New Year Evening Revival Service at the Washington DC Convention Center

(Update 01/17/06 - Two Youtube clips on the musical group performances at the Friday night revival service are found here and here)

Last Friday I was invited to check out prolific author, televangelist, and pastor Bishop T.D. Jakes, who gave a New Year Evening Revival Service at the fairly new Washington, DC Convention Center.

The service sessions which ran from Wednesday, January 3, to Friday, January 5, were sponsored by two local area churches, the Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church and the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. The lead pastors from the respective churches, Pastors Alfred Owens, Jr, and John K. Jenkins, Sr, spoke to the massive audience at 7 pm to challenge the audience a sacrificial gift/offering and introduce the lead speaker and others of significance.

The YA leadership was hoping a large group of the young people from my church could attend. Unfortunately, we did not get plenty of time to promote the event. Just a few of us were able to make the Friday night session.

Still, it was a great event.

It was my first time to attend one of his events. The revival service was what I was expecting: A highly impacted, spirit-filled experience. The number of people attending the event was probably in the thousands. I'm guessing at least 5,000 attended the Friday night revival. Last year, a Washington Post article cited that over 10,000 people attend the event.

The combined choirs from the two predominantly Black churches started the service. After that, the lively music from Pastor Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir got the crowd standing up, clapping their hands in unison, and tapping their feet with their unique rendition of Urban Contemporary Gospel songs. With one particular song, Pastor Walker got us moving our hands in synchronized unison.

S_____ and I were located several rows away from the platform. Fortunately, we were able to watch the platform on a large, wide screen, one of a dozen screens against the facing wall.

Bishop Jakes didn't start speaking until around 9 pm. When we finally saw him appear on screen, he appeared as what I expected: large and neatly dressed in a freshly pressed navy blue suit. His voice was not what I expected. I've listened to him on tapes and radio and infrequently watched him on television. I expected a thunderous voice bellowing from this large man.

Instead, I heard the calm voice of a man with a tone filled with kindness and boldness.

His sermon revolved around two pieces of Scripture: John 3:22-36 and Psalms 34:1-3.

He talked about how we as His followers, Christians, should praise Him no matter what the situation is. If we are filled with happiness and joy or if we are surrounded by pains and struggles, we should praise our God.

Then, he uttered a simple phrase to the audience as a prophetic word for the group about the upcoming year.

2007 will be a year of increase.

He did not limit the word as merely an increase in finances, but I could recall a few examples of the types of increase: increase of His presence, increase in our relationships, and increase in ministry. Hundreds of people were literally dancing and jumping in the aisles as the Word was spoken. A handful of times the service stopped for prayer. People were raising their hands to praise God during the proceeding.

Near the end of the service, the musicians returned in front of the platform to sing. That was around 10:30 pm. I was surprised to see people entering the convention during that time interval.

As a last act, like in other revival services, there was an alter call. A moment of silence presented itself as people pondered.

The young walked toward the platform. The aged moved toward that same direction.

The women gathered around the stage. The men marched toward the same direction.

The bold rushed quickly, while the hesitant waited momentarily before they decided to take a step in that direction.

Numerous people decided that night to open their hearts. After the alter call, the crowd slowly dissipated.

My last thought before I walked out of the center, "There is something about a Pentecostal revival service held in DC to get people jumping in their seats and opening their hearts to our Lord."

I felt a sense of gladness.

S and I met up with M_____ just outside the meeting room. We also saw a new church attendee participate in the proceeding.

After the service, we walked to Clyde's near the Gallery Place/Chinatown area metrorail stop for a quick dessert and fellowship. We, or should I say "me", ended up eating a full meal. A special note to myself: DO NOT plan extensive dinner service at Clyde's after 11 pm on a Friday night. Most patrons congregated at the bar sections of the restaurant, enjoying Happy Hour social events, probably relaying their recent holiday celebrations to each other and talking about their plans for the upcoming year.

Do you have plans for the upcoming year? Are there any changes for 2007? What kind of "increase" are you hoping for?

technorati tags: DC churches; TD Jakes; Revival Service; New Year; 2007