I was in a nursing home during the Seekonk Crusade ministering to the patients. This particular nursing home was filled with many patients who were mentally challenged from previous alcohol and drug useage. What surprised me most was the fact that so many of the patients were surprised that we even wanted to come in and pray for them. According to the activities director, this was not a facility which the local churches came into. The following 2 testimonies stand out from this facilitiy: One elderly gentleman was sitting outside smoking a cigarette when he rededicated his life to the Lord. Afterwards, he told me that he was a retired priest from some small local Catholic Church. A second elderly gentleman came running down a flight of stairs looking for me after I had prayed the prayer of salvation with him. He grabbed my hand and asked me to pray for him as he was in liver failure. As I prayed for him, the anointing fell and you could see the peace of God come over this man. Afterwards he said, “thank you so much for praying for me, I believe that God has healed me.” The man was smiling from ear to ear after I prayed for him.

Elizabeth H
Mango Florida United States

Last Sunday at The River Church at Tampa Bay we took eight buses and three vans and picked up children and their families for church and a Christmas toy give away.  It was an amazing experience to look into the eyes of people as they got on the bus.  I had seen some of them only a few days earlier unsaved and without hope.  As they got on the bus they were smiling and happy to be going to church. 
 
It is wonderful beyond words to be joined with people of like precious faith full of love and the power of the Holy Spirit whose hearts are for the unsaved.  I have been saved for twenty-seven years and have been involved in many aspects of lay ministry.  Nothing I have ever done in ministry has been as fulfilling and exciting as bringing souls into the Kingdom. 
 
Last Sunday we had the honor and privilege of ministering the Gospel and demonstrating the love of Jesus to hundreds of  children and their families.  We were able to impact their lives for eternity, because now they have Jesus in their heart and a place to go to church where they are taught the Word. 
 
Nothing compares with the joy of seeing someone transformed right before my very eyes, because they are not only hearing the good news but they are also being touched by His love and power. I get to do this every week through The River Church soul winning ministry.  We go out in teams to areas all over our community.  We knock on doors, get on buses, and talk to people on the streets.  We find that people are eager to hear about Jesus and make him Lord of their lives.

The River church in Tampa lead by Pastor Rodney-Browne has been making tremendous impacts in its surrounding communities. Pastor Howard-Browne, a man chasing after God, has put into play various programs to penetrate the communities of Tampa.  Some of these programs are the weekly food drives, the bus ministry that started out with a couple of vans, which currently running almost a half-dozen charter buses, the toy drive for the holiday season , and the daily gospel outreach. The reason that these programs have been so successful is because Pastor Rodney and everyone else in the church has seen and grasp how important it is to reach the people of Tampa. They have see how God has impacted and changed their lives, and want to share it, they understand that we as followers of Christ, have to get out into the streets and share the love of Christ. This is why the altars on Sunday morning are being filled. The people of Tampa are seeing people who actually care about them and their salvation.

This past week Pastor Rodney hosted Operation Raven at his church. The turnout was amazing. Family upon family showed together on Sunday morning to take part in this massive outreach. Food and toys were given out, but most of all, over three hundred and forty men, women and children gave there hearts to the lord.  This is what is at the center of every event at the River. It’s to see people come to know the love of Christ and build a relationship with him. Currently the river has seen over seventy-three thousand decisions for Christ in the past year. That is why the River at Tampa bay is making a difference. They keep true to what works when it comes to reaching people, love.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 KJV

For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
Ephesians 6:12 AMP

God created you to be free and live free. Even now, His plan for you is to be free—in your spirit, in your soul and in your body. None of us is born into freedom—we are born into the bondage of sin. Sin exalts itself against the truth of God’s word and habitual sin is a stronghold in your mind. The key to your freedom from bondage and demonic strongholds lies in your obedience and submission to Christ.

