COGIC Women's Convention 2023 - Wednesday PM

good evening and welcome to the 73rd International Women's Convention we are here the

women

of the Church of God in Christ here celebrating with Jesus Joy tonight we have come to invite you to be with us all night and experience the wonderful work of God through

women

. of the Church of God in Christ, one of the things we want to do is encourage you to know that when you give kojic you do it and tonight we are blessed to have with us one of our administrative facilitators, our own mother Tucker, who is the chair of our scholarship committee and she has a committee member here, Dr.

Patricia Brown, who will come and share with us tonight the wonderful things that they do with us with the scholarship committee. I know that all of you have been blessed by this meeting. so far and we want you to stay tuned, why don't you like and share even now that we're starting to listen to Mother Tucker. Mother Tucker. Thank you very much for being with us tonight. Could you share with us what the scholarship is? committee in the women's department thank you very much well we are very excited this year we were able to bless 13 scholarship recipients because we want to be a blessing and that does not even include the three foreign students yes we are the Church of God in Christ throughout the world, so that in the Congo we brought a blessing to three students who had lost their parents and were in school and they were going to be taken out of school, they were not going to be able to continue, so their living supervisor. in the state approached us to see if we could help.

I approached Mother Lewis who is her heart to be a blessing and she said yes we could do it, because of that we were able to care for four students in the state. Congo and it is a blessing if you have never been in need. You don't know how a few thousand dollars can be a blessing to you, so last night we were able to give away 24,000 in scholarships. These students were happy. The parents were happy, we were happy because we are blessing Dr. Brown, one of the committee members who is with me and she knows what we do, the students make requests and because she is very computer savvy and she does it very well, it is of great help.

Help, like I said last night, sometimes she's my right hand and a lot of times she's my right and my left, so we're excited to be able to do what we do, Dr. Lewis, could she give you a yes? I'm very excited to be here on this. 73rd women's

convention

this

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is very emotional for me. I was born not only a few years after the first convention and I remember my mother attending this convention for years this year. I'm here with my daughter and my granddaughter, so the Legacy. continues at the international women's convention. I am also delighted to be working with Mother Mary Tucker's supervisor and chair of the scholarship committee, she is very generous and does not want any young person to be left without a scholarship, as she has said during the last 15 years we have been able to bless so many young people with thousands of dollars in scholarships.

I am an educator and I love young people and I think what the Church of God in Christ does is wonderful, thank you wonderful. wonderful, we thank you ladies for being with us and as you have already heard, we are doing great things not only in the United States but around the world. Keep liking and sharing tonight because there is more to come and because these ladies have done an amazing job sharing about scholarship opportunities tonight. We have a successful recipient who is here with us. We have Pastor Shirley Rouse, who is also a district missionary from Richmond, Virginia.

She will share with us her successful experience as a scholarship recipient and what happened. Thank you very much for being with us tonight. Could she please share with us the great opportunities that have been provided to her by receiving a scholarship? Thank you so much. I am the mother of 2019, Barbara McCool Lewis, visionary scholarship recipient. the scholarship and it was very helpful to me, first of all it gave me a boost that my church The Church of God in Christ invested in education for its people and for our young people and it has truly been a blessing.

I have already completed all the courses for my doctorate in ministry and I am in the process of writing my thesis and I know that with the help of God and with prayer I will be successful in that also in our church, the Church of God in Christ. They are pioneers when it comes to education and our education committee, yes, Dr. Tucker and Dr. Bess, we thank God for them. Amen and they work so diligently, which is why I am a successful recipient of the scholarship, mother Barbara McCool Lewis, now what I want you to do. what you do now is like tag and share like tag and share together with your family together with your young people who are in the process of finishing high school who are in college who just need a little help amen and let them know that your church is the The Church of God in Christ 100 supports them.

Thank you very much Pastor Ross for being so kind. He heard it here firsthand. He heard about these great opportunities that are provided to those who are part of this great Church Ancient Church of God in Christ and Tonight we have another incredible opportunity to hear from another wonderful woman of God who serves in our church. She is none other than our instant second assistant. Mother General, our own mother, Vanessa Gatlin. God bless you, Mother Gatlin, we are very happy to have you. you with us tonight she will share with us some of the wonderful things that have happened at our 73rd International Women's Convention, not only that she will share with you about our leadership conference.

God bless you, please bless us, bless you, mother. Taylor, it's a pleasure to be with you tonight and to all of you, our online viewers, I want you to know that if you're not here with us at the 73rd Annual International Women's Convention, you're missing out on a gift that just happened. It has been enlightening, empowering, encouraging, everything we need, we are receiving. I have to say this year's leadership conference went beyond what I was told, yeah, so every presenter, sometimes we have ups and downs, we didn't have that. all the presenters were right and the conclusion seems to be everyone I've ever seen lady you can do it oh my goodness lady you can do it so whatever you're going through you can do it.

God is equipping it, he is building it. We lift you up and he's giving you everything you need to do it right. Our empowerment sessions are here to help us with the various areas of Our Lives. Bands and auxiliary units are gathering and equipping all their Leaders with new strategies and new techniques. It is and listen. if you missed our general supervisor last night, oh mom, you missed a gift, she was so empowering, she was so profound, she taught us that we must continue, get busy, do the work that was assigned to us and then she took from the spiritual to the Natural and said: listen, this is what you do in natural.

She just encompassed everything for us. I don't want you to miss it. In fact, I want her to use your level of influence tonight to share it with someone. and say, listen, we're not there, but we can still be there through technology, share with someone you need to connect with, tonight is going to be another explosive night when I tell you the Holy Spirit came in last night, the glory of God was in this. place where you want to be here because what I know is that the anointing passes through cyber walls so you want to be with us and then tomorrow we are going to experience our president's luncheon as we honor the president of this 73rd International Women's Convention, the mother , Dr.

Barbara. McCoo Lewis and then on Friday evening our Presiding Bishop and Senior Apostle Bishop J. Drew Sheard will address this August body. The spirit of God is here. The information and knowledge are here. Fellowship worship is all here, so we invite you to share with someone. Remember how you give to Kojic you do tonight. I mean open your hearts, open your minds and then, as you've heard about scholarships, we need you to use what God has given you so that a harvest can emerge. I believe Supervisor Taylor The harvest will go two ways, it will bless the sower but it will also bless the scholarship recipients.

I think it's going to be double, oh wait a minute, I hear the Holy Spirit say three times, he's going to bless the sword, he's going to bless the scholarship and he's going to bless this convention, oh my God, so don't be stingy, do something for someone else while you're sowing for someone else, it will come back to you, so I'm excited that this is the largest women's convention we've ever heard of here in Orlando, Florida. Thank you very much, Mother Gatlin, you heard it again here first. Not only has God been blessing us since this hour, tonight, oh my God, please, you will be blessed by Dr.

Barbara Bryant of Los Angeles. California, she's Miss FBI, she's got a powerful word from God, you don't want to miss this, I mean, text your phone to let everyone know, tune in tonight, get ready for a powerful move from God and you know God has something great. To you again, we welcome you tonight to worship with us at the 73rd International Women's Convention in Orlando, Florida. God bless you at night. We certainly want to head home first, we honor our Presiding Bishop J. Dre Drew Sheard to the first and second Presiding Bishops in attendance. to the general meeting meeting of Bishops all the Great Men of God especially to our general supervisor mother Barbara McCoo Lewis let's give God a hand praise our general supervisor yes yes to the first assistant mother Huey second assistant mother Gatlin third mother assistant Walton to all Lady Karen Clark Sheard's facilitators, she and her daughter had a great presentation today and we certainly enjoyed that dialogue and to all the staff and the great women of God who excite us tonight we want you to raise your expectations and prepare your mind to get through a tough time with the Lord tonight let's start with our praise tune coming from the convention praise team let's give our praise team ahead thank you follow him again we need a miracle Miracle miracles Miracle Revival right, right , come on, come on, let's put our hands together, well, we're ready to have some things from the church foreign foreign listen to me miracles we need all foreigners why not appearance we give you days of glory please everything will be fine come, thank you so it will be Okay, Can you come and say it's tonight and we believe in foreign Mississippi?

Okay, I need you to leave this conference. Revival Bar when you walk out the door. No, no, why are you in your seat? now you need to affirm to yourself that it will be, I don't need it all now thank you, it will be fine, it will be, it will be his, yes, yes, hallelujah to yourself, it will be hallelujah, hallelujah, I love you, Lord and me. lift up my voice rejoice rejoice my key in what you hear and let it be sweet Hallelujah we and now we go lift up the savior we live too hot today with something oh Lord we love strange before you Jesus is real to me Jesus is strange we blessed your name, hallelujah , hallelujah, hallelujah, I hear the praise team say everything will be okay, but I want you to take your faith a little higher and say it's okay, it's okay, it's okay, tell someone that everything is okay now.

