In Touch with Your 2020 Vision
Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18
Historic Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church conducted its Fifth Annual Vision Board Ministry for men and women on Saturday, January 18, 2020, and it was very empowering. This empowerment was spread out to the participants by the presenter, Carolyn Sleet, who is the First Lady and wife of Pastor-Servant Frederick Sleet of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Wayne, IN. Mrs. Sleet is a retired schoolteacher and children’s author. Her passion is teaching. Anita Dortch, Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church’s Power Angel has used the Vision Board Ministry as the object of her strong passionate desire to teach and have folks focus on having a visionary purpose in their lives. The passion of Carolyn Sleet and Anita Dortch is teaching. Two teachers; same focus, doing God’s work.
Each year, Mrs. Dortch starts the beginning of the class by involving the participants in identifying some aspect of their personalities by using an adjective either before their first or last name. Some of the participants came up with names like Serenity Slaughter, Willing Worker, Salt Spreading Sleet, Believing Beasley, Easy Easley, Daring Linda, More Than Miraculous, Mindful McGee, Spunky Stevens; Meticulous Sheila, Loving Lindsay, and Go Getter
Once all the adjectives attached to the names were revealed and explained by the participants, Mrs. Sleet brought their attention back into focus by asking them about just what is it they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the responses were: travel, write a book, sky diving, a cattle drive in Montana, attend a Master Tournament, a cruise ship to somewhere, visit a light house, and becoming a Snow Bird (which means leaving Indiana in the winter and going to Florida). She informed them that the things mentioned as to what the participants wanted to do was a “Bucket List.” “A Bucket List” is a plan without a vision…just a piece of piece,” she stated. “You need to lead so that others can follow you with grace. That is your vision…how to bring others along. Your vision is when your passion becomes your strength. Your vision impacts other people; a vision to be a servant to others.”
Mrs. Sleet went forth with the topic of her presentation, “How Do You Develop a Vision for Your Life,” and referred to Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…” She opened a window to let the participants know that each one of them has a picture in their mind of self, their family, their future. What does the picture look like? Do they see themselves rising higher, overcoming obstacles, and living an abundant life? Or, do they have a picture of struggling, being overweight, and never getting any breaks? “The pictures you allow in your mind will determine what kind of life you live,” she said.
These were thoughtful words which helped the participants begin to creatively think about their vision boards that would be developed during this session. Mrs. Dortch then instructed the group to collect scissors, glue, view the collection of magazines for pictures, get a board and begin to work on their vision. Mrs. Sleet encouraged the group to develop a vision for their life. She shared with them more words of wisdom:
• Life is way too short and you are way too important to God and the plans He has for your life for you to not have a vision for your life. He has plans for you!
• Know yourself. If you’re 5’3’ and weigh 112 lbs. and 20 years old, you won’t play middle linebacker for the Green Bay Packers. Ever! What are your passions and do your passions align with your strength?
• Develop your strengths that align with your passions.
• Learn from people who are doing what you want to do.
• And, finally, if your vision only makes your life better, it’s way too small and self-centered. Have a life vision that when you die, not just your family cries, but people you didn’t even know cry, because their life was better as a result of God working through your life.”
With their tools in hand and their boards, the participants got busy. After the vision boards were completed, each person got up and explained what each clipping, wording and pictures represented to their visions. In all their visions, God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit were with them on their boards.
Mrs. Sleet concluded her topic of discussion with the following:
“Dare to get a fresh, new vision of victory for your life and trust God to bring it to pass. You don’t have to figure out how it’s going to happen. All you have to do is believe. One touch of God’s favor can bring any dream to pass.”
It was a very fulfilling four hours well spent, and it has been like that ever since the Vision Board Ministry began five years ago. It has always been a spiritually gathering filled with faith, hope and love.
Photo: Mrs. Carolyn Sleet and Mrs. Anita Dortch [PHOTO: BETTY MILLER BUTTRAM]