The third and final night of the First Assembly of God Women’s Investment Webinar 2021 offered a pool of information and guidance for budding professionals and business owners while zeroing in on how individuals can build shalom communities, all part of reclaiming our inheritance. The discussion was led by a panel featuring speakers from the first and second nights along with the United States based Guyanese born entrepreneur, Minister Ingrid Bristol.
Briefly, before the discussions were facilitated, Minister Bristol spent time sharing stories of personal encounters which she believes contributed to building a shalom community. Giving insight into what this means, she said, “The harmony and peace of God’s creation are described in the Old Testament as shalom. Shalom encapsulates wholeness, well-being, justice, salvation, and prosperity. Shalom is therefore expressed as a harmonious relationship with God’s community and creation.”
Speaking from her heart, she spoke of the legacy of values that she inherited from her mother and how she has used it to touch lives, transcending borders, including religion and poverty. She also expressed that her community is wherever God places her to be an influence, whether it is where she lives, works, or in the church itself.
Added to this, Minister Bristol advised that even if we may not give material things, an important way to build shalom communities is to touch minds.
“I did not inherit land but grace and understanding that I can do better. When I started, I had this zeal for my children’s children to have the experience that I did not have. So, my path is to combine assets but more so, principles and traits that can see them being positioned to achieve greater than me,” she explained.
The most fitting example was brought to light by Minister Samantha Edwards, saying if she were to start a business, the women who have been sharing with us over the last three nights would all have a part to play in the successful start-up and birth of the venture. This is where the meaningfulness of networking was emphasised and echoed by the other panelists.
Discipleship is also critical to building these shalom communities, allowing individuals to get to know the source of success, which is a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. However, on the road to success, one must not be inclined to compromise values that can taint their integrity.
The discussion went back to one of the key focuses of the webinar, which is teaching women money management and how having it work for them becomes possible. The webinar essentially sought to set women on a path to become financial change agents while they continue to fulfill their God-given purpose.
Since the webinar started, there were highlights of two women who experienced challenges to their faith in God and their mental health when they encountered life-altering situations. Such a segment was included each night, revealing that even as women lead professional lives and seek to build legacies, there are challenges they face that may lead to a decline in their mental health.
On the third night, a Mental Health Specialist all the way from Ohio in the USA, Minister Marcia Walker, gave tips as to how we can overcome and be resilient. It was noted that our mental health is a priority and should not be taken for granted. It goes hand in hand with our desire to create wealth, build shalom communities and reclaim legacies.
Bringing the curtains down on the night’s proceedings, the viewership was apprised that the webinar is a result of a vision of the Presiding Bishop of the First Assembly of God Church Wortmanville, Bishop Dr. Murtland Raphael Massiah. Bishop Massiah recognised that a platform was needed to teach principles and harvest women’s talents, while creating an avenue for investment and wealth creation.
In giving acknowledgements, it was observed that such a forum would usually be costly to interested persons but has been made available free of cost to hundreds of professionals, entrepreneurs and the world at large. The Women’s Investment Webinar is an Annual event and the 2022 installment promises to be bigger and better.
