Huge crowds at evening services as TBN/Friend Ships mission ends
By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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Bishop Errol Hall
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CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - PEOPLE from all walks of life, including youths and children, from the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis turned up in large numbers last Friday and Saturday as the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) sponsored Friend Ships medical mission came to an end.
Worshippers from scores of denominations, international volunteers and visiting evangelists expressed gratitude to God through dance, song and all forms of exhortation. Many had travelled from St. Kitts to participate at what many described as a very “successful and blessed” medical and evangelistic outreach to the people of the twin-island Federation.
On Friday night, there was a record crowd as Pastor Norman Thomas and Bishop Errol Hall delivered messages of hope. Bishop Hall had prophesied on the previous night that all seats and empty spaces would have been filled, and indeed they were as the state-of-the-art tent that housed the worshippers was filled to capacity.
Bishop Hall amazed worshippers when he spoke about his experience in one of his preaching engagements when he was confronted by 37 witch-doctors. He said by through his faith in God and the invocation of Jesus’ name, God’s power overcame the witchdoctors and by the time he left the unidentified country all, but one witch-doctor, had accepted Jesus Christ as their personal saviour.
Bishop Hall said the witch-doctor who had worked witchcraft for him to leave the unidentified country within nine days had died before he [Bishop Hall] departed. The witch-doctor, Bishop Hall said, had asked the villagers to “leave that man alone” (the Bishop.)
Bishop Hall told his audience that God had enabled him to pray for many to be healed and delivered from various forms of oppression in many countries around the world. The crowds did not want the Bishop to leave and there is a public demand for him to return to the Federation soonest.
Another speaker, Pastor Norman Thomas from the USA, said it is God who gave knowledge and wisdom to doctors. He said that contrary to religious teachings, God does not cause sicknesses to people to “teach them a lesson”. He encouraged those with terminal illnesses to continually claim their healing by using the word of God.
He also encouraged the sick to think of the biblical woman who was ill for 12 years because of a problem with her blood. Rev. Thomas said the woman had touched Jesus’s garment and was healed of a disease that the doctor’s could not have cured.
In an interview, Dr. Thomas told SKNVibes that he has established 50 faith schools in different parts of the world under his Ministry, School of Faith Bible Institute. He has established the institutes in the USA, Africa and Central America. Those who enlist in his classes pursue their studies for three years and become trainers. “The Lord told us to teach faith. Without faith people cannot be victorious...they live in bondage,” he said.
Dr. Frank Chen, the Medical Director of the five-day medical outreach, said the mission had been successful completed. “A lot of people have volunteered to give health care. The volunteers have different specialities and all of us were being used by God, even those not working in their speciality.”
He said doctors also need God’s help, for “there are times we feel inadequate.” Dr. Chen said the volunteer medical team came to provide care and show God’s love to people of Nevis.
Asked why TBN/Friend Ships had chosen a medical outreach, Dr. Chen said, “God loves us to be happy. Our body is God’s temple.”
During Saturday’s evening service, which was the last official function of the TBN/Friend Ships’ mission, scores of worshippers went to the altar for the holy men to pray for them. ~~Adz:Right~~
