Kingstree Youth Revival

November 23-30, 2008

The Apostolic Faith Church in Kingstree, South Carolina, held youth revival services on November 23-30, 2008. The theme for the revival was “Taking Back Territory,” and was aimed at spiritually revitalizing the young people. For the past two years, the youth department has worked hard at becoming “Kingdom Builders,” and is determined to stand firm in the faith in these last days. Under the guidance of Pastor William McClary, youth leader Leroy Epps, and assistant youth leader Heyward Segars, the young people in Kingstree have been re-energized to face the challenges that lie ahead, and are looking forward to greater things in 2009. Kingstree has also been blessed with the recent addition of three young ministers—they now have a total of seven youth ministers. Through the encouragement of these ministers, the young people have been stirred with more of a hunger for God, and some have been saved, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Prior to the revival services, the Kingstree church people dedicated themselves to consecration, prayer, and fasting around the clock for five days, concluding with a shut-in service on Friday night. As a result of this special prayer time, testimonies were given during the revival services of healing, salvation, and restoration. Spirit-filled sermons by the ministers in Kingstree and two visiting evangelists—Reverend Luther Scott from Columbia, South Carolina, and Reverend Walter Cobb, pastor of our church in Birmingham, Alabama—inspired the congregation to a closer walk with God. As a result of these services, some of the unsaved young people came back to the Lord, a wonderful victory of “taking back territory” from the enemy. The youth revival challenged all to a new vision, and the Kingstree church is expecting more spiritual victories ahead.

 To encourage the young people, the Kingstree church has felt led to provide more activities and outlets to offset the distractions in the world that so many young people face. In addition to recreational activities and times of fellowship, the church has also sponsored a “Kingdom Builders” youth seminar in March, 2008, and a “Bible Trivia Team” at the 2008 Jubilee. Two special ministries have been added to the youth department: a music workshop called “The Youth for Christ Praisers” for girls, ages seven and up, led by Karen Conyers and Sherall Pressley; and a “Sunday School Van Route” overseen by assistant youth leader Heyward Segars, which provides an opportunity for underprivileged young people in the neighboring towns and communities to attend church. The Kingstree church family has grown fond of these young people, and has taken on the job of mentoring and sharing God’s love with them.

While the Kingstree church people are thrilled with what has been accomplished in the youth department during the past couple years, they realize that there is more work to be done as they wait for the return of Jesus. Their desire is to see more souls saved and the Gospel continue to spread throughout their community. They will carry on with their mission as “Kingdom Builders” with the hope that their young people will look to Jesus, the Light of the world, and will shine bright for all to see.