Welcome to Rock Christian Centre’s third annual women’s conference. We are delighted to have a range of speakers including our first international speaker Yan who will address the conference via video link from China.
We have different types of soil representing various responses to the Gospel message, in essence the soil represents the openness of our heart and mind to the Gospel. This year’s conference speakers and workshop facilitators will focus on the interpretations of each soil type in their personal journey with Christ:
1) The hardened path
2) The shallow rocky ground
3) The thorny ground choked by worries………and
4) The good soil that produces abundant fruit
Matthew 13:3–9 (NIVUK84)
3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”
Please see below the Biographies of this years conference speakers
Pastor Joan Myers OBE
Joan is a much sought after anointed and inspirational speaker who has travelled extensively on preaching engagements in England, USA, the West Indies as well as Africa She dedicated her life to God 39 years ago and has been serving in ministry in her local church and abroad. She loves the Word of God and has a passion for souls for God’s Kingdom. She was ordained as an Evangelist in 1991 and as a Pastor in 2017. Joan is a recipient of an Inspirational Christian Wise Woman Award.
Joan is a multi-award winning inspirational nurse consultant and strategic and global leader, she has developed children’s community nursing services across London and was an advisor to the Chief Nursing Officer of NHS England for over 15 years. She retired from the NHS in 2019 and set up her independent consultancy company offering coaching, mentoring and career support as well as training and development. Her customised leadership and talent programme for Black and Minority Ethnic staff in NHS which she co-produced and facilitates was awarded Nursing Times Workforce Award for Best Diversity and Inclusion Category in November 2024. Joan is passionate about empowering, encouraging and challenging people to progress, do well and excel in their chosen field of study or career.
Joan received a Special Recognition Zenith Global Health Award 2018 for mission work in Kenya, Uganda and Ghana as well as a Certificate of Achievement from Woman 4 Africa Award in 2023 for outstanding contribution to health in Africa. She recently received Health Advocacy Award at Minister Appreciation Ball in May 2024. Joan has a children’s charity in Kenya providing education and food sponsorship to vulnerable children and is in process of building a school, health centre and church in a village in Nakuru, Kenya to support the community.
Joan is a Fellow & Trustee of the Queen’s Nurses Institute. Joan was honoured with an OBE for services to children and nursing in the Queen’s Birthday honours list in 2013. She is a Queen’s Nurse and has an honorary doctorate from Middlesex University in London. Joan was voted one of the top 50 most influential black people in the English National Health Service (NHS) in 2020 & 2021.
Sandie Keene CBE
Sandie was born in Sheffield and became a Christian as a teenager. She has been involved with St Thomas Church Crookes and then Network Church Sheffield since being a student in the city. She has been involved in all levels of leadership over the years and currently supports prayer for Justice, prayer Ministry and Safeguarding initiatives. Sandie is now retired but when working, was a social worker who became Director of Adult Social Services in both Barnsley and Leeds. She championed services for vulnerable people and worked with National and Local Government to develop and implement new legislation. She worked closely with the NHS and voluntary sector and was President of her professional association representing Adult Social Care in multiple National settings. Sandie is currently a Trustee of four Christian Charities and volunteers at S6 Foodbank. She enjoys mentoring to women in leadership and loves homemaking and hospitality.
Claire Marie Mothersdale
Fifteen years ago, Claire was incarcerated in the very prison where she now offers her time and support as a volunteer. After 19 years battling addiction and the tumultuous lifestyle that came with it, Claire was once seen as an outcast in her community. However, through the transformative power of Jesus and the compassion of His people, Claire experienced a profound change. Today, she is a living testament to His love and grace. Claire’s story is not only inspiring but a powerful reminder of the healing and renewal that can happen through faith. Her deep love for Jesus and His people radiates from her, touching everyone she meets. Claire is now in training to be a Church Army Evangelist.
Rev. Lesley Greenwood-Haigh
Rev. Lesley Greenwood-Haigh is an Anglican Priest and the Managing Chaplain at HMP & YOI New Hall. After dedicating 30 years to the NHS, Lesley responded to God’s call to ordained ministry, even though it was a path she initially embraced with reluctance. During her theological training, she had a transformative placement at HMP Wakefield, which sparked a deep passion for prison ministry. As part of her curacy, Lesley began serving one day a week at HMP New Hall, working closely with some of the most vulnerable women in society. This experience led to her appointment as Managing Chaplain, where she continues to serve. Lesley is deeply moved by the raw realities of prison life and the profound transformations she witnesses through God’s work. She believes chaplains are agents of hope, bringing light in places where it seems absent, and is dedicated to helping those she serves unlock their full potential in God.
