6 Nov 2025, 07:22Darell J. Philip, London Area 6C Communications CoordinatorLondon, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Empowered by the Holy Spirit: I Will Go!
Willesden and Holloway Churches Host Empowering Prayer Retreat
Over 100 individuals attended the Willesden and Holloway Seventh-day Adventist Churches Prayer Retreat at the Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes during the weekend of Friday 31st October to Sunday 2nd November 2025.
Now in its fourth year, the theme for this most recent conference was: Empowered by the Holy Spirit: I Will Go! The speakers were Pastor Mario Phillip (Holloway), Elder Mark Baptiste (Cambridge), Pastor Kuda Conese (Newbold pastoral student, Holloway), and special guest speaker Pastor Kerwin Mitchell (Ireland). Each of the speakers shared messages on the powerful role the Holy Spirit plays in our devotional and prayer life, as well as in the spiritual warfare the believer often finds themselves in when on mission for God.
A welcome addition to this year’s prayer retreat was the introduction of prayer warriors available each hour to pray with those in need, as well as professional counsellors for those needing to talk to someone about any issues on their hearts. There was even a space for the children and young people to have their own worship sessions, facilitated by Maria Samuel and her team.
Pastor Mario Phillip shared exciting news of progress made in global mission work to various areas in Asia and Africa, where lives have been blessed by the building of new church buildings and latrines to improve access to clean water for drinking, bathing, and farming—and where, through the sharing of the gospel, many have given their lives to Christ in baptism.
Throughout the prayer retreat, opportunities were given for delegates to pray in partners or groups, seeking empowerment by the Holy Spirit to go and spread the good news of salvation to all. Testimonies were shared about the positive impact the retreat has had on the lives of attendees during the past four years since its inception.
Yvonne Cummings, administrator of the retreat, said: “It was great to see the inclusiveness of young people and non-Adventists at the retreat, who testified of how welcome and included they felt being there. Also, the early morning prayer sessions strengthened our faith; space and time were given for us to be vulnerable in sharing what was on our hearts with a prayer warrior or a professional counsellor; and an anointing service led by the guest speakers ensured that all our needs were being met, as there was something there for everyone.”
In his final charge, Pastor Kerwin Mitchell—who originally hails from the Caribbean island of Guyana—told the delegates to support each other in their prayers and walk with God:
“Just as Aaron and Hur lifted up the prophet Moses’ hands, leading Joshua and the children of Israel to victory over their enemies, so too must you support and lift each other up with your prayers and encouragement in this spiritual walk with the Lord, knowing that victory over our enemies and even over ourselves has been ensured as we put our faith and trust in Him.”
Over 100 individuals attended the Willesden and Holloway Seventh-day Adventist Churches Prayer Retreat at the Kents Hill Park Training and Conference Centre in Milton Keynes during the weekend of Friday 31st October to Sunday 2nd November 2025.
Now in its fourth year, the theme for this most recent conference was: Empowered by the Holy Spirit: I Will Go! The speakers were Pastor Mario Phillip (Holloway), Elder Mark Baptiste (Cambridge), Pastor Kuda Conese (Newbold pastoral student, Holloway), and special guest speaker Pastor Kerwin Mitchell (Ireland). Each of the speakers shared messages on the powerful role the Holy Spirit plays in our devotional and prayer life, as well as in the spiritual warfare the believer often finds themselves in when on mission for God.
A welcome addition to this year’s prayer retreat was the introduction of prayer warriors available each hour to pray with those in need, as well as professional counsellors for those needing to talk to someone about any issues on their hearts. There was even a space for the children and young people to have their own worship sessions, facilitated by Maria Samuel and her team.
Pastor Mario Phillip shared exciting news of progress made in global mission work to various areas in Asia and Africa, where lives have been blessed by the building of new church buildings and latrines to improve access to clean water for drinking, bathing, and farming—and where, through the sharing of the gospel, many have given their lives to Christ in baptism.
Throughout the prayer retreat, opportunities were given for delegates to pray in partners or groups, seeking empowerment by the Holy Spirit to go and spread the good news of salvation to all. Testimonies were shared about the positive impact the retreat has had on the lives of attendees during the past four years since its inception.
Yvonne Cummings, administrator of the retreat, said: “It was great to see the inclusiveness of young people and non-Adventists at the retreat, who testified of how welcome and included they felt being there. Also, the early morning prayer sessions strengthened our faith; space and time were given for us to be vulnerable in sharing what was on our hearts with a prayer warrior or a professional counsellor; and an anointing service led by the guest speakers ensured that all our needs were being met, as there was something there for everyone.”
In his final charge, Pastor Kerwin Mitchell—who originally hails from the Caribbean island of Guyana—told the delegates to support each other in their prayers and walk with God:
“Just as Aaron and Hur lifted up the prophet Moses’ hands, leading Joshua and the children of Israel to victory over their enemies, so too must you support and lift each other up with your prayers and encouragement in this spiritual walk with the Lord, knowing that victory over our enemies and even over ourselves has been ensured as we put our faith and trust in Him.”
