Souls Saved at the First Dominican Republic Camp Meeting

The first Dominican Republic camp meeting was held August 24-27, 2023. Although national gatherings have been held there in the past, this was the first time a location was provided where attendees could remain on site for the entire event. The theme of the camp meeting was “The Path of Faith,” and attendees came from over ten branch church locations in the country. District Superintendent Deivys Pichardo reported that the presence of God was evident throughout the weekend, with several praying through to salvation and their deeper experiences.

On Friday morning, a Bible teaching titled “Personal Growth and Development” touched on techniques for good time management. In the afternoon, study sessions were held on the topics of Christian values, disciplines, and fellowship. At the evening service, Haina Pastor Andres Pichardo Richards preached on “The Path of Faith for Revival and Restoration.” He read Romans 10:17 and Jude 3, and encouraged the congregation to walk in faith, seek God, and receive by grace. That night, several made the decision to serve God; souls were saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Spirit and fire, motivating others to seek God too.

A number of activities were carried out simultaneously on Saturday. At a pastors’ and ministers’ meeting, spirits were strengthened to continue the work of God. At the same time, a morning devotional and prayer time was held, where God continued to sanctify and fill hearts with the Holy Spirit.

In the evening, a concert was led by Ruth Mills with participation from various locations, including a combined youth and children’s choir. At the close, Pastor Hector Guillamo of La Romana brought the sermon from Acts 1:8. He spoke about renewal and the decision to seek God, and a special time of prayer followed. One child said that he would not leave until he obtained the blessings of sanctification and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Several stayed and prayed with him until after midnight, when the glory of God descended and he received God’s promises.

On Sunday morning, after Sunday school the devotional service included the installation of three national leaders: Nelson de la Cruz, Jr. as the national youth leader; Fiordalisa Demostenes as the national women’s leader; and Laura Yicel Pichardo as the national Sunday school leader. Members of the Board of Trustees who were present laid hands on them as everyone prayed for God to help them in their new roles.

During the testimony portion of the service, individuals shared about blessings received during the camp meeting, with some already expressing a desire to attend camp again next year. The sermon was from Hebrews 11:1, encouraging the congregation that unwavering faith in God brings supernatural results. The meeting closed with a final opportunity to pray.

As the Dominican Republic camp meeting closed, the participants were grateful for the mighty presence of God in their midst. Reverend Pichardo reported that about twelve were saved, three received sanctification and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, and several also received spiritual renewal. They are thanking God with joy and gratitude for the success of their first national camp meeting!

Former Wesleyan Chapel Is Dedicated as Cranfield Church in the UK

On Sunday, October 15, 2023, a dedication was held for our Cranfield church in England. With visitors from branch churches throughout the United Kingdom and several from the United States as well, the congregation soon filled the entire sanctuary and part of the annex.   

As the service began, the orchestra played two numbers, including “Be Still for the Presence.” Then the choir sang “Where Your Glory Dwells.” Both set the tone for inviting God’s blessing and presence on the special occasion.

Following the welcome, a brief history of the Cranfield congregation was given. Its origins are in Aylesbury, a town in Buckinghamshire County. In 2013, Felix and Miriam Panganayi began holding services there in their home. That group of twenty eventually disbanded after two families moved away. However, in February of 2022, an online Bible study was established, drawing regular participants from Buckinghamshire, as well as Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire counties. It was led by Fungai Mangere, who is now the Cranfield pastor. The Bible study group desired a centrally located permanent place of worship and sought God’s guidance. Then, in January of 2023, a Wesleyan chapel built in 1880 came on the market, and God made the purchase possible. Since then, the building has been remodeled. It includes an entrance lobby, sanctuary, office, kitchen, large and small dining halls, and restrooms.     

The service continued with congregational singing and then prayer led by Isaac Adigun, the former United Kingdom District Superintendent. This was followed by acknowledgments given by Mark Mfandarahwa, the current United Kingdom District Superintendent. Before the Scripture reading, the choir sang “Let Us Build a House.” Then Joshua Idowu, the pastor at St. Louis, Missouri, read 2 Chronicles 6:40-7:3.

The dedication sermon was given by Superintendent General Darrel Lee. He read 2 Chronicles 5:1 and focused on the unity that was present among those who participated in the dedication of Solomon’s Temple. When everyone was focused on serving God regardless of their role, His glory filled the house. Today, He continues to inhabit the praises of people who are unified in serving Him.  