Clarissa Shaw Notice.
I am now registered as a Baptist Church minister in North East Somerset. In my areas of work I am a Psychiatric Nurse Social Worker, Person Centred Counsellor in Bereavement and Loss, Primary School Mentor, Hospital Chaplain and Anglican Ordained Priest. Over the past 40 years I have had the privilege of meeting with suffering men, women and children in this country, as well as in Europe and different parts of the world. Their stories of trauma, grief and abuse have profoundly shaped me. God has taught me many lessons on this path and also given me the great privilege of sharing those lessons with many audiences such as churches, lay and professional conferences, and humanitarian organizations. The most fundamental lesson of those years, have been the truth that love and obedience to Jesus Christ is the greatest factor in a human life. It is in this way that we learn, albeit slowly, to bring His life and love down into flesh and blood and so bless the suffering on this ruined planet. It is my hope that ongoing training, counselling and spiritual support, will bring a taste of an encounter, healing and comfort with Him.
Bethany Sheridan-Watts
At the age of 14, Bethany moved from London to Sheffield where she began attending the Rock Christian Centre. She was there until she moved back down to London 13 years later. Once in London she met Theo who, inconveniently, lived in Leeds. After a few years of dating long distance, Bethany couldn’t ignore the call back up to Yorkshire, so married Theo and they have lived in Leeds since getting married in 2018. Bethany and Theo have 2 daughters- aged 3 and 4.
Bethany, along with her family, attends Mosaic Church in Leeds. Here she helps to lead services and has started preaching. Bethany also leads a mission group in her local estate along side Theo and another couple. It is through being part of and leading this mission group that Bethany has seen God at work, and they have seen people come to faith as well as having regular discussions about Jesus and the hope he is. Bethany is passionate about her faith and loves talking to others about the hope that they too can find in Jesus.
Outside of this Bethany also works part-time, facilitating workshops and training for staff who work in the health and care sector to think about their own mental health. Bethany really enjoys what she does- although finds that with all the above she is rather busy!
Bethany also loves a walk in the woods or out in nature with her family, is very partial to a (good quality) hot chocolate and loves catching up with friends and planning little trips for her and the family too.
Caddy Qiu
Caddy Qiu was born in China. She is single and currently lives in Beijing. She graduated from the Civil Aviation University of China and received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Aviation Management from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, Australia. Caddy is a professional in the civil aviation sector with extensive experience spanning airports, airlines and leading aerospace technology companies. Currently she serves as the Principle Strategic Development Manager for the Asia-Pacific region at a Global Fortune 500 aerospace technology enterprise. In this role she drives strategic initiatives that foster innovation and growth across the aviation industry.
Beyond her professional career, Caddy has devoted herself to ministry for over a decade. Since 2010, she has been actively involved in leading various church programs, including Children’s Sunday School, Youth Fellowship, Bible Study Groups, and Marketplace Fellowship. In 2015, she was invited to attend the Haggai International Leadership Seminar, after which she was trained as a facilitator and residential coordinator for Haggai’s Chinese-language seminars.
Caddy has a deep passion for short-term missions. Since 2016, she has organized and led mission trips annually, reaching communities across China, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. In 2020, she founded the “Mountain Rain Ministry Foundation”, with a dedicated focus on supporting the Gospel ministry among the Lisu people in Yunnan, China.
In 2023, Caddy was officially licensed as a minister by The Foursquare Gospel Church of Malaysia. Caddy is passionate about telling missionary stories and sharing the history of missions, inspiring believers with the legacy of those who dedicated their lives to spreading the Gospel.
An avid traveler, Caddy has explored over 50 countries, embracing cultural diversity and gaining global perspectives that enrich both her professional and ministry work.
In September 2024, she began pursuing a Master’s in Christian Studies at China Evangelical Seminary (CES) in her spare time, seeking to be further equipped for God’s work.
Tricia Watts
I moved to Sheffield as a teenager where I attended Christ Church Fulwood. It was on one of their Youth House parties that I felt God call me to follow him and my life changed. I was a teacher for many years first as a PE teacher before I slipped to Primary teaching. I eventually taught at a lovely small primary school in the countryside just north of Sheffield. Having retired from teaching just before covid, I now work for the Rock Christian Centre here in Sheffield. I work part time at Burngreave Foodbank and am Team Pastor at the church. I have run/ been on youth camps for the last 47 years!! and have a passion to see young people on fire for Jesus. I also head up Sheffield Street Pastors which has been running since 2009. I love ‘Caring, Listening and Helping’ in the city centre. We have over 30 street pastors from more than 17 churches. I have many opportunities to represent Street Pastors and the church in city centre meetings and committees. Jon and I have 3 children and 5 grandchildren, who are all great fun. I love spending time with them. They and I, all love Barney, our dog, and enjoy taking him out on walks. I love travelling to different countries and seeing different cultures, exploring and also sitting on the beach! My passion is having fun!!!! and seeing Jesus held high in our community.
