Photo: The media team that worked behind the scenes of the “Everything Will Be Alright” evangelistic series at Philadelphia church in Bronx, New York, pause for a photo.
“A great opportunity to preach the good news; . . . a platform for the fostering of a culture of evangelism,” this was the reflection of Bledi Leno, Greater New York Conference (GNYC) Multi-Ethnic Ministries director, about the May 21-28 conference-wide evangelistic series hosted by the Greater New York Conference at the Philadelphia church in Bronx, New York. The theme for the series was “Everything Will Be Alright,” with Henry Beras, Greater New York Conference president, as the evangelist for the meeting.
Over the week, GNYC, along with their five ministry sectors: English, Spanish, Korean, Haitian, and Multi-Ethnic, led a significant mission effort that saw more than 75 individuals baptized across the conference and more than 50 individuals in participating countries. Among those were the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
As the evangelistic series began, organizers felt an overwhelming sense that they were on the brink of something special. As they look back on the hand of the Lord, maybe something special can be traced to many unique features that were present.
First is the season and context in which this evangelistic series was conducted. Among those are the real implications of COVID-19, the safety considerations and travel logistics for individuals in attendance, and managing the live broadcast for the virtual audience. This was also the first conference-wide series in more than three years.
Beras indicated that they held the evangelistic series now because “the proclamation of the gospel of Christ is something that we must never cease to do.” But more importantly, he noted that “Though the pandemic has created much desperation and challenges in families and countries across the world, the message of the gospel of Christ must never be seen as a part of the problem or burden, but the solution.”
This context gives reason for the unique approach to this evangelistic series. Beras shared that he felt directed to speak to the harsh realities of the people. It was essential to “think about all the individuals who have lost so many family members, [or those who have] lost jobs. People must be reminded that, in God, everything will be alright.”
“The messages were packaged and presented to capture the most complex theological and salvific concepts in ways that a child could relate,” Earl Baldwin, evangelist and Philadelphia church pastor, said.
Alanzo Smith, Greater New York Conference executive secretary, said, “Dr. Beras was on point in discussing the stories of the Bible and relating them to practical everyday issues of life. It is interesting to see how the challenges and struggles of God’s people today are like those of biblical times. To challenge your listeners to trust God, no matter what, and to believe that He will make everything all right, is a daunting task, especially in these uncertain times. With genuine passion, the preacher touched hearts with hope and healing.”
One of the most notable ministry features throughout the series was the broad ethnic reach of individuals who participated across the conference. Indeed, this evangelistic series embodied the distinctive characteristic that gives this conference its “Greater” effect.
Each night, individuals representing varying ethnic and cultural backgrounds joined hands and hearts to spread the gospel. They prayed, ministered, and rejoiced in their language, and shared the gospel in their ministry sectors and communities.
Strength in diversity was personified in the praise team that ministered throughout the week. The group was comprised of individuals from Kenya, Ukraine, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and the United States. Beras noted, “This was not by accident. The administration was intentional in communicating that it doesn’t matter the language or differences, but that we are a part of one great family, the family of God.” “Our diversity is a key factor in our strength.” It is this idea that Manuel Rosario, GNYC Personal Ministries director, noted that he was “impressed to see firsthand what the Holy Spirit can do when we come together as one body. I felt the presence of God in each one of the services and features of the program.”
Another unique element of this evangelistic series was the dynamics of the preacher-interpreter concept. During the series, Beras spoke in his native tongue while Camil Carvajal, a church member, interpreted. An evangelistic series of this nature provided much insight into greater possibilities. “This was not just a novel experience but a new blueprint for future evangelistic ventures,” Baldwin said. According to Bancroft Daughma, GNYC English Ministries director, these factors led to a “consistent energy and support of the people throughout the week.”
Regarding approaching a major evangelistic series in such a difficult time, Beras noted that initially, he was reluctant to accept the assignment from the evangelism committee. After much prayer and consideration, he felt the need, as GNYC’s chief servant, to lead the way in rekindling the flame of evangelism in New York City. “This was an excellent opportunity for every pastor, member, missionary, and administrator to get involved in the work of evangelism. Regardless of our responsibilities, we must never forget to remind the people of the soon coming of the Lord and that by the grace of God, ‘Everything Will Be Alright, Toda Va Estar Bien.’ ”
Whether it was diversity, the musical gifts presented, the powerful and relevant preaching of the gospel, or sharing with the many baptized individuals, this evangelistic experience was indeed a blessing. And maybe, just maybe, this was the reminder they all needed in a world of great confusion, crime, violence, hate, senseless killings, and ongoing suffering that in Christ, everything will be alright.
This hope prevails in the timeless counsel of Ellen White, “The more you trust your Redeemer, the more you will love Him. . . . Jesus knows every throb of pain, every throe of anguish and distress, and He will give His children grace to endure the afflictions that He permits to come upon them”—Signs of the Times, February 28, 1906.