Faith, okay, praise God, we thank God for the entry of our anointed dynamic supervisor mother, Barbara Monique Lewis, amen, let's stand up and give God a hand, praise, wasn't that a word dynamic that she brought, hallelujah, are we still like this? things about the word hallelujah we honor and reference our supervisor our leader thank God thank God at this time we are going to call our invocation coming from the supervisor LaShawn young supervisor of the first jurisdiction of Central Florida Old Testament Judy little second jurisdiction of Central Florida New Testament supervisor Cecile Collins Florida Southern jurisdiction guest recognition supervisor Misha Maynard United Arab Emirates Dubai and jurisdiction followed by the musical selection of the condensation choir please come in that order thank you thank you everyone is standing yes yes yes yes yes yes thank you Lord thank God thank you Lord thank you Lord father God we come to you now God God we come saying thank you God we thank you for this day God God we thank you Lord that you have kept us until now God and God we come to give your glory tonight God God we thank you God for this convention God we thank you for our convention president God God we thank you God for our International Bishop God God we thank you for the people of God and God now in the name of Jesus God we ask you now in the name of Jesus, to look at us in this place, we ask you in the name of Jesus that you get your way in this place.

We have entered the gates with thanksgiving and we have entered the courtyard with praise and God. I will be grateful to you in this place God now in the name of Jesus we plead for blood now and we come against every demonic voice every audience fearing God who would seek to hinder these Services we find our handsdiscolored now we find the spirit of distraction we find the spirit of sickness in the name of Jesus and we lose your anointing we lose your anointing in this place Lord have your way to placement Let your glory fill this place let your glory fill us in this place in the name of Jesus walk down the aisle someone needs to be saved Lord we lose God salvation in this place walk down the aisle someone needs to be healed we seek healing let preaching be easy in the name of Jesus God we pray to God that while she preached God that the word will go out with power and authority in the name of Jesus and the demons will tremble The Carter and the sinners will say yes but we see it yes you in the place yes lord you can do whatever you want to do yes God can you touch us now yes God you can bless us now because we give you the glory we come to give you the glory and we give you a praise because if it belongs to you no one but you in the name of Jesus in the name of Jesus someone raise your voice to say Jesus Jesus Jesus amen amen amen hallelujah foreign division Psalms verses one to three I will bless the Lord at all times his praise will be continually in my mouth my soul will boast in the Lord the humble are here of them and they will be glad to magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt together his name the word of the Lord for the people of God.

I will read before you Romans chapter 8 verse 1 to 4. Therefore now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh. but after the spirit through the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus freed me from the law of sin and death, because of what the law could not do, because it was weak through the flesh, when God sent his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh for the sin of condemnation sin in the flesh so that the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in us who walk not according to the flesh but according to the spirit the word of the Lord to the people of God body praise the Lord It is my task tonight to welcome our visitors who have joined the International Women's Convention for the first time and, therefore, the Family of the Church of God in Christ, those who are in person and those who are In our virtual audience, we have the opportunity to show the love we have. in this place for those who have just come to join us in worship, so if this is your first time here at the International Women's Convention, would you please stand and then for those who are in our virtual audience if you have joined with us and this is the first time you see with us this is the first time you connect with us we want you to write something in the chat to say hello, I am here we want to say hello, I am here to inform us that you have joined us and then the Church of God in Christ Family women of God men of god let's put our hands together and welcome our visitors who have joined us for those who are in our virtual audience put those emojis put some thumbs up put some high praise there to let our visitors know that we love them very much and are glad that they worship with us one of the exciting things that our general supervisor mother, Barbara McCool Lewis, wants to make sure we recognize are not just those of women. who are working in the United States in the national fields, but for those who are working in our Foreign Ministries and we have two wonderful women of God who have traveled through the airways to be with us in this service, so when I say your name, if you would please just stand up and let us love you a little more for taking the time out of your schedule to take the flights, for taking the risk to come and be with us on this floor with Supervisor Mabel Lynn Spencer and the delegate of our United.

Kingdom Jurisdiction, could you please stand up? Raise your hand so we can see you. God bless you. We are very excited to have you here. Amen. Mother Lewis is very excited for you to continue the work. Amen in those foreign fields and then. to supervisor Priscilla in numo in numo amen front and delegates from South Africa a fifth jurisdiction can you just wave your hands right there? Amen, come on Church of God in Christ amen, you have traveled far just to be with us and let me tell you this. to you if you traveled the airways if you traveled the highways if you traveled around the corner amen one thing we can do we can come together and praise the Lord for being in this house and I just need you to give God praise right there because I am here, then God will give you praise.

Amen in the Bible, it has so much foreigner wow together peace, okay everyone, foreigner, thank you, foreigner, okay, thank you right now, cut off your hands, come on, clap everyone. I love Jesus, thank you for you, baby, louder, please, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, oh, we thank God, we thank God because he has power and because he has power, we have power, we have the power of Holy Spirit, does anyone in the room have the power of the Holy Spirit? Ghost tell your neighbor I have a problem I have power I have power to put my hands on the sticks and they will recover Do you have the power?

I said do you have the power? Amen. We thank God for the entry of our first lady Karen Clark Sheard. Let's give God a hand by looking so beautiful. Amen, those of you who are not here today, you missed it. It was such a beautiful session between her and her daughter being interviewed by Lady Grant. She was very outstanding, very informative and enlightening. We thank God for our first lady who was so transparent, she and her daughter shared with us, we really enjoyed it, at this time we are going to summon the bishop for the presentation of the wine scholarship, Mrs.

Yolanda Bryant, President of the Bishop Circle Wise, wife of general board member Bishop Prince. Bryant senior South Central Texas jurisdiction followed by Echoes of the nosy foreign field supervisor norfly region 10 indigenous supervisors Ethiopian jurisdiction please come in that order thank you thank you tonight gives me great honor and privilege percent our scholarship Mother Ambassador Joanne Meadows and the scholarship team to present our

2023

scholarship awards, thank you Mother Bryant to Mother Lewis, Mother Brian, throughout the Bishop's Wives Circle, I would like to thank you for allowing us to make our presentation during the 73rd women's convention. Thank you very much, let me tell you a short true story. from The Bishop's Wife Circle The Bishop's Wife Circle Scholarship was named the Deborah Mason Patterson Scholarship following the direction of Mother Daisy Sherman after Mother Patterson's death.

Mother Patterson was the wife of our first elected presiding bishop. Now this scholarship was established under the direction of Mother Pattersons to honor her life and legacy during the 2017 Bishop's Wide Circle meeting. Brother Willie Mae Shear, the mother of our next Presiding Bishop, Mother Sheer became president of the Bishop's Wives Circle during that meeting. Mother Sheard decided that what we want to do is change Mason's name. Patterson Scholarship not only for another mother Mason but also for Patterson, but also to honor the pure mother mother Sherman, so our name became Patterson slash Sherman scholarship as a mother mother Lewis, we always want to honor and praise those who have preceded them in the circle, no I will only recognize mother's legacy, I'm sure my mother Sherman was our president for over 30 years and that was a long time to be the president of the circle, but tonight we want to honor these ladies mother, this It's the largest group we've ever had to apply, we had 10 applicants and I heard you all had a big number too.

This time we had 10 applicants apply for our scholarship and I think it was because Mother Brian, our president, insisted that the ladies connect, you know, sometimes. We don't like being online. Couldn't you just send me the application? Connect and complete it. Give it to your ladies and make sure they apply for our scholarship right now. I want you to know that we have nine committees. members of our scholarship committee and are from all over the United States. I'm going to ask you to stand up if you're not here already if you are. I want you to raise your hand, Mrs.

Vanessa Macklin, California, thank you, can you hold her hand. applause until uh I think I heard um uh last night mother Tucker said we only have a limited amount of time so save your flaws after we do Dr. Mayor Curtis Hall Tennessee Dr. Patricia Brown Georgia later artist hell New York Lady Mary Hall Florida Dr. esura Proctor Louisiana Lady Michelle Rudolph Arkansas afternoon in Naomi Thomas Virginia and yours truly Joanne Meadows from Alabama Birmingham we received the 10 applicants and from those applicants four women were selected and what we do is we are on the phone during all months and down When we first got our applicants talking to each other going through uh plus and under, we mother found it a little difficult to find four, but it wasn't really difficult after we looked at our balance, you know, you know if If we had more mother, we would have gone for the full 10, but our balance made us stop at four.

Our first recipient, how did I ask our mother, our president, the blind one, to reach out to her concern? Our first recipient is Lady the. tons of Allen tons of elements of the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of South Central Texas Miss Allen is a Texas A M University College Station student who will receive and doctorate degree in education EDD Bishop Chris Brown is her jurisdictional brother recommending the mother of the bishop's wife, Yolanda Bryant, make sure you have someone to receive your award and then Brian received it our next award is for Miss Debonne Beckles who goes to the north central jurisdiction of Georgia.

Ms. Beckles is a student at Western Atlantic University School of Medicine in Plantation, Florida, she will receive a doctor of medicine degree. Joseph E Hogan is her jurisdictional fellow recommended by bishops, Jalene Fleming and Dr. Patricia Brown, and she is also at the school and Dr. Brown will receive the award from her. Our third winner is Ms. Alana Nation. Miss Nation is first from the historic jurisdiction of Louisiana. she this nation is a student at the University of South Alabama School of Nursing in Mobile Alabama, she will receive a doctor of nursing degree and will be an executive nursing administrator.

Bishop James, the physician, is her jurisdictional credit and the recommended bishop's wife is Dr. Izora Proctor. it's Ms. Shayla Thomas, as if anyone knows Ms. Thomas Ms. Thomas is from the third church jurisdiction of southwest Michigan Ms. Thomas is a student at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, she will be receiving a master's degree in law with specialization in Human Resources. Bishop Samuel Duncan is our The jurisdictional brother who recommends the Bishop's Wife is electrolate Dorothy Duncan. Each of these recipients will receive three thousand dollars from our president, Lady Brian, and the entire Bishop's Wife Circle.

