S.I.S.T.A.H.S. MINISTRY
Women Sharing and Encouraging
Official Conference Website: www.freewebs.com/sistahsconference
Florida Chapter of
The S.I.S.T.A.H.S. Ministry
DIRECTOR, TRACY SPENCE-BANKS
Tracy Spence-Banks was born in the Bronx and raised in Miami, Florida. She currently resides in the West Palm Beach area with her husband, two daughters, and beloved Bishon Frise, Jeri.
Although she has always “known” about the Lord, it wasn’t until her adult years when she accepted Christ as her personal Savior when she was baptized with her family and became a member of Christ Fellowship Church in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Soon afterward, she accepted a position with the same church working in Adult Ministries and maintained the church’s database and prayer requests. Her work with the church’s database led her to volunteer with one of their outreach ministries and eventually to work part-time with the same organization, Urban Youth Impact, a local faith-based outreach ministry for inner-city youth.
She is also the owner of Traysea Creations, an online funeral program designing company and works with several local funeral homes in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties www.Traysea.com
She is a prayer volunteer with Guideposts and a member of Speaking Of My Sistahs, an online writing group comprised of four talented women from across the country that are compiling an anthology, Whispers From A Woman’s Soul.
Prayer has always been a vital part of Tracy’s life; it is the lifeline to key communication with the Father. She firmly believes that “Prayer is time to talk with God, as well as His time to talk with you.”
Tracy Spence-Banks was born in the Bronx and raised in Miami, Florida. She currently resides in the West Palm Beach area with her husband, two daughters, and beloved Bishon Frise, Jeri.Although she has always “known” about the Lord, it wasn’t until her adult years when she accepted Christ as her personal Savior when she was baptized with her family and became a member of Christ Fellowship Church in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Soon afterward, she accepted a position with the same church working in Adult Ministries and maintained the church’s database and prayer requests. Her work with the church’s database led her to volunteer with one of their outreach ministries and eventually to work part-time with the same organization, Urban Youth Impact, a local faith-based outreach ministry for inner-city youth.
She is also the owner of Traysea Creations, an online funeral program designing company and works with several local funeral homes in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties www.Traysea.com
She is a prayer volunteer with Guideposts and a member of Speaking Of My Sistahs, an online writing group comprised of four talented women from across the country that are compiling an anthology, Whispers From A Woman’s Soul.
Prayer has always been a vital part of Tracy’s life; it is the lifeline to key communication with the Father. She firmly believes that “Prayer is time to talk with God, as well as His time to talk with you.”
"3:16"
Devotional by Sis. Tracy Spence-Banks
This year, Palm Sunday falls on March 16th and many Christians around the world believe there is a great significance between the date of Palm Sunday, 3/16 and what is perhaps the best known verse in the Bible…John 3:16 (NIV), “For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only Son, that who ever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This powerful verse is a simple equation of how much we mean to Him:
John 3:16 is probably one of the best known verses because it does in fact “tell it like it is”; God gave up His own to save His own! This verse is about ultimate sacrifice, unconditional love, and eternal life. Jesus didn’t come here to be married or to start a family as some believe. He was truly about his Father’s business…to save souls!
God has given us a gift of eternal life in John 3:16. All we have to do to accept it is to believe in Him and the first step to believing is to be born again. It’s not enough to “talk the talk”; we must “walk the walk” just as Jesus did. He didn’t simply promise that He would save us; He put action behind His word. He was born in the flesh, nailed to the cross for our sins, and rose again. We have already been born in the flesh and now we must nail our sins to the cross and be born again as a new creation just as Jesus tells us in the book of John 3:3 (NIV), “In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
We must confess and repent of our sins (talk the talk) as well as, put our sincerest faith and belief (walk the walk) in Christ Jesus if we are to truly accept His gift of salvation. This is confirmed in Romans 10:9-10 (NIV) “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
John 3:16 is a very important verse as it is perhaps the starting point to creating, building, and nurturing a relationship with Christ.
Blessings,
Sis. Tracy Spence-Banks
Director of the FL Chapter
Mission Statement
Almost every business in existence today started with a Mission Statement. A brief summary that explains what they do and why they do it; their declared reason for being…in essence, their purpose.
Coca-Cola’s mission statement is: To Refresh the World... in body, mind, and spirit. To Inspire Moments of Optimism... through our brands and our actions. To Create Value and Make a Difference... everywhere we engage.
Microsoft’s mission statement is: "To enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential."
Nike’s mission statement is: "To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world."
As women of God, we too, must have a mission statement. Words that we live by, words that explain in no uncertain terms who we are and what we do. Our mission statement also helps us to keep focused on our God-given purpose in life, the goal in our lives here on earth.
