More than 300 women benefited from free shopping during the New Life Ministries International Women’s Department’s 26th National Women’s Conference, held under the theme “EMERGE.”
The week-long conference took place from Tuesday, October 6, to Sunday, October 11, 2026, at the ministry’s headquarters, Miracle City, on Ross Road in Cline Town. It brought together women from across Sierra Leone, as well as participants from Liberia and The Gambia, for worship, prayer, teaching and fellowship.
Delegates travelled from Kailahun, Bo, Kenema, Bonthe, Pujehun, Kabala, Makeni, Kambia, Freetown and other districts. Rev. (Mrs.) Felicia Neufville of Monrovia, Liberia, delivered the keynote address. Rev. (Mrs.) Irene Cole served as chief convener. She is also the ministry’s International Women’s Supervisor and Co-General Overseer.
The free shopping was held on Friday, October 9, at the church compound. Eligible participants received three to four items, which included 25-kilogram bags of rice, cloth, shoes and ladies’ bags. Rechargeable speakers were also provided for pastors.
Rev. Cole said eligibility was limited to women who had participated in the conference from its opening day through Friday and were fully registered. She explained that the initiative was intended both to give practical support to women and to encourage them to attend the annual gathering.
According to Rev. Cole, the items were assembled with support from well-wishers and members of the ministry’s Women’s Department. She described this year’s free shopping as more successful than the inaugural edition held the previous year. While 150 women benefited in 2025, more than 300 received items at this year’s conference.
“This is an effort to encourage women to participate every year in the conference and also to give back to women across the country,” Rev. Cole said.
She added that organisers hoped to make further improvements to the initiative at next year’s conference. The increase in beneficiaries, she said, reflected the support received from contributors and the commitment of the Women’s Department.
The conference’s “EMERGE” theme framed a programme focused on spiritual growth and fellowship, while the free shopping provided a practical dimension to the gathering. Bringing together participants from many districts and from neighbouring countries, the event also offered women an opportunity to meet, share experiences and strengthen relationships across communities.
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the leadership of New Life Ministries and to Rev. Cole for organizing the initiative. Several said they had not expected such extensive support and prayed that the conference and free shopping would continue in future years.
The Women’s Department’s annual conference has become a gathering point for women from across the country. This year’s event combined religious activities with direct assistance for participants, and the increase from 150 beneficiaries at the first free-shopping event to more than 300 this year, marked a significant expansion of the programme.