We want to say that our prayers are with all of these ladies as they advance in their education. Keep in mind. that The Bishop's Wives Circle scholarship is for female graduates, please see your Bishop's Wife for application information and again mother, thank you for allowing us to present our scholarships at this time with my mother to come and take photographs with us for the bride and Lewis's mother. that with the scholarships arise good night to all, oh come on, they can do better than that good night to all. We thank the Lord for the opportunity to appear before you to represent Internet, the foreign supervisors who are serving around the world in 112 countries.

Thank God for mother Barbara McCool Lewis who just helps us all and knows how it spills over into us and those here in the United States and since my time is limited I want to get right to it and show you. a little bit, just a snippet of some of the supervisors who are working around the world, could you direct your attention to the screen, bring it to the foreign field? The first is Ethiopia, sincerely, yes, Basuana, several photographs of the Beswana supervisor of Panama, Lane, Hallelujah. a beautiful daycare that women run Dominican Republic our own ISM there she is with her the children love her Democratic Republic of the Congo Nikita Turner come on, put your hands together these are working women look at all the people they are feeding there mother Wonder who did you see last night working in the Congo man come on keep applauding look at the things they are doing sneakers books Senegal sister Sophia what wonderful work she is doing there behind the building we are building right there in Senegal is the delegation that was last month, the mother of Casey, Minnie Hill, and our own mother, Dolly, Uganda, mother B, Herlene Russo, look at the work being done there, India, said mother, Dairy King, India, fourth, doing a wonderful job, look to the kids. from the orphanage these are the women of the sewing project India six jurisdictions mother Wiggins amen still in India mother Hattie mentorIndia room with the children in the orphanage this is the Children's Choir there in India Turks and Caicos Islands mother Spencer comes Come on, leave it, leave it, these are working women Trinidad and tobacco in the house mother Annette James watches the Sunshine Band choir the worship continued in the UK mother Mabel and Spencer amen a banquet was held and it was wonderful St Thomas Virgin Islands our own Fairy Pinston, come on, let's leave it alone, what wonderful work she is doing there.

Amen. Amen. Prayer meeting underway Peru Overseer Elizabeth Edwards Look at the work being done around the world Ghana Overseer Agnes Agnemann This was at a Tuesday night meeting. with the leaders of the Women's Department Rwanda mother Mary Terry looks at the babies and women Barbados mother Diane Van Dyke Hallelujah wonderful delegation still in Barbados Rosetta Allen looks at the work being done looks at the work Brazil Brazil is in the house supervisor appointed oh my goodness look at this yeah come on put your hands together supervisor of South Africa Priscilla Nemo come on what a wonderful building you have built.

Hallelujah still in South Africa, Michelle Jenneke, doing a wonderful job there, in South Africa, India supervisor, Jacqueline a Pruitt in traditional dress. and the sewing circle still in Zambia, then it will be a third supervisor, Latonya Stevens, we are left without music, but we are not left without work, hallelujah, thank you for your support and mother, which is only a very small part of the supervisors that are working we hope to be able to present more next time. Amen, thank you, thank God. Amen, we celebrate the presentation of the bishop's wives scholarship and also the Echoes from the foreign field.

Amen, let's defend our Prison. Amen Chief Apostle. Presiding Bishop J Drew Sheer and the general board are making their entrance, come on, let us listen, let us praise God for the leaders of this great church, our presiding bishop, amen, members of the general board, first and second assistant to the presiding bishop, Come on, let's give God a hand. for these wonderful great anointed men of God Amen and amen thank God thank God praise God we have great leaders in the Church of God in Christ amen and we still celebrate the fact that we are debt free I felt like running through Mason Temple when I heard we were debt free.

Praise God, we thank God for the echoes of the foreign field. I'll tell you all something that won't take more than a minute, but there is a blessing in giving and we're getting ready to begin. the ministry of giving and we just heard about the foreign field and all the great work there over the years. Bishop Wooten and I have been caring for orphans in Uganda, East Africa, educating them since 2006. and it had been prophesied to us that God was going to send us a miraculous blessing because of our generosity and not only in giving to the foreign field but in giving locally .

Well, let me tell you what happened now, everyone may not believe this, but this is God's holy truth. In December we got a phone call from a billionaire philanthropist I said billionaire and he called us and said I want to invite you and Bishop Wooten to dinner, my son and I own all these properties in our neighborhood so Bishop Wooten and I talked, he said he probably wants to try to sell us something, but we're going to say we're not going to buy anything, if you have something, give it to us for a tax deduction, so we're going to have dinner at this elaborate restaurant and then he got down to business. the work and said I have this property that I want to sell and I interrupted him.

I told him we don't have money to buy anything right now. Whatever you give us for a tax write-off and may the Lord bless you. you and guess what he said he said well, foreigner, before we could blink, he said, well, and then he had it all in his briefcase, he took out the documents to summarize the story, he gave us 2.2 million dollars in property and lots . who are partners who are repair shops all in the Williams Temple neighborhood 2.2 million dollars is anything too hard for the Lord? I tell you, saints, if there is a blessing in helping those in need, it is one last thing you would have thought of. that was the end, they signed all the deeds, everything is in our name, everything is signed, it was still delivered, no tricks, they sealed and delivered all the paperwork and about a month ago we received another phone call from another billionaire philanthropist from another state and He said my wife and I want to go to Wooten's official office and meet with all of you and we met with them and we talked and talked and then the millionaire looked at me, this is Mrs.

Wooten, he said, tell me what you need, he said what. do you need and I said I said what do I need I have a long list I said but I don't want to be greeted he said you haven't because you asked don't hey lower the list I said on the third floor we need an elevator we need to renew it we need a new truck the men's bathroom needs to be renewed he said I'll tell you what send me an email and he said I want you to hear everything you need for your ministry everything you need need for your ministry hey he died on the wall stop and said I'm going to bring a worker from construction to his facility, he said, I'll make him walk around his building and he said anything needs to be fixed, anything needs to be fixed. be fixed, we'll do it for free hey, hey, hey, whatever needs to be done, so the other day the construction crew came to Williams Temple, they walked around the field and made a list of everything, pointed out everything that it needed to be repaired.

They walked around the inside of the building, took notes, and Lord, have mercy. God is doing a great thing. Everything there is to do at Williams Temple is being done free of charge. Come and give God some praise. There is a blessing in giving. blessing in giving there is a blessing in giving and I got excited when I was writing that email I said well we need a new organ I started putting everything we need a new organ we need some new tiles in the kitchen he said no It didn't cost you so that I left everything well, let's give a little praise to God, there is a blessing in giving Hallelujah, come on, national evangelist Renee Winston, and lead us to the ministry of giving.

I was so excited, Hallelujah, I'm trying to think of what else. What more can I ask for? I can't ask for anything for all of you. Hey, everyone should be ready to give tonight. I have to get ready again tonight. Everyone in this house. Hey, come on, let's just let God pray. for about 30 seconds, praise Bishop Wooten, praise him ma'am, hey everyone, clap your hands, hey, there's a blessing in gifts, come and praise him, he's a faithful God, he's a punctual guy, okay, whatever you need me to do , in advance, everyone loves. come out don't miss me come 30 more seconds while you praise he is doing something for you raise the position he is doing something in your ministry he is not doing anything in your family he is doing something on YouTube he is doing something in your life I have nothing, it has mattered , it happened yourself, everyone just set a praise here, come on, send them free in advance, yeah, can you see it or will you never see it?

You have to see it before you see it or you'll never see it. see it and because you can see it I dare you to pray I dare you to open your mouth it's happening right now it's happening right now that's it hey I feel a change for someone I feel a change for someone can I get 25 people together just to start saying the word turn around, just turn around, it's dangerous, he's reversing decisions for every no, he's giving you a yes for every now, he's giving you a yes for every note here someone is shouting this place three three for your children strength for your ministry three for your marriage pray for the Church of God in Christ someone free for our Presiding Bishops someone free for the general overseer they are shouting this house I have nothing nor here my God I feel something hell not conscious I said I feel something I have I have some bills in house that guy for hire if you praise tonight why did you pick him up right now God said I'm getting ready to turn him over just look at the neighbors name he's turning him over right now right now right now tell three people right now right now right now Hallelujah OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG someone is checking their bank account right now someone believes in God so much that while I praise him he can change my bank account he can put more in there than I look at someone and say hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey thank you thank you thank you without music for a moment let's just thank you just thank you just thank you no Oregon in your bathroom you know, drums in your kitchen, spanking, yeah, yeah, yes, yes, yes, Lord, we thank you, Lord, we thank you, Lord, we thank you for another opportunity.

Everybody clap for Jesus tonight, come on, if you're happy and you know, cut off your hands, we are. so excited, oh my God, Hallelujah, mother Wooten, if God can do it for you, just point to yourself and he says he can do it for me, he can, he can do it for me, oh Hallelujah, we honor the Lord tonight, we thank God for a Presiding Bishop, the Journal Board Hallelujah to our general overseer of women to our first lady Rihanna God, we are excited now that this is the opportunity of a lifetime, you just don't know where you sit now to hear a testimony like that, my God, your faith should have been elevated I said your faith should have been elevated and we thank God that for that reason he tells us to make his works known among the people how could I know that he can open a way if No one says excuse me, excuse me but you I just said: The Lord said: "Make your works known among the people." What color is this rug?

