From the Superintendent's DESK

West and Central Africa District Superintendent (WECA) Isaac Adigun and his wife, Stella, attended special meetings in Sierra Leone from May 2-5. They arrived for the opening service on Thursday, May 2, at our only church site, located at the heart of the country in the city of Bo. This was the first visit from WECA headquarters since the work here began in 2013, and the congregation was thrilled. A large group of smiling saints had gathered to receive them, including sixteen delegates from Liberia who came to help with the meetings. The Sunday school children welcomed the two with songs and one young girl presented them with a bouquet of bright flowers. The Country Leader and Pastor, James Ayodele, also greeted the visitors saying, “Our joy knows no bounds.” Brother James and his wife, Cecilia, initially were sent from the WECA headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2013 as missionaries to encourage the budding work in Sierra Leone. They have remained in the country, fostering the work since then.

The special meetings began immediately and were held outdoors to accommodate a number of guests and also to evangelize the surrounding neighborhood. The first service was attended by ninety and began with an orchestra prelude of “A New Name in Glory.” A music special mirrored the feeling in the atmosphere with the chorus “I Just Feel like Something Good Is about to Happen.” The congregation sang heartily such songs as “Our Hearts Are Full of Joy” and then James Miller, the Country Leader for Liberia, led the opening prayer.

A vocal special of “In the Old Time Way” prepared hearts to receive the message. Then Brother Isaac spoke on the theme of the special meetings: “I Will Do Marvels.” He encouraged everyone to look to God in faith for all their needs. Following this message, prayers went up to Heaven as many cried out to God for salvation.

The next day, the service began with a choir number followed by a flute duet. A touching vocal duet of “Do You Know?” was offered by two sisters—one from Sierra Leone and the other from Liberia. Among the testimonies, Brother Miller told how God saved and sanctified him, and then during a revival, filled him with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He also told about God rescuing his family at sea in a miraculous way. Before the message, Sister Cecilia sang “Something Good Is going to Happen to You.” Then Brother Miller preached about many who sought God’s blessings and received them. Afterward, many were blessed around the altars of prayer as they did the same.

On the third day of the special meetings, over one hundred were in attendance. In addition, neighbors and passers-by were listening nearby. The service began with a violin duet and the choir singing “Heaven Came Down,” “He Is My Everything,” and “Why Not You?” The sermon focused on the theme, “I Will Do Marvels,” by citing miracles of the Old and New Testaments, including the parting of the Red Sea. All listening were encouraged to see God work in their own lives, and many prayed fervently afterward. 

On Sunday, everyone gathered for a Sunday school lesson titled “Warnings,” given by Sister Stella. Then a brass ensemble opened the morning service. One music special encouraged faith with “He Will Do It Again” and another visibly moved the audience with “Sweet Holy Spirit.” The message was taken from Exodus 15:10, which was read in the Krio language to highlight the word patapata, which means “all.” The message was titled “God of Patapata.” The congregants were assured that God is able to meet every need and challenge in their lives. A wonderful altar service followed. 

In the evening, a concert was held featuring musicians and choristers from Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. For the last item, a brass and flute ensemble accompanied the choir singing in the Krio language, a lively “Tel Am Tenki,” or “Tell Him Thank You.” The concert concluded with a brief exhortation and prayer, and everyone rejoiced as several prayed through to salvation, including a woman visitor.

Throughout the four days a number of blessings were claimed and more than one backslider was overheard saying, “There is no other place like the old time Gospel.” Those who reported blessings included three who received salvation, one who was sanctified, two who received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, five who were re-anointed, and seven who were healed. 

In addition to the meetings, other events that took place during the four days included a one-hour live radio interview of Brother Isaac and Brother Ayodele. Several meetings were also held, including one for Sunday school teachers and another for Gospel workers in general. A joint meeting took place with the leaders from Liberia and Sierra Leone. 

We thank God for the marvels He has done during these special meetings, and we pray He will continue to bless the work in Sierra Leone.