Equipping the Saints Conference Recap
September 15, 2009 by Lakita
Filed under Event Recaps, News and Updates
I am constantly amazed by how the Lord continues to manifest HIS splendid presence at the Equipping the Saints conference in St. Louis, MO. Worshippers came together from across the rivers and across the ocean with one purpose: To lift up the name of Jesus!
As we praised and worshipped on one accord, He manifested HIS presence in such a tangible way. There were testimonies of physical healings, deliverance and revival.
This year, we welcomed International guests from Bahamas, Barbados, Antigua, and Bermuda! It was a special pleasure to fellowship with you all. I count it an honor that you would travel to the United States to attend Equipping the Saints. It is my prayer the conference exceeded your expectations and you left spiritually full, armed and equipped. Ready to take new knowledge and inject it into your respective community.
Thursday Night
Enter into HIS gates with thanksgiving and into HIS courts with PRAISE!
Wings of Praise started us off Thursday with a wonderful procession. This was followed by congregational praise & worship led by Minister Rekesha Pittman. Kudos to all the congregational dancers that volunteered!
Silent Praise from Omaha, NE ministered Praise Him in Advance by Marvin Sapp. This ministries testimony truly blessed me! (Read it in full below!) Since the conference, they have started a praise dance, mime, African, and flag ministry. They are truly doing the work of the ministry. To Dr. Anderson and the rest of the Allen AME leadership….keep up the GOD work! I see the Lord all over those youth and the best is yet to come!
Patricia Burnett you touched my son’s chest during your prophetic dance and he has been seeking the Lord every since. Thank you so much for allowing God to use you in such a might way!!
- Miriam A. , St. Louis, MO
Ms. Lauren Brown ushered us into the Holy of Holies with an anointed worship medley. This P.K. (that is "preacher’s kid) is the daughter of our evening speaker Pastor Tanya Brown. At 14 she is letter the Lord use her mightily through song, prophecy and the preached word!
Our speaker, Pastor Tanya Brown from Bethesda Temple of Alton, IL stepped into an atmosphere that was charged for worship. As she shared her testimony of the Lord’s grace, mercy and miraculous power the Spirit of the Lord began to fall and His people. To God be ALL the Glory!
Friday – Breakout Sessions & Dance Intensives
This year we introduced several new sessions and a 4-hour dance & mime intensive. Some of the new classes include Preparing to Meet the Bridegroom, Understanding the Times: Issachar & Israel, Raquad! Step it Up, Processions & Pageantry, Streamers in the Desert and About My Father’s Business.
The facilitators were all phenomenal! They eagerly shared scripturally sound advice, revelations and knowledge. Thank you all for sharing your gifts.
The dance intensive we just that….INTENSE! Those that braved the 4-hour workshop learned foundational techniques that they could apply in movement. I peeked in both classes and they covered conditioning, positioning, posture, walking, body alignment, choreography and so much more. Everyone definitely looked as if they received a full body workout!
For His Glory Dance Ministry started our evening service with Anthem of Praise. These girls ministered with flags under the anointing.
The few students from the Mime Intensive session along with facilitator Minister Robert Hayes reminded us that We Need the Glory. Their cry for the GLORY to fall resonated with the attendees as we shifted into worship.
Pat & Gary Anderson of Wings of Praise blessed us with Let the Veil Down Let the Praise Go Up by Judy Jacobs. They used the billows in such a way it felt like the Lord was breathing on us!
Minister Rekesha Pittman encouraged us to FLY! The Lord used her to minister to people prophetically and set the platform for our evening speaker Prophet Barbara McClain to bring the Word!
Saturday- Breakout Sessions, Five Fold Ministry Panel & Prophetic Wedding Feast
I was overwhelmed with the number of people that showed up for Between the Porch & Altar intercessory prayer! Under the leadership of Dr. Ann Higgins we strategically prayed for our nation, Jerusalem, our visiting nations, and dancers everywhere to name a few.
We continued with our daily breakout sessions including new sessions: God’s Order for Garments TM, Streamers in the Desert and Challenges in Ministry (taught by my pastor!).
After the last breakout session, we held a 5 Fold Ministry Panel Discussion. This was an opportunity for the attendees to ask their questions directly from those operating is various areas of ministry. There were some great questions…I’ll post the Q&A that I can remember on the website, so be sure to bookmark this site and check back!
Dr. Ann Higgins blessed us with a ministry selection in the evening before our speaker. The selection was so appropriate for Equipping the Saints – fill us up & send us out!
Elder Cecilia Beasley was our evening preacher. The Lord allowed her to release a prophetic song…only 7 words, but it is still in my spirit: Thy Kingdom Come…Thy Will be Done. It still brings tears to my eyes every time I think of it!
