New Life Ministries International provided free shopping items to more than 300 women during its Women’s Department’s 26th National Women’s Conference, held from October 6 to 11, 2026, at Miracle City on Ross Road in Cline Town, Freetown.

The conference, organized under the theme “EMERGE,” brought together participants from across Sierra Leone, Liberia and The Gambia for worship, prayer, teaching and fellowship. Delegates attended from Kailahun, Bo, Kenema, Bonthe, Pujehun, Kabala, Makeni, Kambia, Freetown and other communities.

Rev. (Mrs.) Felicia Neufville of Monrovia, Liberia, delivered the keynote address. Rev. (Mrs.) Irene Cole, the ministry’s International Women’s Supervisor and Co-General Overseer, served as chief convener.

A major feature of the gathering was the free shopping exercise held on Friday, October 9, within the church compound. Eligible women received three to four items from a selection that included 25-kilogram bags of rice, cloth, shoes and ladies’ bags. Rechargeable speakers were also provided for pastors.

Rev. (Mrs.) Irene Cole explained that the exercise was open to fully registered women who had participated in the conference from its opening day through Friday. She said the initiative aimed to offer practical support and encourage consistent participation in the annual 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,” she said.

The items were secured through contributions from well-wishers and members of the ministry’s Women’s Department. Rev. (Mrs.) Irene Cole thanked contributors for their support, saying their generosity had helped organizers reach more women this year.

She disclosed that 150 women benefited from the inaugural free shopping exercise in 2025, compared with more than 300 at this year’s conference. She described the increase as an encouraging development and said organizers intend to improve the programme further in the coming year.

Beyond the material assistance, the conference offered women opportunities to share experiences, build relationships and strengthen their faith. Its “EMERGE” theme guided activities focused on spiritual growth and fellowship, while the free shopping exercise added practical support to the programme.

Beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the leadership of New Life Ministries International and Rev. (Mrs.) Irene Cole. Several said they had not expected to receive such extensive assistance and prayed for the continuation of the conference and the initiative.

The six-day gathering concluded on Sunday, October 11, having brought together women from different communities and neighbouring countries through a programme combining worship, fellowship and direct assistance. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/65455