The weekend of September 26th & 27th, Mission 403 was invited to the Big Apple to speak about the upcoming ministry in Paraguay. For me (Jessica), it was a little overwhelming at first to be in New York. I’ve been to several big cities over my lifetime in various countries around the globe, but I’ve never been in such a busy place as New York City! Our first day there was a whirlwind of sightseeing lead by our two very gracious hosts, Jackie Gunter & Ashely Dennis of Brooklyn. In one day we visited Times Square, the New York Public Library, Grand Central Station, Wall Street, we caught a glimpse of Lady Liberty, and even walked past the Empire State Building. This was my first trip to New York and I was exhausted by the end of day one. I learned though that New York is a creation all her own. I don’t think there is another place on earth like it and I am excited for the opportunity to return and explore some more. I mean where else on this planet can you go and see a historical monument but at the same time take a picture with someone dressed up as Michael Jackson?
After our short sightseeing tour, Stephen and I were able to visit three amazing churches in the Brooklyn/Queens area. Our first stop of the day was at Brooklyn Church Avenue Church of God of Prophecy pastored by Bishop C. J. Walters. Bishop Walters is also the regional overseer of Brooklyn for COGOP and it was great to join his congregation for the morning worship service. I was delighted to see a female drummer at this church! If you’ve read some earlier posts of mine, you’ll see that I am on a crusade to recruit women and girls to pick up instruments and play more within our worship teams. This lady was a very good drummer and I was impressed by her skills. After the local worship team sang a few songs, Stephen went up and performed a solo for the congregation. I then was given time to share the vision of Mission 403 and the people really responded to us. They gave a great offering and I was pleased about how enthusiastic and encouraging everyone was. I hope that we can continue to visit and have a relationship with Brooklyn Church Avenue COGOP. They are great people and I was blessed to meet them.
After Church Avenue, we proceeded to our second service of the day at Malta Street Church of God of Prophecy pastored by Bishop Oliver McDowald. Here I was blown away by the musical talent present within the congregation! They had musicians galore and very anointed vocal talent as well. The worship service was great and I really enjoyed singing along with all the people. One funny thing that happened at this church was that as soon as Stephen opened his mouth to speak one of the young girls sitting in the pews couldn’t help but giggle. His southern accent really entertained the crowd and I found it hilarious that they thought his accent was deeper than mine! Some of you may know that Stephen teases me relentlessly about my southern accent and to have the table turned on him brought sweet joy into my life! After he sang, I was called to speak once again and without fail the people of Malta Street in Brooklyn, NY gave mightily! I was humbled that people from a different place would think enough about our ministry to help support us. Whenever people give like Malta Street COGOP, I take it as just another confirmation of God’s hand upon my life and know that we are walking the path he would have us take.
After Mala Street COGOP, Stephen and I made our way to the final church of the day- St. Mary Church of God in Christ pastored by Rev. David Butler on the Brooklyn/Queens border. This was the first church we’ve had an opportunity to visit outside of our denomination, and we were invited at the bequest of our fabulous hostesses for the weekend- Jackie & Ashley. This was their home church and I count it a blessing to have visited with this lovely congregation. We arrived in a hurry from Malta Street COGOP and immediately took the stage to lead the people in worship. I’ve never played in a church such as this. There were beautiful old stained-glass windows with vaulted ceilings and exposed wood beams. I was awestruck by the sanctuary and just how big it was! After we sang, I shared the story of Mission 403 again and by the time the service was over I had several people talking about planning a trip to Paraguay to help us in ministry! I mean, these people were naming dates and asking if we were OK with those times!! My response, “Of course that time of year is great!!!! Please come!!!” We also had a couple of individuals from St. Mary approach offering to help us with ministerial costs and providing musical instruments for our ministry! Even though we were from a different church, the people of St. Mary reached out to us and embraced us with love! I am so grateful for this church and I am excited to be working with them in ministry.
When Stephen and I returned home from New York, all we could think was “WOW”! We met so many people and got so much support for Mission 403 that we were giddy with joy. I would like to thank Kade Green, our local youth pastor at Ward Ave. COGOP for connecting us with all of these great churches! Kade is from New York and he was the our link to developing some great relationships for the Mission 403 ministry. I hope that each church knows how truly honored we were to visit them and that we are looking forward to the future and seeing them again. Before we return to the U.S. in a couple of years, however, I fully expect to see many of their faces in Paraguay itself as a part of a mission team. God is blessing us in ministry and sometimes I have to pinch myself just to make sure all of these wonderful things are really happening.