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5th annual rally urges women to be 'overcomers'
By Bruce Walton
COITSVILLE
This year, Women of His Vision chose “Be Overcomers” as the theme for the fifth annual Women’s Rally in the Valley.
The theme derives from John 16:33 which states, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Mary Ann Dickson, president of Women of His Vision, said the theme was chosen in response to the recent drug-addiction epidemic plaguing the area. But the theme also applies to other addictions such as alcohol and gambling as well.
“We want these women to know that they’re not alone, there’s plenty of places out there to help and we want all of them to be overcomers and be the person that God really wanted you to be,” she said.
The event, at Victory Christian Center, 3899 McCartney Road, lasted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with multiple speakers and vocalists inspiring about 300 attendees to overcome life’s obstacles. It started in 2013 as a response to the Men’s Rally in the Valley, Dickson said.
Judy Schenker, mistress of ceremonies, said the purpose of the rally is to minister to women and give them a chance to have a voice.
“We went through everything and spoke with women and said, everyone’s having a hard time picking themselves up and getting out there everyday. So we need to help them equip themselves to be an overcomer,” she said.
Speakers at the event gave ways they can overcome the obstacles in their lives. For example, speaker Martha Taylor, a member of Metro Assembly of God pastoral staff, spoke about changing people’s self-perception to overcome problems they never thought possible.
Kimberly Clinkscale of Boardman said she visited the rally to join in the message.
“You just have to get out there and just try it, and say ‘yes, I’m going to do it; yes, I am an overcomer,’” she said.
Dickson said the organization and the event are nondenominational and express inclusion of women from all types of dominations and backgrounds.