R. Steven Norman III
R. Steven Norman III
R. Steven Norman III
R. Steven Norman III
R. Steven Norman III
R. Steven Nolrman III
R. Steven Norman III
R. Steven Norman III
Jorge was a street man. He was not homeless, but he did not have a family. He rented a room, and, after finishing work, most of his life took place in the streets. His friends were his family. He says, “They were my brothers, parents, nephews, everything — until there was a shortage of drugs. Then, we all competed to have it, and we became our worst enemies.”
For a time, Jorge went with a family who had invited him to attend the Wilson Adventist Church in North Carolina. There the Spirit began to work on him, though not in a visible way. His life appeared to continue its previous course, with small lapses, until he had an accident. Suddenly, he felt the need to search for the Lord, and it seemed as if God had used the accident to call him. When the More Hope Caravan started, he decided to attend. The old Jorge died, born to a new life that he now enjoys and tries to share with others.
This is just one of the testimonies collected during the Harvest Caravan of More Hope 2016. the initiative was divided into two parts, The Training Caravan, which took place the week of March 18 to 26; and the Harvest Caravan, from August 26 to September 10, which took place in 20 congregations.
In the first phase, the members of 20 pastoral districts of the Union territory were trained and motivated. The churches were visited to demonstrate how the hearts of people can be touched and led to the Kingdom of Heaven by using the method of Jesus. The Hispanic ministries directors of the participating conferences, along with the district pastors of the churches, concentrated on keeping the flame burning during the following months.
As a result, a large group of people were reached. Church members shared their faith with their acquaintances using the methods learned during the training. One of their primary outreaches was small groups, interacting with those interested in the familiarity of a home. This provided the opportunity to develop friendships and reach their hearts for the Lord.
Among the testimonies collected during the sowing campaign was one of a Hispanic coordinator who commented that one church where the caravan visited was “cold”; the members were never involved in any type of activity. However, as they gradually decided to participate in the campaign, their enthusiasm quickly grew as they watched the results. By sharing their faith, their relationship with Christ was increased, and they felt the need to pray more and seek God in His Word. Working for others is healthy for the Christian life, just as exercise is for physical health.
Esperanza TV, represented by its director, Rubén Merino, pastor, participated during the tour in the final harvest stage, which lasted 16 days and covered five states, seven conferences, and a distance of 4,800 miles. Merino used social media to publish photos; baptism video clips; and interviews with newly baptized, pastors, and coordinators who shared what was happening at each location.
As a result of this initiative, 801 people gave their lives to God through baptism, and another 307 made the decision to study and be baptized in the near future. This project has been the most ambitious that the Southern Union Hispanic Ministries Department has carried out in recent years, and the presence of the Holy Spirit was apparent throughout.
is the SURF customer service and accounts manager at the Southern Union in Norcross, Georgia.
Southern Union | February 2017
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