Even Through It ALL...God Still Blessed Me!

I know it has been a minute since I've written a blog post. But I believe I have good reasons. :-) The last few months have been busy to say the least. In June of this year, my husband and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary in Miami, FL! And what a blast we had! But I also went back to school and had been in school since early part of 2011. Going back to school is no joke, but this time instead of going to a secular graduate school, I decided by the unction of God to go into seminary. I know right?! Well, I did, and finished, praise God, my Doctorate in Christian Education, from Jacksonville Theological Seminary in June of this year. Here's a pic standing outside of the school.

When God called me to the role of Pastor and Teacher, little did I know He would give me a heart for women. I can attest to you that being around a bunch of women has never been my passion, for prior to the ministry, I had always been to myself, with only 2 or 3 close friends (who live in different states) in my inner circle. And I was cool with that. :-) Nevertheless, God brought a passion and a mandate to speak to the inner workings of a women, flaws and all, and promote sisterhood on a completely new level. Well this last July I had the opportunity with a team of 9 other women to put on the first retreat sponsored by Lily Jenkins Ministries entitled, 'Women Who Love God & Each Other'. It took place right here in Atlanta, one weekend, and God showed up and showed out at the Hyatt Hotel-Perimeter Center. Here's a couple of pics from the event. Thirty-one women from 14 different states took part!

Immediately after that wonderfully blessed time, Lily Jenkins Ministries was on the move having back to back engagements in Georgia, Florida and North Carolina. I teamed up on two occasions with my husband, Apostle Donald Jenkins to speak to the voids of marriages in an effort to ignite Purpose on the inside of them through our Married on Purpose Ministry. Here is a picture during one of these engagements.

Once on one stop, in Tampa, FL, God showed us our future covering in the ministry. We are so thankful and looking forward to having Apostle Mark Jones and the Center for Manifestation Family as a resource and a vehicle to push us into the next move of God which is our new church location starting October 7, 2012 at The Pursuit of Purpose Church, 200 Hannover Park Road, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30350 at 10AM. Why don't you join us! In Durham, NC, I went to speak during a Women of Wisdom Conference on the subject: 'Reveal Your Glory in Me: Releasing Your Passion for My Purpose!' Here's the pic below...

And now I have come to this DAY! A day I have been waiting to see for a long time. Months turned to years of writing this new book and now it is here! My new book was released two days ago...'There's Hope for the Weary: God's Promises Through Life's Greatest Storms'. It is available in Kindle format, and Paperback at Barnes & Noble.com and Amazon.com! It is truly a 30 Day Testament to the love God has for you. Here are the various links where you can order. There's Hope for the Weary

I showed this visual depiction of this year because after all I've been through, my life as I used to know it, will never be the same. God has blessed me beyond what I ever thought it could, despite my faults, despite my past, despite my previous doubts and failures. He did it! It was nothing I could do on my own. He saw fit to use me...and for that I am grateful! In His Service,

Meet Pastor Donald & Elder Lily Jenkins!!

PRAISE GOD FOR THE GOOD THINGS HE HAS DONE!!
June 10, 2010

Now come and celebrate with us on July 10, 2010, at 5:00P.M. as we seal our union with the celebration of the rings! It will take place at the Petite Auburge Restaurant, 2935 North Druid Hills Road in Atlanta, GA. RSVP at lilyratliff@gmail.com before July 1st! Look below for more info!

Ring Celebration: A Celebration of Purpose

Marriage contains a hidden meaning of purpose that’s often not explored. Being able to capture purpose within a union is a sign of sealing the union from the influence of a negative culture. In marriage, the ring is an eternal symbol that reflects the wisdom of the Hebrew letter called Samech. The appearance of the letter Samech is circular in nature like the ring and it carries the meaning of divine support.

The message of the letter Samech declares that ‘all things rise and fall on support’. It can clearly be seen in the support that comes from a family unit. The devil knows that the easiest way to destroy communities is to remove the element of support within families. The ring celebration is a celebration of two people who are committed to building support within the family unit. It is a celebration of two people who fully understand that their union is one that reflect the culture of heaven and supported by the hand of God.

Please join us as we seal our union with divine purpose with a special celebration of our rings that signifies divine support. This is our way of commemorating our union and reclaiming the purpose of the family unit as we move forward and anticipate what God has in store for our family. The event will be held at the Petite Auberge Restaurant on July 10, 2010 at 5:00P.M. It is located in the Toco Hill Shopping Plaza at 2935 North Druid Hills Road, Atlanta, GA 30329. Cost of the meal is $25.00 per person (tax and gratuity is included). Dinner includes a salad of mixed greens, a choice of three entrees-chicken cordon bleu, beef burgundy roast, or grilled salmon, and dessert (chocolate mousse, or strawberries a la Romanoff).

Order of celebration:
1. Welcome
2. Opening Scriptures and Prayer
3. Ring Presentation & Statements of Purpose from couple
4. Ministers Blessings
5. Communion
6. Blessing of the woman of the home
7. Blessing the children
8. Lighting the Menorah
9. Dinner
10. Celebratory Dance

Attire: we are asking all ladies to wear RED. Men can be business casual and wear some form of RED in their outfit. The bride will be the only one in WHITE/IVORY.