Three churches from the Church of God family have come together with Saphire Faith International Ministries to host “Excellence in the Kingdom”, a Zoom seminar for ambassadors, leaders and influencers.

Glory Temple, Miracle Temple and Community Contact Ministries are co-sponsoring the event, being held on August 22 beginning at 10am. The seminar is designed to empower and encourage church and community leaders through biblical teachings.

The three sponsor churches have joined forces with Saphire Faith Ministries to show the unity of Christ. Minister Marlene Flynn, co-founder of Saphire Faith Ministries, emphasised how important collaboration in Christ is.

She said: “It is important that churches and ministries come together in unity for the edification of the body of Christ, salvation of souls and the ultimate glorification of the God-head. Ephesians 4 speaks of one hope, one faith and one baptism. As members of the body of Christ, we must testify of the unity of the message of the gospel.”

The seminar will cover topics such as:

• How to represent the kingdom of God

• A call to ministry

• Equipping the membership

• Planning and mastering change

Ms Flynn added: “The topics chosen for this seminar will motivate us to become aligned with Heaven’s agenda so that we can be all that God has called us to be, walk circumspectly in our calling, and fulfil the great commission. Everything in the kingdom of God serves a purpose, and excellence is no different. God has something in mind that he wants to accomplish through us. If you are a Christian leader of any level, you have been called to God’s excellence and it is important that you fulfil the call.

“At this conference, our main objective is to have the attendees understand who they are in Christ and know what their purpose is and calling, so that they may carry out the kingdom of God’s mandate.”

The Right Reverend Ishmael Charles, Caribbean field director of the New Testament Church of God and interim overseer for Bermuda, will open the virtual seminar and attendees will hear from a stellar line-up of both local and international speakers. They include Danette Ming, the Right Reverend Clyde Bailey, April Ripley, and the Right Reverend B. Wendell Davis.

Dr Ming, a well-known Bermudian, a member of the New Testament Church of God and a licensed ordained minister, will speak on the topic “Planning and Mastering Change in the Kingdom”.

She has preached throughout Bermuda, the Caribbean, and the United States, and is also the founder of a local philanthropic initiative — Happy Feet — which assists children at St David’s Primary School in need of new school shoes.

Another dynamic female speaker is Dr Ripley, who will cover the topic “Representing the Kingdom of God as Heaven’s Ambassadors”.

Dr Ripley is an acclaimed author, speaker and image consultant, and was recently recognised as one of the top 100 Women Entrepreneurs in Atlanta.

“This session is for any individual who wishes to gain the ‘soft power’ skills necessary to demonstrate confidence and prowess in personal and professional situations,” Dr Ripley explained.

“This plenary will reveal the core concepts of diplomacy, the importance and impact of first impressions, proper etiquette, the consequence of culture, and more. We will excavate local and global diplomacy from a biblical perspective. Attendees will learn the ‘art and science’ that guides the world of diplomacy.”

Bishop Davis serves as the pastor of the New Testament Church of God in Diamonds, St Vincent. He is passionate about church growth and discipleship. As such, he will be leading the discussion on the topic, “Think Like Jesus, Act Like Jesus”.

Bishop Davis said: “We live in an attention-seeking society where people in leadership positions, including in the Church, are more concerned with promoting themselves than exalting Jesus. This presentation, ‘Think like Jesus, Act like Jesus’, will present Jesus to the audience. Jesus as he was when he walked the earth. Jesus whose only desire was to please His Heavenly Father.”

Bishop Bailey is a former high school teacher and university professor who is now serving as the executive pastor at the Cooper City Church of God in Florida. He will be hosting the workshop on the subject “Equipping Membership”.

Bishop Bailey said: “Jesus gave one major commandment and one major instruction. The night before he was crucified, he told his disciples of a new commandment — that you love each other as I have loved you.

“Later he made this a major item of prayer, the unity of the body of Christians called the Church. Then the very day before he left earth, he instructed the disciples to cover the globe with the gospel and make disciples of the converts. Jesus proposed a brilliant system of multiplication to grow the Church universally.”

Saphire Faith Ministries has been hosting virtual events throughout the coronavirus pandemic. This promises to be another spirit-filled and motivating seminar, encouraging and empowering Christians to move confidently through the world in their God-given purpose.

• Registration for the “Excellence in Kingdom” seminar is $20 and interested persons can register at www.ptix.bm/excellenceinthekingdom. Zoom log-in details will be sent upon registration