The Power of Pentecost

Pastor Wesley Gayle baptizing a father and his two sons at the mega tent in Bog Walk, St. Catherine, Jamaica. Over 230 persons gave their hearts to the Lord through this evangelistic series. The evangelist was Pastor Thomas “Hurricane” Bryan.

Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists baptized 1,893 persons in the first quarter of this year, a feat that has never been accomplished since the Conference was started. The power of the Holy Spirit could be seen and felt as He worked through men and women to accomplish the mission. Every district and almost every church was involved in this programme as Lay Workers, Pastors, Conference Administrators and Directors availed themselves to be used.

Ellen G. White stated, “The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its beginning. The work will be similar to that on the day of Pentecost. As the former rain was given in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the opening of the gospel, so the latter rain will be given at its close for the ripening of the harvest.” (Acts of the Apostles, pp.19, 20)

And how these words ring true today, as the Day of Pentecost and More, March 15 2008, saw thousands of persons surrendering their lives to God. On that day Central Jamaica Conference baptized 483 souls, West Indies Union baptized over 3,000 souls and the Inter-American Division baptised over 49,000 souls. ‘To God be the glory great things He has done.’

“Pentecost and More was a phenomenal success. We saw the outpouring of the Holy Spirit uniting the membership in accomplishing the mission of the church,” said Pastor Everett Brown, President of Central Jamaica Conference. “During the Pentecost and More programme we saw the church at its best, fulfilling the mandate.”

The Pentecost and More programme was launched in Central Jamaica Conference on September 16, 2007 at our Leaders Council held at the Balford Hurst Auditorium, Camp Verley, St. Catherine. Hundreds of our church leaders gathered with West Indies Union officials and Central Jamaica Conference workers, signalling what was to come. The leaders that were in attendance gave their suggestions and commitment to the programme, pledging to do their part in advancing God’s Kingdom.

“In the Pentecost and More programme the power of unity in regards to evangelism was seen,” remarked Pastor Levi Johnson, Secretary of Central Jamaica Conference. He went on to say that, “We saw the church carrying out its’ mandate efficiently and united.”

After the launch came the season of preparation, which consisted of a Conference wide 50 Day Fasting and a Week of Revival. The 50 Day Fasting and Prayer began on November 17, 2007 and saw every worker, church, district and lay worker being given a day to fast and pray about issues or concerns associated with the Pentecost and More programme. The 50 Day Fast ended on January 5, 2008 with all the workers and volunteers directly involved in the planning and execution of Pentecost and More, gathering at Camp Verley for a power-packed and spirit-filled fasting and prayer service. One week prior to January 5 a Conference wide Week of Revival was launched in the six areas that a mega tent programme was slated to take place.

“It was an excellent programme,” Elder Billy Watson, Treasurer of Central Jamaica Conference, commenting on the success of the first quarter. “It was a tremendous success and seeing the amount of persons baptised was heart warming.”

Six mega tents, three small tents and several church crusades were done in the first quarter. The six mega tents, combining two or more Districts, took place in Mandeville, May Pen, Old Harbour, Linstead, Spanish Town and Portmore, and baptized over a thousand persons. Newport, Spauldings and Watermount Districts were the sites of the three small tents and they baptized over one hundred persons.

Pastor Everett Smith, Personal Ministries and Sabbath School Director of Central Jamaica Conference, with elation said, “The Pentecost and More programme was one of the most exciting, dynamic and fulfilling programme ever to be put on by the Church. The programme should never be stopped, because, it should never just be an event but a process that continues.”

Outreach was a major part of the Pentecost and More programme and several districts intensified their efforts to meet the needs of their community. Almost every district in the Conference engaged in a Health Clinic for their community. Other than providing doctors and nurses to do examinations and perform basic health checks, some clinics provided medication, dental checks and Registrar General Department services.

Three outstanding community projects were the Bible Distribution, Skills Training Workshop and the Spanish Town Infirmary beautification. Over three thousand bibles were placed in the hands of persons in and around Spanish Town. Many of the persons in the inner cities and those at the Spanish Town Adult Correction Centre were happy to receive the bibles, some immediately started reading to find out its truths. The Spanish Town Mega Tent conducted a four week skills training programme by partnering with HEART Training Institute and saw over 200 persons graduating with various skills such as Houskeeping, Plumbing, Interior Decorating, Customer Service and basic Mathematics and English.

The Youth Department of Central Jamaica Conference and the Greater New York Conference along with the St. Catherine Youth Federation went to the Spanish Town Infirmary to beautify the home of the indigent. They planted trees, painted sections of the property, provided care, donated chairs and clothing. They also made a pledge that they will continue to help with upkeep and care of the infirmary.

- Article by Kemar Douglas/CJC
 

[ News Main | top ]