The Abundant Life in Jesus – Expo Evangelistic Series at the Cruz Bay Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, St. John, USVI, ended on Sabbath, April 28, 2018, with eighteen baptisms. The lay evangelist, Henley Daniel, from Antigua preached during the three-week series supported by the local pastor, Wynfield Ambrose, and members of the small congregation.
Though apprehensive about the outcome of the evangelistic series, the members worked hard to accomplish the work for God, despite the odds they encountered. After the first night of preaching, the Evangelist lost his voice. The second night was difficult for him, but with God all things are possible and his sermon was powerful. With the help of his host, the Small family, his voice improved and no more complications occurred. When the microphone board stopped working, after the first week, the First Elder of the Church, Dennis Powell, and his associates remained prayerful and used their skills of improvisation to restore basic microphone-functionality. The church frantically tried to order a new board, but to no avail. Then, Elder Powell visited a local music store to purchase some wires needed for the campaign and, at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, asked the salesperson if the store had a board in stock. When he learned that the store had received the exact board which was needed that morning, he was reassured that God was leading.
The consistent attendance of community guests was the highlight of each meeting session. The visiting friends feasted deeply on the Word of God and at the first call for baptism on Friday, April 13th, four precious souls decided that, “Jesus is the way.” Sabbath dawned a beautiful day for baptism and when the last call was made, one more soul, Ms. Denise, decided to follow Jesus. Ms. Denise is the sister of one member of the church; about twenty years ago after experiencing some medical challenges she promised herself that if she got better, when she celebrated her 65th birthday, she would travel to the Virgin Islands to spend time with her sister. Unknown to Ms. Denise, God had plans for her when she arrived during the Abundant Life in Jesus – Expo; she only missed one night and didn’t hesitate to give her heart to Jesus.
During the final week of meetings, visitor-attendance was steady and on the last Friday night of the crusade when another call for baptism was made, three visitors accepted the call. On April 28th, the last Sabbath of the crusade, the church was filled with members and community guests. Visitors and friends from sister churches were on hand to witness the last call for baptism when sixteen priceless souls rose and accepted Jesus as their one and only Savior.
In all eighteen souls were baptized and we say, “To God be the Glory.” The crusade has ended but the church’s work continues as St. John is “ripe for a reaping.” There are many other souls seeking salvation and the Cruz Bay SDA Church is prepared to show them the way to Jesus Christ.