By an Alliance worker in a creative-access country
“Today is the day of salvation!” Those were the words that came suddenly and clearly to Faith’s* mind as she awoke on April 4, the day before Easter. Soon she found herself praying, “Let it be so, Lord. Let it be so. Let today be the day of salvation for whole families, in Jesus’ name.”
Faith and her husband, along with many brothers and sisters at the largest Alliance church in this country, had already been praying for a couple weeks for the refugees who would come to the outreach event planned for that night.
Anticipation
Invitations had been sent to several hundred families who have been receiving help from the church. Large boxes filled with gifts were brought to the second floor for the children who would come for their own special program during the adult service.
Saturday afternoon, church members set up tables with white tablecloths and beautiful bouquets of deep purple and bright yellow flowers in the newly hosed-down parking lot. Trays of cookies and traditional Easter sweets were set out on the tables. Musicians and sound technicians arrived early for the worship service.
The elders arranged literature on tables near the door to the sanctuary—Bibles in the country’s official language, gospel tracts, and CDs. Nursery workers, children’s leaders, greeters, and a team of people in the prayer room were ready when the first rented buses arrived—filled with eager refugee families.
There were so many people! Church members swung into action. Bible school students pitched in wherever they were needed— helping in the nursery, serving as crossing guards for the children, helping with the music during the service, serving juice during the fellowship time, and cleaning up after the event.
As the pastor gave the message, the Lord brought salvation! At least 26 people responded to the invitation to receive forgiveness and eternal life made possible by Jesus Christ through His death and resurrection. It was incredible!
Too Many To Count
Due to space limitations, only a portion of the refugees served by the church could be invited, so the church leaders decided to hold a second event the following week. The number of people who attended was almost overwhelming.
Faith counted 31 babies and toddlers in the nursery. Two hundred six- to ten-year-old children also were present, along with other age groups!
The number of adults in the main service who stood to indicate their desire to receive Jesus was more than could be counted quickly—more than a hundred new believers! Sixty people filled out cards with contact information, so the church could follow up with them.
After hearing a couple of the children’s workers’ testimonies, two mothers, who had stayed with their preschoolers during the children’s program, prayed with the leader to receive Jesus.
Hope Awakened
These refugees have lost much—homes, land, jobs, cars, other possessions, schooling opportunities, security, family members, connections to all that is familiar. There is a very real spiritual hunger awakening within them, a desperate longing for hope.
As the church works together—using their spiritual gifts, God-given talents, and time—to extend the love of Christ to the many refugees in nearby neighborhoods, God is drawing people to Himself. Today is the day of salvation—praise God!
*Name changed
Pray
Pray for those who made commitments to Jesus and that God will increase their faith. Pray for Alliance people as they continue to serve refugees in word and deed.
Use the weekly Alliance Prayer Requests to join the Alliance family in interceding on behalf of Alliance people worldwide, who often serve in challenging circumstances that require Holy Spirit–inspired wisdom and creativity to communicate God’s love to those who don’t know Him.