Highlights of 2024’s Conference
A reflection of the day.
Women’s Conference 2024 – The Spirit Filled Woman, the Fruit of the Spirit.
Waking up on Saturday 18th May I realised it was a lovely sunny morning, a replay of this day the year before. I thanked the Lord our lovely car park attendants, men from the church, would not be standing in the rain.
So, the day began, I got ready quickly and made sure my houseguest and my husband were up and about. Then went downstairs to make a cup coffee and to contemplate the day ahead. This was our second Conference and some changes had been made. It was exciting to think of so many ladies gathering to hear what the Lord had for them today.
We set off for the Church at 7.20am. Our houseguest was manning one of the many stalls giving information and encouraging women to get involved with or seek help from various charities and action groups, the stalls invited entirely complimented and were consistent with the ministry of the Rock Christian Centre.
My husband was one of the many wonderful men of the church serving the women on this day. He was on the ‘early morning team’ and along with another guy was making drinks and serving fruit and pastries to ladies as they arrived.
Sure, enough by 8.30am there was a buzz around the place as ladies familiar and guests began to arrive, register and pick up their Conference Packs, lovingly assembled on the 2 previous evenings by members of the planning group. Pastor Jon and his right-hand man, looking very smart, dutifully recorded the arrival of each lady and welcomed them to the Conference.
The beautifully arranged fruit and pastries began to disappear, and various drinks were gratefully accepted. Ladies were encouraged to book in for hand and neck massages, and great interest was shown in the good quality hand – made jewellery stand, and the millinery stall. The bookstall was browsed, and ladies began to enter the main hall, sign up for their choice of afternoon workshop, and take their seats.
What a sight, lovely flowers everywhere, crisp white tablecloths, red table runners. It looked gorgeous. Where to sit…. near a window, out of a draught, early arrivals bagged the best seats!
At 10.00am prompt Tricia Watts opened, welcoming us all and asking the Lord’s blessing.
Lucy Swift made us smile as she had us all pointing to the emergency exits to ensure we remembered them if needed and then some of the ladies of the Rock Christian Centre worship team led us into the presence of the Lord. What a wonderful atmosphere there was in the room for the rest of the day.
Sandie Keene the moderator competently and sensitively guided us through the morning, explaining what would happen and that prayer ministry was available if needed and identifying those on the team. She then introduced Mina Smallman as the first speaker. As Mina began to talk there was silence in the room and ladies listened attentively to her. Her honesty and conviction were humbling, and no-one could fail to be moved by her accounts of pain and her forgiveness of cruelty and murder. Within that testimony there was so much encouragement for us, so much affirmation of mothers, of women, of me and of you.
There were 140 women in the room, and yet it was just as if it was you and her over a coffee in the kitchen. Question time confirmed that, with people sharing how encouraged they felt, and feeling free to ask their questions.
Our next speaker was Vivianne, who was just as inspirational, recounting her journey of betrayal, to restoration of her marriage and then from disease to amputation and the fitting of a prosthesis. Displaying no bitterness no sense of unfairness just a joy of life and forgiveness of individuals and systems that had let her down.
During the morning, we were blessed to receive ministry from two wonderful soloists, whose gifting lifted us and allowed the Lord to minister to us after each speaker had shared. Thank you, Lydia and Patricia.
At lunch time Sandie explained ‘the system’, Grace was said by Chidera and lunch was served, it was delicious, the wonderful team in the kitchen, Ric’s amazing men had done us proud and although we had planned ‘just 2 alternatives’ it felt like we had feasted on much more than that. Paulette and Sandie kept things moving serving salads and encouraging people to return to their seats quite quickly to eat.
Browsing of the stalls was once again possible and serious purchases were made, I am sure!
The afternoon began with a couple of surprises, first Sandie explained there were several envelopes under the seats. These contained gift vouchers, which, if found should be given away! There was much scrambling under seats and laughter. Secondly, Patricia made sure we were not overtaken by the ‘post lunch slump’ by leading us in a short exercise programme, which did the trick and sent us laughing to our choice of workshop.
On return from workshops, which identified and encouraged the fruit of the spirit from the experience of the lives of the different leaders, ladies enjoyed afternoon tea of delicious home-made jam and cream scones and by popular request Jamaican Fruit Cake.
