Special Meetings in
Houston, Texas

October 29 through November 2, 2008

Revival services were held at the Reed Road Apostolic Faith Church in Houston, Texas from October 29 through November 2. The guest speaker for the services was Reverend Eli Segres, the pastor of our church in Aiken, South Carolina. On Wednesday evening Reverend Segres used Acts 16:22-30 for his text. Paul and Silas preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even though it went against the grain of society at that time, and their preaching caused the authorities to put them in jail. Even after being beaten and put in stocks, they continued to proclaim the Gospel through singing and praising God. Christians can also be locked in the “jail of their minds” and be too afraid to witness to the world around them, but with God’s help, they can overcome this fear and gain the boldness to speak out against sin and spread the Gospel to those who are unsaved. Thursday evening, Reverend Segres preached on “Moving the Stumbling Block.” In Matthew 17:14-21, Jesus told the disciples that if they had faith, nothing would be impossible. Christians can also be hindered by a lack of faith, but if they will believe and remove any stumbling blocks, they can have confidence that God will answer their prayers.

On Friday evening there was a good crowd with several local first-time visitors, as well as those visiting from various branch churches. Following a piano prelude, the choir sang “I Will Bless Thee, O Lord.” After Reginald Segres, from Kingstree, South Carolina, prayed the middle prayer, the children sang “I’ve Got the Joy” and “I’m So Happy.” The combined choir sang “Praise Him,” and then Reverend Walter Cobb, the pastor of our church in Birmingham, Alabama, read Psalm 150 while the choir hummed in the background. Before the sermon, Woodrena Segres, from Kingstree, sang “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power.” Using Matthew 1:18-21 for his text, Reverend Segres preached about “The Name of Jesus.” Jesus is not somebody we talk about only at Christmas—we have Him all the time and He has the power to save people from their sins if they will choose to surrender to Him. Reverend Segres encouraged the congregation to call on the Name of Jesus and let Him provide every need in their lives. Following the sermon, Reverend Cobb imparted some closing remarks and encouraged the unsaved to pray and get to know Jesus personally.

On Saturday evening there was a sing-a-long, including several congregational songs interspersed with special music. The evening began with a choir processional singing “He Allowed Us to Come Together One More Time.” Reginald Segres was the emcee, and he encouraged the congregation to enthusiastically participate when it was their turn to sing. After the choir sang “Oh Lord, Send the Power Just Now,” Lorenzo Ratliff led the congregation in several praise songs, including “We’re Together Again,” “Come Bless the Lord,” and “What a Mighty God We Serve.” Brenda Ratliff gave a thought-provoking recitation on the Prodigal Son, followed by Selby Sanderson playing “Through It All” on the steel drum. Miracle McDonald led the congregation in a couple more songs before the youth choir sang “Come On and Bless the Lord with Me.” Reverend Eugene Segres, the former pastor in Houston and current pastor in our church in Brooklyn, New York, sang “I’ll Be Present When the Roll Is Called,” accompanied by Miriam Garraway on the violin. Specials from the visiting branch churches featured a duet by Reginald and Woodrena Segres (Kingstree), and solos by both Jessica and Justin Segres (Aiken).  Another special from Aiken was a solo by Karolyn Segres, “The Midnight Cry,” dramatized by some of the young people. The evening concluded with Reverend Cobb singing “The Anchor Holds.”

The Sunday morning service began with Selby Sanderson playing “Let Me Touch Him” on the steel drum, and then the choir sang “The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation” and “By His Grace, I Know I’ll Make It Somehow.” During the service, Reverend Bernice Pinney, who was formerly the assistant pastor, was officially installed as the new pastor in Houston. Reverend Cobb acknowledged several of Reverend Pinney’s family members who attended the service, including her two sisters from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Reverend Eugene Segres thanked the Houston congregation for letting him serve there the last eleven years, and he knows they will continue to support Reverend Pinney. Reverend Bob Downey, the Director of North America Work, read Ephesians 4:11-13, and expressed his gratefulness for Reverend Pinney’s willingness to live up to the consecrations she has made to the Lord, and for her faithfulness and dedication to the Gospel. The torch was being passed from Reverend Segres to Reverend Pinney, and Reverend Downey encouraged the congregation to give her their full support. Reverend Downey and the Houston Church Board then laid hands on Reverend Pinney and prayed that God would bless her leadership and souls would continue to be saved in Houston.

Following the Sunday morning service, a farewell dinner for Reverend and Mrs. Eugene Segres was held in the church fellowship hall. They were presented with a plaque for their dedicated service in Houston. Several took the opportunity to make comments and let the Segres’s know how much they will be missed. The weekend wrapped up with nostalgia over the Segres’s leaving, and anticipation for how the Lord is going to continue to work in Houston under the leadership of Reverend Pinney.