Anointed, Intentional and Saturated with God’s presence are just some of the words that describe the Passion and Purity Girls’ Conference held in association with Inter-schools’ Christian Fellowship (ISCF) and Christian Teachers in Action (CTIA) at Merl Grove High School on Saturday, February 18, 2023.
The day saw members of the host school, Merl Grove High, as well as young ladies from rural and corporate high schools converge in worship under the theme “Reigniting the Love.” Worship led by host principal Ms. Loretta Ricketts paved the way for the day’s events and welcomed God’s sweet presence. Throughout the day, the girls were inspired by powerful speakers and gospel ministers, and they thoroughly enjoyed the special features such as the panel discussion addressing real, raw issues on purity and embracing God’s love, the fashion show in which Merl Grove students modelled modest styles by For Your Glory Designs, and ministering arts items.
Hearts and minds visibly yielded and surrendered to God at various points throughout the day, especially at the altar calls, and we continue to receive praise reports and testimonials of gratitude for the work that God has begun. The day’s activities ended at a fever pitch with a gospel concert featuring Ministers Jodi-Kaye Jones, Tiffany Levy, Chavel Stewart, and Rhoda Isabella.
TESTIMONIALS
“I got baptized on November 20th, 2022. It was one of the greatest moments of my life and I cried so many tears that day I could feel the Holy Spirit alive and active and I screamed so many praises to my King. Many days passed after my baptism and I realize school was becoming a very big distraction for me. I hardly prayed, I only read my Bible during the week and when I was stressing about school, I rarely brought the matter to the Lord. I felt far from him and feelings of anxiety were plaguing my mind.
When going to church, my social anxiety was always active, I couldn’t praise the Lord like how I would if I was in private all because I felt anxiety; could you believe it? This fear was holding me back in everything that I did.
I developed a way to incorporate God throughout my day, so I was able to pray to Him and read His word not only on the weekends but also throughout the week. Still, within myself, I didn’t feel as close to Him as I did before. A couple of weeks passed and I started hearing about the Passion and Purity Conference and because I knew I had school work, I instantly decided I was not going to go, but God had other plans. On that Saturday morning, I was at the Conference even after weeks of deciding I was not going to attend. There I was at the Conference worshipping my Lord.
When they called all of us to go to the altar, that fear was there holding me back but I still went up to the altar and I laid it all there, I expressed how I was feeling. I asked God to speak to me, to take away the stress, to help me draw near to Him again. I gave every future plan to Him. I gave Him everything I had. I laid it all out, and after I went back to my seat, all I could do was cry. I felt so bad for not drawing near to Him, for letting that fear hold me back when I know He doesn’t give me a spirit of fear. I felt bad for not giving everything to Him and I started crying even harder.
SPOKE IN HEAVENLY LANGUAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME
The Holy Spirit came upon me and I was bawling my eyes out. God reminded me of how much He loves me and that He is here. How all I needed to do was allow Him to do all that He can do in my life. I started screaming how sorry I was for not giving everything to Him, for not drawing closer to Him, for letting fear hold me captive, for my thoughts of unworthiness. I even started repenting for my past sexual sins, everything that I knew I did wrong.
For every sin, I shouted how sorry I was, with tears running down my face, and when I was done and I got up, for the first time ever I spoke in tongues. After years on this journey with the Lord, I finally spoke in this holy language.
The Lord delivered me from my fears of the past and my fears of the present, He reminded me that He is here and He is never going to leave me. He loves me, The Lord loves me. The bondage of fear, of anxiety, is now broken in Jesus’ name. I am free because of my Lord.”
– K.A., 4th former, Merl Grove High School
“I really enjoyed the Girls’ Conference. I felt blessed, it was indeed amazing, I love the messages sent, the worship sessions. The presence of God was definitely there!!
I also loved the fact that the conference had creative aspects such as fashion shows, saxophonist playing, skits, Gospel artistes, people sharing their stories and testimonies. It was well-planned and really engaging. I enjoyed it!! May God continue to bless the Passion and Purity team abundantly.
Also thank you for giving me a Passion and Purity Book. I really appreciate it!!”
- Sherika Williams, ISCF President, Holy Childhood High School
“I’m a Christian but since the beginning of 2023, I have been overwhelmed in all aspects of life, which drove me further away from the love of God and His presence but on February 18, 2023 at the Girls’ Conference hosted at Merl Grove High School, I was blessed and set free.
The atmosphere was rich and the spiritual harvest was ripe and I did reap a blessing of freedom, peace, joy, and mostly the fiery love of God. My heart sings praises and my lips cannot begin to tell of His goodness and grace.”
- Dasia- Ann Lyons, 6th former St. Catherine High School