Immediately following her sermon was the Prophetic Wedding Feast. Wings of Praise created a beautiful depiction of the Marriage of the Lamb. There were streets paved with gold, beautiful banners, and communion. It was such a personal worship experience as we were individually escorted through a canopy to ascend the the wedding feast. It was an awesome reminder of the glory that awaits those of us whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life!
Sunday – Morning Worship & Fellowship!
On Sunday we caravaned across the river to my church home, O’Fallon Apostolic Assembly, for our 8:00 am service. Dr. Ann Higgins preached a RHEMA WORD! She encouraged us to step into position so we could continue to see Jesus.
After service, we traveled to one of my favorite restaurants (Bristol’s Seafood Grill) for an all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch. We ate, laughed, and recapped all the events that took place…officially marking the end of EQS2009.
Special Thank You!
Equipping the Saints 2010!
Many of you have contacted me about pre-registering for Equipping the Saints 2010. Once all the information is finalized early registration will open. I hope to have the dates and location confirmed and available by the next newsletter release.
Heads up! There will be an "Early Registration" challenge. All I’ll say now is community effort will be necessary for it to work.
I has been my honor to serve as your conference host for a 3rd year and I am looking forward to the 4th should be Lord delay His return.
Conference Photos!
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GLORY! GLORY! GLORY! GLORY! GLORY!
Is but one way to express the awesome experience that was Equipping the Saints! As a Facilitator, I was blessed to meet so many people open to the Word of the Lord and have the praise report to say that I left refreshed and filled with awe!
EQS is a conference like no other, and just keeps getting better! Angelic visitation, signs and wonders, awesome worship, prophetic movment still enters my mind as I reflect on His goodness last week and Sunday morning. I am thankful for your wonderful hospitality, generous spirit, and true servant’s heart. We need more dance leaders like you who will put the needs of the people first and obey God, whatever the cost. I have been equipped!
In Him,
Rekesha Pittman
This was truly an awesome experience. I have never seen such freedom in the Holy Ghost as I did at this conference. There were no limits and no boundaries which caused a mighty move of God. I have seen angels in visions but never have I seen them manifest in such degree. I will never forget this experience. And to top it off, the Holy Marriage of the Lord was awesome. I loved taking communion with the Lord. This conference was truly at another dimension in the spirit. I look forward to the next conference. I am already preparing for the next conference.
Be Blessed
Sheila
The EQS intense dance workshop was awesome and refreshing. It was just what our group, Lyrical Praise needed. As a more seasoned dance ministry we needed those stretch techniques and dance techniques in order to enhance our routines. We are looking forward to additional conferences close in our in our region. We will definitely use what we learned on friday. Special kudos to our instructor Mrs. Patricia Barnett.
I just want to say AAMMEEENN!!!!!! EQS has changed my life. I left with the strength and courage to be me. I released ssoooooo much baggage that I didn’t know I was still holding on to. Every session was powerful and holy ghost filled. The facilitators were awesome as well. I cannot say enough. Special thanks to Rekesha. Thank you for helping me realize that I can FLY!!!! Lakita…. Well done. The youth that came with me were praising the Lord like I have never seen before. They are sooo excited about the Lord’s work. I truly feel more equipped. Shout out to our international guest who I had the opportunity to dine with at the luncheon on Saturday. This conference is such a blessing to not only the arts but to everyone in the midst of it.I look forward to next year.
@Minister Rekesha: Girl I absolutely love you! Thank you for being an INSTRUMENTAL part of Equipping the Saints, a yielded vessel, and a friend!
@Evg. Sheila Williams: My big sis! Thank you for saturating the atmosphere with praise every evening. Freedom, liberty, no limits, no boundaries!!
@Ms. Merry: It was such a pleasure to meet you first at the Sacred Evening, then at EQS. I’m glad you all got what you needed. Titus 2!
@Ms. Johnson: To God be ALL the GLORY!!!!!!
Sis. Lakita,
There are no words to describe what God did at this Conference! I thought last year was something, but this year – MY GOD!!! Every night the Glory of God showed up.
From the first night, when Praise and Worship was going on, one of the workers pulled me out into the isle (I had been sort of dancing by my seat), and I began to do what I hadn’t been able to do for two years! I was actually dancing with no hesitation or hindrances. I had been in an accident, where I was hit from behind, and my right foot was messed up, and I underwent surgery to correct the damage. My lower body wouldn’t coperate, and I have been praying to be able to minister in dance again. Well, that’s about to happen! I’m yet holding on to the healing I received at this Conference; soon, I will be able to surprise my Dance Team, and my Pastor, as I Minister to “Healing in His Wings”, a song the Father gave me when I first began ministering in dance, for others, now it will minister to me, as I minister to His people! I can’t wait to see what He does.
