Samoan Camp Meeting
10th July-13th July 2014
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be moved, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Psalm 49: 1-11
Our wonderful God had blessed us with such a great camp meeting which was held in Apia, the capital city of Samoa from the 10th till 13th July, 2014. We had excellent weather and everyone who travelled from the other islands and overseas made it there safely. The Lord was extremely merciful and gracious towards us all.
Everyone arrived and gathered at the meeting place on Thursday and Friday. It was a beautiful Friday morning when Br Anton Salavyov began some bible studies with some visitors and then he spent time with the rest of the church, speaking about the Temple and its gates in the early evening on Friday. Even though it was very late in the night, some visitors were so anxious to hear more about the word of God and the IMS Principles of Faith. They were so absorbed and wanted to hear more, that even tiredness and lack of rest did not trouble them.
It was a cool, blessed night, when all who were present opened and welcomed the lovely blessings of the Sabbath evening. At the end of this special service, all were invited to have dinner provided by the local church members.
The meeting was continued throughout the Sabbath day service with everyone discussing and testifying the love of Jesus in their individual journey with Him. Br Salavyov preached about Jesus the only gate where the saints could enter heaven. No one could enter heaven without coming through the main door, who was Jesus. Jesus was the only Shepherd that His people must follow and obey. There was no other way where we could be saved, it was only the name of Jesus and His merits.
The youth had a marvellous time with the whole church during the young people’s meeting and we all closed Sabbath together with a dinner afterwards. We welcomed the new week with another blessed meeting conducted by Br Salavyov. During that meeting all the candidates for baptism had an opportunity again to discuss and confirm their unity in the faith.
It was a bit cloudy on a Sunday morning, where everyone gathered together again to prepare for baptism. God moved through the work of the Holy Spirit in the souls who had made their decisions to give their lives for Jesus as personal Saviour.
There were 22 baptised members before God on this beautiful day. It was a day of sharing tears of joy, not only at Mulinuu sea side, but also in heaven where the heavenly angels rejoiced and sang songs of praise when they witnessed these precious souls giving their all to the Lord.
This significant ceremony was attended by all members and visitors. Then each new member was welcomed to God’s family by a special service and hand shake from Br Salavyov and members of the church in Samoa. The youth had prepared a delicious meal to welcome everyone and all had a great time thanking and praising God for all the wonderful miracles He had done in people’s hearts.
May we all continue to pray for all these new souls and for the work in Samoa to be guided and led wholly by God Himself.
I would like to thank everyone for their help and support throughout the whole camp meeting.
“For the Lord shall comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places, and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the gardens of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody. Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgement to rest for a light of the people.” Isaiah 51: 3&4
