EVERYONE in the room had something to smile and testify about.
Among the modest gathering were cancer survivors, those still battling the illness, men and women who had spent time behind bars, family members and friends who were rejoicing with their loved ones, and organisers of the Circle Of Hope thanksgiving service held recently at The Valley Resource Centre, The Valley, St George.
There was ministry in song, poetry and dance, while ministers of the gospel shared words of wisdom, encouragement, inspiration and exhortation. Among those who shared were pastors Reuben Goodman, Thelma Greaves and Steve Moore, and Bro. Joseph Phillips.
Goodman shared from Mark 5:25-34 – the story of the woman with the issue of blood. He told the congregation: “It does not matter how many people are vying for Jesus’ attention, your need will always be met. It does not matter how bad your situation is, things can change.”
Goodman also stressed that this woman was in the right place to hear about Jesus.
“She heard The Word was passing and she pushed through the crowd to touch Him. Immediately, she was healed,” he said, as he shared on the importance of moving beyond obstacles to get Jesus’ attention.
Greaves reminded listeners that “Jesus is a present help in the time of trouble. We can feel pessimistic about the future or become frantic, but God is saying to be still and know that He is God.
“It means letting go of all anxiety, know that with God all things are possible and surrendering all to God – withholding nothing. Once you surrender all to God He is obligated to take total care of you,” Greaves added.
Phillips, a former inmate, spoke concerning the life of biblical character and his namesake Joseph, a man who was also imprisoned but rose to great fame.
He spoke about his life in prison, his acceptance of Jesus Christ 15 years ago while serving a 20-year term, and his work as head of HMP Dodds’ in-house prison ministry.
He called on society to accept former inmates and for a rehabilitation programme to assist with their return to society.
Fellow ex-inmate, Vincent Murrell, spoke about seeing his own grave being dug, but gave God thanks that he was spared the hangman’s noose.
The thanksgiving service, held under the theme Look What The Lord Has Done, lasted for just short of four hours. It was punctuated with special ministry in song by the Saints Of Smyrna and Dave Cumberbatch; dance by the Way Of Truth Ministries Dancers; praise and worship, as well as additional testimonies by former inmates.
With a mission to bring cancer patients together to pray and share and to help transform the lives of prison inmates through fellowship, prayers and God’s words, Circle Of Hope’s president Juliette Smith said the service was held primarily to thank God for what He had done in the lives of those who were ministered to by members of the non-profit organisation.
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