150th Anniversary of Jarabacoa

This week the town of Jarabacoa is celebrating it's 150th anniversary. All kinds of civic and historic events have been planned. Also, a large stage has been set up in a large empty lot and each night a music artist is being brought in to do a concert. The mayor of the town invited our church to bring Christian artists in to perform on one of those nights. Our pastor took the invitation seriously, believing that this was an opportunity for the Christian community to minister to Jarabacoa.

Yesterday, the day of the concert, it poured rain all afternoon. We were praying that the rain would let up by evening so the event wouldn't need to be cancelled. At about 5:30 p.m. the rain stopped. We at Students International dismissed our weekly staff bible study and had our staff take part in the event. A large crowd gathered inspite of needing to stand in mud. There were people from the various churches and ministries in Jarabacoa as well as many non-Christians.

Throughout the evening there was special prayer for the mayor, prayer for revival, and a powerful message of grace and the love of God was shared through music and testimony.

As we look at revivals of the past, God chose a variety of ways to manifest his presence and bring transformation, but two factors that were always present were a sense of unity among believers and prayer.

Lord, as we call out to you and unite as your children, pour out your transforming presence. Bring revival to Jarabacoa.