The enemies we face in this life are not other people, but the devil and his demons. His ultimate plan is to kill you and send you to a lost eternity through sin and disobedience. If he can get you to take others with you, if he can get you to destroy other lives, he will do it. He doesn’t care what you do as long as the end result is eternal death—eternal separation from God. The greatest lie of the devil is that your freedom lies in following your own impulses and lusts. He is there to tempt you and to drag you down into the gutter of sin as far as he can. He knows full well that the wages of sin is death. The devil’s plan is to get you so tied up in sin that you cannot break free—to erect strongholds of sin and rebellion in your mind that keep you in bondage and drive you deeper into sin and death.

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:12-13 NKJV

Sin is a deceiver—it is never satisfied—it is like a fire that cannot be quenched. Once you start on a particular path of sin, you will find that you are always drawn in deeper and deeper. Sin comes to harden your heart and pull you away from God—His protection and His blessings. When people—even Christians—yield to sin and make it a way of life, their heart becomes harder and harder and they move further and further away from the Living God. You are either both moving toward God, and freedom, and away from sin and bondage, or you are moving away from God and freedom, and toward sin and bondage.

The more you yield to temptations, the more you lose control of your own life. Sin is ruling and dominating you more and more. It’s a slippery slope. As you yield to sin and fleshly lusts, so you are yielding yourself also bit by bit into the control of the devil—all the time he is gaining more and more dominion in your life. You find yourself at a place where you are powerless to stop on your own—you need divine intervention! The devil’s plan is to defile God’s special creation—Man—so that he can possess and control them. Because the devil is a thief, even after you give your heart and life to Jesus, he is trying to tempt, deceive, control and destroy you. The devil wants to live in your house, but God says that you are created to be the temple of the Living God!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 AMP says, “Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own].” You have been bought and paid for by the precious blood of Jesus and you owe Him your life. The devil has no right to try to move in to a house that already belongs to God! Verse 20 goes on to say, “So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.” You have an obligation to yourself to keep your house pure and clean. When you honor God, you keep the devil out!

God gives us armor for protection and weapons to fight the good fight. The weapons of our warfare are not weapons we can see, hear, touch, taste or smell—they are not man’s weapons—they are spiritual weapons. Our armor is truth, integrity, righteousness, the reality of the Gospel, faith, and salvation and our weapons are the Word of God and prayer. God’s word is a blueprint for a life of freedom and joy—now and in eternity. We can each choose this freedom by choosing obedience to God, His word and His way.

I was born on Kauai and went to Bi Island 15 years ago. I have been witnessing on my island, but today was the first time I witnessed on Kauai where I was born and I led 9 people to Jesus today. All of the people I witnessed to knew me and they commented that I was radiant and a different person than when I lived here. They appreciated what I was doing and told her that Kauai needs this.

I never thought I would do bus ministry, my brother had done bus ministry and I remember him always talking about the people and how rewarding it was. Well, he was right, I’ve been involved in a lot of helps ministry at the River but this is by far my favorite because I’m walking in my destiny simply by meeting the needs of the people; ministry.

That’s what ministry is all about no matter if it’s in Tampa or across this country or even on the other side of the world, and I must say its nice not to have to be jet lagged in order to see hundreds of people get saved and blessed and lives changed. We can do what the bible talks about in Acts 1:8 “….and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.”  This past Sunday The River @ Tampa Bay that’s exactly what we did, we hosted “Operation Raven” where we gave away hundreds of boxes of food and toys to underprivileged families in need.

I was lucky enough to be a part of this seeing first hand the faces of the children and the parents get on the bus feeling exhausted and beaten done with the cares of life and after service feeling refreshed and blessed, saying “you don’t know how much I needed this food”, or saying “I love this church, this is a good church,” I overheard another lady on my bus talk about how at home she felt and comfortable because she wasn’t able to dress up at other churches she felt embarrassed or out of place but at ‘her church’ she knew she would feel loved no matter what she was wearing. This is what ministry is all about, and I’m thankful that I can be apart of a church who practices what it preaches. I’ve been down here five years and every year God stretches and grows us, I can’t wait to see what He will do next!

Lou Ann C
Not known Hawaii United States

During Math class 2nd period, I read the script to Leizell during the last 30 min. of class (free time) and she accepted Jesus into her heart. My friend Tyren asked her how she felt and she said she felt happy.

