Sunday the 13th was a great and impacting day to the Tampa Bay community. First off i’d like to say it is an honor to be under Pastor Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne and what a blessing they have been over the years. Well my name is Xan-Jevan and I am a R.S.W (River School of Worship) student at the River at Tampa Bay. I run camera’s every Sunday morning, especially last Sunday I ran the “boom” camera. What a blessing it is to be able to capture those images for the people around the world to see and how packed it is in the church. Not only that but the altars as well, Pastor Rodney and Adonica have been blessing this community for almost 13 years now and to see how involved we are to see lives changed for the kingdom of God. There is absolutely no substitute to see some ones life impacted by God. I was helping after the service directing people to lines for the children to get their Christmas presents, and to me its like they are just toys but I remembered how important getting a present for Christmas or even a birthday can impact your life. On my thirteenth birthday, I remember that my family couldn’t afford to get me anything and how much that even impacted me when I was little. So giving these children a present for Christmas is truly life altering. I just want to say that what Pastors Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne are doing in Tampa Florida is impacting the nations one person at a time and that its not just them but also the congregation right by their side to help out every step of the way. We are a church that gets out there and wins souls! Actually, I’d like to share a testimony of how much we do impact the community. One day after school I was offered to help move stuff for this lady on one of the bus routes. And she had a lot of stuff to be moved I m just going to tell you now. But I did my best to move as much as possible. But I didn’t even see how happy she was that we came and helped out. And I saw her that Sunday and she was all in her dress clothes all nice and she gave me the biggest hug and thanked me so much. And it really felt great to put my time and effort into helping my community. So that’s all I have to say and I can’t wait for the television network to get on the road.
Being a part of this ministry has been such a blessing to me. I come from a Church in Sweden that did not have too much outreach activities. So when I started bible school at The River and we had to do soul winning, it was something completely new for me. But after the first person I talked to said the salvation prayer with me, I got very exited. And now when I have gone soul winning for four months, it has changed me a lot. To see these people get changed and filled by the great love of God is irreplaceable. We go door to door and talk to a lot of people and you wonder if they really listen to what you have to say, but then you see them in Church on Sunday and how God is meets them and change them totally, and I would not exchange that for anything in the world.
On Sunday, when we had the big Christmas service, it occurred to me how thankful I am to be a part of this ministry, because here, the one great vision is to let everyone know about Jesus and win souls. And this Sunday when I saw how everyone is working the best they can to meet everyones needs, I just got so grateful to be a part of this, because it has given me a greater love for people. I have always been a loving person who likes to take care of people, but now this has been taken to another level. I have a deep desire in my heart to make sure that everyone gets to hear about Jesus & understand his great love! My heart breaks when I think about that there are people out there who live miserable lives and don’t know that Jesus died for them and can make their lives wonderful. So now I just want to keep reaching people with the gospel, and make sure I am doing the best I can to spread the love of Jesus – and this Church is really helping me to do that.
This past Sunday at the River I experienced and was honored to be a part of one of the most amazing events. River Kids service. I have had the honor of being a part of kids church for about the last 3 months and this particular Sunday was truly amazing. It was high energy, fast paced, and full of fun as well as the word of God. Kids were running all over the stage playing carious games that related to various principals founded in the bible. They were smacking themselves in the face with whip cream and eggs. They all wanted to be a part and participate in what was going on. Their excitement level was contagious. After all the fun and excitement Joe Manno began to talk to the kids about Jesus dying on the cross for their sins. Anyone who thinks that just because they are kids that they don’t understand really has no idea of what they are talking about. I know for me personally it was one of the most touching experiences I have seen. The visual demonstration was straight to the point and hit to the core of the heart. I saw children crying and shaking under the power of God realizing what Jesus did for them so they could spend all eternity with Him. When the altar call was given we saw in excess of 150 children ask Jesus to be the Lord of their lives. These kids were so excited about what was happening. I truly believe that there was an eternal difference that has been made in these kids. The kind of impact that they will one day have on this world is something that I truly believe is going to be remarkable. I am so glad I was able to be a part of this day.
What an amazing week of growing and pressing into God’s presence I had during the Winter Camp Meeting. I praise God for a new job that He supernaturally provided for me, which allowed me to attend only four services. This first night I was able to attend, was with Pastor Ted Shuttlesworth. I so wanted to be here every night and so I came in expecting God’s presence and He was there! An amazing, sweet presence came and touched me taking away the sadness I felt from having to miss almost the whole week of meetings. I saw God’s amazing love as He healed people from their deafness and total healing to their sick bodies. I also saw the enemy at work trying to draw attention away from what God was trying to do in the service. I left the service free as I knew God has everything in control and left filled and overflowing. On Saturday and Sunday, they were amazing days of serving. What an honor to serve for the Lord. I love being an usher, serving others, and showing God’s love to all. Not that I am perfect, it brought many areas to where offenses could have been made. Individuals wanting special seating, too hot, can’t hear, Ha, and so on. But, I gave the best in me and did it all for God. Sunday evening came and we danced and sang with rejoicing souls for the love of our Savior. This is why my week was so amazing! I was able to get into God’s presence, be filled up, watch God’s miracles take place, serve, and love. What week can compare? I am so grateful for this year. I praise my Father for this new life I have in Him. The things and areas in my life are being changed and set free. I am a new creation in Christ Jesus and continually being changed, molded, and I desire His presence. Thank you Lord for the people you have ministering into my life.
