June 19, 2020 | St. John’s, Antigua | SLC Communication Team
The COVID-19 pandemic created a unique and wonderful season to preach the Word of God. In March 2020, while many churches and institutions were debating about how to reach the masses during the lockdown caused by the pandemic, the South Leeward Conference (SLC) was actively preaching the gospel through the social media platforms and its radio station (Second Advent Radio).
It was only after two weeks into the lockdown that the evangelism committee of SLC confirmed a date for starting a virtual evangelistic series. This was seen as a time of despair for many and thus the hopeless needed to find hope and happiness in Christ. One committee member stated that there is no better time to preach the gospel like the present time, for people are looking for answers to life’s dilemmas. Thus, it was birthed, the Power in the Blood Virtual Extravaganza by Pastor/Evangelist Sherwin A. E. White.
The Power in the Blood Virtual extravaganza was organized as a South Leeward Conference evangelistic series. In this life-changing event, the pastors and members across the five islands of SLC creatively and intentionally reached out to friends and loved ones to have them log in, sign in or tune in to the evangelistic series. The Conference had never participated in a conference-wide virtual evangelistic series before. It is important to note that the Power in the Blood Virtual Extravaganza was the first one of its kind around the world.
There was no precedence set and no playbook prepared for conducting a virtual evangelistic series during a worldwide pandemic with the total lockdown of countries and churches. Knowing this, the evangelism committee, the evangelist and the communication department of SLC all had to prayerfully combine their thoughts and ideas to make this evangelistic series work to the honor and glory of God. They knew that with God all things are possible.
To ensure that there was a professional production, several committees were created or activated to guarantee that the evangelistic series was an unquestionable success. A prayer team was formed, headed by Pastor Kendol Doyle; a visitation team was established, headed by Pastor Kay White; and a special music committee was created, headed by Pastor Holford Brown. To ensure that the production was of the highest quality, the video production team of Jerome and Courtney was hired at a discounted rate.
At this point, the communication department was tasked with the responsibility of making sure that all the elements of the evangelistic series were working seamlessly together despite the implementation of the curfew by each government across the territory. With only three weeks to prepare, there was no time for delays. After many discussions with the evangelist and the various committees, everything was set for the big starting date for the virtual evangelistic series on April 19, 2020. These teams and committees guaranteed a high-quality product that would reach the homes and hearts of the people around the world.
The lights came on, the cameras were focused, and many actions were happening in three different rooms at the South Leeward Conference. The prayers and promotions for the evangelistic series were recorded in the SLC lobby and the repurposed lunchroom. Additionally, the powerful and dynamic preaching by the evangelist, Pastor Sherwin A. E. White, along with the melodious singing were captured in the SLC conference room.
For the next three weeks (April 19 to May 9, 2020) the Word of God took the airwaves by storm, and various social media platforms were flooded with the gospel. Notwithstanding its success, the evangelistic series had its share of technical glitches, but these glitches did not prevent the spoken Word of God from landing in the hearts and minds of many longing souls. It was what people needed in a time of crisis. This resulted in over five thousand persons following, liking and sharing the messages nightly with their friends on selected social platforms. In addition, many more thousands tuned in nightly to Second Advent radio in Antigua and ZJB radio in Montserrat to hear of the mercies and love of God. To God be the Glory! Great things He has done!
After the conclusion of the Power in the Blood Virtual Extravaganza, many souls were won to the Savior. Even though the impact of the virtual series cannot truly be measured only by the souls that were baptized, it was a joy to learn that over 30 persons surrendered their lives to Christ in baptism. Persons were baptized in Antigua, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, and Dominica.
The virtual evangelistic series is over, but the communication department continues to carry forward the gospel by using the technological gains from this series to make inroads into the enemy’s kingdom. The future looks bright and hopeful as the South Leeward Conference shifts from a temporary video recording studio to a permanent one. Who knows what other great things God has in store? To be continued next week…