Total Woman Outreach Ministry, Inc. will present their Fall women and youth conference titled "Taking Control of Your Life" Nov. 6-7 at Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church in Wagram. The event begins at 7 p.m. on Nov. 6 with a presentation by Pastor Joann Davis of Greaterglory Ministry in Laurel Hill, and features a variety of workshops on Saturday for adults and youths ages 13 through 19 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The Rev. Essie Davis, director of Total Woman Outreach Ministry, shared her vision for the workshop and for the organization as a whole.

"The mission of the ministry is to provide workshops, seminars, conferences and resources for women, teens, and young girls based on Biblical principles," she said. "We want to see women draw closer to God, to be a vessel of honor, sanctified and ready for the Master's use, prepared for every good work, reaching out to one another and serving the community in God's name."

One of the speakers for the event, the Rev. Jessica Reed, shared her views on the upcoming conference.

"The women's ministry is important to me because we are able to work hand in hand with women who have been hurt by circumstances in life and need restoration from God. We are able to help them receive healing, deliverance, and most of all, salvation."

Total Woman Outreach Ministry member Chaka Davis noted the spiritually purifying qualities that are associated with the upcoming event.

"The ministry inspires all females," she said. "Whether you are a woman or a teenager, you will be able to get a spiritual cleansing in all aspects of life. The women's ministry promotes empowerment, independence, spirituality, healthiness and self-esteem. Sharing and receiving feedback from your peers builds positive communication as well as a closer relationship with our spiritual father."

Workshops for adults and youth will run concurrently on Saturday, with breakfast and lunch provided free.

Also on Saturday, conference attendees will have the opportunity to see a live performance by recording artist Dionne "Dee Dee" Wells, an R&B singer from Rochester, N.Y. who relocated to Florence, S.C. following high school graduation. Currently living in Charlotte, Wells has produced three CDs titled "Get to Know Him", "He Can Save You", and "Growing in Jesus". She is now at work on her fourth CD.

"I met Ms. Wells during a visit she made to Laurinburg a few years ago, when she sang at another event," Davis said. "We are very happy to have her join us to serenade and bless the group with her songs."

Ministry member Beverly Smith Williams emphasized that the conference is open to all women regardless of church affiliation.

"It does not matter to the Total Woman Outreach Ministry group what denomination you are in," she said. "We are all God's people and are here to work together to reach sinners. I really enjoy this ministry because I can connect with other women, rather than just with the women in my church."

Essie Davis pointed out that the conference is designed to help women find themselves in a sometimes difficult and confusing world.

"We believe that God has a purpose for our lives," Davis said, "and this ministry was established to help women to discover their God-given purpose."

Member Demetrious Vasquez agreed that by finding one's direction, one can assist others in their path.

"I want to maintain a sturdy, healthy faith in walking with God," she said. "In this ministry, I feel that I can bring something to the table by learning from my mistakes of the past and taking what I learned and sharing it with women going through. There are four words I would like to express to women: you are not alone."

There is no charge for the conference, although advance registration is required. For more information contact Tomeka Steele at 318-5770 or Demetrious Vasquez at 268-9988.