Equipping the Saints Conference Recap
September 15, 2009 by Lakita
Filed under Event Recaps
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!
Event Recap: Dance Ministry Detox
August 21, 2009 by Lakita
Filed under Event Recaps
Dance Ministry Detox was a time of healing and deliverance. The conference was ran with such a spirit of excellence. The information was timely, relevant, and practical.
Being an effective movement minister means being whole. Too often, we are satisfied with effective dancers. Dancers ministering through hurt, unresolved issues, and financial turmoil to name a few. D.Md dealt with these issues head on! The no-nonsense candid approach of the facilitators set the tone for the "detox treatment program".
When you arrived at D.Md, you did not register…you "checked-in" to a treatment facility complete with a hospital tag that served as your registration badge for the weekend. The room was draped white just like a hospital. This was NOT your typical dance conference!
On the first night, we wore all black. Minister Rekesha preached on the Spirit of Haman. She broke down this spirit verse by verse so we can identify it as it tries to creep into our ministries. The next time you read Esther….take a close look at Haman. Many of us prophesy the favor of Esther…well watch out…because when you get Esther, you get Haman too!
It was refreshing to be surrounded by facilitators who were transparent and approachable. Even the facilitators left refreshed.
As we continued our detox treatment, you could hear shackles being loosed. The garment of praise was replacing the spirit of heaviness.
The manifestation of HIS glory on the last night left everyone speechless! For well over 15 minutes everyone sat still, completely silent in HIS presence. The Lord himself applauded with 3 claps of thunder followed by rain!
The Lord used Rain Rein Reign Ministries (RRR) to bring rain to the desert! A natural manifestation of what was taking place in the spirit realm!
Tremendous Kudos to Rekesha Pittman for hosting an outstanding conference and the ladies of Reign Dance Company blessed us tremendously through their ministry in dance and labor of love. For future RRR events check out http://www.rainreinreign.com or http://companykeepers.
“Why We Dance” Ministry Workshop
April 20, 2009 by Lakita
Filed under Events List
Title: "Why We Dance"
Location:
Shiloh Full Gospel Baptist Church
945 S. Dearborn Ave
Kankakee, IL 60901
Description: Praise Dance workshop sponsored by the Illinois & Missouri chapters of the International Dance Commission.
Date: June 20, 2009
Classes Include:
Prophetic & Mime Dance
Dance Technique
Flags/Colors & Garments
Choreography
Godly vs. Wordly Music
Registration is now open!
Visit http://whywedance.eventbrite.com or register below:
Miriam ~ The Prophetess & Dance Leader
April 7, 2009 by Lakita
Filed under Dance in the Word
This was originally an article published in Paneh’s Newsletter (November 2005). I’ll be slowly migrating these articles to the website. Your comments / input is welcomed and appreciated!
Miriam and David
Worship dancers and much more (part 1 of 2)
As we search the scriptures it becomes evident that dance was a part of praise and worship in the Old and New Testaments. Two prominent biblical figures are Miriam and David. Both are Israelites, one from the tribe of Levite and the other from the tribe of Judah; both in different places in Old Testament history, however, both carry lessons that are applicable today.
Miriam is commonly remembered as the as the older sister of Moses. However, she places an important role in biblical history. The fact that Miriam was a prophetess is a little known fact because everyone concentrates on Moses.
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. (Exodus 15:20 KJV)
Miriam was called to be a prophet. She was not called to minister on a large scale like Moses was, nevertheless her role was important and acknowledged in scriptures. Being a prophet means you are God’s mouthpiece. In additional to being a prophetess, she was a worship leader. After the exodus she led the women in a celebratory victory dance.
What can we learn from Miriam?
1. There are no “small positions” when you are fulfilling the will of God. Support roles are vital to the body of Christ.
Even though Miriam had what may be portrayed as a ‘small role’, we must remember that Miriam watched baby Moses travel down the river. It was Miriam that suggested to Pharaoh’s daughter that a Hebrew woman raise the baby. Miriam ran straight home and because she was where God needed her to be Moses was raised by his own mother…and PAID for it!
Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? 8And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother. 9And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the women took the child, and nursed it. (Exodus 2:7-9 KJV)
2. Dance minister, we must be careful not to put God in a box. God has called you to dance – seek God and see that you are doing all that He has for you to do!
Miriam was a dance minister, but she was also a prophet. We are now living in the dispensation of grace. In this dispensation every believer receives at least one spiritual gift:
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (1 Cor 12:7 KJV)
Spiritual gifts are defined throughout the New Testament. Some of these include but are not limited to: prophecy, evangelism, missions, teaching, encouragement, wisdom, helps, tongues, interpretation, giving, and faith. If you do not know what your spiritual gift(s) is, seek the Lord for the answer so he can fully use you! During part 2 we will explore the life of David, a radical dancer and more.
