5 Nov 2026, 14:47Darell J. Philip, London Area 6C Communications CoordinatorReading, Reading, England, United Kingdom
Willesden & Holloway SDA Churches 5th Annual Prayer Retreat
Prayer Heals
Over 120 people attended Willesden & Holloway’s Prayer Retreat which took place during the weekend of 30th October to 1st November 2026 at the De Vere Wokefield Estate in Reading. It was a special weekend of prayer, praise and testimonies as the retreat reached a milestone of five years. Every need was catered for all who were present, including a programme for the children led by Maria Samuels, access to a free counselling service with Frederica Reid and Marlene Simpson-Thomas as well as the availability of prayer intercessors each day.
Timely messages around the theme – Prayer Heals – were delivered by the plenary speakers for the weekend. Pastor Mario Phillip (Holloway) shared practical insight in using Faith, Wisdom & Care when Praying for the Sick. “Diagnosis is not the last word. No disease is beyond His (God’s) authority. Hope rests on His promises while facing illness. We serve a God who heals,” encouraged Pastor Phillip.
Willesden Pastor, Jumoul Sancho, focused on Forgiveness and Inner Repair which come about through Prayer which heals the heart. “What do you do when the people meant to nurture you have wounded you? Where can your heart go,” Pastor Sancho asked. “Look to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane – He experienced betrayal, denial and rejection yet his response was to pray and forgive those who hurt Him and receive strength from His Father during His time of need,” Pastor Sancho answered before concluding that “holiness requires honesty, authenticity and vulnerability,” and the importance of “remembering who and whose you are.”
Elder Toyin Dare Aworinde (Holloway) encouraged mothers to Turn God’s Promises into Targeted Prayers for Their Children. A published author of several books, Elder Aworinde gave practical strategies parents could use in praying for their children such as anointing rooms with oil and praying the scriptures over the lives of their children while recognizing that the battles they face are not against flesh and blood but rather against spiritual forces in high places. “God is never late. My child’s divine appointment will not be missed. Christ has already won the victory. I pray from His triumph, not from fear. The God who sees every tear also hears every prayer,” she affirmed.
The keynote speaker, Pastor Royston Philbert, was warmly welcomed having been present at the inaugural retreat alongside the late Sherron McLeish.
A dynamic, humble minister of God from Grenada, Pastor Philbert was, in July 2026, elected to serve the Caribbean Union as Ministerial Secretary, Communication Director, and Assistant to the President for Evangelism. He challenged the attendees to seek God personally so that they can better understand who He is and what He is doing in their lives, but more importantly that He can free us from ourselves so that we can receive the healing He wants to give to each individual.
In his closing message to the prayer intercessors and young people in attendance at the retreat, he admonished them to place their hope in the hands of the one who holds the present and future in His hands. “Be faithful and Jesus will give you a crown of life. Keep your eyes on the Eastern sky. Always claim the promises and believe in Jesus for He never fails,” he said.
Testimonies were shared of the positive impact the retreat had given to those in attendance, while the children produced therapeutic artwork which will be given to a local hospice in Willesden. The praise team were intergenerational – the selection of hymns chosen by the senior choristers seamlessly complementing the choruses selected by the youth praise team.
Proceeds from a sale which took place at the retreat will be used to build a water borehole in northern Uganda where members alongside Pastor Mario Phillip have engaged in various missionary projects which have led to the winning of souls for the kingdom.
Special thanks were given to Yvonne Cummins, a stalwart of the Willesden SDA Church, who provides meticulous dedication in her administration of the Prayer Retreat each year.
The retreat concluded with an anointing service empowering attendees to move forward in faith as they returned to minister in their homes, community, and church.
Over 120 people attended Willesden & Holloway’s Prayer Retreat which took place during the weekend of 30th October to 1st November 2026 at the De Vere Wokefield Estate in Reading. It was a special weekend of prayer, praise and testimonies as the retreat reached a milestone of five years. Every need was catered for all who were present, including a programme for the children led by Maria Samuels, access to a free counselling service with Frederica Reid and Marlene Simpson-Thomas as well as the availability of prayer intercessors each day.
Timely messages around the theme – Prayer Heals – were delivered by the plenary speakers for the weekend. Pastor Mario Phillip (Holloway) shared practical insight in using Faith, Wisdom & Care when Praying for the Sick. “Diagnosis is not the last word. No disease is beyond His (God’s) authority. Hope rests on His promises while facing illness. We serve a God who heals,” encouraged Pastor Phillip.
Willesden Pastor, Jumoul Sancho, focused on Forgiveness and Inner Repair which come about through Prayer which heals the heart. “What do you do when the people meant to nurture you have wounded you? Where can your heart go,” Pastor Sancho asked. “Look to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane – He experienced betrayal, denial and rejection yet his response was to pray and forgive those who hurt Him and receive strength from His Father during His time of need,” Pastor Sancho answered before concluding that “holiness requires honesty, authenticity and vulnerability,” and the importance of “remembering who and whose you are.”
Elder Toyin Dare Aworinde (Holloway) encouraged mothers to Turn God’s Promises into Targeted Prayers for Their Children. A published author of several books, Elder Aworinde gave practical strategies parents could use in praying for their children such as anointing rooms with oil and praying the scriptures over the lives of their children while recognizing that the battles they face are not against flesh and blood but rather against spiritual forces in high places. “God is never late. My child’s divine appointment will not be missed. Christ has already won the victory. I pray from His triumph, not from fear. The God who sees every tear also hears every prayer,” she affirmed.
The keynote speaker, Pastor Royston Philbert, was warmly welcomed having been present at the inaugural retreat alongside the late Sherron McLeish.
A dynamic, humble minister of God from Grenada, Pastor Philbert was, in July 2026, elected to serve the Caribbean Union as Ministerial Secretary, Communication Director, and Assistant to the President for Evangelism. He challenged the attendees to seek God personally so that they can better understand who He is and what He is doing in their lives, but more importantly that He can free us from ourselves so that we can receive the healing He wants to give to each individual.
In his closing message to the prayer intercessors and young people in attendance at the retreat, he admonished them to place their hope in the hands of the one who holds the present and future in His hands. “Be faithful and Jesus will give you a crown of life. Keep your eyes on the Eastern sky. Always claim the promises and believe in Jesus for He never fails,” he said.
Testimonies were shared of the positive impact the retreat had given to those in attendance, while the children produced therapeutic artwork which will be given to a local hospice in Willesden. The praise team were intergenerational – the selection of hymns chosen by the senior choristers seamlessly complementing the choruses selected by the youth praise team.
Proceeds from a sale which took place at the retreat will be used to build a water borehole in northern Uganda where members alongside Pastor Mario Phillip have engaged in various missionary projects which have led to the winning of souls for the kingdom.
Special thanks were given to Yvonne Cummins, a stalwart of the Willesden SDA Church, who provides meticulous dedication in her administration of the Prayer Retreat each year.
The retreat concluded with an anointing service empowering attendees to move forward in faith as they returned to minister in their homes, community, and church.
