Van Buren, Arkansas
Special Meetings

by Emily Duff

On Friday evening, November 16, the special weekend in Van Buren, Arkansas started out with a bang! The youth were very excited to welcome Reverend Pierre Hancock and his wife, Michelle, to the Midwest from their home in Eureka, California. The youth choir revealed their talent as they vocalized an upbeat “Oh, I Want to See Him.” By the time they were finished, everyone was in the mood to sing. Time momentarily stopped as we enjoyed worshipful choruses, victorious testimonies, and the presence of God. Reverend Hancock preached a thought-provoking sermon based on 1 Peter 2:11-12, which encourages Christians to live in unity as one. At the end of his sermon, Reverend Hancock left us with the question: “If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Several found themselves at the altar in careful self-examination.

On Saturday morning, some of the church folks cooked a hearty breakfast before our pastor, Reverend Randy Baltzell, and his wife, Cindie, gave their Dominican Republic PowerPoint presentation. They showed many pictures from their recent trip to the island. Clearly the people of the Dominican Republic are rich in Christ Jesus. Their church is very dear to them and they keep it very clean because they realize the importance of being reverent before God. They are able to experience wonderful blessings because their investments are in heavenly things. The presentation encouraged us to let nothing tie us down to this world, but to lay up our treasures in Heaven like the saints in the Dominican Republic.

The Singspiration Plus was a blast on Saturday evening! Joel McCarville and Johnny Montgomery led everyone in some fun choruses while they accompanied on their guitars. Rodney and Bonnie Duff presented an object lesson about the Spirit of God. Using a lit candle and an air-filled balloon, they showed how the balloon pops when under the pressure of the fire. They related this to the way that people can “pop” when trials come along. However, a water-filled balloon could endure the heat and pressure from the fire, showing how the Holy Spirit in a Christian's life can help us withstand life's trials.

Also, the young people gave Reverend Hancock and Michelle a true Arkansas greeting! With hog noses and some southern hospitality, the visitors were intended to have a good laugh and a warm welcome.

After some more singing, the Van Buren young people performed a skit about communication with God. The set included a counselor and several different clients. Some clients would be in a hurry, tired, busy, or just talked the whole time. The counselor was willing to help these people, if they would only listen. The skit portrayed the same relationship that often occurs between God and some Christians. The act also informed the audience of the dangers of being too busy for God: the Rapture will one day take place, and then it will be too late to talk to God. We should be ready to talk to Him now.

Reverend Hancock's message Saturday night was closely linked with the skit. He discussed Psalm 121:3, which proves the fact that God never sleeps and will never forsake His children. We may come to Him tired or busy, but God is always ready to listen and carry us along our way.

On Sunday morning, many arrived with high expectations. The songs and specials were directed to the glory of God. The hand of God was upon every part of the service. Reverend Hancock preached an inspired message about eternal winners. He read from Romans 8:35-39 and taught that Christians are inseparable from the love of God and are described as “more than conquerors.” He directed our attention to Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Many trials came their way, yet they proved God over and over again. Though faced with persecutions and near death experiences, they were eternal winners; they were “more than conquerors.” What a joy it was to be reminded of the breath taking love of God!

The mood was relaxed on Sunday evening as visitors arrived for the final service of the special weekend. The songs and testimonies once again rang with the sound of victory! As Reverend Hancock rose to the pulpit, he reminded us that when one is truly saved, all rights to their life are forfeited. Everything is laid upon the altar of sacrifice. He instructed the congregation that sometimes God may ask us a question, but that does not mean He does not know the answer. Oftentimes, He asks because He wants us to realize where we are in our spiritual lives. The meetings ended with a sweet Spirit felt around the altars.

As usual, the special meetings ended too soon! However, everyone left encouraged and refreshed by the beautiful songs, victorious testimonies, and Spirit-inspired sermons.