The Outreach for Sunday, December 13, 2009 was such an awesome day to behold. I was scheduled to do the camera for the Children’s service with Pastor Joe Manno and the River Children’s Department.  I got to the church at 8 a.m. and there was already a beehive of activity all over the parking lots, with buses running and ready to go out for the precious fruit. Tables were set up everywhere with volunteers busily registering children for toys and to attend the children’s service which was being taped for television.

 It was amazing how everything was so organized and seemed to be flowing very smoothly.  The buses began leaving with the captains and helpers excited about the blessings many people on their routes would receive. Some visitors for the first time would encounter God in such a way that would change their lives forever. The very presence of God falls when adoration, praise, and thanksgiving ascend from hearts full of love for Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, and the Savior of our souls.

 On Saturday I went out soul winning and passing out flyers for the Sunday outreach. I had been listening to Pastor Rodney’s new CD, “Nothing Is Impossible” for three days when I was riding in the car or doing data entry at church. The presence of God would touch my heart in such a way I would usually end up in tears and then laughter.

 Saturday, as we drove the 30 minutes to get to church, listening to the CD, I felt like I was filled with the Holy Ghost all over again. I was trembling, tears were flowing, and I felt I was interceding for the lost. I was blitzed! I had a feeling souls would be touched by His presence as we went out. I led 9 people to the LORD that were in our path, and I could see the changes on their faces after they received the free gift of Salvation that Jesus Christ offers to all. My team leader, Jesse, called me Sunday after the morning service to let me know that one of the men that was saved rode the bus to church. Hallelujah!!!

 Pastor Joe made learning the Bible fun with games, contests, and the freedom to be a child. He quickly became a trusted friend as he allowed them to be themselves and to shout and yell instead of having to sit still be quiet. After the games and contests he then told them the story of Jesus and the highest sacrifice he gave for us all. With all attention on Pastor Joe as he shared of the suffering endured by Jesus, all the little hearts were receiving the “Glorious Light of the Gospel”.  The count of those that received Jesus for the first time was 154. Glory to the Lamb of God!!

Being a part of this ministry has been such a blessing to me. I come from a Church in Sweden that did not have too much outreach activities. So when I started bible school at The River and we had to do soul winning, it was something completely new for me. But after the first person I talked to said the salvation prayer with me, I got very exited. And now when I have gone soul winning for four months, it has changed me a lot. To see these people get changed and filled by the great love of God is irreplaceable. We go door to door and talk to a lot of people and you wonder if they really listen to what you have to say, but then you see them in Church on Sunday and how God is meets them and change them totally, and I would not exchange that for anything in the world.

On Sunday, when we had the big Christmas service, it occurred to me how thankful I am to be a part of this ministry, because here, the one great vision is to let everyone know about Jesus and win souls. And this Sunday when I saw how everyone is working the best they can to meet everyones needs, I just got so grateful to be a part of this, because it has given me a greater love for people. I have always been a loving person who likes to take care of people, but now this has been taken to another level. I have a deep desire in my heart to make sure that everyone gets to hear about Jesus & understand his great love! My heart breaks when I think about that there are people out there who live miserable lives and don’t know that Jesus died for them and can make their lives wonderful. So now I just want to keep reaching people with the gospel, and make sure I am doing the best I can to spread the love of Jesus – and this Church is really helping me to do that.