Tim and Maryl were privileged to return to Columbia Heights Assembly of God in Longview, WA (we had our first WWOB seminar there in Dec 06!) with Pastor Kent Doehne. The whole weekend was alive with song and passion. We shared on Saturday concerning the New Song (Psalm 40:3) in the morning and about Songwriting for Worship in the afternoon. People from many churches attended the sessions which of course, thrills my heart and I know God smiles in these seasons between churches. We saw tremendous growth through the leadership of Worship Pastor Todd Beal (he came there just 9 months ago) and the collective effort of the whole worship team.
Sunday morning was a delight to see how far the church had come in a year. Todd led the worship with a full choir of jubilant worshipers. The singers’ harmonies were tight and vibrant and the musicians were solid and strong. I shared on the Song of Faith with many stories from around the world of worshipers being released and many new converts coming to Jesus in the worship services. The Sunday evening service was especially delightful as many churches again came together for a community praise and worship night. We actually had 3 sets of worship leaders: Todd let the first set; Duane and Sandy Kirkwood, the former worship pastor at Columbia Heights and an old friend of ours; and then Maryl and I led the last set. It was delicious to see the variety of worship and the great response of about 300 people from different churches coming together in common cause: Jesus Christ.
I ministered on forgiveness and unity and halfway through, the altar was lined with earnest people seeking forgiveness from a loving God (who is ‘good and ready to forgive’).
Then I shared on the unity that I saw God wanting to do in the area through all the churches represented and had all the pastors come down and we prayed over them. Powerful night and a great spirit of forgiveness, unity and love was fostered in the name of Jesus I believe.
God bless you all at Columbia Heights! May God continue to do His perfect work in your hearts and lives.
Dr. Tim and Maryl Smith