I was here last night when my mother brought her message and the carpet turned green. I looked up and I saw there were green lights shining on this carpet and the Lord said the Lord is the Church of God is the Shepherd of Christ and he makes us lie down in Green Pastures God has prosperity for the Church of God I challenge you to send for praise right there that was a prophetic word from one are you ready? for your increase are you ready for him to open the windows pour you bless me my God yes yes yes we cannot waste this moment we cannot waste this moment Hallelujah this is the special moment this is a moment that you have never encountered before and that is why we have to do something we don't normally do when he's doing something supernatural.

We have to stick to what God is doing and we may not understand it, but if we move with God, then we do move. With God he will take care of everything that concerns them. I'm going to act quickly because we still have a lot to do tonight. I need every one of our leaders tonight. I know some of you came to see me. He says this is Renee. really stretch people's faces hey you need to go down Hallelujah and I'm starting to feel mother Lord these people make me feel nervous I need to go down and the Holy Spirit convicted me, he said, you better do what I tell you to do Hallelujah because I talked about those refunds during the call and so many people have come to me saying Renée, I didn't expect what I received.

Hallelujah, but because I sowed your gift is what opens the way for the giver. I need our leaders tonight to help me help me help me, the Lord put this on my heart, everyone go with me, please, I need our leaders, our beautiful ladies who are on the platform, our beautiful bishops' wives, we all join me tonight. Hallelujah with the 300 seed tonight I thought I was going to say three thousand, welcome to the 73rd International Women's Convention, oh my goodness, I know if you have been watching until now you have felt the presence of God knowing that whatever you need, God has it and he will provide it just for you, this is what you need.

It has been happening all week during the day and at night we have been having a Holy Spirit experience and tonight we are so blessed to have with us one of the amazing administrative facilitators who serve with our own mother, Mother Barbara Lewis, our own mother Stone. she is the administrative facilitator of the bands and auxiliary units mother Stone God bless you welcome for being here with us tonight could you be so kind and share with our audience what experience happened today oh wow today today our auxiliary units Vans and The circles were in their sessions.

I was blessed to go to classes and I tell you, each one was full. Some were sitting outside the door. They were full of energy. I want you to know that these ladies are working to empower all workers to come back. to their jurisdictions and states to do a better job than they have done, they were talking about ways of how today's generations who work with young women who work with children can be counseled, talked to and treated and what we should do. to help them along the way to plant the seeds in them so that they grow strong in the Lord.

In those sessions today I went to a class and I want to say that the spirit of the law was moving, so it was powerful in that class what was happening but they were there to empower and impact every person that was in that classroom and it was a wonderful environment today it strengthened me. I tell them if they want to know about the bands and auxiliary units, anyone whobe. What you have to do is come to the International Women's Convention that way you can meet with your national leaders face to face and get firsthand information that will help you progress as you do the work of the Lord in this day and time mother , We appreciate.

Thank you so much for sharing that with us tonight. We want to encourage you to come to the International Women's Convention. There is something for everyone, of all ages, to do at this wonderful conference and, you know, we had such a great time today that we listened to our First Lady Karen Clark Sheard and her daughter, this is Kiara Shear Kelly, and they share with us so many wonderful things as mothers and daughters about how to relate to each other and we had our blessed administrative facilitator of worship programming, she is also the director. from our empowerment workshops none other than Dr.

Lawana Grant Dr. Grant, we bless God for you for being here with us tonight. Would you be so kind as to share with us what's been happening this week and what's happening tomorrow? Absolutely thank you. Very much supervisor, I tell you that I echo the sentiments of Supervisor Stone, the Lord has truly been with us since the beginning of the international women's convention and today there was none other than our first lady evangelist Karen Clark Sheard and her beautiful daughter Kierra Sheard. Kelly took the time to come and pour herself into the women of the Church of God in Christ.

Yes, it was a mother-daughter session, but I tell them if they had biological children or if they were a spiritual mother or godmother. Whatever it was, you were able to take away the nuggets that our first lady shared with the mothers and what can we say about Kiara. I love her fun and happy personality. She loves Jesus but she loves to laugh and I assure you we started. with a wonderful Icebreaker where the women had to make up an impromptu song and it was just good so we laughed but we were also poured into um spiritually and then Kiara shared things with the daughters where we can start to strengthen our biological and spiritual daughters and I want to tell you to the women of God who are listening tonight, you know, we said it in the session, you may not have biological children um, but we all have a nurturing spirit and that's why you can be a mother to nourish what God has put in another person and guess what if you are here and you are a woman we are all daughters and so it is our responsibility to be good daughters in the kingdom of God so today was absolutely amazing and tomorrow we will be building on what God is doing here.

If you know Mother Lewis, you know that her heart is making sure that women of all ages are empowered with the information they need to rise to an unknown height. Her theme this year is Holy Women Commissioned for Mission and that's why she tells us. is giving tools and strategies to complete the mission that God has given you and so tomorrow we are ready for our empowerment workshops our co-director Felicia Hooker Sanders has done a wonderful job, she and I have planned this session for you, of course, under the direction of our general supervisor, but listen, I tell you that if you are in Orlando, make sure you do session one that starts at 11:30 a.m. m. and session two will begin at 12:30 p.m. m. these are just some of the classes these are just some of the classes that you share with us number one it's a hot topic is what every man wants from his wife to know what every godly man wants his wife to know and that's why we have some bishops who come to share ideas with women.

There is a class for single mothers. There is a class for those who are mothers and who are in the ministry. That's a class for entrepreneurs there's a class that teaches them how to take media and use it to enhance their ministry there's a class on finances and so they want to make sure that if they're in Orlando they meet with the presenters at the Magnolia Wing they're going to be there waiting for him again at 11:30 a.m. m. and at 12:30 p.m. m. and if you're not in Orlando, make plans to be here next year because you want to participate in all these good things.

Thank you very much Dr. Grant. There is a lot here for everyone at the International Women's Convention and as these two amazing ladies have shared, this is the place you want to be because we have something for everyone because we are all someone in the body of Christ, listen, God is moving in this place and we want you to have the opportunity to sow in the ministry. Would you like to share tonight so you can be a blessing in the ministry? Could you share with us, Mother Stone, how we can give to them? I'll be happy to share it. the ways to give tonight or give the fine the international department of women Take text to give text i-d-o-w to 28950 by mail Church of God in Christ Inc 3902 South dinley Drive attention 73rd WIC Dallas Texas 75216 thank you very much mother Stone you want to plant Come in this incredible Ministry and listen, don't move, don't leave because tonight Supervisor Barbara Bryant is going to bless us with a powerful word.

Listen, if you need prayer tonight, we have people who are prepared to give you what you need. I need in prayer let me say to you again welcome to the 73rd International Women's Convention we are praying and blessing God for you God bless you remember father in the name of Jesus we thank you for another opportunity to give us that in your word that you would make us lenders and not we would be the ball, he said we would be above only and not below, you are a promise keeper and we believe in your word, we decree and declare miracles, advancement, increase, promotion, elevation, ownership in all our lives and we thank you in the name of Jesus, someone. clap your hands and say thank you to God once again please see above all that we can ask or think according to the power that is at work in the USA at this time we are requesting observations from the supervisor perazine Keys administrative facilitator president of the Board Advisor and WIC Program President following her will be recognition of the stellar efforts of Supervisors, Supervisor Karen Dean Watkins, Memories Journal President and District Missionary, Nina Bester, Chief Registrar, Please Come In that order, thank you, amen, we praise God again for being here and I can see the prophecy being fulfilled. in the course of our prayer the word of the Lord said overflow amen and we appreciate God can we appreciate it with our thunderous applause for overflow amen overflow we ask you to govern yourselves accordingly as we read our announcements tonight the women's convention office is located in the Magnolia Room on the first floor will be open tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 1 p.m. from 6 p.m. to 9 00 p.m.

We ask all jurisdictional supervisors who have not made their reports to please do so immediately tomorrow morning the delegates breakfast will be held in the Great Hall eight, that is, tomorrow morning, we are making a shift to that breakfast will be held in Great Hall Eight and breakfast will be served from 7:00 a.m. m. until 8:30. If you prepaid for your bag or convention program, you can pick them up at our distribution center on the first floor outside of this room. Hours of operation tomorrow will be 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The e-journal was sent to all delegates on Monday the 29th. If you purchase the package, the e-journal is included so please check your email for your copy. all supervisors, non-position supervisors, and the supervisor appoints those who have received recognition from Mother Lewis's office. The Women's International Department will add the COGIC patch to the supervisor stole it will go on the opposite side of the stove from the idow Patcher. These are available during this convention if you can see our executive secretary, Mother Gwendolyn Town Center, in the idoww office or you can call her at area code 206-485-3033 and the cost is ten dollars during this convention.

The post-convention tour will be a visit to Eatonville, which is the first all-black incorporated city in the United States. The cost is eighty dollars. Please contact parent Annie Andrews to reserve her seat. Her number is the area code. 213. 369-9903 If you are using a wheelchair or scooter for transportation, please park in the designated area against the outside wall of the Cypress Ballroom. You can purchase your 73rd International Women's Convention DVDs and CDs on the COGIC website. www dot

cogic

.org visit the religious displays and vendors in the Crystal Ballroom. Opening hours until Friday will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. m. to 8 p.m. m. every day.

