Sunday evening reflections
January 31, 2010 by Pastor Jerry McQuay
I know, I know. I’ve said it before. But this time I really don’t know where to begin, in describing this day at CLC. UNBELIEVABLE! Let’s try to recap:
- First of all, this was the largest ‘regular’ Sunday attendance in our 20-year history in Tinley Park, as we literally filled every single chair & had to bring in more chairs in the 9:30 service – all together, nearly 1,400 people worshipped at the Tinley campus alone, and over 1,800 people worshipped at a CLC campus today in one of our seven services! In fact, our Media director says if we add in the number of folks who worshipped online with us today in more than 10 different states, we reached over 2,000 people today!
- AND my wife was ON FIRE! So many breakthroughs were taking place, some baptized in the Holy Spirit, others set free from addictions – wow!
- In South Bend, the report says service was “absolutely phenomenal”! Strong attendance, great worship & Pastor Doug said his preaching was the “loudest & most forceful ever”! AND they baptized 10 precious people today!
- Pastor Dan says his wife really connected with the congregation in Shorewood today, and their service raised the excitement for tonight’s Encounter service to close the fast.
- At our newest campus in Lisle , Pastor Eric reports the momentum is blowing up, as people are making real commitments – some salvation decisions – and honest transformation resulting from the fast.
- Pastor Jaime from our Hispanic congregation says sickness limited their attendance, but a blessed service nonetheless, and they’re already getting inquiries from the radio spots which just began airing. Please believe with us for a harvest among Hispanics in the South Suburbs!
- In our Philippine campus, Pastor Herley says their service was great, with 6 precious souls receiving the Lord at the close; then this afternoon he preached at a neighboring church whose pastor he’s been mentoring, and 50 people came forward to receive Christ! I love it!
What do I say about tonight’s “Encounter” to close our time of fasting? I haven’t heard from all the other campuses yet, but in Tinley Park, there are no words to describe this evening. At one point late in the service I felt impressed to call Kevin Carter forward to share the story of his 7-year old fasting sweets “so he could hear God better”, and we invited all our children who participated in the fast to come up front & pray for adults who wanted to ‘hear God better, too”. Somehow that turned into a gauntlet of kids (we usually call it a ‘fire tunnel’) and after our choir & musicians passed through the line, people just spontaneously got up and walked through as the children laid hands on them & prayed for them. I’ve never seen anything like it in all my years of ministry, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget it! Here’s one picture to give you an idea:
One late-breaking news report – I just received word from Pastor Shanna in South Bend that one of their faithful workers was baptized in the Holy Spirit tonight during their encounter – and get this: she had prayed for 24 years to receive her prayer language! Quick disclaimer: that’s not necessary – no one has to tarry since Acts 2, but she had been wounded in an early church setting & never received until tonight – and needless to say, there was a lot of rejoicing in the Bend this evening!
Wow. WOW. WOW! I don’t know if it can get any better – testimony after testimony in the lobby tonight – but we’re about to find out!
I’m signing off – and gonna have a bowl of soup to break this fast! See you manana-
Our God reigns! Hallelujah. Thanks for sharing all the good news.
Tonights service was one of the most amazing things that I have ever seen! I went up to receive prayer from a young man that had to be in 7th or 8th grade, and he gave me the exact word that I needed to hear. I am still BLOWN AWAY!
I agree, Pastor Jerry! WOW! I am still floating on air. I loved the prayer tunnel of the kids. It was amazing. There aren’t words to do it justice!
Pastor Jerry, This time of fasting has been awesome. Giving God the “First Fruit” of my day again has inspired me to tell others to do the same. I have ministered to many people at the hospital where I see patients, telling them as led, that God wants their “First Fruit”. One lady told me since I told her she has been waking up every morning without an alarm clock. Another woman told me this was meant to be as she and her husband were falling asleep while trying to study at night. Another woman told me she couldn’t understand why she woke up at 5am on her day off and God told me to tell her it was because he wanted her to spend time with him—She thanked and thanked me. Another lady calls me her light everytime she sees me. God said the latter would be greater than the past and this is just the beginning of what God wants to do. I have been ministering non stop in the power of the Holy Ghost and I love what God is doing in all of our lives–and it’s all because of our praying and fasting. Thank-you Pastor Jerry, and my God continue to Bless and Heal you.
Agreed!!!…this evening’s service was absolutely phenomenal! FREEDOM reigned in that place!
Pastor Doug was on fire big time. I loved it! The messages always seem to be geared towards my life and what I need to do. Thank God for such a wonderful Pastor that really gets into his “work”. I am very blessed to be a part of God’s kingdom.
Hello,
Pastor we are getting our report. See what alittle time we take can be so big. Blessings to all.
Thanks,
To hear our young people praying in the Holy Spirit had a powerful impact on me. When the music stopped and the congregation was singing i knew we were touching heaven and heaven was touching us. Acts 4:31 Thank you Lord Jesus for last night but not just last night; for each day forward.
Awesome!!! Praise the LORD!!!