Special Meetings in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

April 20 - 27, 2008

The theme for the special meetings in Philadelphia, “A New Beginning,” was taken from Lamentation 3:40, where Jeremiah called on the backslidden Children of Israel to, “search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.” In preparation for the special meetings, we had a week of intense prayer meetings.

The first Sunday started with the Sunday school lesson on Jonah, who got a second chance to obey God's command. The morning worship service on Sunday, April 20, was titled, “A Spiritual Foundation.” The minister, Gabriel Ajayi, stressed the need to establish a spiritual foundation of salvation, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. These Christian experiences are the beginning of a relationship with Jesus Christ, the only Foundation. He went on to say that Christians who know that they have a good relationship with Christ will know if things go wrong in that relationship. They will also know what to do to renew that broken fellowship.   

All week long, the theme of new beginnings was the message of the different speakers. One speaker said that every Christian needs to “die daily.” He explained that a Christian needs to daily consecrate his life anew, forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are ahead. To “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

Another speaker said that to be a vessel of honor, the Christian must purge himself of all filthiness, be sanctified, and set apart for the Master's use. A Christian must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, in love, forgiveness, and all the fruit of the Spirit.

A backslider must come to a realization of his fallen state and go back to the first spiritual foundation, just like the prodigal son did when he returned home.

On the last Sunday morning of the special meetings, James Timbilla preached on the “Power of Prayer.” He encouraged us to pray at all times, even when it might not be pleasing to us. He said that although praying may be intangible in itself, it works miracles beyond human comprehension. He gave his testimony about the power of prayer that gave him deliverance from an internet scam. The only way his internet server could restore his account, which contained all his life's work as a scientist, his business dealings, and contacts with people in different parts of the world, was for him to tell them the initial information he used to open the account. After praying, God reminded him of the details he had used to establish that account fifteen years ago. His only recourse was to pray to God, who answered and brought that information back into his memory.

These special meetings brought people, young and old, to worship with us every evening, especially on the last Sunday. Many souls were blessed with various spiritual experiences and physical healings. It was a great time of spiritual renewal. The congregation in Philadelphia believes the best is yet to come.