Encountering Jesus in My Service

Jesus Encounter participants with South Feast builder,
Bro Arun Gogna & LOJ-South Feast servants

May 8, 2010! There was a conflict when this was scheduled. I had a previous commitment. But this will be the first ever Jesus Encounter for the South Feast – a rite of passage for faithful attendees into the Light of Jesus Family. I wanted so much to serve. I did the next best thing. I promised to follow right after my other event. I was torn. As Secretariat head, it was my duty to man the registration table early in the morning. Good thing there were people who can cover for me.

The night before the JE, I learned some disturbing news about my other event. I had been praying for this. It was important to me too. But from the very start there was some heaviness in my heart every time I prayed for it. With that news and my family’s warning not to go, I decided to serve in the JE instead.

Funny how the Lord arranges things. He prevented me from going to my event because there were things He needed me for in the JE.

I found out in the morning that the one assigned to the registration had to work overtime and couldn’t make it. The person in charge of the Secretariat in my supposed absence was multi-tasking as emcee. He was already loaded with emcee-related work. The Music Ministry head had an important commitment and couldn’t be there. Our Events Ministry head asked me to coordinate the singers and the lyrics. And then there were other things: singing at the worship, serving food, praying over the participants at the baptism, etc. etc.

(Note to self: never volunteer to pray over at the baptism ever again. My tear ducts are too loose. I cry ahead of the participants especially when they’re people I care for. Embarrassing!)

I’m glad the Lord arranged things the way He did. He allowed me to serve at this historic encounter with such a loving, committed and hard-working team. That’s what’s so great about serving at the South Feast. There are glitches true, as in any event, but we learn our lessons, learn to be more patient and continue loving each other.