Jem Chesman speaking at the ‘Dwell’ conference, which started with prophetic messages for each delegate, written by the prayer warriors of Coventry Elim

Dwelling in the presence of God

Bev Samways and Jacqui Hutchinson of the ROAR team at Coventry Elim write about their day at Aspire’s latest regional event

Just six short months after the ROAR conference ‘Firm Foundation’ in October last year, ROAR Women’s Ministry, in partnership with Aspire, held their 2023 conference ‘Dwell’ at Elim church, Coventry.

The theme of the conference came from Psalm 91:1: “They that dwell in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in him will I trust.”

As the team had prayed, seeking what God wanted to do amongst us, we were conscious of the ‘noise’ of our current world – that we live against backgrounds of frantic pace and anxious activity. We knew that God was inviting us to make a space for women to join together in response to the Father’s invitation into his presence, his peace. That his heart is that we get close enough to him so that his very shadow falls on us.

The day arrived, and it felt as if all the women turned up at once – with the foyer quickly filling up with women talking and laughing, greeting each other and gathering their cards, and plenty of coffee and pastries!

As has become our practice, the wider team at Coventry spent the weeks running up to the conference praying for each woman booked in by name and writing prophetic cards for them. This always feels simultaneously high and low risk, because if God doesn’t speak to us we have nothing to share – and yet he always does. We were amazed again at the way God spoke into different situations, using these cards to set the expectations for the day.

One delegate reflected on social media afterwards: “What an amazing experience, which started with personalised messages from God, sealed in an envelope, written by the prayer warriors of Coventry Elim. From then on in, it was only going to be a day of God- filled hope and inspiration.”

After a time of worship, Anoushca McEwan gave an inspiring word, leading many women to place their lives back on the altar before God. In the afternoon, Jem Chesman spoke to us powerfully from Leah’s story of disappointment and rejection, and the way in which God drew her back to himself, redeeming her story. There was a real sense of resonance in the room, with many women stirred and moved. The day finished with some powerful testimonies, including some stories connected with the work of Home for Good, and an extended time of worship. There was a sense from within the team that God was making sure that each woman knew that they were seen and counted, precious and significant – fully known and fully loved.

As the eerie quiet of the pandemic has given way to what can feel like an atmosphere of chaos and confusion, the ROAR conference offered us all the opportunity to gather together in Jesus’ name, dwelling in his presence, resting in his love, and reminding ourselves that he is our one thing, our first love, and this will not be taken away from us.

First published in the June 2023 issue of Direction Elim’s monthly magazine.

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