One night a few years ago I brought the evening message at an open-air church in Dumaguete, a beautiful little seaside city in the heart of the Philippines. The meeting was packed with young people. At the conclusion of the service I offered to pray for anyone present. To my shock most everyone lined up. I started praying. And praying. One by one, gently laying hands on their heads, blessing each one. Many wept. All wanted to hug. The place was thick with the presence of the Lord. I soon began getting emotional, feeling overcome as I saw the glory and face of God in His people. Finally, after more than an hour I was finished. Or so I thought.
I picked up my satchel and began heading out the backside of the building. And then I saw them. About thirty young people standing there. “Pastor Jay, you prayed for all of us. Can we now pray for you?” I dropped to my knees and all I can say is I entered into some kind of glory cloud, as the young people began ministering over me. Rarely have I ever felt the love of God like this. My heart soared as all of them prayed at the same time. Heaven met earth that night in a little Filipino church. And when I finally reached my room later, I basked in the afterglow of the Spirit of God, unable to sleep as I was so filled with joy.
I share this story because it is an example of how powerfully God meets those willing to venture out onto the mission field. And I am so proud of Little Church who constantly is sending members into many nations, imparting the love and encouragement of God. Last week it was Tru and Shari Yamamoto, Mark, Sally and Nate Ellis in Myanmar. They were so met by God, Mark texted me and said, “I write you with tears of gratitude for what God has done, for all the breakthroughs.” Ask Steve and Marie Krantz about Indonesia. Sally Eimer about Tanzania or Mongolia. Some of our youth about Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Belize. Bruce and Linda Ungerland about Thailand. Morea, Chris and Kristy, or Dianne about Israel. Ask me about Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, or Zambia. You’ll get the same answer. “Going there was life changing and I will never be the same.”
R-L Ryah, Sam, George, Asia, Aria, Lura and yours truly in Thailand a few years ago
Sheryl, Jody, Alison, Linda and Moe praying over a young Burmese single mom
Pastor Sam being baptized by Heidi Baker in the Jordan River just a few days ago. Sam has been leading teams from Iris Ministries as they ministered in South Africa, Mozambique, Israel and the Philippines. He is faithful to stay in touch.
Up Coming at Little Church….
** Final Advent Service, Sunday, December 22 at 7 pm
** Christmas Eve Candlelight Services – 4:30 and 6:00 pm
** New Year’s Day Morning Prayer – at the summit of the fire road between Moulton Meadows Park and TOW
** New Year’s Day Evening Worship Service – 7 pm in the sanctuary
Prayer Needs – one all-important request is we pray for those who have suffered loss this past year and will be facing a Christmas without a loved one present. And for those who deal with the “holiday blues,” due to difficult family situations. Thank you.
May the Holy Spirit fill all of you with joy this week.
Pastor Jay