The Road to The Business Bible Brunch: A Testimony of Faith and Collaboration

Prayer Closet Warriors!!!!!!

It’s been way too long, and can you believe the year is almost over? Only 56 days left! 😮‍💨 So much has happened—and there’s still so much more in store. One big moment I didn’t get to blog about until now took place back on September 7th, 2024. I had the incredible honor of co-hosting my very first conference, The Business Bible Brunch, alongside my amazing friend Kayla Jones-Benoit.

If you remember my last blog post, I shared how God had spoken to me about this being the year of collaboration. Well, He wasn’t playing around, y’all! He sent Kayla to seek me out, and it was clear that His hand was all over this partnership. 

It was a beautiful, God-ordained alignment, and the conference was a powerful testament to that. 

Now, let me share about a challenge we faced while preparing for the conference. The major hurdle the enemy tried to throw at us was undermining our ability to hear from God. There were a few moments when Kayla and I received different messages about what God wanted us to do with the conference. And, almost Immediately, the enemy swooped in, trying to plant seeds of doubt: "Nah, sis is crazy. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about. God didn’t tell y’all to do this. You're just making this up." 

It was such a clear attack on our faith and clarity, trying to convince us that we had missed the mark. But every time that doubt tried to creep in, we had to: #1. Communicate, #2. Remind ourselves that God’s voice is clear and true, and #3. Remember that God had already laid the path for us. We had to stand firm in what we knew He had spoken, even when it didn’t make sense in the moment. That battle was real, but so was God's faithfulness.

We also had to get crystal clear on each other’s roles in this process. Why? Because when you’re stepping out in faith and working together on something as big as a conference, confusion and miscommunication can easily creep in. We needed to make sure we were aligned in our vision and that each of us knew exactly where our responsibilities began and ended. 

This wasn’t just about planning an event—it was about fulfilling a God-given purpose, and we had to be intentional in our approach. Without clarity, we risked creating unnecessary tension or missing key details. By being upfront about what each of us brought to the table, we were able to stay focused, avoid distractions, and lean on each other’s strengths. And believe me, that clarity made all the difference. 

Another thing that truly helped us stay grounded throughout this entire process was committing to prayer and staying in the Word. We knew that if we were going to carry out this vision, we had to remain spiritually connected and focused on God’s guidance. So, for the month of August, we made it a priority to read through the Book of Proverbs together. Its wisdom and practical insights were exactly what we needed to keep our minds sharp and our hearts aligned with God’s will.

But God didn’t stop there—He also led us to other books of the Bible for meditation. One of the most significant was the Book of Nehemiah.  

Nehemiah’s mission to rebuild and reconstruct the walls of Jerusalem was speaking directly to our own mission of rebuilding and reconstructing our community through this conference. 

Nehemiah faced immense opposition, but his unwavering focus on God’s calling inspired us to keep pressing forward, even when challenges arose. God was reminding us that we weren’t just planning an event; we were part of a larger work of restoration. And just as Nehemiah had the courage and conviction to rebuild a broken city, we were being called to build up the people and businesses around us.

Behind the scenes, but also right there in the forefront of this mission, God sent Kayla and me a true Destiny Helper—Melissa J. Foster. From the moment she came on board, it was clear that her presence was no coincidence. Melissa poured herself into this project in ways we could have never imagined. She didn’t just show up—she became an essential part of the foundation of the conference.

Melissa was apart of every meeting, taking detailed notes, praying with us, and reading the Bible alongside us. Her dedication went beyond just logistical support. She researched tirelessly, helping us refine our vision and ensure we were making the right decisions at every step. She even took on the task of creating the conference landing page.

Whether it was administrative work or offering emotional and spiritual support, Melissa didn’t just help us plan the conference—she helped us build it in a way that was rooted in prayer, purpose, and alignment with God’s vision. We could not have done this without her.

Lastly, I want to give a heartfelt shout-out to our amazing sponsors and speakers who played such a pivotal role in making this event a success. We couldn’t have done it without your generosity and support.

First, a huge thank you to Crystal Realty Associates Inc. for sponsoring the food, Bibles, and all the other materials we needed for the conference. Your contribution ensured that every detail was taken care of, and it truly helped us create a welcoming atmosphere for all the attendees.

To Janessa Creative Design, thank you for the stunning decorations and seamless setup. You transformed the space into something truly special, setting the tone for the event and making it feel both professional and personal. Your creativity helped bring our vision to life!

A big thank you also goes out to Nilanjo Boutique for providing the perfect venue for us to host this event. The space was not only beautiful but also so conducive to meaningful connection and growth. We are grateful for your generosity in allowing us to gather in such a comfortable and inviting environment.

And to our anonymous donors who supported us in ways we can’t even fully articulate. May God continue to bless you abundantly for your heart to give in silence and without expectation. Thank you for partnering with us in this mission and for making a tangible difference in the lives of so many women.

To our incredible speakers Latonia Francois, Antoinette Rodney-Celestine, Nakema Arrington, Stephanie Crawford, and Pastor Traci Jackson —thank you for being bold, authentic, and vulnerable as you shared your stories. Your courage to open up and speak truthfully about your journeys left a lasting impact on every woman in the room. You didn’t just share knowledge; you shared your hearts, and that made all the difference. You inspired, empowered, and uplifted everyone who attended, and for that, we are deeply thankful.

Each of you contributed in such a unique and powerful way, and together, we created something truly special that will resonate with the women who attended for years to come. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping make The Business Bible Brunch a reality!

As I reflect on this journey, the lessons learned are abundant and invaluable.

First, clarity of purpose is everything. Knowing what God has called you to do—and aligning your vision with His—helps you to stay focused, even in the face of opposition. Second, collaboration truly is a key to success. God knows who you need and when you need them, and His timing is always perfect. Third, the importance of faith and prayer cannot be overstated. When the road gets tough, it’s your connection to God that will keep you grounded. Finally, embrace the journey. It won’t always look how you imagined, but if you remain faithful and trust God’s plan, the impact will be greater than you can ever imagine.

The experience was nothing short of amazing, and I’m beyond excited for what God will do at next year’s event! Yes, you read that right—next year because this will absolutely be happening again! 😊🙌🏾  Stay tuned for more updates!

Proverbs 16:3 "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established". 

With love,

Natasha "The Prayer Closet Mama ™️