I am grateful to God for joining me to the River Church Ministry. In the deepest part of my soul I have yearned for God to use me to be a witness for Him. My desire has always been to go deeper in the things of God. My life’s goal was to be used by God in the fullest and to touch the lives of people with the love of God. I longed to be used as a mouthpiece to do and to say the things He wanted me to say and to be bold while doing it. I had been looking for a church like the River since I was 21 and now that I am here I truly believe that God has fulfilled one of the deepest desires of my heart.

Everything I wanted in a church home the River provided. Since being here I am in awe at how God answered my prayer in detail. Since coming to the River I have been eternally changed from the inside out and I have been used mightily to touch the lives of many people. I am grateful to God for allowing me to be apart of such a Holy Spirit filled church. I believe the vision of Pastor Rodney and Adonica to see souls saved is evident in our church and the vision has passed down to the congregation and has now become the heartbeat of my life.

Because of this ministry I now feel revived, alive and energized to fulfill the call of God on my life. As a result, of Pastor Rodney & Adonica and the River church family I now have a passion for lost and a greater hunger for the things of God. I know that since coming here my hunger and thirst for God has heightened and my craving for souls and the things of God will last a lifetime.

Joyce P
Kauai Hawaii United States

All week I have seen soul-winners going out. I went soul-winning in Maui. I am a director of minstry. I am getting lots of feedback from the people winning souls.

On Sunday, December 13th, we in the bus ministry had to be at the church earlier than the normal time of  7:00am.  We were expecting a larger crowd than usual due to the fact that on this particular Sunday, we were to give out toys and bicycles to the children for Christmas.

Well, it was a good thing we started earlier for my usual route because the buses were full after the first two stops, but we were prepared with another bus just two blocks away.  Normally, the buses are about 1/3 less filled.

All the kids were very excited and had to wear wrist bands in order to receive their present.

My being in the food ministry also, gave me another viewpoint.  I could see a very busy day loading the boxes of food to be distributed later after service.

We have a very faithful group of bus riders who help in this ministry.  It’s an all male group that helps load the boxes of food on the buses each week.  We have gotten to know each other very well and enjoy each others’ company while doing the ‘behind the scenes’ work.

But on this particular Sunday, we asked if anyone would mind helping, if needed, to hand out the toys.  Although we had already been told that we had plenty of help, not one single guy said, “No”.

They really are a special group of men, because what they do each Sunday is hard work and with the holidays around the corner, we are expecting to get even busier.  But, that only makes us even happier to know that we are going to be really busy!!!  Praise God!

This Sunday we all had a great time and everyone left in high spirits.

We are all looking forward to next Sunday.  It promises to be an truly exciting time for us that are involved with the bus and food ministries.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Praise God!!

Vince V
Not known Hawaii United States

This was my first time soul-winning. There was a scary looking guy that was smiling afterwards. I led 5 people to the Lord. Go for it.

I was thrilled to serve my house and Pastor’s Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne with an awesome Super Sunday week-end [13^th December] 09. Being apart of The River Tampa Bay church, as well as being a Bible school student has changed my life. The things God has shown me, taught me, etc have been life changing.

 On the 13^th of December, I had the privilege of working with The River Kids. Little did I know what a surprise I was in for. Growing up with parents who are pastors, travelling the world with them on revivals, I could say that I’ve had my fair share of attending more than 100 different children’s churches. But I can truly say that Sunday, the 13^th of December, was something I had never quite experienced before, in a Children’s Church. At the age of 20, I truly wanted to be a child again.

 I had never heard such a massive scream in my life, as to who loved Jesus – The boys against the girls. Competitions that even I found I couldn’t take my eyes off of. The children were truly captivated with the message Joe Manner had put across to them, using eggs, whipped cream, and water as a demonstration of sin and how God washes us clean. (I’m sure you can imagine how fun that would be.) The children learned about how God loved them – and watching 154 children give their lives to Jesus, in just 1 service, was powerful. We also gave away toys (including bikes), to all the children between the ages of 0-16years.

