Midwest special meetings were held at the Apostolic Faith Church in St. Louis, Missouri, from April 1-3. There was an excellent turnout from the eight Midwest churches, as well as other branch churches, and chairs had to be added to accommodate the large congregation. The theme for the weekend was “Experience the Touch,” and the theme verse was Mark 5:28, “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.” The sermon topics for the weekend were “Salvation,” “Forgiveness,” “Sanctification,” and “Baptism of the Holy Spirit.”

The Friday evening service began with Charity Ikpe, from St. Louis, playing “Blessed Assurance” on the flute, followed by Bukie Idowu, also from St. Louis, singing “Sweet, Sweet Spirit.” The choir from Madison, Wisconsin, sang “The Touch of the Master’s Hand,” and before the sermon, Seun Akinduro, from Memphis, Tennessee, sang “Through It All.” Joshua Idowu, the pastor in St. Louis, took his text from John 3:1-3, and emphasized the necessity of receiving salvation and living a victorious life.

The Saturday morning service opened with a ladies’ trio from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, singing “Your Presence, Lord.” After the congregational singing, Edwin and Marjorie Reid from Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, joined in online. She prayed the middle prayer, and he shared his testimony. They have attended the Midwest camp meetings for a number of years, and it was a blessing to have them participate in the special meetings! The Ikpe family, from St. Louis, sang “Your Presence, Lord,” and following the testimony portion of the service, Toluwo Oladapo, from Atlanta, Georgia, and Jackie Idowu, from St. Louis, sang “As the Deer.” Rodney Duff, from Van Buren, Arkansas, used various Scriptures to emphasize the need for true forgiveness, bringing out that forgiveness is a step toward unity and revival.

The youth service that evening began with a piano duet from Minneapolis, Minnesota, “Shout to the Lord.” During the congregational singing, Brother Joshua recruited some of the young men to demonstrate their high jumping during the song, “Spring Up, O Well.” The youth choir, with violin accompaniment, sang “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” Before the sermon, Ben and Stephanie Luebbert, from Richland Center, Wisconsin, sang “Make My Life a Prayer to You.” Jeff Downey, the pastor in Van Buren, read Titus 2:11-14 for his text, bringing out the need to be purified and made holy through entire sanctification.

 On Sunday morning, the brass played “Soldiers of Immanuel,” followed by a mixed quartet from Worth, Illinois, singing “Come, Holy Spirit.” Brother Jeff shared his testimony, including how he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit during the Midwest camp meeting in 1992. A ladies’ group sang “It Could Happen in a Moment,” followed by the Scripture reading from Acts 1:1-11. Prior to the sermon, Jon Wolfe, from St. Louis, sang “Keep On.” Bob Downey, Director of North America Work, read Acts 1:8 for his text, and encouraged the sanctified believers to seek for the baptism of the Holy Spirit with all their hearts so they can be all that God wants them to be.

In addition to the wonderful fellowship and opportunity to gather and worship together, many tarried in prayer after the services to draw closer to the Lord. It was truly a blessed weekend, and those who attended are already anticipating Midwest camp meeting in August when they can be together again to worship the Lord.