It’s Time In ‘09
Southeast SDA Church recently held a powerful Revival/Preach Out that ignited hearts, changed lives and won souls. The theme, ―It’s Time In ‘09, was inspired by Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under Heaven” According to Elder Jerome Hurst, Senior Pastor of Southeast, the time is now to “Revive, Renew and Rededicate”
Dynamic sermons were delivered by six mighty men of God. Calvin Roberson, pastor of Bethel church in Akron, OH, opened the revival with the timely and inspiring message, “Covenant” Pastor Orville Brissett of Hammond, LA, admonished Christians to boldly proclaim their belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ through his offering, “There’s No Shame in My Game” The sermon, “Midnight CounterActions” delivered by Ainsworth Keith Morris, pastor of Calvary Bridgeport church, Bridgeport, CT, encouraged worshippers to learn to sing a noonday song in preparation for the challenges of midnight.
Each participant brought a fresh anointed message to teach, encourage and inspire the listener.
Jason Ridley, pastor of the Charleston/Huntington, W.Va, district delivered the first sermon of the Sabbath Preach Out. In his message entitled, “It’s Time to Get Up” Pastor Ridley examined the seemingly strange behavior of King David upon learning about the death of his son.
David’s behavior may have appeared strange to those around him, but in rising up, according to Pastor Ridley, “David exercised his faith”
Pastor Ridley charged the congregation to follow David’s example in battling despair in their own lives and Change Position (Get Up), Change Condition (David washed and anointed himself), and Change Attention (David went into the house of the Lord and worshipped).
In addition to spiritual nourishment, members and visitors were treated to a sumptuous home-cooked meal, com-pliments of various Southeast members, including delicious fare prepared by Pastor Hurst. The day-long experience left worshippers physically and spiritually full.
Pastor Ainsworth Keith Morris, in his aptly titled sermon, “It’s Time to Move Forward”, reminded the congregation to consider the Israelites when faced with adversities: “Every Red Sea is to bring honor and glory to God.” Pastor Morris offered additional encouragement with his humorous double-play on words: “God is pressing us to get the wrinkles out”
Robin Miller, pastor of Lee Heights Community Church, Cleveland, OH, focused our attention on the Joshua Generation. Pastor Miller spoke eloquently and memorably on change: “Positive change does not occur automatically or by evolution, each generation must make positive choices”
Pastor Ivory Jones, III delivered the last sermon of the evening, with the encouraging word, “God is a God of Another Chance”
The 2009 Preach Out truly offered the chance to Revive, Renew and Rededicate. Powerful prayers, soul-stirring musical praise and reverent worship marked this spiritually-charged revival. Those in attendance received a rich outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Hurst said it best as he summed up the experience. “What an awesome revival. Truly we have been with Jesus and our lives will never be the same again. Hallelujah.
—Cecily Anitah Bryant
