Pastor Robert Rester article in news paper Articles / Pastors Letters Date: Feb 20, 2003 - 09:14 AM Dear Jerry Gaffney, Just in case you have not seen the newspaper article that was printed in our local paper, I scanned it and here it is. Sincerely, Kitty Mathews, Secretary, Central Park Neighborhood Church, Aberdeen SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2003 Rev. Bob Rester FACES OF FAITH Harborites are invited to 'come and see'. Even the most casual observer would have noted the incredible change on the faces of the two adults at the front of the church. They were beaming from ear to ear and happy to declare that our great and mighty God had delivered them from slavery to alcohol. They'd come because someone who'd been at the meetings in progress the past three weeks at Central Park Neighborhood Church, featuring evangelist Jerry Gaffney, invited them to "come and see." Both were over 50 and had come from different avenues of life. Neither knew the other But when they came in last week, both had that look of one who's had a lifelong addiction to alcohol. Their eyes were glazed over and disinterested. As they sat through the meeting, it appeared they were anxious to leave. But then something changed in,............................. Please Click read more for all article. the closing minutes. The evangelist had quoted from Jesus who said, "The thief comes for nothing but to kill, steal and destroy." When the call was given for those Satan had robbed of the gift of life, they came. with others: the elderly, teenagers, the sick and hurting. When Gaffney began to pray for them, anyone. watching could see the change take place. That dull look of depression lifted, and I believe at that moment they were delivered. They've been back every night since with that same radiant look, testifying they've been delivered from alcohol. They say they don't even want a drink. Among the many coming to Jesus Christ have been young people who have never before been in church. In a way, Jerry Gaffney is a pied piper to teens. They love the guy who calls himself the "ugly fat man;" they identify with him instantly. And he'll go to any length to reach them. Last Wednesday, and the Wednesday before, he bought pizza and soft drinks, as much as they wanted. When, he closed the service, he Stayed in the sanctuary and dealt with as many as needed him, while the others went into the fellowship hall and pigged out on pizza. (There was plenty left when the others finally got them) The spiritual hunger I see in these kids, many of them not familiar with church, makes me wonder where the Church lost them. I was stunned recently when I heard the leader of one of America's largest churches say, "We now have the distinction of being the slowest declining movement in the United States." In other words, all the other movements are losing them faster than we are. I know there will be those who rejoice over this; there's always the spiritually ignorant who can't possibly comprehend the desperate situation in our country, and around the world. They can't relate the socialeconomic troubles to the spiritual condition of America, and that's OK. But what about the Church of Jesus Christ? We seem to have forgotten the Church is a spiritual body, not a carnal organization with a great CEO and an efficient marketing plan. We must find the answer to turning America around spiritually. The Church is spiritual, first of all, and we need to cater to the spiritual. Second Chronicles 7:14 says, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. "Our wicked ways" can be trying to do God's work our own way. We pray for revival, but we won't receive it unless it comes packaged in our particular brand of religious tradition. I believe God, by the Holy Spirit, can do more in one minute than hundreds of hours of counseling can accomplish, and I don't mean to discredit godly counseling. Gaffney says that in 4,800 meetings in the past nine years, he's seen thousands of hungry unchurched and troubled teens run to the altar. I can testify to that, as well. I've seen them come and be forever changed. Most of the time, the Holy Spirit does it in a way I don't expect, or particularly appreciate, but I'm willing to let him be God! Looking for the messiah; John the Baptist sent his followers to ask Jesus, "Are you he, or should we look for another?" Jesus answered, "Go your way and tell John what filings. you have seen and heard, how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. "And blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me.,, As I understand it Jesus was saying to examine the evidence to decide if he was the one.. The meetings. will continue at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday Feb. 18-21, at the Neighborhood Church. We invite you to come and see. The Rev. Bob Rester is the pastor of the Central Park Neighborhood Church, located at the corner of Highway 12 and Bryrwood Drive. This article comes from World's Largest Prayer Board Annointed.net News http://www.annointed.net/ The URL for this story is: http://www.annointed.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=412