Word from our Pastor
November 2020
Dear Friends,
Greetings in Jesus’ name!
Emmanuel Methodist Church was born out of a revival that took place in the year 1874 under the preaching of Rev. William Taylor known as the Californian evangelist. The church has experienced many revivals since then. But one of the key revivals was during the second tenure of Rev. Alfred Schneck from 1956-1961. He was very weary from preaching his heart out morning and evening. One evening he invited Rev. Wilfred Kurt, missionary with the Strict Baptist Mission to preach. That night Rev. Schneck walked to the altar and gave his life to Christ. EMC was never the same after this act of commitment. Of course from time to time there were revivals under other pastors, too.
We are in the midst of a year with many twists and turns which are not normal. Maybe it is time for a fresh beginning and revival. A time for a renewal of our spiritual life and a deepening of our faith and an increasing intimacy with God. A time for the revival of the vibrancy of our faith.
But how can this happen?
First, the scriptures reveal that revival is the work of God and not a working up of our own faith. It is God taking initiative and bringing in new life in his people
Secondly, revival happens when God’s people begin to pray earnestly. As the late J. Edwin Orr who has done a study of the revivals in history says, Whenever God is ready to do something new with His people, He always sets them to praying.
Whenever God is ready to do something new with His people, He always sets them to praying.
And it starts with the leadership. When the leadership begins to earnestly pray God begins to move. Nehemiah is a good example of informed burden for the condition of his people which sets him praying. His was a prayer that was passionate, specific, and sustained.
Thirdly, God moves circumstances in response to prayer. As Nehemiah prays the king sanctions Nehemiah’s leave provides him safe passage to Jerusalem and the materials for the rebuilding of the walls. God will move circumstances to make revival possible.
Fourthly, God begins to move people to begin to do their part in it. Revival is a community affair and each one builds the wall nearest to them.
Fifthly, God continues to revive his people despite hitches. No revival is without opposition. There will always be people who are not in favor of it. The only way of overcoming it is by more prayer and continuing to build one’s part of the wall in faith.
Sixthly, revival results in restoration of intimacy with God. A restoration of relationship with God as a community. It is seen in returning to the proclamation, listening, forsaking of sin and obedience to the word of God. In other words going back to the Bible.
Seventhly, there is celebration, praise and glory to God. After the wall was built in 52 days there was a great celebration and worship. One of the marks of revival is spontaneous worship of God. Revival results in a worship that exalts the Lord. A worship that brings glory to God.
As we go through the book of Nehemiah, we will see how God enabled a restoration of the walls of Jerusalem from an impossibly broken-down situation.
Come let us pray, plan and obey God for he wants to revive us. As J. Edwin Orr said, We don’t have to convince an unwilling God to come and refresh us with His presence. He’s for it. But, He cannot be manipulated. But when sincere hearts who know they cannot do His work nor His will without Him, humbly pray, He will answer.
Pray, plan and obey God for he wants to revive us.
Let us as a church seek the face of a God who wants to revive us and cry with the Psalmist, Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? (Psalm 85:6)
In Christ
Pastor John R. A. Simeon
(On behalf of the Pastoral Team)
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