October 29 – November 1, 2026 · Kalahari Resort Hotel
From Thursday evening's laughter to Sunday morning's closing devotion, the first AEC Women's Ministry Retreat gathered women together for four days of worship, learning, rest, and renewal under the theme "Strength for the Journey." More than 500 women came together at the Kalahari Resort Hotel to be, in the words of Women's Ministry Director Dr. Marleena Debrough, "transformed, rejuvenated, revived, inspired, healed, and set ablaze."
Starting in Pajamas
The weekend opened on Thursday with registration for early arrivals, followed by the Opening Service, Jesus and Jammies, led by Dr. Debrough. The evening continued with a pajama party of games, pizza, and dessert, themed Let's "Glow" Up & Unwind. It set a warm, joyful tone: this was a retreat for rest as much as for learning.
Friday: Devotion, Sessions, and Honest Conversations
Friday began with breakfast and a morning devotion service led by Pastor Alexis Myers. Two rounds of seminars followed, with attendees choosing among topics that spoke to every season of a woman's life:
Listening SONG for Women, with Marva Shand-McIntosh
Gracefully Changing, with Perla Bastien-Legette, NCC, LPC, CIMHP
Wonderfully (yet FearFULLy) Made: Examining Intimate Partner Abuse, with Dr. Kesslyn Brade Stennis
Fearless on the Journey, with Dr. Anthony Medley
The Woman Behind the Wife, with Pastor Alexis Myers
An Hour With God: When Was the Last Time You Sat at His Feet?, with Dr. Peggi Trusty
Situationships: Making Wise Relationship Choices in a Confusing World, with Andrea D. Hicks
After lunch, free time, and recreation, new arrivals registered, and the day closed with a devotional service led by Pastor Celeste Ryan Blyden. The service also included footwashing, communion, and anointing service.
Sabbath: Worship, Healing, and Celebration
Sabbath morning offered a third round of seminars, including Write the Vision with Pastor Blyden and Awakening Your Heart After Love Dies: Finding Healing, Hope, and Restoration with Andrea Hicks, along with repeat sessions of several Friday favorites. At 11:15 AM, the community gathered for the worship service Fierce & Fragile, with Pastor Hyveth Williams, DMin, PhD.
In the afternoon, women joined the Breast Cancer Walk, led by Perla Bastien-Legette, a meaningful way to honor the month of October together. The day concluded with the Black & White Gala, hosted by Sekema Rhodes, an evening of celebration and fellowship. “What an inspiring and energizing gala. Everything exhibited exceptional leadership and care for us,” Sandy Hayden, former AEC Women’s Ministries Leader.
“This entire event showed exceptional planning and leadership. The Holy Spirit showed up and showed out,” Kathleen Christopher.
Hearing from the Next Generation
The retreat also made space for young voices. Our youth speakers (Arlette, Tracey, Fiona, and Pastor Novella) shared under the theme "Unshakable," a reminder that strength for the journey is something we pass on.
Sending Forth
On Sunday, women gathered for breakfast and a closing devotion led by Michelle Mota-Poyser before checking out. “This entire event showed exceptional planning and leadership. The Holy Spirit showed up and showed out,” Jocelin Brewer.
As Dr. Debrough reminded us in her welcome, getting here required a lot, and we give thanks to God for all He did to make this first retreat possible. We're grateful to every speaker, volunteer, and attendee who made it what it was.