Newshome

Message from the Leader

Wings of Praise! The voice of the People of Praise community, proclaiming salvation, healing and deliverance through praise. Congratulations to our editors and contributors. We have moved from Kairos to Wings of Praise thus we must thank all those who have produced newsletters over the past years and months.

My deeper sense suggests that the community is about to enter a new phase of its life. I believe community life will become a more enabling enriching experience as the House of Praise comes to life. Hopefully ‘Wings of Praise’ would travel far and wide finding itself in the hands of benefactors, friends, members and supporters both locally and internationally.

Let the world know that Jesus is alive in P.O.P.

Br. Winston

Married Couples Ministry

As a growing community, there are various needs by individuals but a fundamental need is one of support for each other, despite where we are in the eyes of God. The community has recognized that marriage is a life time commitment and calls for a great deal of dedication and support for families to live the life that is pleasing to our Lord. Married Couples Ministry, headed by Colin & Natalie Reyes and assisted by Kevin & Annette Downes and Leroy & Helen Herbert, came together to look at ways to lend support and provide an avenue where couples can positively impact the lives of each other. A vision was formulated which states “Supporting each other while connected to the vine”. This spiritual confirmation comes from John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty: for cut off from me, you can do nothing.”. Smaller Married couple teams were then formed with the intent to further create manageable teams supporting each other as we move along. Josette Perry, Chantal Sweeney, Kevin Downes, Lauren Rampersad and Leroy Herbert were identified as extended team leaders for these groups.

A questionnaire was then sent out to all married couples which mainly provided the opportunity for couples to identify and prioritize the pressing issues experienced in marriages today. The feedback and results were amazing. Overall there seem to be general consensus in some key areas of interest.

The main areas were Financial Advice/Planning, Relating with Spouse/Resolving Conflicts/Forgiveness, Children Discipline/Parenting and Sexual Intimacy.

Based on the feedback, Financial Planning was revealed as the “hottest” topic. A retreat took place in April, 2006 at the Reyes’s residence which focused on handling this area of interest.Very qualified Financial Advisors, Br. Christo Gouveria and Br. Rawl Rollocks from a well known major corporation were invited to speak to the married couples present. 

There were over 80% married couples in attendance. The theme was “Choosing Financial Freedom: The importance of Financial Planning”. A great deal of healthy discussions took place pertaining to the importance of budgeting / knowing where all it all goes, improving one’s financial situation, thinking about Retirement /emergencies /accumulation of wealth and protection (REAP model). The smaller groups continue to meet and are proving to be very useful.

Following the 1st successful Retreat in 2006, another Retreat is expected to take place at the end of July to further support and deal with other pressing issues identified via the questionnaire. Other activities being planned for the rest of the year are a Family day in September and a Marriage Encounter in November with the assistance from Family Life Commission.

The members of this Committee have vested interest in this Ministry; they are all very much energized through the glory of God to continue to look for ways to uplift their marriages and the married couples in the community, as a means of sustaining family life.

Submitted by Annette Downes

Operation Prayer Storm—Mark 11:22-24

As people came from different prayer groups, parishes and from every walk of life, we gathered together on that sunny Sunday morning on January 29th 2006, for one purpose: to learn to “Storm Heaven” with prayer. This truly was a prayer storm in operation.

At the People Of Praise Community, we have a very strong and active Intercessory ministry, which consist of Twenty – eight (28) members. We meet every Monday for one hour from 7.00pm to 8.00pm. “Operation Prayer Storm 2006”, was our 2nd annual Intercessory Prayer Conference.

On that glorious day Our Bro. Winston Garcia –Spiritual Director welcomed all to the conference and the atmosphere was charged with expectation. After welcoming the attendees, he launched into his message that set a powerful tone for the rest of the conference. He spoke about conversion and transformation, which inspired the people to be transformed by the word of God rather than be conformed by the pressures of this world.

Then came a very dynamic speaker Sis. Mary Baptiste from the Zion Community in South Trinidad. She examined the power of prayer, types of prayer and the posture of an Intercessor. Her talk was very informative and the power of God moved amongst the people. Finally, one of our seasoned speakers and leaders Sis. Debbie Garcia, examined the conference scripture – Mark 11: 22-24. She began her session with the different types of natural storms and then plunged into how to storm heaven with prayer.

As these speakers took the platform the audience listened intently and were ready to equip themselves to prayer effectively. The atmosphere continued to be charged with God’s Holy Spirit as the Intercessory leaders conducted workshops.

Workshop leaders were Marcia Gouveia, Lysia Ramkissoon, Cassandra Ramcharitar, Visia Sukha, Shirley Mason and Lauren Rampersad. Workshop topics ranged from territorial intercession, communal intercession and the power of anointed intercession.

The conference climaxed with Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. George Lewis from the Maloney parish. Healing and anointing of all those present followed.
This has been a great time, since it thrilled my heart to see both men and women on their face before God, with their hands in the air, worshipping, praising and praying to God.

As the chairperson and one of the main organizers of the conference, I encouraged the people to increase their prayer life, so they in turn, can help change the lives of others. As they departed, there was a tangible air of excitement. The instructions, revelations and inspirations had changed their lives and they were ready to impart those things to their prayer groups, communities, families and parishes.

We just want to say thanks to the Intercessory ministry and to all those who contributed towards making this Conference such a success. We look forward to January 2007. God Bless and book your seat early!!!

Ann Marie Liverpool
Member of the service team/Intercessor