We were then once again, blessed by a solo from Patricia, leading us back into the Lord’s presence ready to listen to Mina who gave the final talk.
Sandie Keene gave a word of thanks and Paulette was given a bouquet of flowers, after which she promptly displayed her gift of kindness and gave it to her sister.
Mina prayed over us a commissioning prayer and the worship team led us in a final song of praise.
I went home – tired, happy and feeling very thankful to the Lord for a wonderful day.
The men and women of the Rock Christian Centre are indeed a wonderful bunch.
The speakers, workshop leaders and Sandie had been great. How blessed we are to have Paulette to inspire us and encourage us in this Conference. I am looking forward to next year already.
Highlights of 2023’s Conference
A reflection of the day.
“The 13th of May 2023 finally came and with it dawned a warm and sunny day, Rock Christian Centre’s first women’s conference was finally a reality. From its inception from the previous mid-October the planning team had a vision for women. Within a safe and desirable environment to facilitate, cultivate, supporting each other by networking to learn, to worship, to develop spiritually through workshops and have fun.
The women were about to go on a journey and by involving the men folk of the church in stewarding, providing practical help/support and food. All the ladies had to do was to come and enjoy everything that was being provided.
Rock Christian Centre is very much involved in community outreach programmes such as Burngreave Foodbank, Street Pastors, CAP, Word 4 Weapons, The Lighthouse Project and Amen shoeboxes.
The programme was carefully planned with pampering in mind and spoiling the women with an array that would be sure to catch their attention. There were various stalls such as Christian books and cards, jewelry, quality millinery, Women’s health, The Jericho Road Project, and the Freedom Project, two vital support groups for women that are disempowered. There was also a choice of relaxing therapists so that the ladies could experience feeling cherished and pampered.
To ensure that the ladies could network and snack on Danish pastries and fresh fruit registration was off to an early start. Been warmly welcomed and handed a goodie bag by the men on the welcoming/registration team was certainly a caring gesture. Every detail had been thought through with our brothers in Christ assisting even in the car park. Some ladies who were apprehensive or unsure soon relaxed and began to mingle and engage in conversation. Gentle background music played as the ladies filtered into the conference room.
The scene that met their eyes was a delight there was a beautiful stillness in the room that struck you. White tablecloths and fresh flowers arranged in glass posey vases adorned each table not to mention the red runners and corresponding red seats.
The conference opened with prayer by Tricia Watts. Paulette Forbes-Williams introduced Jon Watts senior pastor of RCC who warmly welcomed the delegates on behalf of the leadership team. Housekeeping was delivered succinctly by Paulette and Lucy Swift. The worship team led by Josephine Kobusingye set the tone which was just a taster of what was to come.
Sandie Keene a previous accomplished leader was an excellent conference facilitator for the day. She exuded warmth and a deep understanding by her words and body language. She was efficient and her humorous approach to timekeeping using traffic light cards was very well received as chuckles echoed around the room. No one got issued with a red card.
Clarissa Notice our first speaker gave women permission to find out who they are in Christ. By allowing transformation to take place one would behold the glory of God. Three young women from RCC read bible verses following each speaker namely Bethany Kibutu, Megan Hunt and Tiffany Kibutu. Their scriptures pertained to virtuous women.
Rev Lyn Weston our second speaker addressed the conference with her personal testimony of surviving domestic abuse and encouraged women to speak out. Lyn allowed the Lord to use her which connected beautifully with what Clarissa had shared.
Our ears were treated to a medley of songs played on the saxophone by Cynthia Palmer-Golding. The delegates sang along in particular to ‘’ How great thou art ‘’
Lunch was another highlight. The cuisine was mouth-wateringly presented with a plethora of choices, catering for all dietary requirements. A very firm favourite was Ricky Williams’s fried dumplings. After lunch the ladies dispersed to their chosen workshops of which there was a total of four. Within the workshops they allowed the women to be interactive and concentrate on sharing and praying which was so special and releasing.
Afternoon tea followed with Jamaican rum cake and further networking. The worship team led the women into a time of worshipping God. The presence of the Lord was palpable as voices sang out in unison in praise and adoration. The prayer team were invited to come alongside those that needed prayer.
The closing speaker was Nkechi Aniegboka-Okoh a formidable woman of God. She communicated the Word in her unique direct style.
Nkechi reminded us that as women we have the power of influence. We are influential and not to allow ourselves to be put down.
The conference closed with the words of thanks by the moderator and Paulette. Recognition was given to all the men that had made the day a very special one for the ladies to have had a transforming experience.”