By John Newton, Coordinator, Church Multiplication

The Sunday evening service began with an opening song which beckoned, “Come let us wait on the Lord, following Christ, serving the Father as we mount up on wings of His will”. By the end of the evening, it was very clear to us that his will is for each of us to know him in a personal way and help others know him too.

The ministry to the deaf community was introduced in a powerful way this evening. It is evident that God has been moving and continues to move to bring the message of salvation to this community, and we were challenged by the continued need. Ten percent of the general population is deaf, but only 10% of those know Christ. We have a great responsibility to share our faith with the many who do not know him.

Frances Casales, a deaf minister of a Church of God congregation in Covina, California, signed to the assembly that though the deaf may not hear with their ears, “they can hear the voice of God in their hearts.”

The speaker of the evening was Dr. James Earl Massey. Massey, the third generation in the Church of God, and a third-generation Church of God minister, began by sharing about the impact that prayer had in his life as he remembered the prayers of his parents and their concern for the futures of their children. Those prayers shaped their future.

He then reminded the audience of another prayer that had impacted generations before and would impact generations to come. It was the prayer of Jesus, as recorded in John 17, as he prayed for his disciples and for those who would believe through their message.

Throughout the message Massey spoke of knowing God, of holiness, and of sanctification. He reminded the audience that holiness in character depends on knowing, living, and obeying God’s truth, and that the heart and will needs to be so full of God’s grace that we will always choose God’s will. “Being sanctified”, Massey said, “is to have our will centered in God’s will.”

Following this powerful message, Massey challenged pastors and churches leaders saying, “We have an assignment…to teach others how to share the truth concerning Jesus.” It is an assignment that is to be done without condemnation, without contempt, without cowardice, and without compromise.

What a powerful service! What a powerful message! What a powerful challenge!

Following the service, one listener responded with this commitment, “The lost must be elevated and prioritized in my life’s work.”