been to divorce myself from this altered reality I was living in based on the training of my formative years and heal my way into living the life I was created to live. It's as if I had to re-parent myself, strip myself bare, look into my own eyes & soul and come to a deep understanding and acceptance of who I am and create the me I

Isn't that the beauty about life, that we all have the POWER Of Choice and the POWER To Change. No other species in the entire world has that ability. A leopard cannot change its spots but as humans we can become an entirely new person based on changing our thoughts.

My most powerful lesson is understanding that I don't know it all. This allows me room to learn and grow. What was true for me in the morning of my life might not be true for me in the evening of my life. This was an invaluable lesson I learned from Wayne Dyer that is too vast to explain in the word count provided for this article. Essentially it means I remain open to learning every day until I die.

So, if you would like to have a successful year in all areas of your life, I support that desire wholeheartedly. However, I encourage you to become successful at changing how you think because how you think can positively change your life forever. How you think can improve your health, personal life, relationships, finances, and your career.

Remember, 'Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines practiced every day' - Jim Rohn. Success is really up to you when you 'THINK' about it.

DECLARATIONS: Inspired by Women in the Bible

By Toshiba Archer

Start

your year with a STRONG

dose of power, inspiration and

faith.

Esther Come Forth!

Hannah Come Forth!

I declare that the anointing of obedience, boldness, wisdom, favour, humility, purpose, and the power to influence a nation, the same spirit that was upon Esther will now overtake me in the name of Jesus.

Lord grant me the boldness to speak and carryout the work I was created to accomplish. For You, O Lord, You have brought me to this place for such a time as this. This is my season to walk into my purpose, in Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Lord I declare that just like Hannah my faith in God is unwavering and my God will soon dry up all my tears. I am now birthing a season of joy, peace and abundance in all aspects of my life.

God’s promises towards me are already activated in the spiritual and will now be manifested in the physical. I am expecting my miracle today, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14 (NIV)

“Hannah said, “Oh no, sir—please! I’m a woman broken-hearted. I haven’t been drinking. Not a drop of wine or beer. The only thing I’ve been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to God. Don’t for a minute think I’m a bad woman. It’s because I’m so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I’ve stayed here so long.” Samuel 1:15-16 (MSG)

Shiphrah & Puah

Come Forth!

I declare that I am an enabler of LIFE. I am purposed to prevent genocides, save nations and fight against the injustices of this world. I am powerful because I am empowered by God Almighty; I am strong because God has made me strong; I win every battle because with God I am a winner. My purpose is aligned with God’s Divine plans; I am chosen by God and I always act on God’s behalf. I declare that spirit of deep faith and bravery of Shiphrah and Puah will now fall upon me in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

“But Shiphrah and Puah had respect for God. They didn't do what the king of Egypt had told them to do. They let the boys live….And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own.” Exodus 1:17:21b (NIRV)

Deborah

Come Forth!

I declare that I am a powerful leader, a righteous woman, a mighty warrior and a soldier for God. Through me, God will defeat my enemies and the enemies of His people. I will lead the army of Christ on earth. I will testify of God’s good works and of His power. I hear from God, He speaks to me. He tells me of the great and mighty exploits I will lead. He has given me Divine influence to lead and conquer.

I am a one-of-a-kind woman, chosen by God and anointed to succeed and do the will of God. Wake up, o my soul, I declare that the Deborah on the inside of me will come alive. Call forth the greatness that is within me, so that I may fulfil my unique purpose and bring glory to Your name, in Jesus Name Amen.

“Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel.” Judges 5:7 (NIV)

save the date january 27 - 28

WISS Core Team

Keneshia Nooks-Blake WISS Convenor

Bianca Hislop Event Marketing Coordinator

Toshiba Archer Digital Marketing Officer

Kathryn Edwards Public Relations Officer

Kady-Ann Wint Décor & Merchandise

Samuel Downer Graphic & Creative Specialist

Donovan Wray Graphic & Creative Specialist

Jhana Barnes Web Designer

#STRONGER

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THANKS TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS

Rachel Delhall – Intercession & Hospitality Dayna Wallace – Production & Live Stream Hanniffa Patterson – Ushers & Volunteers Charmaine Williams – Finance & Budget Rolando Nooks Renee Nooks Kareen Dixon Francene Samuels

Cordene Henry Brooke Alexander Jody Harris Nicole Osbourne Tishawna Reynolds Dahlia Harris Kimberley Morgan Salmon

They have kept us covered in prayer and helped to guide our steps along this entire journey!

#STRONGER

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