Following the sermon, the dedicatory prayer was offered by LeRoy Tonning, the Scandinavian District Superintendent. Then the congregation sang “To God Be the Glory” before the service closed with prayer led by Nick Segres Jr., the pastor at Atlanta, Georgia. Afterward, everyone gathered in the main hall and enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship.

75th Anniversary and Groundbreaking in Benin

Special services were held October 14-15, 2023, to commemorate seventy-five years of Gospel work in the Republic of Benin and to begin construction of a new camp meeting tabernacle. The events were held at the headquarters church at Jericho Road in Cotonou.

The weekend activities opened with evangelistic outreach on Saturday afternoon, and then the showing of a documentary film that explained the history of the Apostolic Faith work in Benin. It started in 1948 with the help of the late Reverend Ben Abbey of Togo, who eventually became the first overseer of Benin (Dahomey at that time). Reverend Abbey was living in Lagos around the time the Apostolic Faith work was starting there, and he came in contact with the church founders. After praying through to his three Christian experiences, he decided to go back to his country to introduce the Gospel in Togo, but the message was rejected. Since his wife was Beninese, they decided to relocate to Cotonou in Benin, where he found hearts that were ready to receive the Gospel message. Following the passing of Reverend Abbey, several missionaries were sent from Nigeria to oversee the work, until 1997 when Reverend Marcellin Hounmenou, a native of Benin, was appointed as the leader. After his passing in 2021, Reverend Marcellin Kploka was asked to fill that role, where he continues to this day. During the last seventy-five years, the work in Benin has grown greatly, and now includes sixty-six branch churches.

The Sunday schedule included prayer meeting at 7:30 a.m., Sunday school, a morning anniversary service, afternoon meal, and then a groundbreaking ceremony for the new campground facility. It felt like camp meeting with over five thousand in attendance, and there was truly joy in the camp! Members of local media outlets were also present to document the occasion.

At the prayer meeting, Reverend Kploka introduced a delegation from the West and Central Africa (WECA) headquarters in Lagos, which was led by Revered Kayode Ajiboye. He expressed greetings and congratulations on behalf of WECA District Superintendent Isaac Adigun and read an inspiring message from Rachel Fakorade, the WECA Director of Francophone Regional Services. Her team’s work to translate Gospel literature into French has been of tremendous value to the French-speaking Benins.

During Sunday school, students presented a play about the history of the work in Benin, including the persecution of the founding members who were at one point arrested and taken to jail. Then the morning service opened with an orchestra piece, followed by the choir singing “Clap Your Hands, All Ye People.” The Bible reading was chosen from Joel 2:21-27, which was followed by another song, “Unto the Lord Be the Glory.” The sermon for the special occasion was delivered by Reverend Ajiboye, and the topic was “The Faith of Our Fathers,” based on Psalm 16:6-7. He drew a contrast between an inheritance and a heritage, pointing out that a heritage is something that cannot be seen. He likened the faith of our fathers to a heritage, and church buildings or properties to an inheritance. Our heritage includes the sound doctrines of salvation, sanctification, the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which is far more precious than any physical inheritance. Following the service, many seekers were drawn to the altars of prayer and were blessed.

After lunch, the groundbreaking service for the new campground started in the old campground tabernacle. During announcements, a preview of the new campground building was projected onto screens. The beautiful edifice inspired prayers for a speedy completion of the work. Following that, the Bible reading was taken from Haggai 2:7-9 and the sermon was titled “God Is Greater than Man,” based on Job 33:12. The preacher asked, “Is the Lord’s hand waxed short?” (Numbers 11:23) and declared God’s blessing on the work despite the current economic recession. The closing benediction was given by Esther Ibikunle, a member of the Francophone Regional Services in WECA, and then the congregation walked to the construction site while singing “Stand Up, Stand Up to Build.” At the site, the ceremonial pouring of the cornerstone was conducted by several leaders, including Reverend Ajiboye, Reverend Kploka, Sister Ibikunle, and Reverend Raphael Hounkperi, a retired Benin Board Member. The events concluded with a prayer.

The special weekend was a blessing for all who attended, with everyone prayerfully anticipating the completion of the new Benin campground tabernacle in the near future.