The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

A LOT of women spend a great deal of time and money engaging in activities to enhance their outer appearance and present a better version of themselves.

However, a unique conference spearheaded by the Inner Circle Group of the Church of God Hawksbill seeks to reinforce the message that a woman does not need make-up to enhance the beauty that really matters – her inner beauty.

The conference, which is a first for the Inner Circle Group, seeks to help young women to not only discover the beauty within, but also to provide them with the tools necessary to fulfil their purpose. The conference begins on July 4 at the Church of God in Hawksbill in Freeport.

During the conference, young women will be informed about some of the issues and challenges they face including peer pressure, teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, healthy lifestyles and skin care.

The event will also feature a fashion workshop that will teach young women how to dress for every body type and celebrate it.

“The purpose of the conference is to inspire young women beginning at the age of 13 to come together to worship God who created us and empowers us to live out the kind of life He has planned for us. Without Him, our lives would definitely have no meaning. We live in a society where looks matter, but God wants us to look deeper. While concealers, foundations, lipsticks and eyeshadows can enhance your outer beauty, all that’s really needed for outer beauty is a good heart,” said Ianthe Bain, president of the Inner Circle Group.

“The conference aims to help women find inner beauty confidence through faith. It’s about finding your beauty from inside and out. It is how God sees us; that is who we truly are.”

Keynote speakers at the conference include Minister Stephanie Burrows of Central Zion Baptist Church, who will minister to the young women about peer pressure and teenage pregnancy; Dr Paul Ward of St Jude’s Medical Centre, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist who will discuss sexually transmitted diseases; Alice Williams of the Mind, Body & Soul Fitness Centre; Krystal Smith of Renu Day Spa, and Psalmist Corissa Stubbs, who will minister in worship from her new album “Earthquake”.

“We will be empowering young girls to be women who encourage and inspire others with their actions and their words. They will also be enlightened, informed and influenced by our most capable and talented guest speakers. The conference will also provide them the opportunity to network with other young women and help them build purposeful friendships where they can help each other become respectful young ladies,” Mrs Bain said.

“We hope that everyone that attends the conference would gain more self-esteem and feel better about themselves knowing that it is the whole person that counts and not just physical appearance. We hope that participants would go the extra mile to make sure they look good on the inside as well.”