The first weekend of October brought a time of spiritual renewal as the Portland congregation gathered for a series of special meetings. Each service was filled with uplifting music, prayer, and stirring messages from Donald Fittin, visiting from Van Buren, Arkansas, with his wife Cindy. The sermons encouraged believers to stand firm in faith, share the Gospel boldly, and endure to the end. 

The weekend opened Friday evening with a peaceful prelude by a woodwind trio—Denise Wilson, Shyla Piper, and Claire Moberg—playing “Wondrous Name” and “Glory to His Name.” A ladies’ quartet followed with “Ever Faithful.” After a prayer by Bob Downey, the choir sang “Blessed Be the Rock,” and Michael McCarville sang a solo, “Somebody’s Praying,” leading the service into the message. 

Brother Donald then preached from 1 Corinthians 15:58, urging believers to be steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord. He drew parallels between the challenges faced by early Christians in Corinth and those that believers face today, reminding those present that immorality and darkness in the world are opportunities for God’s power to shine. He encouraged the congregation to submit to God before the storms of life come, so that when they arrive, they will stand firm. Once firmly grounded, he said, Christians are to labor faithfully for the Lord—witnessing, serving, and reflecting His peace and joy. That labor, he reminded, will never be in vain. 

Sunday morning’s service opened with the orchestra performing “Jesus Paid It All” and “Majesty.” The choir and orchestra, joined by soloist Chris Luka, presented “These Are They,” a stirring reminder of the reward awaiting faithful believers. Later, Sarah Asaya and Victoria Heintz sang a beautiful vocal duet, “In Christ Alone.” 

After the Scripture reading from Luke 19:1–10 by Dave Lambert, the choir sang “Give Me Jesus.” Brother Donald then preached from Matthew 28:19–20, with emphasis on “Go ye.” He said the Great Commission applies to every follower of Christ, and shared examples of believers who prayed for individuals God had placed on their hearts and then witnessed restoration in those lives. He noted that many people are searching for God, often without realizing it, and that when believers live faithful, Spirit-filled lives, God can use them to reach others. 

A brass ensemble opened the Sunday evening service with “Beulah Land” and “Sound the Battle Cry.” The choir followed with “Don’t You Wanna Go Home?” and later in the service an octet sang “Believe on Jesus.” Before the message, Sierra Mixer from Woodlake, California, sang a solo, “He’ll Find a Way.” 

Brother Donald concluded the weekend with a message from 2Timothy 2:1-4 titled “Be a Good Soldier.” He cautioned against becoming entangled with distractions that slow spiritual progress and encouraged young people to listen to the wisdom of those who have walked faithfully through life’s challenges. He explained that an entanglement is often revealed by how much time is devoted to it, and he urged everyone to invest their time in prayer, God’s Word, and Christian fellowship—the essentials for a victorious spiritual life. 

The weekend ended with a sense of encouragement among the congregation. Each message built upon the last, calling believers to stand firm, to go and share the Gospel, and to endure as faithful soldiers of Christ. The music, testimonies, and preaching combined to remind all who attended that serving the Lord is not in vain and that steadfast faith will bring eternal reward.