If you, a loved one, need prayer, please call our prayer line, the number is 877-436-8100 during this convention, the lines are open until 10 p.m. EST throughout Friday night. Can we say tomorrow our Platinum Celebration of the President's Luncheon in honor of our beloved mother of the convention president, Barbara Michael Lewis? Come on, we can do better than that. It will take place tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. The celebration will take place in the Palms Ballroom for all delegates with red and white Premier cards. The colors are emerald green, gold and a touch of white. You must bring your red or white Premier card to enter the lunch.

Contact security at our women's convention. task force to report all incidents or emergencies by calling Lady Regina Starks at area code 817-797-5034 or also visiting the security team at Magnolia. The command center is in the Anaheim room. If you have any type of emergency or medical incident, please visit the nurses station at Magnolia 7. The lost and found desk is located to the right of this platform if you have not lost any items since you have been at this convention, please turn it on, join to morning exercise in Grand Ballroom three, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. m. at 6 45 a. m.

Through Friday, the Women's International Department manual, directory, and Mother Barbara McCool Lewis' book, Christian Protocol, will be available for sale outside the Grand Ballroom while supplies last, as we are entering. Amen, they had copies of the protocols so they are going fast, please get your copy while supplies last tomorrow at 9:30 we ask that you join us for Morning Glory with Mother Frances Kelly and the prayer warriors at the Cypress Ball room, which is where we will be tonight, the men's class will be held Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. m. to 12 p.m. m. in Grand Rooms Five and Six, Bishop Anthony Gilyard is the instructor.

Pinterest session on practicing mental wellness, stress management and releasing anxiety is tomorrow morning, after Morning Glory, we welcome our mental health professionals, Sunshine Band and Children's Institute will take place held in Grand Rooms 9 and 10 tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. m. to 3 p.m. m. empowerment workshops will be held tomorrow morning track 1 11 30 to 12 15 a. m. track 2 from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. m. visit our speakers table tonight I have a powerful woman of God coming to us shortly supervisor Barbara Bryant if she would like to purchase the CD, DVD and books from her. Her table is located outside this convention hall.

The press conference with our Presiding Bishop will be held on Friday at 2 p.m. in Grand. Ballrooms Five and Six President Michael Eady and the General Council of Pastors and Elders will meet tomorrow at 5 p.m. m. here at the Marriott in Grand Ballroom five and six, the latitude and longitude restaurant located on the second floor of the Marriott will be open tonight from 9:30 until 11:30 p.m. m. They will be offering a COGIC buffet dinner at a cost of 21 per person right now and direct your attention to the screen for a video advertisement. After the video announcement, welcome Lady Felicia Sanders who serves as co-director of the empowerment workshop thank you no matter who you are no matter what you have been through God has equipped you through the Holy Spirit to be an agent of change everyone knows that You're still sane but I ruined it preacher I ruined it Too bad you're not the only one who made a mistake.

The Bible has recorded dozens of people who have made mistakes. If you don't believe me, listen. Moses had a speech impediment. Abraham was considered too old. David was too young. Daniel was thrown. in the lion's den Shadrach Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace Nehemiah had Tobias and Sam Ballard against him Gideon's army was too small Samson was crazy about women Jonah was swallowed by a fish Mary was pregnant before she was married Paul He faced Nero's block and Jesus had the whole world against him, but Paul took him and said: if God is before us, who can be against us, then the Lord is waiting in you, who will go for us and to whom I will sin and our response must be here, I am, I am sent.

Hitting bookstores this fall from Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard's sermons, a new book titled Say It, Say It, Live It, an incredibly inspiring and uplifting weekly devotional. The Holy Spirit teaches us what to do to make a difference. The Holy SpiritHe is our intercessor. The help. our weaknesses he helps our trials he protects our defects thank you Holy Spirit because it is not by power or strength but it is by my spirit every area of ​​your life must be controlled by the Holy Spirit just ask the Holy Spirit live in the power of the Spirit Holy talk to him at the Midnight Hour for God he will give you creative ideas he will talk to you at the Midnight Hour he will give you dreams and visions that is the power of the Holy Spirit even with daughters like us That is very common in the Church of God and Grace, we have spiritual mothers and I think we need to keep in mind that many of our new generation that I am embracing, those who sincerely want to come to church and dedicate their lives to Christ.

I think it is very important that we embrace them, since we are not only talking about biological mother and daughter but about spiritual mothers. Oh, we have to be aware of that, embrace them and let them know that they will come and do something. in the church that's because they haven't been taught I had to realize that they've taught us we've been raised in this they just come some of them are leaving their parents at home their parents are leaving them at church if they come in a dress a little different and they put on their hot fruity Flutie pants, I went to her and said baby let's go shopping, yeah a good church mom in my church, I'll never forget, she used to wear that brown. lip liner around my lips and I was squishing it almost like I had black lip gloss on and the mother came up to me and said honey that lip doesn't match your future I said I don't know I said now when She said listen it looks a little dark.

I'm not going to say what she said, but it looks a little dark and it turns out that mom said she looked like doo-doo, my mommy, but it turns out she was my grandmother. -law now I had the longest attitude with her but then I got another lesson from dad and then dad said uh Kiki, you can't wear every trend, every trend isn't for every leader. God bless our ads. Good evening, my Church of God in Christ. Family, this has been a week full of encouragement of spiritual enlightenment and pronounced overflow, today you received information in your sessions that all the bands and auxiliary units and others gathered and tomorrow we will continue with the empowerment workshops, you simply cannot miss this gift over there.

There are two tracks 18 workshops for each track 31 class offerings to meet everyone's needs Our mother intends to make sure she gives you the best. All 41 presenters are well qualified, credentialed, knowledgeable and experienced in their topic. We have our core offering supervisor, Dr. Argatha. The Gilmore team with The Sisterhood Network Hannah Project with a focus on financial education Second Chance Programs marriage College and much more yes, our staple, you will hear Dr. Dorinda Clark Cole speaking about evangelism and our businesswomen giving nuggets of gold and tips for success. convening our COGIC attorneys and judges and our International Department of history book clubs and women's training, yes, we have those basic classes, but we also have something new this year that balances motherhood and Ministry.

It affected me but it didn't destroy me. Someone from the same man right there, the black maternal health crisis he supports. and ministering to infertility leading the women's ministry in the local church helping our students recover from learning loss and focusing on their social and emotional well-being the story singles forum and 501c3 Ministries there is much more time that does not allow me to tell you about each class you have to come and see it for yourself and Bishop Bishop responded by popular demand. We have the class for married women who only submitted space last year and this year the ladies coming here are what he wants you to know, but they probably won.

I'm not telling you that Bishop Terence Rhone will lead a distinguished panel of bishops and national leaders, including President Michael Eden, Dr. Rosario Slack, as they engage women in a powerful conversation. Our mother shared some nuggets with us last night, ladies Maria, and this panel will continue to listen. If you want information, inspiration and motivation, bring your workshop manual and join us across the hall in the Magnolia rooms tomorrow at 11 30 for track 1 12 30 for track two we will finish the workshops in time to celebrate our mother at the president's lunch, come. to the empowerment workshops so that you can be empowered to be powerful God bless you thank you we honor our Presiding Bishop and the general meeting I will certainly honor our holy mother and Lady Karen we are excited that we are here tonight to talk about our supervisors This convention would not have been what it has been.

We have sold this hotel completely and it is thanks to the supervisors who have done a lot and we appreciate it very much and we do not take it lightly because you worked very hard and the supervisor. Karen Dean Watkins, Director of the Souvenir Journal and District Missionary Lena Vester, Chief Registrar, are going to share with you our certificates of recognition, thank you Mother McKinney, praise the Lord, I am here to honor the women who really worked , It is an honor. to come before you to give you the names of those who will receive the

2023

Souvenir Journal Commendation Award and these women really worked we have three recipients on the national side.

I will read this certificate once and then announce to everyone that it has been awarded I will begin with third place for praise and it is a difference certificate of recognition read the certificate is awarded to Supervisor Shirley Hughes First Illinois Jurisdiction for achieving third place prize for submitting the third most commendations during the 73rd International Women's Convention you will receive a red card for the 74th International Women's Convention please give it to Supervisor Hughes second place for commendations goes to Supervisor Yolanda Ford Southwest Texas Second jurisdiction for achieving second place for the most accolades during the 73rd holy oh Yes, you will receive a first level card for the 74th International Women's Convention.

Go to the Foreign Fields before I take first place. Certificates are awarded to Supervisor Martha Robinson, Germany's jurisdiction for fear of foreigners. She submitted the second highest number of compliments you will receive. a red card for the 74th International Women's Convention a man this certificate is awarded to supervisor Rosetta wife Barbados first jurisdiction of the West Indies for receiving first prize as a foreign supervisor you will receive a premier card for the 74th International Women's Convention you need a drum roll for this our first place someone said first place this certificate and I'm going to read all this this certificate is granted to oversee the keys of heresy thank you but Carolina greater jurisdiction well it's even at the beginning your friends are prohibited from greatest number of Congratulations during the 73rd International Women's Convention, you will receive two Premier cards and you will also receive a hotel suite.

