A few months ago, God gave Hall Memorial CME Church the vision and the opportunity to take the gospel to the campus of Alabama State University. We recognized that incoming freshmen in particular, who are establishing identities that will follow them for the remainder of their college years, need to hear the gospel because if they come to Christ they can be delivered from failures that plague them all of their lives. And more, those they would have hurt will be spared the pain that young adults so often inflict on one another.
It was not an easy task. Our original facility was closed because of a severe leak. We had no venue to offer worship. Our musician wouldn't make it. Our back-up musician had a conflict.
We prayed and we prayed. Believing that this outreach was God's will we asked in faith for whatever space we could have. It was outside. 10 A.M. in August.
But we fasted and prayed.
We realized the night before the service that there was nowhere to plug in the audio equipment. The weather forecasts promised tropical storm driven rain.
We prayed for God to withhold His rain. Sunday morning it was already drizzling where I live. I walked in the mist claiming by faith God's favor and the withholding of the rain.
Our drummer missed the date. Our worship partner's musician didn't show. We started late.
It was beautiful.
The overcast sky cooled the campus and made it a pleasant morning. Because we were outside instead of the air-conditioned auditorium we'd originally booked, the sound of our choir singing accapella through the speakers (plugged up on an extension cord run into the building)brought students out who might not have dressed up and gone into an auditorium for some church's service.
At the altar call, students came forward to renew their commitment and to seek prayer for salvation.
The Word of God was delivered to every ear on campus that was outside or near an open window.
We closed a powerful service, packed up everything and went our separate ways.
As my family sat down for lunch after the service, I looked out the window.
It was raining.
God is good.
Press play to hear the sermon.
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