God’s Masterpieces: Event Disciples Atlanta Area Women Officers and Employees
The atmosphere was welcoming with an undercurrent of nervous excitement as women officers and employees from Metro Atlanta Area Command, Georgia Divisional Headquarters, Territorial Headquarters (THQ), and the Evangeline Booth College (EBC) entered the lobby of the Atlanta Temple Corps the morning of March 20 for “Masterpiece.” Delegates were greeted by the ladies of the THQ women’s department, readily giving out hugs and warm smiles to those arriving out of the chilly morning air for this special event.
Delegates were invited to grab some coffee and a light breakfast while they signed in and began to greet one another, mingling in the warm space made even more inviting with a gorgeous display of fresh flowers and standing tables strategically placed to encourage conversation and fellowship. While women working in all areas of ministry through The Salvation Army in the Atlanta area took this rare moment to greet one another in the same space, the ladies of the THQ women’s department circled up to pause for prayer.
Commissioner Donna Igleheart then invited everyone to find a seat in the chapel, explaining that the idea for this event had stemmed from the Territorial Women Officers Retreat (TWOR) held in January. After seeing how impactful TWOR was for the women officers of the Southern Territory, the women’s department recognized a similar need to minister to women employees.
Introducing the theme for the morning, “Masterpiece: Rediscover, Reclaim, and Renew Me!,” Commissioner Donna read from Ephesians 2:10, the theme verse for the event, saying, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” She encouraged attendees to lean in and receive the message God had for them. “You are women of grace. I would ask that you walk confidently in what God is doing in your life, and how He has created you, and who He has created you to be.”
Special guest speaker Dr. Jennifer Keitt, who also spoke at TWOR in January, opened with a call for the ladies to wake up, saying God is tired of them being sick and tired. “He’s tired of us devaluing His work. You’re His work. How dare you? How dare I?”
She explained that as March is Women’s History Month, “It is time for us, as we are celebrating this month, to be women who understand intimately and without doubt and without any kind of apology: I’m God’s masterpiece.”
Dr. Jennifer went on to speak of what society considers masterpieces in the art world, such as the Mona Lisa and the Hope Diamond, and what their monetary value is. But God spoke to Samuel in the Bible saying not to pay attention to what the world values; His value system is the heart of the person. “When you and I think about how we value ourselves, we have got to completely change our perspective.” She encouraged the listeners to stand in the holy confidence that they are masterpieces created by the true Master.
Using broken pieces of pottery as a visual, Dr. Jennifer taught about the ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi – taking broken pottery and rebuilding it, sealing the cracks with gold. She emphasized that God is not asking us to throw away our broken pieces. “He is saying, ‘Will you give it all to me so that I can reconstruct you? So that I can use gold to reseal and show your scars.’” This is God’s way of allowing us to reclaim who we are – His masterpiece, golden cracks and all.
Dr. Jennifer next taught about the power of self-talk in rewiring our brains to embrace our true identity. “We’ve got to renew our minds,” she explained, citing Romans 12:2. She then provided the ladies with a list of example affirmations they could begin working into their self-talk.
During lunch the ladies were encouraged to create a vision board using pictures and stickers to map out their “brand,” or the essence of who they truly are to God and the impact they wish to make on the world. Many women, officers and employees alike, stepped forward to explain their vision boards, declaring in front of the whole group who God made them to be, and how they were going to incorporate that knowledge into their lives moving forward.
After this time of powerful testimony, Commissioner Donna prayed a prayer of thanks and blessing over Dr. Jennifer’s ministry. Then representing all employees present, René Jarvis, executive administrative assistant to the secretary for personnel at THQ, stood and thanked Commissioner Donna and her team saying, “Thank you for valuing us. Thank you for… speaking into our spirituality,” and for acknowledging, she continued, that these women present, through simply living their day-to-day lives as who God created them to be, can impact the world for good.
Major Anne Westmoreland closed the group’s time together in prayer saying, “Lord, I pray for my sisters. I pray that your Word that tells us that we were created by you and in your image would ring true in our hearts.”
