Women of Witness Goes to Manila

The 8th Women of Witness (WOW!) Conference 2025 marked a historic milestone as it was held for the first time outside Singapore, in partnership with Cornerstone Novaliches in Quezon City, Manila.

Organised by Cornerstone Singapore, WOW! Conference Team led by Pastor Daphne Yang and supported by Pastors Aileen and Raymond Masuecos from the anchoring church, this year’s conference welcomed over 800 delegates from 57 churches across 11 nations, with both on-site and online participants. The theme, “Crowned with Purpose,” was inspired by Isaiah 62:3 –a powerful reminder that every woman is a royal diadem in God’s hand.

Born out of a simple conversation and a shared dream, the vision to bring WOW! to the Philippines became a reality through God’s grace. Four local Cornerstone Global Network churches across the Philippines united to attend and support the running of the conference, while 38 volunteers and staff from Singapore flew in to serve alongside them.

A Crown of Glory, A Royal Diadem

Pastor Daphne kickstarted the conference with a message titled “Crowned with Purpose”. She shared on how Isaiah 62 speaks of two distinct crowns: one earned through faithfulness and endurance (the stephanos of victory), and one inherited through birth into God’s Kingdom (the diadem of royal identity). “We are crowned with purpose, for His purpose!”, she said.

In life’s curveballs, the crushing comes before the crowning.

Building on this, Reverend Dr. Suzette Hattingh shared: “So your crown, what God has given unto you, is according to the pattern in which you were woven. We need to understand that when God made you, someone else cannot fill that role and if you don’t fill that place, the body of Christ is robbed of that woven anointing that you carry!” In contrasting two queens from the Bible, Esther and Vasthi, Reverend Dr. Suzette drew parallels between Proverbs 9:10 and Proverbs 4:9. While Vasthi refused King Xerxes in her arrogance and pride and lost her crown, Esther gave herself to the king in reverence and humility and won the crown.

Pastor Daphne brought this truth deeper: in life’s curveballs, the crushing comes before the crowning. Drawing on the stories of the widows in 1 Kings 17 and 2 Kings 4, both crushed by lack and loss, yet in their surrender and obedience, in the spending of the flour and pouring of the oil, God multiplied His Glory! As daughters of the King, it is not what we have that crowns us, but who we entrust it to.

“What is it that tried to destroy you? Perhaps it is God’s intent for you to carry it like a crown for His glory.”

Fear, Frontlines & Fulfilled Destinies

Across three powerful sessions on Day 2 of the conference, a clear call echoed: it’s time for women to rise, confront fear, take their place on the frontlines, and partner with God in fulfilling their destinies. Reverend Dr. Suzette revealed the transformation of Esther from an orphan girl hidden in fear to a queen who embraced bold faith; her authority was unlocked the moment she cast off fear and embraced the call to stand for her people through fasting and prayer. “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16) was not despair, but the declaration of a woman who had shifted from self to surrender – it was no longer about her but about God!

Pastor Daphne continued the charge, reminding us that women have always played a vital role on the frontlines of God’s Kingdom. From Jael to Rahab, Pastor Daphne spoke on the faith-filled actions of women who turned the tide of history and called for today’s women not to passively observe as spectators but to actively participate as warriors!

In the final session, Reverend Dr. Suzette brought the message full circle. Sharing the story of Paul’s destiny in Rome, she explained that our destinies are activated when we willingly cooperate with God. She ended her sermon by saying, “Only one thing is going to get us to our destiny, and that is our time at the altar”. Just as Esther did, Reverend Dr. Suzette called for the women to kneel at their own altars. In an instant, the conference venue was filled with the cries of women stepping onto their battlefields and pressing in for their divine destinies! It was a night for women to take their places on the frontlines, not in fear, but in faith –because the word has been declared…and the women are picking up the spoils (Psalms 68:11-12 TPT).

In the Hand of the Lord

This year’s conference was a stirring reminder to place our lives in the hands of the Lord. Pastor Yang declared a call to breakthrough, urging us – like David – to rise from a defensive posture and confront our Metheg Ammah – the deeply rooted strongholds in our lives – and take spiritual territory.

Pastor Daphne reminded us that favour follows surrender – from Mary to Moses, Joseph to Esther, God chooses ordinary people, but in His hands, He destined them for extraordinary purposes!

Reverend Dr. Suzette encouraged us to awaken our Deborah calling to use our anointing and authority to influence even just one person. She proclaimed, Colossians 1:27 “Christ in you, the hope of glory!” – a reminder that, after Jesus rose from the grave, the anointing is not merely upon us but within us (Matthew 11:11).

In bringing the conference to a close, Pastor Yang reaffirmed that every believer is anointed to hear from God, walk with Him, and serve in our divine assignments. Pastor Yang then called for an impartation of the Holy Spirit with many responding to receive a fresh activation of their anointing. It was a significant moment in the conference and with heads lifted and hearts ablaze, the reminder was clear: a surrendered and anointed life is a crown of glory, firmly held in the hand of the Lord.

A Response to Released Destiny

WOW! 2025 was more than a conference – it was a response to a divine invitation that released divine appointments marked by countless testimonies of healing, restoration, and spiritual activation. From physical healings to deep inner breakthroughs, many encountered the hand of God in profound ways.

Delegates shared how they received personal confirmations and witnessed their gifts come alive for His glory – simply because they said “Yes” to His call.

WOW! 2025 stands as a prophetic moment for a generation of women across nations – young and old – who have been crowned with purpose to advance the Kingdom of God for such a time as this!

Only one thing is going to get us to our destiny, and that is our time at the altar