From the Superintendent's DESK

Tolu and I were happy to be among God’s people during the Midwest Special Meetings, which took place April 4-6, in Missouri. The meetings were held in our newly repurchased St. Louis church, and there was much rejoicing as we rededicated the building during our final service. 

We thank God for His abundant blessings throughout the weekend and the fellowship of the saints. The following report, written by a member of the St. Louis congregation, gives the details.

The Midwest Special Meetings began on Friday evening, April 4, with an evangelistic service. For the prelude, the St. Louis orchestra played a lively “Onward Christian Soldiers.” Then Bob Downey, Director of North America Work, welcomed everyone and announced that after twenty blessed years, he has retired from leading Midwest Camp Meetings and Special Meetings. He also said that his son, Jeff Downey, who pastors the St. Louis congregation, has been appointed to replace him and would conduct the remainder of the service.

As the service continued, the congregation enjoyed singing such songs as “Showers of Blessings” and “I Will Praise Him,” led by Bunmi Omitoyin, the Minneapolis, Minnesota, pastor. This was followed by the opening prayer offered by Charles Schleicher, pastor from Madison, Wisconsin. A vocal duet sung by Chandler and Olivia Dye of Van Buren, Arkansas, preceded the testimony portion of the service. Each of them testified of God’s goodness in providing for all their needs, including salvation, schooling, and a job. Many others shared testimonies of gratitude, especially for traveling mercies in bad weather.

Before the sermon, Nyasha Gwaza of Madison, Wisconsin, sang a moving “My Desire, Oh Lord, Is to Meet You in the Air.” Then the guest speaker, Pete Sferle, who pastors the church at Sacramento, California, gave a message on “Continual Praise” from Hebrews 13:15-16. As the prayer service followed, many sought God’s blessings despite the late hour.

Saturday morning, a service began with encouraging words from the Worth, Illinois, choir. They sang, “I found a secret when I knelt to pray; I just lift up my head, and He lifts up my heart.” The welcome and announcements included more encouraging words. Brother Jeff said it had become necessary to move the pre-service prayer meetings to a larger room. As the congregational singing followed, led by Joshua Idowu, who is the pastor at Worth, God’s presence was felt in a mighty way, and many were blessed.

Before the opening prayer, the ministers on the platform anointed and prayed over a handkerchief for Jon Wolf of St. Louis, who was in the hospital awaiting surgery. Then Superintendent General Sola Adesope led the congregation in prayer. The tone for the testimony portion of the service was set by a vocal trio from Milwaukie, Wisconsin, who sang “I Won’t Move Until You Speak.” Many gave reports of healing and the Lord’s touch in the past year.

The last special was sung by Seun Akinduro of Memphis, Tennessee. Then Brother Pete delivered the message from Matthew 7 and Luke 18 on “Asking, Seeking, and Knocking.” A wonderful prayer service followed with many drawing closer to the Lord.

In the evening on Saturday, a youth service began with the Oyedokun sisters of St. Louis and Worth singing “I’m Forgiven.” Then the congregation was led by a worship team in enthusiastic songs that included hand motions and turning in place. During the testimonies, many young people praised and thanked God, especially for salvation and guidance at school. Before the message, Mercy Olatunde sang “I Feel Good.” Then Brother Pete spoke from Ephesians 5:15-16 on “Time.” He implored the youth to be ready when Jesus returns. The prayer service that followed produced many blessings.

The Sunday morning devotional service was the final meeting. It included the rededication of the St. Louis church building, which had recently been repurchased after being sold seven years earlier. The service began with the orchestra playing “Grace Greater than Our Sin.” For the middle special, Donald Fittin, pastor at Van Buren, and Joel McCarville, also of Van Buren, sang a duet. Then Brother Jeff read 2 Chronicles 6:40-42 and 7:1-3 for the Scripture reading.

The last special was sung by Ben and Stephanie Luebert of Richland Center, Wisconsin. Then Brother Sola delivered the dedication message from 2 Chronicles 6:20-21. He began by declaring, “This is a morning of recovery!” He encouraged the congregation that if the devil had taken anything from them, such as health, God had the power to recover it. He dedicated the St. Louise church as a “house of recovery and outreach” and a “solution center.” In addition, he spoke on the importance of sound doctrine and the Word of God being perfect, powerful, and living. Following the message, Boniface Uzendu of St. Louis gave the dedicatory prayer. The Spirit of the Lord was felt strongly throughout the dedication service, and an amazing prayer meeting followed.

We thank God for His presence during the Midwest Special Meetings. Each service was marked by His blessings as the Holy Spirit was felt in every song, testimony, message, and prayer meeting. Those who attended returned to their homes dedicated, rededicated, refreshed, and revived.