 Never before had I seen such a change in children. They had walked in the doors of The River Kids in the morning with such a weight on their shoulders, to then them leaving with smiles, toys, and the joy. They, having had the most fun in a long time, with a message of how special they, are and how Jesus loved them. Children of all ages, backgrounds, and races; at the end of the service, all had something in common – that Jesus lived in their hearts. I’m beyond blessed to have helped out with The River Kids.

Sedrick L
Hawaii United States

Today I preached to 5 people it was awesome, it was a new experienced to me. I would love to do it again. Jessica was a cool leader. she helped us a lot because at first we—really shy it was fun

This was my first Sunday in the children’s church. We arrived at the church at 8.am and were given information and our assignments for the day. The children were to sit on the floor along marked lines, boys on one side and girls on one side. My job was mainly to be responsible for the girls on two of the front rows.

 I felt like things over all went quite smoothly in children’s church this day, taken into consideration the number of children that was present, and the fact that for many of them it was their first time coming. I believe that was both because the qualifications of the regular workers and the presence of the anointing.

 It seemed like the kids enjoyed all the games, and also the excitement when four bikes were given away. When it came time for preaching to the kids, the children’s minister painted a very vivid picture of Jesus suffering and death. The children listened well most of the time. It seemed like at the end, though, some of them had reached the end of their attention-span. When the alter call was given, approximately 150 children responded. It was great to know that many of these children had come on the buses and was a harvest from the church’s soul winning efforts. We know there was great rejoicing in heaven.

 I noticed especially a little girl of maybe 7 or 8 years of age that probably came on one of the buses. She seemed to be a little easily distracted, and I was thinking she might be from a difficult home-situation. As the gospel was preached, I was not sure whether she listened to what was said or not. But when the alter call was given I was happy to see that she went forward together with all the other children.

 It is wonderful to see how the kids respond to the gospel. We as adults have a lot to learn from them. I am reminded of how Jesus told the disciples in Matt.18 that they had to change and become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven. It seems to be easier for children to humble themselves and realize that they their need for help and a savior.

Dolly C
Hawaii United States

Awesome time now I am in the Salvation Army. I always had fear when it came to witnessing. Today was not a problem. We witnessed in a town I previously lived in growing up. I saw some familiar faces and had boldness to approach them. Everyone I led to the Lord was very open and touched. I asked God, “Where’s the children?” He answered immediately. A bus load drove in. Ministered to them. My heart yearns for children and single women. It was easy. I led 2 boys to the Lrod and could see them transformed. I can say from today on I am able to share the Gospel. Just do it. Praise God!

This past Sunday, December 13^th, the River Church had an amazing outreach called Operation Raven. The church gave out 1,000 toys to kids in need of presents, boxes of food to each family, hot dogs for the kids, and even a bike give away. Over 300 church members volunteered to make this event happen. There was such an exuberant spirit of joy among all the volunteers. It was obvious that each one had donated their time willingly to help make Operation Raven possible. I was so blessed to be a part of Operation Raven and help reach out to so many kids.

     When I arrived at the church at seven thirty in the morning, there were already parents with there kids in line to register for the toy give away. The church did not open the doors until nine. I thought to myself, they think that they are here to get presents for their kids and food for the week, but today they are getting the greatest gift anyone could receive, eternal life. 

     After praise and worship, I worked in the production room over at the kid’s church. Joe Manno, a fantastic kids’ evangelist, was preaching an awesome salvation message and because I was in the back production room, I got to see the kid’s faces up close on the different camera shots.. Kids were weeping under the presence of God. Lives were impacted for eternity. When Joe Manno gave the altar call, 159 kids ran forward to give their hearts to Christ.

     The whole day was supernatural. From the first down beat of worship, to the altar call, to the toy give away, the Spirit of God moved and coordinated the day so everything flowed smoothly. The proof of the pudding was the souls that were saved all because the Body of Christ came together and operated as God intended it to.

Cora R
Not known Hawaii United States
New Plymouth (No State) New Zealand