Webster’s dictionary defines the word evolve as an intransitive verb that means to undergo revolutionary change. Witnessing 40,000 women united as one under the helm and visionary focus of Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts for Woman Evolve 2023 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, is an intergenerational advancement for growth unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
Just recently announced, TIME has named Sarah Jakes Roberts to the 2023 TIME 100 Next list for being one of the emerging leaders shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, health, science and activism, and more. To learn more about this prestigious TIME honor, readers may view tributes that will appear in the Sept. 25, 2023 issue, available on newsstands on Friday, Sept. 15, and now at time.com/next. It is by no mistake or coincidence that God will allow Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts to receive this recognition. This woman of God is the real deal.
As I share the impact Woman Evolve 2023 has made upon myself and undeniably among other attendees, I first and foremost would like to express that I’m a church girl through and through. So when I drift off into spiritual colloquialism or Southern Baptist humor, it is by God’s design. Nevertheless, Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts, through obedience to the voice of God, has cultivated an area where women of all shapes, sizes, demographics, ethnic backgrounds, spiritually sound or an “I don’t even know if God is real,” type of woman can come as you are and just fellowship without judgment. That alone is a major accomplishment.
Not all spaces in this capacity are created equal, yet this environment felt like home immediately upon entry. From beginning to end, as you walk through Globe Life Field, women are dancing and filled with laughter as they seek to no longer leave environments in the way they came.
Food selections were plenteous and the long lines gave you time to come up with your next plan of action throughout the day whether traveling alone or with a group of friends. For future reference, If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat at Globe Life Field that contains hot and fresh menu items without a long wait attached, the Express Grill is a great AI inspired self serve restaurant that utilizes the swipe of your credit card and cameras to observe you literally grab what you want and walk out of the area. Receipts are provided at the exit so you can see just how advanced this system works.
The extravagant pop-up shops contain merchandise that is challenging to walk away from if you’re on a budget. In the words of Tasha Cobbs Leonard, I saw several bags, “With my name on it…” I’m going to put a praise on it and purchase it online in due time. Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts’ mother, Serita Jakes, has a divine merchandise line and cute bag that many young and seasoned women proudly carry around Globe Life Field.
On Friday night, day one, Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts donned the stage styled in this remarkable blue feathered flowing jacket to signify that an opening pitch by a Holy Ghost-filled pitcher would ensue. Pastor Sarah came out swinging as she cut open our wounds and stitched us back together again in the spirit. Globe Life Field was on fire in the spirit realm.
The message “Take Your Form” from the book Esther 4:10 – 16 marked the moment we felt a shift in the atmosphere. “You just had to be here.” The presence of God was undeniably in the stadium as the anointing spread over the hearts of women. If you didn’t witness tissue passing down your row as you or your neighbor wiped tears from their eyes, you most certainly heard the echoes of praise or cheering outside the stadium, too.
Upon our late evening exit of the first-day encounter of Woman Evolve 2023, I know Uber, Lyft, and Taxis galore made significant money based on the thousands of women standing outside with phones in hand, praying that their cars arrived. The wait was at least 45 minutes to 2 hours for most, including myself, while those who parked in a garage or lot possibly needed less time to wait for travel away from Globe Life Field. I chuckled with laughter in agreement as a young Queen stated, “We have to get up early and come right back!” The thought of spending the night at Globe Life Field crossed my mind and didn’t sound so bad before contemplating Uber’s astronomical surge price back to my hotel.
Nevertheless, after what we all experienced of hearing how God is the ultimate catalyst and we are what we’ve been waiting for, my ride-share anxiety faded, and my faith kicked in. Now, that’s the type of impact you want to remember when life begins to throw challenges in your face to distract you from the gifts God provides.
Some might believe we couldn’t go any higher after the previous night’s experience of Woman Evolve, 2023. I beg to differ. Day two of Woman Evolve 2023 brought us a new dimension we didn’t see coming. Each speaker brought a unique perspective that had us emotionally, physically, and mentally gagging in truth. The whole woman aspect reigned supreme as Dr. Anita Phillips, First Lady Linda Griffin, Love McPherson, Brene Brown, and more discussed topics of vulnerability, courage, loving your body, mental health, and finances.
The nuggets of wisdom and sound advice that flowed from their bellies had me in my feelings. As a representative of the “I have my guard up and armor on clique,” hearing the unique attributes of yourself explained so intricately that only God could orchestrate this arrangement was an a-ha moment of transparency. And my God, hearing Brene Brown slap me across the heart with her definition of vulnerability made my cloudy vision of resistance so clear.
Day three will close out the experience with a discussion to hear men’s perspectives with a panel including Pastor Toure Roberts, David Mann, Devon Franklin, and more. And as women, Black women specifically, we all need time to pause, soften our hearts, and hear what the male experience is regarding a platonic, familial, or personal encounter with the opposite sex species.
Walking away from this magnitude of inspiration has given us the authority to walk in our God-given purpose. And might I add, Pastor Sheryl Brady shut it down and reminded us, “There is a story in our stones.” This message hit home plate, too! I really can’t tell it all. “You just had to be here.”
I close with Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts mentioning during the conference that we may or may not have an #WE23 experience of this magnitude at Globe Life Field again. The massive production, finances, and work behind the scenes are challenging. But the mighty hand of God is upon her for such a time as this, and we gotta run this thing back so more women can feel the movement and power of God. Therefore, y’all better come get you one of these, and it’s not a chicken salad. It’s a ticket to Woman Evolve 2024 because registration is now open via the website https://www.womanevolveconference.com. “You have to be here.” View more photos from the Woman Evolve 2023 conference below and enjoy.
ABOUT WOMAN EVOLVE 2023
Picking up the mantle of ministry and empowerment to women passed on from her father T.D. Jakes at last year’s conclusion of the long-running event Woman, Thou Art Loosed!, Sarah Jakes Roberts is bringing her fifth annual women’s conference, Woman Evolve, to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Sept. 14-16, 2023. Woman Evolve is shaping up to be an event of Texas-sized proportions.
Jakes Roberts is redefining what it means to be a modern woman of faith. As a wife, mother, author and businesswoman dedicated to honoring her father’s mission of empowering underrepresented communities—including the disappearing middle class—her messages have spread throughout the world defying cultural, religious, gender, and socio-economic boundaries. She has a unique way of reaching people who are seeking to make peace with their past, maximize their present and deepen their relationship with God.
Woman Evolve feature speakers include:
Sarah Jakes Roberts, founder of Woman Evolve; T.D. Jakes, CEO of T.D. Jakes Group; Touré Roberts, founder of ONE | A Potter’s House Church; Serita Jakes, executive director of women’s and children’s affairs at The Potter’s House of Dallas; Brené Brown, scholar and research professor at University of Houston; Devon Franklin, president and CEO of Franklin Entertainment; Sheryl Brady, pastor of The Potter’s House of North Dallas; Yvonne Oriji, actress, author and comedian; April Daniels, philanthropist of “The Girlfriends Corner”; Priah Ferguson, actress and founder of Bold Honey Creative Company; Linda Griffin, advisor of Church of God in Christ; Love McPherson, marriage and family counselor; Anthony O’Neal, host of “The Table” podcast; Dr. Anita Phillips, trauma therapist; Naomi Raine, Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter; David Mann, singer, producer and comedian; Dr. Natalie Sampson, founder of Symmetry Physical Therapy & Wellness.