Whenever I feel myself becoming drained or pulled in too many different directions, I whip out my mission statement and read what the Lord has called me to do and how to do it. I keep it written down on my business card, taped to my laptop, and burned into my memory.
Before I take on a new project that may or may not bring glory to the Father, I recite my mission statement aloud to remind myself of what I was called to do. I pray on it…and if it is in His will and in agreement with my statement, I move forward with it. If not, it’s not for me.
Some of these companies market and sell different products. Just as we have different God-given purposes in life, we may have different mission statements to convey what our purpose is. The best way to find your statement is to know what your purpose is and pray for God to give you the best verse that keeps you rejuvenated, uplifted, and inspired to do His will. It will also let those you come into contact with know what you do and how you do it.
I was inspired to share my mission statement with you because I wanted to sow a seed in my sistahs. Not for my own harvest…but for God’s.
This is my mission statement: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men," ~Colossians 3:23
Blessings,
Sis. Tracy Spence-Banks
FL Chapter
Coca-Cola’s mission statement is: To Refresh the World... in body, mind, and spirit. To Inspire Moments of Optimism... through our brands and our actions. To Create Value and Make a Difference... everywhere we engage.
Microsoft’s mission statement is: "To enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential."
Nike’s mission statement is: "To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world."
As women of God, we too, must have a mission statement. Words that we live by, words that explain in no uncertain terms who we are and what we do. Our mission statement also helps us to keep focused on our God-given purpose in life, the goal in our lives here on earth.
Whenever I feel myself becoming drained or pulled in too many different directions, I whip out my mission statement and read what the Lord has called me to do and how to do it. I keep it written down on my business card, taped to my laptop, and burned into my memory.
Before I take on a new project that may or may not bring glory to the Father, I recite my mission statement aloud to remind myself of what I was called to do. I pray on it…and if it is in His will and in agreement with my statement, I move forward with it. If not, it’s not for me.
Some of these companies market and sell different products. Just as we have different God-given purposes in life, we may have different mission statements to convey what our purpose is. The best way to find your statement is to know what your purpose is and pray for God to give you the best verse that keeps you rejuvenated, uplifted, and inspired to do His will. It will also let those you come into contact with know what you do and how you do it.
I was inspired to share my mission statement with you because I wanted to sow a seed in my sistahs. Not for my own harvest…but for God’s.
Blessings,
Sis. Tracy Spence-Banks
FL Chapter
CEE Network
To all SISTAHS....
Are you speaking/preaching? Is your church having a women's retreat or conference? Are you facilitating a workshop? We want to share these events on the "CEE" Network so we can support each other. Send your name, date, time and location to: P3110Devotional@thesistahsministry.org
NORTHWEST BAPTIST CHURCH
www.NWBC-GNV.org
Sunday's at NWBC
All Day Event
8:15 am - Bible Study 1
9:30 am - Morning Worship
11:00 am - Bible Study 2
5:00 pm - Children/Preschool Choirs
5:00 pm - Worship Choir Rehearsal for "One Small Child"
6:30 pm - Evening Worship
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF BRANDON
www.FBCBrandon.org
Events for ALL Ministry Areas
* - "The Way of the Master" Evangelism Training coming in July.
* - Pastor's Sunday School Class Wednesdays, 6-7 PM, Sanctuary. Led by Dr. Tommy Green and Dr. Myles Dowdy. Dismissed July 4.
* - Bible Study "Oasis in the Word" Wednesdays, 6-7 PM, A-205. Led by Rev. Dave Ungar. Dismissed July 4.
* - Meet The Pastor Wednesdays 7 PM, Media Library. Dismissed July 4.
* - DivorceCare Thursdays, 7-9 PM, A-208. A special weekly seminar and support group for people who are separated or divorced. For more information visit www.DivorceCareOnline.com.
* - Volunteer Needed to help sell tickets on Wednesday nights from 4-7 PM. If interested please contact the Church Office.
* - Scholarships Are Needed for Student Life summer camp and High School mission trip (contact Jeremy Nottingham); Costa Rica mission trip (contact Dave Ungar).
* - Church Bus Drivers Needed If you are interested in being a church bus driver and have a CDL license, please contact Jim Peppers, 685-9237.
* - Meals on Wheels Needs Drivers Meals on Wheels needs one permanent and several substitute drivers to deliver meals on Thursdays. If interested contact Tom Powers, 685-3924.
* - Kitchen Volunteers Needed Volunteers are needed to run the dishwashers for Wednesday night dinner, 4-7 PM, (all or part). Contact Dorothy Campbell, 689-1549.
