APOSTOLIC News

EAST MANHATTAN, NEW YORK - August 7, 2010. East Mannhattan had no true idea of what had descended on them. Forty-something, on fire, holy ghost filled, Apostolic, young people walked off of airplanes and climbed down from their travel vehicles with a vision and a purpose in mind. The young singles, couples and families came from Colorado, Kansas and Alabama to join Pastor and Sis. Ramirez of the “House of God” church in outreach and mission’s work. Although fun and touring were also on the agenda, each one involved had an understanding that this trip had a specific purpose in mind. That purpose and mission was to blitz the projects of East Manhattan with 3,000 flyers; and to have a holy ghost outpouring in the amphitheater at the projects and at the “House of God.”  Pastor Ramirez’s military background was exemplified through the mission and  strategy he had prepared, and in place, for this youthful army of the Lord.  Each day began with prayer and with instructions from the leadership. Friday evening Pastor Ramirez presented his vision and his strategy, the choir practiced with anointing and intent and the equipment was organized and prepared for the next day’s events.  Saturday morning, the mission’s team arrived refreshed for a season of intense prayer. After physical refreshment’s following their seven mile (it seemed, but was more realistically like 1.5 or 2 miles) journey to Dunkin’ Donuts, they prepared to hit the streets.

The Alabama team was on food duty, a cleaning team was in place to get the church ready for evening service, the Colorado and Kansas team members were split up into outreach teams and members from Colorado and Alabama were assigned to help with equipment. Excitement was mounting and expectation was in the air! God was getting ready to open new doors and move in a mighty way. Bro. Ramirez prayed for protection, direction, anointing and boldness for the team members and  then the troops were on the move. Some teams hung flyers on doors inside the projects,  while the street teams walked up and down the main streets passing out invitations. The project outreach teams split up throughout the projects and focused on getting handbills into the hands of each person coming out of the buildings, and going in.  Hearts were open, people began to display hunger and to ask questions. One lady shared that she needed prayer because she had a problem with alcohol and others were simply jaded by life and desired hope and peace.

Recording artists and Apostolic ministers, Men of Judah, opened the concert and praise service in the outdoor amphitheater with powerful worship as the Holy Ghost began to fall. The Alabama team was serving hot dogs, chips and drinks to each visitor as they came. Those not singing or leading the service sat with visitors and greeted guests, while contributing to the atmosphere of praise and worship. Around 300 people were fed physically and spiritually. While Men of Judah, the choir and the praise teams led in worship sinners began to weep as they felt for possibly the first time, the sweet presence of the Lord.  Many joined in singing the songs they knew, while others stood off to the side and watched in amazement and abject hunger.

A young lady began to weep in the presence of the Lord, while many of the team gathered around to pray with her. This simply opened the door for others to feel comfortable enough to reach out also. God began to move! Members of the mission team began to dance and shout before the Lord; and to seek out individuals in the crowd to pray with as the Holy Ghost led them. Tears were shed, the stories of lives in sin were shared, requests for healing and deliverance began to come forth and lives were touched. Bro. Fabian Gray of Pueblo, CO gave his testimony of how God delivered him from a crack addiction; and healed and restored him after he was shot in the head at a crack house. A young man in the crowd wept as he showed the scar where a bullet was lodged in his head from a similar experience. He shared that God had brought him by the amphitheater, at that particular moment, to see what was going on.

Services were held Saturday evening at the House of God with visitors in attendance. One lady attended who was also at the park service, and she received the glorious gift of the Holy Ghost. Other visitors were weeping and seeking for the Lord as mission’s team members prayed and worked under the anointing. Many members of the mission’s team wept as the burden for souls, and to be used of God, hit them and God also began to change their lives. Sunday Morning, the Holy Ghost came once again as the Ramirez family and saints led the service in bilingual worship and Pastor Paul Elder of Pueblo, CO ministered. A child also received the Holy Ghost on Sunday morning. Altogether, three people received the gift of the Holy Ghost through the prayers, fasting and outreach efforts of all those involved.

What a sad thought it is to think that the city considered to be the gateway to freedom for the world, and that is famously known for the Statue of Liberty, would still be so utterly bound by sin. However, when God steps in and radical, unwavering faith is unleashed strongholds must fall and chains will be broken! East Manhattan, NY is headed into mighty revival and God is doing things in the realm of the spirit beyond carnal understanding. This is only the beginning of even greater things yet to come.  Please keep Pastor and Sis. Ramirez, their sweet children and the beautiful saints of the “House of God” continually in prayer. God has miracles already in process for this church and for East Manhattan.