12 Jun 2025, 08:04
Gatwick SDA Hosts Women of Virtue Retreat on “Restoration: From Ashes to Beauty”
Report on the Gatwick SDA Church Women of Virtue Retreat
Held from 30th May to 1st June 2025 at Staverton Hotel
The Gatwick women, under the leadership of Busi Mutambara and her dedicated team, hosted a remarkable Women of Virtue Retreat from 30th May to 1st June 2025 at the Staverton Hotel. The theme of the retreat, “Restoration: From Ashes to Beauty,” inspired women with the assurance that God can transform brokenness into beauty. It was a transformative and Spirit-filled gathering, designed to encourage renewal, healing, and a deeper connection with God.
Powerful Sermons and Teachings
The retreat offered powerful and life-changing sermons delivered by the South England Conference (SEC) Prayer Coordinator, Pastor Linda Asare, and Sr Collette Bell. Their messages emphasised the transformative power of God, reminding attendees that no matter how broken or lost they may feel, God is able to exchange their ashes for beauty, their despair for hope, and their brokenness for blessedness.
Key themes included:
Faith and Resilience: Trusting God through life’s challenges.
Surrender to God’s Guidance: Allowing Him to direct our paths and restore our lives.
Transformation Through Hope: Believing in God’s ability to turn despair into joy.
In addition, Sr Christer Muloba, a trauma specialist, delivered an impactful session on the effects of trauma on mental and physical well-being. She shared practical strategies for navigating past wounds, embracing healing, and living spiritually enriched lives. Her personal testimonies of restoration left attendees inspired and encouraged to trust God for their own healing.
Prayer and Spiritual Renewal
A key highlight of the retreat was the prayer sessions, which were moments of deep intercession, healing, and spiritual breakthroughs. Many women experienced:
Restoration: A renewed sense of purpose and hope.
Deliverance: Freedom from emotional and spiritual burdens.
Commitment: A deeper connection with God, with several attendees recommitting their lives to Him.
These moments were a testament to the power of collective prayer and the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout the retreat.
Welcoming Non-Adventist Guests
The retreat was graced by the attendance of three non-Adventist friends who participated in the programme. Their experience was so impactful that one of the guests has since embarked on a journey of studying the Bible. This highlights the retreat’s far-reaching influence, demonstrating its ability to touch lives beyond denominational boundaries.
The event left all the women—both Adventist and non-Adventist—feeling revived, restored, and inspired to deepen their faith journeys.
Conclusion
The Women of Virtue Retreat was a spiritually enriching and uplifting experience. It reaffirmed the power of faith, prayer, and shared spiritual growth, offering healing, encouragement, and renewed purpose to all who attended.
As we reflect on the testimonies and transformations from this retreat, we eagerly anticipate future gatherings that will continue to inspire, empower, and strengthen women in their faith journeys.
Report on the Gatwick SDA Church Women of Virtue Retreat
Held from 30th May to 1st June 2025 at Staverton Hotel
The Gatwick women, under the leadership of Busi Mutambara and her dedicated team, hosted a remarkable Women of Virtue Retreat from 30th May to 1st June 2025 at the Staverton Hotel. The theme of the retreat, “Restoration: From Ashes to Beauty,” inspired women with the assurance that God can transform brokenness into beauty. It was a transformative and Spirit-filled gathering, designed to encourage renewal, healing, and a deeper connection with God.
Powerful Sermons and Teachings
The retreat offered powerful and life-changing sermons delivered by the South England Conference (SEC) Prayer Coordinator, Pastor Linda Asare, and Sr Collette Bell. Their messages emphasised the transformative power of God, reminding attendees that no matter how broken or lost they may feel, God is able to exchange their ashes for beauty, their despair for hope, and their brokenness for blessedness.
Key themes included:
Faith and Resilience: Trusting God through life’s challenges.
Surrender to God’s Guidance: Allowing Him to direct our paths and restore our lives.
Transformation Through Hope: Believing in God’s ability to turn despair into joy.
In addition, Sr Christer Muloba, a trauma specialist, delivered an impactful session on the effects of trauma on mental and physical well-being. She shared practical strategies for navigating past wounds, embracing healing, and living spiritually enriched lives. Her personal testimonies of restoration left attendees inspired and encouraged to trust God for their own healing.
Prayer and Spiritual Renewal
A key highlight of the retreat was the prayer sessions, which were moments of deep intercession, healing, and spiritual breakthroughs. Many women experienced:
Restoration: A renewed sense of purpose and hope.
Deliverance: Freedom from emotional and spiritual burdens.
Commitment: A deeper connection with God, with several attendees recommitting their lives to Him.
These moments were a testament to the power of collective prayer and the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout the retreat.
Welcoming Non-Adventist Guests
The retreat was graced by the attendance of three non-Adventist friends who participated in the programme. Their experience was so impactful that one of the guests has since embarked on a journey of studying the Bible. This highlights the retreat’s far-reaching influence, demonstrating its ability to touch lives beyond denominational boundaries.
The event left all the women—both Adventist and non-Adventist—feeling revived, restored, and inspired to deepen their faith journeys.
Conclusion
The Women of Virtue Retreat was a spiritually enriching and uplifting experience. It reaffirmed the power of faith, prayer, and shared spiritual growth, offering healing, encouragement, and renewed purpose to all who attended.
As we reflect on the testimonies and transformations from this retreat, we eagerly anticipate future gatherings that will continue to inspire, empower, and strengthen women in their faith journeys.
