For one week a number of homes around the country will be without women, as they pack their bags to head out for a time of soul searching, which will allow them to return home refreshed and encouraged to go on. The women will be at Mt. Pleasant Green Church's annual international women's retreat.
"Women are special and important to God and, as women, God declares that we are capable, intelligent and virtuous women who are more precious than jewels, and our value far more above rubies or pearls. However, women face many issues today, and the demand for our time and resources may seem overwhelming ... many women also face significant trials like life-threatening illnesses, divorce, death of a spouse, child, or beloved family member or friend. These kinds of situations would knock many of us flat,"said Minister Marsha Thompson.
"These are some of the reasons why, for the past 14 years, a group of women from various churches and denominations have been coming together for a women's retreat yearly -- to motivate and encourage each other, while at the same time seeking to achieve spiritual growth and emotional wholeness," said Thompson.
This year's retreat will be held October 17-23 in Philadelphia.
During the retreat, the women engage in early morning devotions with worship, lectures and messages that help to prepare them to make Godly decisions and learn more about how to pray, getting answers from their prayers and how to live in victory.
The initiative is headed by Thompson and the Women's Ministry at Mt. Pleasant Green Baptist Church.
"For a period of one week, the women -- even though it may be at a great cost to them -- leave their jobs, businesses, children and husbands because they know what they will achieve from that week of coming together. Besides being a time of soul searching, they are refreshed and encouraged to go on," said Thompson.
Even though the retreat is hosted by Mt. Pleasant Green Baptist Church, ladies from various churches, denominations and ministries are usually at the retreat. Last year, 50 women made the trek. Churches represented included Mt. Pleasant Green Baptist, St. Margaret's Anglican, St. Joseph's Catholic, Holy Trinity Anglican, Kemp Road Baptist Church, New Dimension Church of God, St. Anne's Anglican Church, Five Porches of Deliverance, New Covenant Baptist Church, Agape Full Gospel Baptist Church, Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Serving The Whole Man Ministries, United Christian Church, St. Agnes Anglican Church, Southside Christian Church International, Christian Gospel Church and Temple of Praise.

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