Helping people to find their purpose through God is the focus of a weekend conference at a Southampton hotel.

The Women of Excellence Conference, currently underway at the Sonesta Beach Hotel, will attempt to steer both men and women towards God.

Hosted by Intercession and Restoration Ministries, the conference will feature local and overseas speakers.

Rev. Dr. Lorraine Peeler of Buffalo, New York and Rev. Dr. Ernestine Reems from Oakland California will take part in this year's conference.

Dr. Reems founded, along with four others, the Centre of Hope Community Church in 1968 which today boasts a membership exceeding 1,500. In 1990 she purchased a 17-unit facility to operate a transitional housing programme for women and children.

Dr. Peeler is the founder and president of Prominent in Christ Ministries and is currently pastor of Covenant Truth Centre. She is also the author of Your Empowerment Zones: Keys to Spiritual Renewal and Restoration.

The ministers will join Rev. and Mrs. Christopher Haynes to lecture on this year's theme -- `Find Your Purpose in God'.

"It is designed to reach people who are in or out of the Church,'' Rev.

Haynes said. "This weekend is about trying to help people to find their purpose.

"Even those who are not saved need to find their purpose in God,'' he added, saying one of today's most pressing problem was people not knowing their purpose in God.

"The whole idea is to find out their purpose in God and to live out that purpose.'' For the second year in a row, visiting gospel vocalist and ordained minister Vernon Chapel will direct the music for the conference.

"I'm glad to be back for a second year,'' he said.

The Florida minister will lead a worship session and worked with locals to assemble a team of singers and musicians for the Conference.

Rev. Chapel, who has four gospel tapes to his credit in addition to his 20 years of ministering, said his goal for the conference was to make sure the participants could access the presence of God via their worship.

"The goal is to set an atmosphere where he can come.'' Rev. Chapel, who will be on the Island until Tuesday, also said he was open to counsel any local musicians. He will be staying at the Sonesta Beach Hotel.

"I'm free to help with any church setting or religious music,'' he added.

The Conference, which got underway yesterday, continues today and tomorrow at the Sonesta Beach Hotel. For information call 238-2379 or 292-6058.

Dr. Ernestine Reems