Another week was spent in Spiritual revival at AIIAS through the Week of Prayer on January 21-26, 2019.
AIIAS invited guest speaker and evangelist, Dr. Dan Smith, senior pastor of Garden Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church in California. His zeal for ministry has brought him to places such as Ghana, India, Malaysia, Jamaica, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe. He has brought his passion for creative evangelism and nurturing people to every kind of church.
Themed “Awesome God”, Smith’s sermons focused on the character of God with emphasis on how God is the giver of life, not one who causes harm and takes life. He elaborated his messages with modern-day parables as examples through dramatization about the mercy, love, patience, and sacrifices of God.
“Be very careful about what you say about God,” stated Smith. “Every time you and I question Him, remember that God gave His Son as the ultimate sacrifice. The cross settles it. Thieves take life away, God came to give life.”
Smith’s many stories about miracles were supported by verses that showed God’s character and His everlasting grace to those who have unwavering faith in Him. He magnified the goodness of God despite trials, hardship, and tribulation. He urged people to see God differently in times of suffering.
“Even if there was no heaven, there was no mansion or eternal life, I would still be a follower of Jesus down here,” appealed Smith as he repeatedly emphasized God’s call for people to come to Jesus.
In conjunction with the Week of Prayer was the remaining five days of the 10 Days of Prayer series. This opened an opportunity for prayer and fasting as the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist church community gathered together to seek spiritual revival from the Holy Spirit. Selected speakers from the AIIAS community obtained materials that were prepared by the Ministerial Association of the Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters, “Topics discussed were featured real-life lessons, Bible promises, and encouraging Spirit of Prophecy quotes to strengthen one’s daily walk with Christ.”
Students and families from AIIAS also joined together in an all-night prayer marathon where assigned members of communities led in the singing and prayer sessions that completed the hours of the evening. Prayers of adoration, confession, supplication, and thanksgiving echoed through the walls of the Function Hall where the event took place.
“Pastor Dan Smith ministered to my spirit in all of the Week of Prayer sessions. I believe God used him to help me contemplate on what direction to take after I complete my studies in May. The prayer sessions helped me to be connected with God through the reading and study of His word. My life has become more purposeful. The prayer marathon was also a great blessing as it has given me peace in the present and assurance for the future,” shared Arnulfo Arboleda, Master of Divinity student at the AIIAS Theological Seminary.
This Week of Prayer and 10 Days of Prayer was organized by the AIIAS Administration, Chaplaincy Department, and the AIIAS Adventist Church.
