Pizza & Jesus - Jerry Gaffney
February 8, 2003
Pizza & Jesus - Jerry Gaffney
My heart broke tonight. Night after night, for the last month, God has been up to something. Ask yourself this question. How many people have been saved in your church so far this year? How many people ran to the altars - before the altar call - and asked to be saved? How many people came and fell on their knees and asked our Precious Saviour into their lives? How many people stayed at the altar when a pot luck or free pizza was being served in the fellowship hall?
Last week, I wrote about the young people who have been coming to the meetings at Central Park Neighborhood Church in Aberdeen, Washington. Last Wednesday, over 20 kids came to the altar to give their hearts to Jesus. The had been bussed in. I thought I would only see them on Wednesday, but that was not so. They came Thursday and Friday also. I asked them if this was fun, and if they liked what the Lord was doing. They said YES! I said, "If you bring your friends, I will offer free pizza."
Well, I didn't think too many would come. So, BIG faith for me was to have pizza for 100. Well, let me tell you, Jesus had something else in mind. When I drove up to the parking lot, it was full. I don't know why that did not excite me, but when they opened the doors, the power of God was present to heal, save and deliver. The sanctuary was as full as it could be. People were standing everywhere. Kids, adults, teenagers - everyone you would want to come. Most of them were not from the church.
What drew them? It could not have been pizza. I know it was not me. So, it was my Holy Spirit. He had decided to touch so many. I only wish you had seen it. Last Wednesday, we had 20 kids; today we had 160 people. When I gave the altar call, they came running - adults and kids. Over 45 people in the first wave. Then 15 more came afterwards. Over 35 percent of those in the building got saved last night. It was awesome! A man named Paul (he is the Assistant Fire Chief in the area) looked at me and said, "Jerry, they didn't even run to the pizza. They stayed at the altar. They sat in the hallway with their Bibles open, talking about Jesus. This is amazing."
In a time when churches are closing - in a time when denominations brag about the fact they are the slowest-decreasing denomination in America - I want to tell you, Jesus is on the move! We have already seen over 460 people come back to Jesus in the first 4 weeks of this year. We have seen drug addicts, not just saved, but totally delivered from drugs. We have seen so many delivered from the depression and emptiness of life, as they have found their first love one more time.
Oh, my friends, I need your prayers. If you are in Washington, please, come to the meetings if you can. If not please pray the Lord will continue what He is doing here. So many are coming. So many are being touched. So many are being delivered from pain. Please, pray it does not stop. Please, pray we have the wisdom to continue in the way it will bring glory to the Lord. Please, pray about supporting us in this effort to build a stronghold for Jesus in the Pacific Northwest. I hope to hear from you.
May the Commanded Blessing be upon thee,
With Love Jerry http://www.annointed.net
Location: North West, WA, United States Website: http://www.annointed.net
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