I can’t wait until next year. I know that He is preparing to take you and your Ministry to another level. I just want to be there to go up with you! To God be the Glory, for the things He has done, and is yet doing. I love you and will be continually praying for you and the work God has called you to do in the Body. Thank you for being obedient to the Call.
Blessings & much love,
Min. VeRita D. Quinn
Davidic Dance Ministry Leader
Anointed Word International Ministries, Inc.
Markham, IL.
Hello Sister. Glory in the Highest! Praises to our heavenly Father for all He has done. My first response to the conference is speechless. As a first year attendee I truly was not expecting the Lord to meet me like He did. The journey from my home state of California to St. Louis was purely spiritual. I needed God to do a great work in me and that’s exactly what He did. He confirmed and restored me back into my spiritual position (which absolutely means the world to me), plus He connected me with new people who I hope to have relationships with in the future. The devil has been attacking my body with sickness since I came back home but I’m not receiving it. He’s just trying to make me lose my blessing and revelation. That is not happening!
Thank you so much for your obedience. I know that it was an unimaginable sacrifice but believe me, this was a fragrant offering to the Lord. I know that He’ll bless you for this.
My God, my God
I came hungry and left filled and overflowing. God is truly amazing. This was my first international conference and I got much more than I expected.
First let me thank you for being a wonderful, selfless, gracious host. You made me feel welcome from the first conversation and when I landed in St. Louis, it was no different. God bless you.
Special thanks to Elder Cecelia Beasley. I left her session with a special touch from the Holy Spirit – what she shared touched me to the core. I took what I received into the session with Evangelist Tyane Boyd and God just continued to pour and as He poured in I poured out to Him and He continued to pour in. Capping it off was the prophetic wedding ceremony, I was moved to tears and the presence of the Holy Spirit was there in a tangible way.
You couldn’t have chosen a better name for the conference – Equipping the Saints. I am certainly equipped and now I will impart all that I have received to the members of the dance ministry.
I am already planning to be there next year and for sure, I won’t be coming alone.
For sure, my life will never be the same. Our God is amazing, wonderful and excellent and His hand was over and on your conference.
I speak increase, enlarged borders, humility and much favour upon you and those associated with you, who made EQS 2009 all that God wanted it to be.
I thank God for divine connections. Be forever blessed Lakita, be forever blessed.
@Min Quinn: I know it is going to be an awesome testimony for the congregation to see you minister and dance….and the song….how appropriate! GLORY!
@Tameka: I’m glad the Lord exceeded your expectations!
@Jacqui: Thank you for being our first representative from the island of Barbados. I look forward to the day we meet again!
Blessings and Love,
Lakita
This is my second year attending the conference, and like the first, it was great! God is truly in the blessing business! I was able to bring most members of our dance ministry to the conference this year and they made comments about how they could feel the spirit move and could feel God’s presence. We had breakthroughs for some! To God be the glory! Our youth have now ministered at two conferences in the past six weeks and we have been blessed. A woman gave our youngest member of Silent Praise Mime Dancers a $10 gift because the Lord put it on her spirit to sow a seed. She was touched and had been ministered to by this little one, who subsequently spent her $10 on a flag. We made the trip home after the last workshop on Saturday, arriving home some time after midnight. Although a tiring trip by car, each member of our dance ministry was present for Sunday worship service with a renewed sense of joy and excitement. The little one who bought herself a flag “recruited” two other little girls and the Lord used them in flag worship! Praise God! As for myself, I was given confirmation about what a “ministry” is, more than just dancing but knowing my dance ministers. We’ve had two rehearsals since being home and the dance ministers have become more active in the choreography as the Lord leads them (and us as dance leaders). It’s just amazing to see where God is leading us as the dance ministry and where He is taking our church! From last year’s conference, with God’s help we were able to come home and create three new ministries: 1) ‘Wings of Praise’ liturgical/interpretive dance, 2) ‘Silent Praise’ mime ministry, and 3) ‘Back to Our Roots’ African Praise Dancers. As a result of attending this year’s conference, God led us to develop two new ministries: 1)’Praise Angels’ flag worship with our youth 10 and under, and 2)’Joshua Army’ a group of young warriors stepping for Jesus! Thank you, Lakita and the staff of EQS for being a blessing to us at Allen Chapel AME Church in Omaha, Nebraska – through your gifts and through EQS we have a renewed worship experience! May God continue to bless you as you continue to bless others…
Hello again, Lakita.
I just want to again say, thank you for allowing God to use you in such a mighty way. These conferences are truly inspired by the Holy Ghost. I have gotten so much healing and deliverance from them and am still overflowing. My children’s lives have been changed and it is even showing up in our youth praise dance ministry at my church. I still cannot stop raving about all the divine revelations God gave me and all and miracles performed in my life and my children’s lives.
