christ journey church – Flair Miami

By Vannia Enriquez April 14, 2014 in Fun, News

CAN’T STAND CHRISTIANS

On a regular Sunday morning, most people would rather go to the beach, enjoy some family time, or even spend an extra few hours in bed instead of going to church… But for some reason, not on Easter Sunday.

Typically, Easter and Christmas are the highest attended times where the average “unchurched” and “irreligious” person attends church. But why? What is it about Easter and Christmas that draws people to church? Is it a desire for something more? Is it Christians? Is it Jesus?

In fact, in one way or another haven’t you heard people say “I’m spiritual, but not really into religion.” Or, “I Like Jesus… but can’t stand Christians.” Have you ever felt this way?

I know I have! And chances are that someone or something claiming to be “Christian” has probably given you and others a reason to keep their distance from church. Perhaps a “hypocrite Christ-follower” tainted the idea of Jesus and even more from religion, especially with all the ” record of do’s and don’ts”. But deep inside, I hope you know Jesus is way more than what any human can ever reflect! (Because after all, we are all sinners.)

For this very reason, Christ Journey Church (my church) is launching a challenging three-week series that will help tackle some of the most common barriers that keep people away from “Christians and Christianity.”

We did our research, and here’s what we found:

So, what’s your take on Christians? Will you be attending an Easter service? Why or why not?

No matter who you are or what you believe in, you’re invited to join the conversation this Easter weekend. Join live at our Miami locations or online at ChristJourney.tv, you can tune-in from anywhere around the world. Check it out and let me know what you think… Happy Easter!

By Vannia Enriquez August 12, 2013 in All, Fun

TIARAS THE BALL EVENT

Last week, I volunteered at a Summer camp called Camp Wake. I spent an entire week with middle and high-school students. During my time there, I was reminded how important it is to invest in the lives of teens. While most of our time at camp was spent making up cheers, having fun and competing. We also got to hear a camp speaker, and after every talk one of our girls approached a leader to share and pray about a dark situation they were facing. These teenage girls were dealing with suicide attempts, death threats, emotional and even physical abuse. I was reminded how broken our world is, but I was also reminded of how BIG my GOD is. Though at first, I was saddened by each situation… I was also quickly reminded that God has a plan for each of them, and that this darkness would be no more. So today, I’d like to share with you about how someone else’s brokenness became a dream and a bright new future called TIARAS.

What is Tiaras? Share with us the vision and the dream?

Tiaras exists to Re-Write the statistics, one teenage girl at a time. The mission of Tiaras is to paint a picture of God’s perfect love to every teenage girl we encounter and Re-Writing the statistics of teen pregnancy, promiscuity and suicide. Through a revealing and relevant message based on 1 Corinthians 13, our mission is to let every teen girl know their completion comes from God alone and that they are Daughters of a King!

How did this dream come into fruition?

I, Lily Garcia, was speaking at a young woman’s conference in Ft.Lauderdale last year about our self worth & the way God sees us. I had themed the night as “Princess Night” bringing crowns with me and pink royal touches not realizing God was about to birth a stirring within me called, TIARAS.

I’ve always felt drawn to younger women in this journey we call life. I grew up as not only a fatherless girl, but at age 19 learned I was the result of a violent act. My mom was date raped at age 21 and against all odds kept me. This truth marked my entire 20’s, I felt like I was an accident and I wasn’t supposed to be here. I went on to accept an unhealthy love story and gave myself to this relationship for over 10 years. Coming out of that unhealthy relationship awakened something in me to teach young girls & women, reminding them that they are beautifully and wonderfully made. That they have purpose and are God’s masterpiece, and that the love God intended for us to receive is defined clearly in 1 Corinthians 13.

The night I spoke, a mother of one of the college students attending the conference held my hand at the end of evening and said “I wish someone would have told me at a young age what you just told our daughters”. She wept. Confessed she was a statistic. Getting pregnant at 14 and having been in numerous abusive relationships, she had 5 children fathered by 5 different men. Her tears marked me and I asked God to help me find a way to create a pink box movement that will begin in America, but spread all over the world crowning girls from the US to Columbia, to Thailand and even huts in Africa, awakening the hearts of teen girls to the way God sees them!

