August 7, 2020 | St. John’s, Antigua | Kay White, Women’s Ministries Director
The persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe has resulted in the collapse of once robust health care sectors and systems, severe psychological distress, the deaths of hundreds of thousands of persons, and a catastrophic economic depression.
In response to these crises, the South Leeward Conference (SLC) joined the world church in 100 Days of Prayer from March 27 -July 4, 2020. The objective of this initiative was to encourage its members to earnestly petition the throne of God during this time of catastrophe and uncertainty.
The Women's Ministries department, in particular, mobilized the women of the South Leeward Conference to intentionally participate in the global prayer initiative through the launch of 40 Days of Prayer from April 15- May 25, 2020, under the theme: Women Covered by Prayer.
As a consequence of this, on each island within the South Leeward Conference, women prayed: via the Zoom platform, through phone calls, and in families at 7am and 7pm on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The major areas of focus during these prayer meetings were: the conversion of women in the community, domestic violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic, the physical and the mental health of women, women who work within the health sector, and mothers who were engaged in home schooling.
On the Zoom platform, Dr. Carson Greene (SLC President), Dr. Wayne Knowles (SLC Executive Secretary), Pastor Kay White (SLC Women's Ministries Director), and Pastor Nicola Newsam (Tobago Mission district pastor), were a few of the presenters who addressed the women on pertinent topics such as exercise, evangelism, abuse, and self- confidence. The Sunday evening prayer sessions, which continue via Zoom, have been exhilarating and transformational. One woman stated via Zoom: " I look forward to these sessions every Sunday since they set a positive tone as I begin my week."
The Women's Ministries department of the South Leeward Conference continues to be committed to providing a relevant and life-changing ministry which will ultimately facilitate the holistic development of the women in St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, Barbuda and Montserrat.