Woodlake Special Meetings
& Bible Bowl

May 15-17, 2009

by Rosie Lambert

Special meetings at the Apostolic Faith Church in Woodlake, California, started on Friday evening, May 15. Special music was provided by the branch churches in Sacramento and Richmond, as well as the Woodlake church, and all choir members were invited to participate in a combined choir. The wonderful spirit and inspiring testimonies were a blessing to all. Reverend Byron Parker, the pastor in Los Angeles, took his text from Isaiah 43:2, which states that God will be with His people when they pass through the fire. Reverend Parker brought out that this literally happened when God delivered the three Hebrew boys from the fiery furnace in the third chapter of Daniel. He reminded the congregation that God’s promises are still true today, literally and figuratively. After the service, God blessed those who gathered around the altar to pray, and then everyone enjoyed a time of fellowship and great food.

The annual California Bible Bowl championship, a battle of wits and Bible knowledge, was held on Saturday, beginning at 9:00 a.m. This year, the contest participants were questioned on the Book of James. A lot could be said about the incredible knowledge shown by each team, but by the end of the afternoon, Sacramento took first place, with the second- and third-place winners being Richmond and Los Angeles, respectively. First-time contestants were Tehachapi and Eureka, and both teams showed great knowledge and team spirit. Reverend Wayne Butler, the pastor in Woodlake, reminded the participants that everyone who studies God’s Word is a winner. In addition to the excitement of the Bible Bowl competition, a delicious barbeque lunch was served at half time.

Many visitors were present in the Sunday morning service, and the church was full. Music selections were provided by both the visitors and members from Woodlake. In his sermon, Dave Lambert reiterated that God’s Word says those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled. A wonderful prayer service followed as God’s Spirit stirred hearts.

By Sunday evening, most of the visitors had gone home, but it was a blessing to have Reverend Howard Wilson, the pastor in Richmond, and his wife, Gale. Her inspirational testimony confirmed that serving the Lord is exciting, and Reverend Wilson preached on how God is able to do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). He referred to the story of the lame man in Acts 3 who asked for alms and ended up being healed. Reverend Wilson encouraged the congregation to ask God for more than the bare minimum, because God is able to do so much more than one can ask or think.

The entire weekend was truly special, and the songs, sermons, and verses from the Book of James are still going through the minds of those who attended and will be an encouragement in the days to come.