Richmond Special Meetings

February 13-15, 2009

by Suzi Bojescu

The rain poured outside, and showers of blessings fell inside, during the special meetings held at the Apostolic Faith Church in Richmond, California, as the attendees focused on the theme of “Seeking God.” The Friday evening service began with the orchestra playing an upbeat rendition of “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.” Visitors from the California branch churches in Eureka, Woodlake, Sacramento, and Los Angeles were honored, as well as guests from Honolulu, Hawaii; Tacoma, Washington; and Medford and Roseburg, Oregon. Many of these visitors were a blessing as they provided special music and gave victorious testimonies. Andy Chasteen, from Roseburg, was the guest minister for the weekend, and for the Friday evening sermon, he took his text from the Book of Acts, where Paul and Silas were in prison.He brought out that God seeks each one just as He sought the jailer and his family. God also wants Christians to seek Him with all their hearts so they can be effective witnesses for Him. The meeting closed with a wonderful prayer meeting, followed by a delicious fajita dinner. Though it was a late night, it was well worth it!

After another prayer meeting on Saturday morning, a full-scale pancake breakfast was served. Then there was a special time of music and devotionals. A young people’s group from Richmond sang a variety of contemporary songs, and the Richmond bell choir played “It Is Well with My Soul” and “All Hail the Power of Jesus’Name.” A men’s quartet from Woodlake was also featured. Roxie Rael, from Los Angeles, and Rosie Lambert, from Woodlake, both gave devotionals. They spoke about how to become a seeker of God by humbling oneself and being willing to give up anything that God requires. Roxie and Rosie both shared their personal experiences of how God called them to a closer walk with Him, and how God has blessed them as they have given Him total control of their lives. The devotionals were followed with another prayer service, and a hot lunch of Swedish meatballs.

On Sunday, more testimonies and music presentations were enjoyed.Andy Chasteen continued the theme of the weekend with his sermon on Sunday morning, telling how God first called his wife, and then himself, and wonderfully saved both of them. Using the stories of the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the lost son, Andy illustrated how God earnestly seeks after hearts to follow Him. The weekend wound up with Andy Chasteen’s final sermon on Sunday evening, in which he urged the congregation to be a “generation of seekers,” using Psalm 24 for his text. A long and fervent prayer meeting followed, and many seekers got in touch with the Lord in a very special way.

Overall, the Richmond special meetings were a great success in many ways. The music and fellowship were exceptional, not to mention the food which was excellent! The most important thing was that the Lord was definitely in control, and all the services complemented each other. God’s call could be felt as He reached out to those who were willing to seek Him. The theme of the weekend is sure to leave a lasting impression on the hearts of those who attended and drew many to seek a closer walk with God.