The 2021 edition of the annual camp meeting of the “Esther’s Crib Women Fellowship” held from Saturday, May 7-9, 2021, at the Christ Arsenal Retreat Centre, Spark light Estate, KM 2, Lagos Ibadan Expressway, Lagos.
It was a beehive of activities last weekend, as like-minded women witnessed God’s grace and power flowing through worship and dynamic speakers at the Esther’s Crib Annual Camp meeting under the theme: Arise.
Speaking at the meeting, Mrs. Olayinka Odumakinde said, “This year 2021 has been challenging due to the Coronavirus pandemic that affected lives, homes, and negatively impacted many marriages. The theme of this year’s camp meeting is so apt as only women that are self-aware stand a chance to arise. The millennium woman is distracted. She defines herself by the definition of others. Classy, vain, and trendy is now what defines us as women. Today’s woman thinks she is secure because of her glittering career and expensive holidays. We have a pandemic of an identity crisis.”
Using the example of Queen Esther in the bible, she made a clarion call for women to arise as loving wives, godly mothers, strategic marketplace persons, discerning women, and wise nation-builders. She enjoined women to give priority to the place of prayer while also decrying the complacency of women in their roles as wives, mothers, and their spirituality.
Speaking further, Mrs. Odumakinde said, “Women are important in the scheme of things. We ought to move beyond self- preservation to living our lives sacrificually for God’s purpose. The life of true service in God has an enduring legacy. We need to arise and give priority to the place of prayer.”
The book of Esther provides many blibical lessons that can be applied in life today. Oueen Esther’s life has sundry lessons that many women can relate to.
” Honouring people is very profound. Queen Esther honoured the words of her adopted Guardian, Mordecai. Also, she threw a banquet for the King. Similarly, Abigail displayed a great deal of the honour system when she took gifts to honour and pacify King David , thereby protecting her husband, Nabal’s interest. Abigail is described in the Bible as beautiful , wise, a charismatic leader with good diplomatic and communication skills. She rose above her circumstance and changed the trajectory of her life by her decision, ” Mrs. Odumakinde added.
The day culminated with a powerful session of prayers led by Mrs. Odumakinde.
She commended the convener, Pastor Modupe Oyekunle for helping women rise to their God-ordained destiny and to impact the world beginning with themselves, their families, and communities.