Midwest Special Meetings

February 13-15, 2009

by Rosemary Worthington

Excitement and expectation could be felt as people arrived at the Apostolic Faith Church in St. Louis, Missouri, for the combined Midwest special meetings on February 13-15. The guest speaker for the weekend was Reverend William DuPont, pastor of the church in Pensacola, Florida, and the theme was “Love Never Fails.”

The musical presentations from the various Midwest churches were a blessing in all the services, and the theme song was “Loving God, Loving Each Other,” sung by the St. Louis male quartet. In the Friday evening service, Mark McCarville, from Van Buren, Arkansas, testified of how God recently spared his life in a bad accident after his truck lost its brakes going down a hill. On a sharp curve at the bottom of the hill, the truck rolled over an embankment, and the cab was crushed level with the hood. Although it was very uncomfortable being trapped in the cab for a half hour before help came, he is thankful that God protected him from being seriously injured. Reverend DuPont preached about the “Love of God,” which was extended to all when He sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins. Many responded to the altar call and earnestly sought the Lord.

There was a three-part “Love” seminar on Saturday morning. Reverend Mark Worthington, the pastor of the Apostolic Faith Church in St. Louis, spoke about “Love in the Home,” using 1 Corinthians 13 as a comparison of how family members are to treat each other. This was illustrated by several skits.

For the second session, Reverend Randy Baltzell, pastor of the church in Van Buren, Arkansas, gave a presentation on “Love in the Church.” Using a handsaw to cut one end of a 2x4 board, and requesting that Reverend John Jordan use items in his pocket (a key, credit card, and comb) to cut the other end, Reverend Baltzell demonstrated that the proper tool was needed to effectively cut the board. In comparison, Christians need the proper spiritual tools to effectively show love to others.

Reverend Ritchie Ho, from St. Louis, gave the third presentation titled “Love in the Community.” He finished his presentation with a humorous story of how he was stranded several miles from the airport the day he was to fly from Hawaii to Canada to get married. After using his last twelve dollars to take a cab to an ATM machine where he could get more cash, he discovered the machine was not working. Having no money to pay another cab fare back to the airport and desperate to catch his flight, he threw himself on the mercy of a woman who was waiting at a nearby bus stop. He was concerned that she would not believe his “unlikely” story, but after showing her his boarding pass, she gave him the twelve dollars for his cab fare, enabling him to barely get to the airport in time to catch his flight. This was a vivid illustration of a modern-day “Good Samaritan” in the community!

Donald Fittin, from Van Buren, used 1 Kings 19:9-15 for his text in the Saturday evening youth service, asking the question, “Why are you here?” He encouraged the young people to search their hearts and make sure their priorities are in the proper order.

During the Sunday morning service, Byron White, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, sang “The Lighthouse,” and then testified of how he backslid and left God out of his life for many years. He is thankful that his older brother continued to pray for him and talk to him about the Lord. About a year and a half ago, Byron knelt by his bed at home and God saved him, and he is thrilled to be back in the Gospel! Reverend DuPont preached about the lame man who sat begging by the Temple gate, and said that he received much more than money when Jesus healed him. Often God gives more than is expected to those who are earnestly seeking Him.

After a time of prayer, a delicious roast beef dinner and an opportunity for fellowship was enjoyed before many had to return to their various hometowns. Those who were able to stay were once again blessed with a sweet service Sunday evening, in which Reverend DuPont preached about the care God gives His children.

These special meetings were a great encouragement as people drew closer to God, enjoyed the bond of fellowship, and experienced a boost of faith to meet the challenges ahead.