Since Esther Company launched on Rosh Hashanah in 2020, God has done so many incredible things and our recent abuse awareness dinner was definitely one of those crowning moments. For those who may not be familiar with Rosh Hashanah, this is the Jewish New Year and means “head of the year.” Just as the head controls the body, Jewish belief is that our actions on Rosh Hashanah set the course for the entire year and is celebrated with shouts and blasts of trumpets.
I believe the launching of Esther Company on Rosh Hashanah is symbolic of our mandate to trumpet the reality of hidden abuse in the church, bring clarity, freedom, and healing to women bound by it, and help usher in reform in relation to the church’s role in acknowledging and dealing with abuse. You can read more on that by checking out these three articles below:
- “Awakening, Truth Declaring, Justice Bringing, Freedom Carrying, Healing Agents of Reformation“
- “The Persecuted Church Within Our Pews and the Intimate Assassins Who Pretend to Love Them”
- “Four Things the Church Doesn’t Know about Abuse”
God is moving powerfully in our midst and I’m so excited about the direction He is leading and how He is molding, forming, and shaping the voice of Esther Company. I’m also excited to share more about the recent abuse awareness dinner below and some other exciting Esther Company updates!
Esther Company Abuse Awareness Dinner Recap
We had a powerful time at our recent abuse awareness dinner and were so honored to have special guest speakers, Naghmeh Panahi and Elizabeth Johnston with us. Both shared a powerful message, shedding light on hidden abuse within the church. I opened the dinner, briefly sharing about how revival and abuse are intricately connected, which you can read more about here. Jake and Anna also shared why this topic is important from a pastoral perspective. Following our guest speakers, we had a time for Q&A with Mariam Ibraheem, Melody Smith, Naghmeh, Elizabeth, Jake, Anna, and myself.
You can watch some footage from the dinner and see some photos below.
We closed out the evening by sharing an empowering video and call to action to stand with victims of abuse. This video detailed all the tangible resources Esther Company is currently working towards putting into place, as well as, our bigger vision of eventually having a safe house, called Restoration Center, for women and children escaping abuse and needing healing body, soul, mind, and spirit.
You can watch this video by clicking below.
Both Naghmeh and Elizabeth also spoke at Threshold Church on Sunday evening. If you’d like to hear to messages they shared, you can watch the service by clicking here.
Esthers Rising! You’re Invited!
You’re invited! I’ll be hosting special Facebook lives, called Esthers Rising, once a month throughout the summer. Our next Esthers Rising Facebook live will be on Saturday, July 16th at 7:00 pm EST. This live gathering is free and open to anyone needing a fresh touch from God. I’ll be sharing a fresh word followed by a time of prayer for healing from trauma and releasing keys of wisdom and personal prophecy as God leads. Feel free to share and invite friends!
We had such a powerful time of prayer and ministry after our last Esthers Rising gathering! I received so many incredible testimonies of healing and freedom. To read what I spoke on that night, click here.
Esthers Rising!
I see an army of Esthers rising out of the grave, clothed in God’s purity, glory, and power. Wielding the sword of the Lord, their tongues are like fire—demolishing every high thing that exalts itself against the name of Jesus.They throw all their crowns at the feet of Jesus because it was never about a crown but about His heart and being His Bride.Extravagant worship flows from their lives as they break their alabaster boxes at the feet of Jesus, enduring ridicule from others but blind to anyone but Him. Esthers, It’s Time To Arise!
Esthers Rising Collective
I’m also excited to announce that I will be hosting a women’s empowerment group called, Esthers Rising Collective. The focus of this collective is to empower women and encourage them on their healing journey. This group is will be limited in size for its maiden run; however, it will be open to everyone this fall.
The Esthers Rising Collective will meet every Friday for five weeks, starting Friday, July 22nd via Zoom from 10:00 am – 11:30 am EST. You can apply to be a part of the maiden run for this group by clicking here.
Team Update
Last fall, we announced that Bethany Herr would be doing a nine-month internship with Esther Company. As part of her internship, she helped with various administrative tasks, such as communication and scheduling, and was a major help in organizing the Esther Company Awareness Dinner. She also attended various team gatherings, conferences, and equipping events. Bethany recently completed her internship with Esther Company and we are excited for her as she steps into all the new things the Lord has for her in this season. We were so blessed to have Bethany with us for the past nine months and appreciate the mark she made on our hearts and Esther Company!
Bethany, we love and honor you! We bless this next season the Lord is leading you into and declare blessings, favor, and provision over your life.
You are Brave and You Are Loved
To every woman who has been a victim of hidden abuse, we believe you, we are fighting for you, and we will continue shining a light on this topic in honor of you. Whether you are confused and looking for clarity in your painful marriage, struggling to survive, in the middle of walking through a divorce, or on the other side of abuse and thriving, please know that you are not hidden from God’s sight. He sees you and will provide all you need. If you would like to join other incredible women on this same journey, you can join our private Facebook support and empowerment group by clicking here.
You are brave and you are loved! I’m praying for God’s love and comfort to fill your heart. I declare your best days are ahead!