Someone you know what they said for a minute. Please come this way. Just come this way. Mother Keys is a very, very hard worker and I certainly want to thank everyone, every supervisor, for whatever they did, they made it work. Mother Keys actually raised $21,000,600 and $36. We're looking for more next year, so ladies keep looking. Listen. I want to call her name next year. God bless you, thank you. thank you very much we are happy for all our winners we thank God very much for supporting the 73rd International Women's Convention and we are looking for you to support us again and next year the 74th and I have four categories in the premier cards um I'm going to start in the fourth so we can be excited as we go, how about that fourth place premier cards Louisiana first supervisor Ruby Terry praise God our third place winner premier card Illinois first supervisor Shirley and Hughes all of these are firsts fourth place will receive a white card and let me tell you any type of card you get except premier you can always improve so third place will get red card, fourth place will get white card.

Second place, premier cards. Southern California's first mother, Barbara. Bryant a premier card mom Bryant would get a premier card okay first place Rome thank you Florida East supervisor Joanne Hill that's year two praise God mom Hill will get two premier cards and a sweet for 74th place next year 2024. We have a category on red cards and that person will be Southwest Florida Supervisor Evelyn Cooper, you will get a red card and you can also upgrade your red card to Premiere if you wish. White cards, Southern California's first mother, Barbara Bryant, you would get a white card. go to the agricultural field we praise God for the foreign fields we praise God for all of you Germany in the red card and Premier cards you were in all categories you would get a red card mother Martha Robinson jurisdiction of Germany and you can also improve your red card mother and thank you all so much for working with us, we appreciate you and we look forward to working with you all again in 2024.

Thank you now please make a correction on the first West Indies jurisdiction of Barbados which is supervisor Rosetta Allen. the winning definition of all these achievements of Stella, let's give another hand to stand out, what was most outstanding at this time, we call for civic presentations. Bishop Larry Perkins and Supervisor Ruby Williams, Dr. Edie Eddie Rambo and Dr. Bilda Slack, community and state leaders will come. at this time followed by a special recognition for our illustrious supervisor by our illustrious mother supervisor Barbara McCoo Lewis she will come with a special recognition after the civic presentation let's say amen when you come good evening it is our pleasure to give you the welcome community and civic leaders Real Estate Leaders to this our 73rd International Women's Convention as I call your names, please stand Senator Geraldine Thompson, Executive Assistant, Christopher Miller, please stand, we have a tribute from the Florida House of Representatives from the office of Representative Diane Hart, president of Florida's black legislature. caucus represented by Chief of Staff Malik Moore and we will retain him thank you Florida representative Lavon Bracey Davis and his Chief of Staff Rashawn Young Orlando African American Council of Christian Clergy Bishop Derek McRae president represented by Executive Board member Pastor Sharon Reilly Metro Orlando Chapter of the national plan for the Hellenic council is represented by its president Ben Mitchell and speaking on his behalf will be Mr.

Reginald McGill, executive assistant to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and director of Community Affairs. We will be back as soon as you finish greeting your foreign call. It is already being established, it is my pleasure to represent Mayor Buddhidar, who regrets that he cannot be here today. Proclamation City of Orlando Mayor's Office Aquarius With more than 6 million members worldwide, the Church of God in Christ has made an impact. An impactful organization for more than 115 years, members once again traveled from near and far to Orlando to participate in the International Women's Convention and Crusade held for the 73rd time and while mother Barbara McCool Lewis was named and Installed as General Overseer of the Women's International Department by former Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle Bishop Charles E Blake Senior, along with the approval of the 12th General Member of the Board of Directors in her role for the church, she oversees the department of women working under the leadership of Bishop J. do shears, presiding prelate and chief apostle and although known for her determination, integrity of character and leadership, Williams is a member of the Third Generation of the Church of God in Christ and while As the city of Orlando thanks Mother Maku Lewis for her service of leadership wisdom, we are again honored to serve as the host community for the International Women's Convention and Crusade and the latest, as the city welcomes delegates from All across the United States from nations around the world coming together in Orlando for fellowship and learning of spiritual renewal, we send our best wishes for impact and gratification.

Convention and Crusade Now, therefore, Friend Dyer, Mayor of the City of Orlando, I hereby proclaim May 29 - June 2, 2023 as the 73rd Annual International Women's Convention and Crew Harvest Crusade C day today in the city of Orlando and is signed by Amir. Thank you very much, foreigner, when your schedule permits, Mother Barbara McCool Lewis, you are invited to represent the International Women's Department of the Church of God in Christ everywhere to participate in a public wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Arlington National Cemetery Washington D.C.We can do better than that mother Lewis.

This has been made possible by Bishop Emeritus Harvey Lewis Senior and Mother Gloria Lewis of the Rhode Island jurisdiction, as you know, they have done the same with our legendary mother Willie May Rivers in our Presiding Bishop J Drew Sheard and now Mother Lewis, they have been invited by the couple of more than 90 euros that is in this house tonight. Can you put your hands together for Bishop and Mother Harvey Lewis Senior again? Congratulations to you General Overseer Barbara McCool Lewis in celebration of the 73rd International Women's Convention four who knows mother if you have come to the kingdom for a time like this as this foreigner God bless you and thank you to our civic leaders and the state of Florida the city of Orlando God bless each of you We certainly honor our Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle Bishop Jay Drew Sheared, First Assistant Bishop Macklin, First Assistant, Second Assistant Bishop Wooten, and each member of the general board, without a doubt, to our beloved First Lady.

Lady Karen Clark shared an amen to the wonderful attendance and to everyone. from the women of the Lord to our living legend who is here with us tonight mother Willie May Rivers God bless you mother God bless you mother I am going to ask if Mother Joanne golet heal will come along with Mother King who is helping me tonight I heard that Bishop and mother Lewis are in the house are here Bishop God bless you thank you God bless you Bishop Harvey Lewis and mother Gloria Lewis for that distinguished honor that I will wait for and cherish all my life mother is dressed tonight she looks beautiful.

I'm going to ask Bishop Jimmy Williams. Are you in the house? Mrs. June. It's in the house? Could you come, Mother Hill? We could not go to her state without honoring and recognizing the longevity of her service around the world. over the years you have been a pillar of the Women's International Department over the years one of the longest-serving members of the Women's International Department executive board you are with me as co-chair of the special committee convention attendance you authored a book many years ago on bands and auxiliary units that served as an incredible resource to supervisors across the country, your accolades are many, you are a woman of wisdom, a woman of grace , a woman who stands tall, in fact, the records and history of the international women's department never will. be complete in our files without the name of mother Joanne Galette Hill, you have retired, you now carry the title of jurisdictional supervisor emeritus and of course there is a story behind that because she continues to serve and has represented her well jurisdiction. to ask the mother, Executive Board member, Jeanette King, if she can read the inscription of the words that have been placed on this beautiful plaque Church of God in Christ, a special record Extinguished Rec and Noteworthy Service Supervisor jurisdictional mother emeritus Joanne galette Hill serving 1998. until 2022 Eastern Florida Jurisdiction filed May 31, 2023.

International Women's Convention Orlando Florida mother Barbara McCool Lewis General Overseer Bishop J. Drew Sheard Presiding Bishop Chief Apostle Ante Que God bless Mother Joanne Galette Hill, the only servant of the Lord who continues to serve and represent Him. jurisdiction where we are we are ready for the word okay we are ready for the word missionary Hill could you pass me the program? What a joy to have the leaders of our church in our presence at this women's convention in this August body. It is not complete until we have the entry of our presiding bishop and chief apostle and all the members of the general board and all the leaders Bishop Galbraith and we appreciate your presence we do not take it for granted God bless you amen let's our leaders God bless you, We had an amazing atmosphere here this morning with our mother daughter session and your transparency really bless the women in attendance, it is time for the word of the Lord and our messenger for tonight is Dr.

Barbara Bryant's mother Barbara Bryant was named fourth jurisdictional supervisor of the Women's Department for the first ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Southern California Church of God in Christ where Bishop Joe Louis Ely is the jurisdictional prelet and this was May 6, 2021 she is a prolific Christian author speaker , a talented singer and mentor to women in the Ministry, joined the new Antioch Church of God in Christ, where the now-slumbering Bishop James a Lewis was her pastor. Joined 32 years ago and has remained faithful as a woman of God, she leads women in Ministry at the new Church of Antioch where over 50 women have accepted her call to Ministry o Current and current Pastor is Superintendent Jeffrey Martin Lewis and the First Lady Lady Fluetta Lewis my daughter in love I think I still believe they still calling me daughter in love God bless your skilled and talented book writer, the list goes on after it has concluded and we will have a selection of sermons, but before that, if you direct your attention to these screens or additional information about our speaker tonight, mother.

Bryant, with great gratitude, on behalf of the International Women's Department, I extend my gratitude to you because it was your technological genius that allowed us to have a virtual International Women's Convention in 2021, it was your genius, it is attributed to you and the Lord. He blessed us to present a stellar convention in the cyber world. God bless you for that. Amen. Please direct your attention to the screen. Bryant is a writer, singer and speaker, author of compensated suffering. FBI Talented Inspirations. Stedman makes me laugh and her latest book doesn't. As each woman engages in dialogue about critical issues of self-identity, her focus on communicating the gospel effectively and powerfully is evident in her writings and sermons.

