You know, they say the wisdom of the elders is in their memories. Now, I’m not old at all, but I have been in this church for a while now, about 9 out of the 11 years. So, I believe that affords me some right to speak with some degree of fondness, about the memories that I recall from when I first joined, at least as many memories as my 9 years can allow me.

I remember a time when people mocked Word Aglow Parish. They said we were a church made up of care workers, and they said it in derogatory terms, like it was a shameful thing to work. I remember it was said that this was a church for university students, who would find better churches after graduation.

Then, I remember us at Derek Street. There were things said about us trying to get a location of worship. That a 4-year-old church made up of care workers and students couldn’t possibly get a building. That a more realistic goal would be to rent a bigger hall or make purchasing a place our 10th-year goal.

Oh, there were insults to Pastor too, for driving a Honda Fit. Like, it was a sin to do ministry with integrity. I wonder if he should have stolen to keep up with appearances. Maybe that would have validated his calling before men.

I remember they also said things about WAP women being “barren.” I hate that word so much. Christian women are waiting or expecting a child; they are not barren. There was only one instance of a truly barren daughter of Abraham, Michal, and it was the result of a curse. But, they said, people had waited for 5, 7, 10 years already. That they should go to a “real” church where God will answer them.

But “when the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, ‘The Lord hath done great things for them.” It means there is a dimension of the glory of God that can be so evident amongst a people that even the heathen, who once asked, “Where is their God?” will testify that of a truth there is a God in Zion.

Do we know this song? “Everybody testifies you are good”.

Even the heathen who sees us can testify that He dwells in the midst of the Cherubim, shines, and glows in Word Aglow.

When men say there is a casting down, that the economy is bad, things are hard. Word Aglow is dedicating new cars, houses, jobs, and babies. We are saying there is a lifting up. When church buildings are being sold off due to low attendance, WAP is looking forward to a bigger auditorium.

I tell you that Satan can testify that he tried to harm us, but there is a hedge around Word Aglow, “for WAP will not need walls, because the Lord shall be a wall of fire around her and the glory in her midst”. “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain”. God has established Word Aglow and the gates of hell cannot prevail against her.

I can tell you, by the authority of the testimonies that I have heard for the 9 years that I have been in this church, that the enemy has come up against us like a flood many times, but the Lord raised up a standard against him, Because we that trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion and Mount Zion cannot be moved.

In a time where pastors are complaining that COVID has caused people to choose online service options, Word Aglow is recording even greater numbers. And I am not just talking about physical increase; I’m also talking spiritual as well. I can testify that I am not the same person who walked into this church 9 years ago. My Bible says, “The weakest among us shall become as strong as David, And a small one a mighty nation.” Oh, He said, “One of you will chase a thousand and two will chase 10,000”, but I stand upon this elevated altar, and I look, and My God! We are more than 2! God said, “I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.” God has given Word Aglow Parish a voice in this city, and I can tell you for free that we are not small. Because there is one that stands in the congregation of the mighty; and that one stands with us.

This is not blind arrogance. We make our boast in Jesus. “For it is not by power or by might but by the Spirit sayeth the Lord.” “For it is not of him that willeth or of him that runneth, but of the Lord that shows mercy.” God has shown Word Aglow Parish a great deal of mercy this past 11 years.

Oh, can we sing that song with conviction? Can we testify of the goodness of God? Of His mercies that have lasted these 11 years and are set to last till eternity? Can we sing melodies from our hearts and lavish them upon the feet of this great King? This one that reigns on high and rules in the affairs of men. This ancient Zion’s King that has continually honoured us with His presence? Can we offer Him praises that will go as a sweet-smelling savour before Him? Offer praises that are due His person? For it has pleased Him to keep and to sustain us. Oh, “bless the Lord oh my soul and forget not His benefits”. Can we give Him praise for magnifying Himself in our midst?

Everybody testifies…..