Evangelist Jessica Perrine-Manaway ...


 On December 14, 1997 I actually thought my world had came to an end. To hear my husband tell my sister and I, "you all’s Daddy died tonight."

God knows I loved my Mom, but my Daddy was my heart. Here we were in the middle of my favorite most Holy Holiday season of the year and this happened. I was numb, I simply existed. I dreaded seeing December come around again. I didn’t want to be reminded of the pain the year before. I was scared so I prayed and prayed.

I didn’t want anyone else to die before Christmas again. God did answer my prayer but the day after Christmas ‘1998 my oldest brother-in-law suffered a massive heart attack, and died the next day.

I can’t even put into words where I was mentally the holiday season of ‘1999. I recall sitting in my living room alone in the wee hours of the morning, a couple of day before the New Year. I cried out to God – Lord, You know what time it is; I can’t go through another year like the past two. You know how/what I’m feeling. I don’t have to fake it.  I can be real with you, I’M HURTING! I go, I give, I pour in to others lives. I’m inside of me and as people approach me I pray they may be the one that can see the tears behind my smile, but no one did. So, as I sat in my living room weeping, in a still sweet voice God said, I going to HEAL you by YOU helping others. So, Now the flesh was really ready to act up………HELP OTHERS????? All I do is help others; they have had their turn. LORD, WHEN IS IT MY TURN????????????? Huh? Lord? Huh? Huh? “Praise God For Deliverance.”

With my Bible, a pad and pen in my hand God lead me to Proverbs 31:10 "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." I had read this scripture so many times but, this time I saw it different. As a women of faith, you suppose to always be strong. Practice what you preach! Don’t show any emotions. SIKE!!!!! God let me know that I wasn’t the ONLY one hurting.

And from that “Ladies Of Virtue” was born. As a willing vessel of the Lord, after petitioning him to heal me, he used me as a catalyst for change through emotional and spiritual empowerment. From that deep-seated desire, this awesome annual Ladies Of Virtue Retreat was birthed. God Is Good!!!!!!

The goal of the ministry is to embrace Ladies of all ages, demographics, lead by example, love by divine nature and embody all the attributes of God’s purpose for our lives.

God does keep his promises. Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; I dare not end this without a “Praise Report” God has healed that which was broken! And others are being helped.

Every year on Martin Luther King, Jr., weekend, the annual Ladies Of Virtue Retreat is held. Two of the main highlights of the retreat for me are: 1. The Ladies Of Virtue is BLESSED to get wonderful men, women of God, also Pastors (of course my babies Daddy Pastor R.L. Manaway, Sr., and the greatest church in the world Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church.

They are such an awesome asset to this ministry) Pastor Dana & Lady Karen McClendon, Pastor Paul & Lady Tammie Stoot, Sr., Pastor George & Evangelist Shirley Noble & Green Stone Realtor, Minister Kelly & Lady Sabrina Coleman, Minister Ron & Lady Tammi Burroughs (to name a few.) Have sponsored ladies from missions, shelter, etc., to attend the retreat. What a humbling experience to see ladies with all they own in the world, on their back in a worn backpack or in an aged paper bag. To witness them Praise God like they just left their castle or mansion and was driven to the retreat in their limo, giving God unlimited Praise blows my mind, it makes me realize how really blessed I am.

The six o’clock prayer & praise at the Ocean we burn letters we’ve written to God, we call it “excess baggage” where you pour out your heart your hurts, desires, you bring it and burn it, the ashes are carried to the edge of the Ocean and the waves comes up and get it an take it out to sea! This is a life changing experience. God’s presences has ALWAYS been there. Each year in the form of something different he let it be know. By way of Doves, Red water, Three elements fire, water and ice, Fog, Lights on the water. We never know from one year to the next what’s going to happen. That is not for me to know, God simply told me to just “get them there.” (the ladies). 

I couldn’t understand why God wanted me to take the ladies to the Ocean. For you that don’t know it’s about a two and a half hour ride from the church where we start. I asked God, why couldn’t we just have the retreat at the church? God said, “Remove from their comfort zone. Plus, there are ladies in a Pharaoh situation and “I AM GOING TO PART THEIR RED SEA’S.”

Yearly it warms my heart to see ladies young and old of all colors and denominations come together “on one accord” to praise & worship God together. Then to see how the sweet fragrance of the Holy Spirit permeate, propel and position us in our place of destiny for the coming years.

The purpose: To promote a growing relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Build Fellowships & Friendships with ladies of all denominations, encourage one another. Provide opportunities to return to our own churches with more zeal for service and ministry.