Rekesha Pittman, thank you for allowing me to dance alongside you. It was truly an honor! Evg. Sheila Williams thank you for being a true prophetess for God. I am still walking in my life changing experience! God bless you!! Eld. Cecilia Beasley, what a powerful Word! Thank you for preaching to me. God worked a miracle in my spirit through your preaching. I cannot wait until the DVD is released! Dr. Ann Higgins you are truly an inspiration. Oh and btw, I gave my flag money in the offering that night and the next day someone did walk up to me and handed me two beautiful lame glory flags for free! Hallelujah! Speaking of which Patricia Keiffer and Suzzane Tushar, thank you so much for all your advice on making flags and streamers, etc. I have stopped surging my lame : ) I am going to get right yet. Pastor Daniel Smith thank you for your teaching on praise and worship. Your class truly revived my spirit and I have been striving more and more everyday to be the praise and worship leader God has called me to be. Robert Hayes thank you for all the wonderful advice on how to build a powerful and anointed mime team. My children were so enlightened by your classes; I wish I had before and after videos to show how much they learned from you. They are teaching me stuff now. Patricia Burnett you touched my son’s chest during your prophetic dance and he has been seeking the Lord every since. Thank you so much for allowing God to use you in such a might way!!
To everyone I had the pleasure of enjoying brunch with…Lakita, Patricia, Rekesha, Kee Kee, Dr. Higgins, Evg. Boyd, Cassandra, Regina, Adrian, and Kelly (I hope I got all of your names right. If not please charge it to my head and not my heart)… thank you. I was in the company of greatness and was quite nervous, but it was a wonderful experience. Keep in touch!
Last but not least, Dr Wells, Sr. and First Lady Wells thank you sooooooooo much for Sis. Lakita. I know behind every powerful ministry leader there has to be powerful supporting Pastors in their corner. I truly thank God for you two! God bless you!
Again, if I forgot anyone, please charge it to my head and not my heart. God bless you all and I cannot wait for next year!!!
There is so much I can say about this experience. The presentations, the worship experiences, the deliverance I experienced (Thank Min. Boyd for helping my battle scars heal…I see that I was healed to help heal), the opportunity to minister with Mr. Robert Hayes (full of the Holy Spirit, thank you for your gifts and story), the opportunities to connect with Mrs. Rekesha (praise God for my relationship with Monique for me from Topeka to learn so much from you), Ms. Lakita (God blesses his workers, and I know you put in SO MUCH time..blessings hundred fold), Dr. Higgins (I already knew I was in the right place, but when I found out about your connection to Dr. Myles Monroe-I felt that I was in my kingdom-appointed place), Min. Beasley (your message still speaks SO MUCH to me, I listen to it at least once a week), and all the other powerful speakers, leaders, and servants (I could fill a newsletter…or two..or ten!!!). Truly I could say so much more, but the truth of God is in breakthrough!!! So I will leave with this testimony.
Before I let for St. Louis, I had a started at a local university and was blessed with a sizable portion of my tuition paid. Yet, I still had a bill of $600. After the trip, I would have to begin paying late fees for the balance (since it was so high). There was also a set of business courses about local resources (five weeks course) that I was going to have to pay $150 for if I wanted to partake.
AND THEN GOD…(I left for St. Louis praying, “God I can’t handle this so I give the situation to you…”
When I returned, my balance was $89 (and I received federal work study money to be able to paid the rest and make additional income due to taking initiative before I left). I also found out that I could take the course for free (since the program was promoted by the local university and free to students). Not only that, God has opened a door for us to be able to use a local dance room in the city to be able to give our students more room to rehearsal.
So to ALL THAT ATTENDED, big or small, praise God for your energy and your devotion to him. Please forgive me for the late response, but WHEN THE OUTPOUR COMES…IT POURS (and this requires us to be ABOUT OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS). We will be back next year and we pray to have more of our local kingdom with us.
@ Dr. J: Your testimony is such a blessing! I’m glad that you all were able to take the information received and use it in such a way to be a blessing to others!
@ Miriam: I’m glad these events continue to be a blessing to you!
@Jason: Thank you for sharing that testimony! Look at GOD! I’m praising Him with you!
I attended for the first time the “Intensive Mime Session” at first I was hesitant due to not knowing anyone. But when I got there the spirit was overwhelming. I did see some that I knew through the AME church. However when I arrived in the session Minister Hayes opened right up. We had the opportunity to speak prior to the class beginning. I told him I was new to mime but it was spiritually pulling me but I felt as though I was too old for this. I was assured that there are mimers older than me and have been miming for years. When the session began we had a real good work out breaking down meaning and techniques to enhance our mime. The class was refreshing and I didn’t feel out of place. Minister Hayes assured me that I was keeping up and needed not to worry though he had given me the okay to sit down if needed but thank you JESUS we made it. To God be the glory for great things HE has done.