How can our community help?

Our ball events are completely sponsor and volunteer driven, and they are completely free to all girls. You can either sponsor a TiarasGirl that evening by donating $10 on www.thelegacyministries.com. This pays for her crown, the experience, and her Devotional on “Shining Like Royalty” written by TIARAS; or by donating dresses of all styles and sizes. We provide a Dress Boutique at the events so that underprivileged girls could select a free dress and come in all her splendor. (Miami donations can be dropped off this week at Christ Journey Church, from 9-5pm, email Vannia for more info.)

Who is it geared toward, and how can we be a part of it?

We gear our Ball events towards pre-teen, teens and young college girls. US statistics say that the average girl is giving away her purity at age 14. The US also leads the world with the highest rate of teen pregnancy, and the 3rd highest cause of death among our teens today is suicide. Therefore, our desire is to get to them as early as we can. How can you be a part of it? Bring your teen to the next event. Or volunteer at an upcoming ball, register at www.thelegacyministries.com as there are volunteer opportunities before, during and after the ball events. We also partner with volunteers in the Arts for all the artistic elements during the Ball experience, actors, photographers, dancers, and lay people wanting to make a difference. (*all volunteers subject to a background check)

Interested in volunteering or donating a lightly used dress? Email us today. We’d love to hear from you, let’s change the world, one girl at a time!

By Vannia Enriquez November 12, 2012 in All, Fun

JUST BREATHE

When I first introduced my blog, I mentioned that I also work for a local church called UBC Miami. Well, UBC recently went through a name change and is now known as Christ Journey Church. And one of the roles I play at the Christ Journey is to help plan events where women can connect to a community of other women, we call that Breathe. What’s Breathe?

BREATHE – a celebration for women to relax, connect, and be challenged. And you’re invited!

SAVE THE DATE!

Breathe Women’s Dinner with Breakout Sessions!
Friday • Nov. 30 • 7-9p • 624 Anastasia Ave. • FJ Theater
(Doors open at 6:30) Register today for only $20. Dinner is included.

Purchase your tickets here!

Join us Friday, Nov. 30, as we gather for our Breathe women’s dinner & partner with Wellspring Counseling. We’ll offer different breakout sessions to help us learn more about the the “layers” of a woman. Come and get tips from licensed counselors on topics like emotional health, improving your self-esteem, dealing with loss, and learning boundaries.

Breakout Session Details:

Doing Life Differently: Emotional Health
Presented by: Christine Schlottman, LMHC & CTS,
Enjoying good emotional health enables us to better handle many of the challenges that we face in life. This presentation will offer practical suggestions on how to experience emotional healing, and in return, live in greater freedom in our relationships with God, ourselves, and others.

Finding My True Self: Practical Ways to Improve Self-Esteem
Presented by: Heather Hendry, MHC and Marisol Weaver, MHC
A discussion of the origins of our identity, self-worth, and how we can apply God’s word and clinical counseling methods to make healthy adjustments.

Moving Through Loss: Drawing Nearer to God
Presented by: Kay Gackle, MFT and Vicki Gray, LCSW
Loss is one of the hardest things a human being can endure, whether it is loss of a loved one, a relationship, a job, a home, your health or anything else of deep value. Amidst the pain and confusion, lies untapped, unimaginable joy and peace. Together we will discover how God’s truth and love can transform the hurt into healing.

Stop the Madness! How Boundaries Help Create Peace
Presented by: Sally Livingston, LMFT
Understanding and learning to establish healthy boundaries is a vital part of a peaceful and intentional life. Learn how boundaries can help foster better relationships, find more enjoyment in life and and give you the ability to do more than “just get by” day-to-day.

Hope to see you there. You can expect a delicious meal and some quality girl talk!

Want to be eligible to win free tickets for you and a friend? Share the post on your facebook or Twitter and let us know you did it in a comment below, be sure to use the hash tag #breathe. Winners will be announced Thursday, Nov. 29.