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| Volume 1 Issue 1 | July 2006 | Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 | ||
Covenant CornerIf you’re over 18, you’ve completed a Life in the Spirit Seminar and you have an ardent desire to go deeper in your commitment to God and the People of Praise community, then the Covenant Commitment is for you! Revamped in January 2001 after a rousing discourse by Rose Jackman of the Living Water Community at the close of the year 2000, this covenant body of members has been growing progressively. In 2006, eighty-five persons joyfully committed themselves for a period of one year, to freely offer their time, talent and treasure for the building up of the kingdom of God through the ministry of the People of Praise Community and to pursue a lifestyle in accordance with the statutes of the community. Traditionally, a series of quarterly retreats are held to assist the covenant membership to faithfully live out their commitment, and 2006 would be no exception. The first of these retreats titled “Yield! to the Holy Spirit” took place at the Sanctuary of the Holy Family in Diego Martin on the evening of 11th February. From the onset, the anointing was so thick … you could slice it with a knife! For starters, the membership received their spanking new sterling silver pins/pendants – symbols of the new covenant, designed by our very own Colin Reyes. Thereafter we moved into the chapel where we were led in a spirit filled opening prayer by Natasha Valentine, one of the members of the Covenant Management Team for 2006. The outpouring continued with Br Davis Melville and Sr Jocelle Scott ushering in the presence of the Holy Spirit through anointed praise and worship respectively. As we sang “Holy Spirit come with your fire” persons began to experience a personal Pentecost. The double portion was yet to come as Br Winston, our community director, broke open the scriptures to teach and inspire us to yield our lives to the Holy Spirit. With his tools - Strong’s concordance, a junior dictionary, some key scriptures and inspiration from God – Br Winston had us at the edge of our seats and moved us to a point of surrender and expectation. All that was simply preparation for what God was about to do. Each person was ministered to individually by prayer teams who had been preparing themselves to be instruments of God. The rest is history … healing, power and deliverance flowed in abundance that night. What’s in place to keep the spirit of Covenant alive? Covenant Units! Launched in June 2006, CUs exist to inspire agape love among our members. Essentially, CUs are support groups that focus on helping each member grow in prayer, study, service, community and other important areas, personal or general that may need attention or support. CU members are asked to keep in touch with each other and from time to time will be called upon to assist with the work of the community or special event. In the Covenant pipeline for the rest of 2006 is an agenda that promises to be both meaningful and exciting. It kicks off with the next Covenant day on the evening of Saturday 22nd July, at the Regional Seminary. Other dates carved out for subsequent Covenant retreats are 9th September and 19th November 2006. The Covenant management team and leadership of the People of Praise
community welcome these first time covenanted members for 2006: As well as those returning to covenant membership in 2006 Submitted by Debbie Garcia |