She is a contributing writer for the Los Angeles Sentinel and Minister Voice magazine. Her teachings inspire him to know more and more the word of God. live life with deeper trust and hope in him, who now serves as supervisor of the Women's Department of the first jurisdiction of Southern California, under the leadership of Bishop Joe L E Lee, she has become one of the most progressive and innovative of our church and is overcoming barriers. to unite and empower women to use their voice and visibility to make change so that future generations can see themselves in our triumphs and challenges, the mother of two sons, Stephen and Steadman, a loving daughter, Shanita, and three grandchildren, Sophia Sloan and Stephen II, with a Bachelor's and Master's degree in journalism and mass communication, mother Bryant currently serves as an administrative facilitator of marketing and public relations for the Foreign Women's International Department, thank you, I have everything I need , lets me rest in the grass of the meadows while coming out of a quiet stream. restore myself when I don't feel well and he helps me do it, that's who I am.

I'm so glad I'm safe in basketball because it's a coincidence and it helps me do it, that's why I'm sad, it's wonderful for you to be. safe the storm is foreign better please thank you my name is God knows how to keep us God knows how to keep us safe he knows how to keep you and be safe God knows how to hide me in his own foreign what a blessing it is to know that we are safe in the arms of Jesus and because we are safe in the arms of Jesus, I don't think we're going to sit here and not let him know how much we appreciate him covering us and protecting us, so before we move on to the word. of the Lord, can we just celebrate God because there is no one like him, people of God online and in this house tonight, just open your mouth for a moment and bless the Lord because he is the good God, he is a wonderful God Can they sit in the house? of the Lord we certainly honor God and give no one greater respect and honor than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I am so happy to be one of his children. I am glad to be saved, sanctified and filled with the precious. gift of the Holy Spirit I feel favored that he has chosen me to be a messenger of the gospel and therefore I give to God great praise and great honor on this night honor, respect and high esteem to our presiding bishop and chief apostle bishop J. Drew Sheard. honor him tonight, thank you for this opportunity to help first Bishop J.W Macklin, second assistant Bishop Lawrence Wooten, members of the general board, Bishop Gilbert and the board of bishops, the gift that has not only been sent to the Church of God in Christ but to the body of Christ around the world I want you to help me appreciate our general overseer and Convention president, Mother Barbara McCool Lewis, whom the Lord used mightily in the house last night, she must be more than just the general overseer, she is more me than the convention president, she has literally raised me spiritually and I want you to help me celebrate my mom again because I am her daughter by Lady Karen Seared.

I honor you, Lady Vanessa Macklin and Lady Vanessa Wooten. God bless each of you until the first general. supervisor mother Wilma fur mother Vanessa Gatlin mother Mary Jane Walton to the administrative facilitators who I am privileged to serve in the kingdom of God where I honor each of you I want to honor all my jurisdictional supervisors my sisters in the kingdom of God Tonight I have been highly favored by the Lord to serve under one of the greatest Bishops of the Church of God in Christ and I want you to help me appreciate my leader, who is a stellar leader, Bishop Joe L E Lee, the deceased free jurisdiction of southern California.

First, please stand, bishop, it is an honor to serve with you in the kingdom of God. My first Southern California family is here, why don't you stand up? We are here tonight. I want to thank my pastor and my first lady, administrative assistant. Jeffrey Martin Lewis and First Lady Floetta Lewis and she are here tonight. God bless you. My top five are not here, they are watching online, they are my two wonderful children, Stephen and his stepfather, my lovestruck daughter Shanita and my three beautiful grandchildren who are watching online. I want to recognize my two blood sisters and my brother-in-law who support me tonight, that was my sister Cynthia Simons, my biological sister, who sang Safe in His Arms.

I want my family to support my brother-in-law and my older sister, I am the youngest of nine siblings. I'm going to talk tonight about Exodus 3, 7, and 8 and while you find that scripture, I just want to highlight a couple of books that I brought with me a few years ago. I had the opportunity to preach at the women's convention and I preached a sermon titled blessed favor and increase FBI that book is available tonight only a few more left. I would like to encourage you to stop by the group to purchase how many of you know? You don't have to wait until you get to heaven to experience blessings, favors and increases, you can experience them right here on Earth, my latest book.

I'm not every woman that sells around the world and I'm very happy to have a I have a few extra copies tonight. I would like to encourage all women to read this book. I'm not all the women I know. Chaka Khan wrote a song. I am Every woman is all in me, but because we are saved. Sanctified and filled with the precious gift of the Holy Spirit it's not all in us there are just some things we shouldn't do some places we shouldn't go some people we shouldn't go out with and I'm not all women it's a great book for women who are dealing with their own identity, are dealing with not thinking that they are perfectly and wonderfully made.

It is a great book to encourage you to let you know that you are the best that God created and that when he created you he broke the In fact, just look at another woman and say: I know you look good tonight, but you certainly don't look better than I if you don't want to read the book we brought, the sermons on CD and the healed listening, and if you are raising a child under 21 who lives at home with you just raise your hand Where are you I brought a sermon it's a sermon it's a video and it's a song it's a three pack called stop tripping I've had the privilege of serving as state youth president in my jurisdiction for 13 years and I learned something about the generation coming up behind me, they are an entitled generation , they walk this Earth as if their mother and father owed it to them. something we can't get them to make the bed or wash the dishes but they want a pair of hundred fifty dollar sneakers and they're demanding cell minutes and cell phones and they don't have a job they need to stop tripping I encourage you to pick up that three pack it's a sermon is a video and it is a CD tonight to the word of the Lord the dust the third chapter verses 7 and 8 we see a prophetic encounter and the Lord said surely I have I have seen the Affliction of my people who are in Egypt and I have heard their cry because of your task Teachers because I know your pains and I have come down to deliver you from the hands of the Egyptians I do not send the shepherd.

I will not send a first lady I will not send a prayer Warrior this time the word of the Lord says and I have come down to deliver you from the hand of the Egyptians and bring you out of that land to a good land and agreat to a land flowing with milk and honey I want to talk for a few moments about the topic the promise of milk and honey when reflecting on The limited capacity of the human mind, it is difficult to ghost a being that knows everything perfectly, but one exists and It is God as a believer.

I am convinced that it is crucial that we understand this aspect of God's character because it is so essential, it is so crucial to our understanding of who he really is. God knows everything. the god of infinite knowledge and his knowledge is unlimited the Bible is clear that the knowledge of God is the most valuable knowledge that a human being can possess because the knowledge of God is absolute and unacquired, he does not have to reflect on things like we do. He doesn't have to sit and think about a matter before responding. You don't have to observe or scrutinize the situation and fix or resolve it.

God Almighty knows everything and always knows what to do, when to do it, how to do it and he knows the reasons why he does a thing don't ask me how my answer is simple he only knows God knows what he knows because he knows it I love God because you don't have to research anything especially when it comes to dealing with your children, you don't have to reason things out, you never have to discover things or learn them gradually because God has never had to learn, no one has taught God what he knows, He didn't go to school to learn what he knows, in fact, he has. there is no need to learn because God cannot learn anything being Eternal and immutable the knowledge of God is theirs the knowledge of God is integral he is the Noor of all things because he made all things the theological words for this teaching he is omniscient refers to God's ability to know absolutely all Faith, so when we say that God is omniscient, it means that he not only knows all knowledge, but that God has perfect knowledge, has perfect understanding and perfect wisdom of all things, he is never surprised by anything, since his degree of insight and understanding never develops. in his eternity he knows everything there is to know God knows everything that will happen until the end of History itself he knows that everything that has happened is happening and will happen he also knows every potential thing that could happen God even knows those things that We still have to find out, He knows what is done in public and believe me, He knows what is done in private, He knows our intentions, He knows our motives, He knows our ways, what we will do day after day, in fact, God already knew before that you arrived here. that you were going to say what you said and do what you did, he knows everything you have done and everything you will do, speak, think or consider in the future, none of your ways are a secret to him, none of your actions are understood by him oh yes you can play with your friends you can play with your friends you can even play with the people of the church but you cannot play with the god of Abraham Isaac and Jacob cannot be deceived cannot be bought cannot be paid cannot be manipulated and certainly cannot be fooled the truth is that there is nothing hidden from the god we worship there is nothing happening in your life that he is not aware of he does not need to be informed of your problem he is not waiting for an email explaining your problem , he is not on a phone call with your enemies trying to get information about your daily encounters nor does he need to be lectured on the subject involving your name because of his concept of what he has done, oh, when I say that God knows everything about you, he knows you inside and out, in other words, you are known by God, this means that God knows you personally, he knows the entire story of your life, he knows the script, the plan for your existence, I know that we would do it.

I like to brag about knowing God God, but that conclusion does not compare or come close to God. Knowing You on My Christian Journey I have discovered that there is a difference between knowing God and being known by God. Being known by God means that God knows you. He knows who you are, in fact, God knows you better than you know yourself, he knows every detail of your life, even the secrets of your heart, nothing about your life is hidden or buried from him. Hebrews 14 and 13 support this teaching piecemeal, nothing in all creation is hidden from the sight of God everything is uncovered, exposed and uncovered before the eyes of God your prayer partner may not understand you your leader may not understand you but God understands you , he understands you very well he understands your madness he himself knows your actions he knows your weaknesses he knows your limitations he knows your strengths and abilities he knows your defects he knows your insufficiencies he knows your human flaws and your secret sins God even knows what you are good at, he knows what you can't do, know if you're going to be a committed believer, if you're going to be a faithful leader, even know if you're going to be a lying Christian or set this, all your ways are known to him because you can't deceive, though God, can I remind you tonight that God is not disabled, he is not distracted, he does not have attention deficit disorder because nothing escapes him and nothing?

