Visitors from Portland and Medford, Oregon; and Sacramento, Woodlake, Tehachapi, and Los Angeles, California, gathered for special meetings in Richmond, California, from February 13-15. The theme, “In His Presence,” was taken from Genesis 28:16, and those who attended felt His presence throughout the weekend.

Friday evening began with a time of fellowship and light refreshments as the local saints welcomed their out-of-town guests. A good time was had by all.

On Saturday, Tony Boyce, the pastor from Woodlake, began the morning’s devotional with an ice-breaker activity, which involved having people find someone who shared a similar school mascot. Reading from 1 Samuel 4:3-5, Brother Tony used the Israelites as a prime example of how people sometimes rally behind a “mascot,” like the Ark of the Covenant. People can get excited about God, but are they willing to let Him be their leader? Brother Tony then had everyone separate into four groups to discuss: 1) Fear of God vs. Being Casual; 2) Gratitude vs. Entitlement; 3) Humility vs. Pride; and 4) Obedience vs. Willful Ignorance. He pointed out that when God is at the center of a life, blessings are received, but when people stray, they will have difficulties. Brother Tony challenged everyone with the question, “Do we expect God to come into our presence, or do we seek to come into His presence?” He encouraged all to come to God with reverence, gratitude, humility, and obedience, and a time of prayer followed.

The combined young people’s choir began Saturday evening’s service by singing “Lead on, Good Shepherd.” A ladies’ trio sang “Your Ways Are Higher Than Mine,” which set the tone for the victorious testimonies that followed. A mother shared how the Lord walked with her during a difficult time when her young son was ill. Another person shared that he was reminded of Isaiah 55:11 and was thankful for the opportunity to share the Gospel to others.

Before the message, a mixed quartet sang “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us.” Pierre Hancock, the pastor from Los Angeles and guest minister for the weekend, opened his message with “Welcome to Bethel.” He explained that Bethel means “House of God.” He read from Genesis 28 and summarized Jacob’s encounter with God, when he was running for his life after deceiving his father. Jacob wasn’t expecting God to show up, but He did. “Bethel” can be any place where God shows up. It’s not so much where Bethel is, but what the individual will do with that experience. The best response is to do what Jacob did: worship. As the sermon came to a close, Brother Pierre encouraged everyone to have a Bethel encounter and to praise God simply for who He is. Many tarried at the altar worshipping and praising God.

Sunday morning’s service began with a trumpet duet, followed by the choir singing “Holy Ground.” Before the message, a ladies’ duet sang “Access,” which tied in perfectly with Brother Pierre’s sermon. He began in Genesis 35, where Jacob had another encounter with God—approximately thirty years from when God spoke to Jacob in chapter 28. God told Jacob to arise and go up to Bethel and dwell there. Brother Pierre pointed out that living at Bethel is a way of life, not just an emotion or a one-time experience but a lifestyle that is built on consecration and obedience. He also shared a bit of his testimony—his own Bethel experience—and how God kept calling after him. He closed by emphasizing that no matter how many years people have been saved, the challenge is to reconnect with God and allow Him to work in their lives.

The final service on Sunday began with the Richmond choir singing “Revive Us Again.” During the testimony service, people spoke of blessings including strength for a health challenge, wonderful years of marriage, and being filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost. A ladies’ trio from Sacramento sang “King of My Heart,” and before the message, a Sacramento mixed quartet sang “Grace.”

During the sermon Brother Pierre talked about how one may want to return to Bethel and hide there, but there is work to do. God has commissioned Christians to go into all the world and share the Gospel. A Christian life begins with a Bethel experience, but believers don’t stay there. God’s promise is “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” God will sustain and empower every step of the way. A wonderful prayer meeting followed, and many were blessed as they sought God’s presence and His will for their lives. All in attendance could surely say “The Lord was in this place.”