He is out of sight He knows everything that is happening to you because His presence is everywhere at every moment He is not prohibited by location He is not prohibited by space God is everywhere at once The truth is that we can never wrap our minds around God and his ways, what kind of God would he be if we could predict what he would do, where he would go and how he would get there? He would be a small God, he would be like us, but God is not like us. He works from the vantage point.

He operates from a Divine plane because he knows the end from the beginning. See the full story of your life, not just the pages you witness day by day in the drama of life. God is the CEO behind it. the scenes of your existence and there are moments that he has ordained that we experience to give us what he has for us and those moments come in time, not our time but God's time. God being everywhere at once has a constant record of always appearing. in time I understand that it took time for Abraham's C to multiply when you read Genesis chapter 22 verse 17. now God made a promise to Abraham and that he would multiply his seed this was a prophetic order in Genesis 18 and 18 God declared that Abraham It will become a great and powerful nation and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in it and if you know anything about God you will know that God always keeps his Covenant always keeps his promises always keeps his word if he said it it will happen if he said it he will back it up if what he declared will be fulfilled because God promises that everything is done what makes this Promise This Promise in Genesis even more incredible is that Abraham is 75 years old and has no heirs his wife is barren he has no children when God makes this promise of this I have learned that whatever God wants to happen in your life, he will first see it before you convert it, he will first speak it before it happens God initiates what he organizes and has a reputation for making things into existence.

He is known for speaking in the present tense. What he already did in the past. How does he do it? Speak and it happens. He speaks and comes into play. It's clear. -cut we try to make it difficult for God he's not like us he just talks and it's happening don't make this complicated God said it God made it that easy it's now God said it and it was like that when he said it that made it spoken by God and it became what he said just because you're sitting here tonight and you can't touch it doesn't mean you don't have it just because you can't feel it doesn't mean it's not fair just because you don't see it doesn't mean it's not real when God speaks he becomes what God said he will be not later but now because he is a God right now ah, when God speaks no cunning demon can block it no demonic force no demonic pressure can override it no witchcraft no ingenuity no fool and no soothsayer can prevent May God's promises be fulfilled because nothing and no one can stop the Lord's providential plan.

Miraculously, Abraham and Sarah have a son Isaac 25 years later and it is through Isaac that God's greatest nation will emerge, so we must see the big picture. general here in our text tonight because often when you think of Israel you think in terms of a nation of people that is what they are now, but that is not what they always were when you read the book of Genesis one thing you will notice is that There is no nation of Israel because it did not exist for a moment I want you to consider not a nation but a man the beginning of God's promise to this nation did not classify when they became a nation began from a man Abraham God did not bless a nation, he blessed the man now God bless the man who became a nation in other words God didn't bless everyone he blessed one man that's why I'm sticking with Scorched Bishop he's debt free the church is free God will bless a man and then he will allow a man to bless a nation now that is why you must be careful how you treat people because that person you keep acting like a fool could be your road map to your blessing.

I wish I could get help here tonight as the story develops. The Bible says Abraham but God Isaac Isaac but God Jacob Jacob has 12 sons and one of them is Joseph this God. is known for ordering the steps of his children the steps of a good man God sends Joseph to Egypt as prime minister Joseph is sent ahead to Egypt ahead of his father Jacob the Bible says that Jacob and the rest of his family travel to Egypt after However, they stay for a long time and are oppressed and enslaved, which is the opposite of what God has promised.

The Bible says that while they were enslaved, the Israelites were extremely fruitful for 430 years, they multiplied greatly and became so numerous. that the earth was filled with them Exodus 12 and 37 says that their fertility resulted in more than 600,000 ordinary men as well as women and children. I don't miss this now this was the Covenant this was the promise that God made to Abraham that he would multiply their seeds multiplication duplication and reproduction made them a nation and now Pharaoh wants to kill them because they have outnumbered his crew he didn't want them they grew but they had to grow they had to reproduce they had to multiply they had to establish themselves and develop in numbers because of the promise that God made Abraham trust me when I tell you that if God has planned for you to be successful, you will never have to worry about your enemies, you will never have to worry about someone in your camp trying to stop your growth, stop your progress, stop.

Your advancement stops your success in the Kingdom of God, if God has planned for you to succeed, it may seem like you are sinking, but you will always jump to the top right in front of the people who tried to stop your progress. and hold you someone should thank God who is on your side wow wow wow they were in Egypt the children of Israel had no idea as they multiplied of it A promise is being fulfilled they have no idea that the Covenant God made with Abraham is being fulfilled represented while they are being afflicted, they had no idea that they were being established while they were being afflicted, they had no inclination that the transformation was occurring in the middle of the day, that God was making them a nation and they were about to enter into the identity that God had given them they thought they were slaves but they were children of the Promise they thought they were slaves but God didn't see them as slaves he saw them as a nation now that's why I love talking about God everyone likes talking about people but I like to talk about God uh God saw them as a nation he because God always sees you differently than how you see yourself oh Romans 4 27 says that he calls them those things that are not as if they were That's why It is better to leave God's people alone because First John 3 and 2 says that it does not yet look like what we will be, to stop putting people down and acting like they are better than them just because I am in the background today. doesn't mean I won't be on the front lines tomorrow just because I had to take a bus to get here doesn't mean I won't have my own car next week still not showing up what we'll learn how to leave God's people alone God God God God I love to God because he first had to position the children of Israel to receive what he promised and he had to make them a nation first when they became a nation.

Pharaoh put this on them to afflict them and now their abundance was too heavy to bear and they felt stuck they felt trapped and they felt hopeless and they couldn't take it anymore but God knew it would happen because God knows all things God knew their afflictions he He knew their pain, their problems would move them to cry out to him for help, he already predicted it because God is unknown. I told you that he is omniscient, he knows how much you can endure, he knows how much you can endure before you break, they cried out to God that it wasn't like that, no beautiful cry, they cried out to God.

God how have you ever been so broken where you had to cry out to the Lord you found yourself rolled up on the floor like a towel crying out to God for help they cried out to the Lord Lord help? we need your help God we are broken God we are hurt Lord we will be surrounded by our enemies God we are supported in a corner of Jesus our backour steps are being ordered and you are guiding us, you are leading us to a good land, a land flowing with milk and honey clap for the word of God we are preparing to embrace the spirit of giving Better Days there Better Days as many as you can see your land and it looks good don't be angry with me because I see a good land I see a free Dutch land I see a land that is overflowing with prosperity and wealth I see a land that I don't even have to work for because the enemy is going to work on my behalf and when God do it well, it will take me us to that land, please don't go with everyone in the house, get a seat 20 for a friend, a seat 20 for Friends, stand where you are if you are going to sow that twenty dollar seed that I will give them through my phone on gibplify. so then everyone should be giving the Lord preparing to take the leader has spoken that God has come down to deliver us from Egypt and I leave here believing that the rest of my days I will live in wealth and prosperity I am attaching better days are to come Lord, We thank you for the provision we ask that you accept these gifts and use them for your glory May our seeds tonight bring shelter to the helpless Comfort to the sick rest to the weary and hope to the Hopeless just as you multiply the offering of the fish and loaves I ask you to multiply our offerings tonight in you in the name of Jesus amen bring those gifts Better days better days Better days are coming thank you these things I really believe it better days for our church I really believe it better days and the days are coming oh yes yes better days are coming these days oh yes Better days better days are coming so our days are coming days I will see better days better days are coming like hey yes no prophetic word tonight, let's give God a hand, we praise for that mighty , powerful, powerful word on this night, what can we say?

We'll just walk out the door rejoicing tonight as Overseer Mildred Lindsay from Grace, this Virginia jurisdiction, comes to give us our blessing I'm feasting on my milk and honey everyone praise the Lord everyone praise the Lord everyone God has been good with us tonight and we heard such a powerful message tonight we do not want you to leave here without thanking God for all his goodness and all his mercy we can say at our feet dear heavenly father we are very grateful for everything you have done for us and everything you are going to do for us oh God cover us with your blood as we leave this place have mercy on us protect and guide us oh God keep all the rapists and thieves the murderers of us Jesus take us home to our seven places without no harm or danger oh god look at us tonight bless the speaker tonight when she brought a mighty mess of butlers oh god we thank you for what our eyes have seen we think of what our ears have heard we thank you for what our hearts have felt and we thank you bless your name tonight oh God we thank you for our leader tonight we thank you for our supervisor mother McCall Lewis tonight oh God strengthen our body keep us strong Jesus cast your loving arms of protection around of her oh God look at our Bishop tonight look at our first lady tonight protect them as they come in and out of the doors oh God have mercy on us oh God look at that gentle child tonight Jesus protect them Jesus God and protect them Jesus put them in the bright path Jesus oh God we need your help tonight you know what was before us before we got here we have threats Jesus but oh God you were all covering you covered us with your blood and we are muscular we are grateful for your covering we thank you for your goodness we thank you for your mercy we thank you for your goodness and we thank you for your mercy because we know that your mercy is new every morning and we thank you for your mercy and oh Lord be with us oh God take us to our various places oh God as we leave this place Jesus do not give your presence but if we leave this place Jesus be our covering be our covering in Jesus may the blood protect us oh God walk by our side walk with us Jesus and bring back at the appointed time these blessings in the name of Jesus we ask you amen amen degrees