A call has been issued to the general public to make time for God this independence, by the Pastor of the People’s Pentecostal Family Church (PPFC) Casmus John. His comments came during a press launch of the annual ‘Praise Festival 2022’ which makes a grand comeback following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
John revealed that the praise festival will this year be held under the theme ‘The Power of Praise’ is a unique event in the church and is geared towards bringing the church in Dominica together for a time of celebration, praise, and thanksgiving to God during the independence season.
The event will be held from Sunday 23 October to Friday 28 October 2022, at the PPFC in Goodwill, and will include featured speaker Pastor Barnaby Joseph, a Dominican-born minister who now resides in St Thomas.
The festivities will open on Sunday with what has been dubbed as a ‘praise explosion,’ which will carry on to Tuesday. On Wednesday, the church will host what is being called a worship experience with the highlight of the week of activities being held on Friday with a grand gospel concert.
According to pastor John, “We have many different talents on board as we have incorporated the different churches across the island. because the praise festival is for all churches. So we extend that we include on the program or the churches, so various pastors will be sharing in prayer and Scripture read in different groups,
individual groups coming out.”
Calling on the nation to make time for God, pastor John stated, “we have so much to be grateful to God for. We are back up as a nation. So many buildings have been rebuilt. So many bridges have been rebuilt. So many roads have been rebuilt, and COVID has affected us so much. And we are saying we have so much to give God praise and thanks for. So the praise festival is an opportunity to bring the nation together.”
“I know we have quite a bit of [activity] around the season going on, but we can’t leave God out of it. And as a church we have organized this event so that we can bring people together to celebrate the goodness of God,” he further declared.
The religious leader noted that an invitation has also been extended to the Government of Dominica, opposition officials, and other dignitaries to attend the week of activities, which for numerous years has been a part of the independence calendar.
Coordinator of the praise concert Kathy Augustine disclosed that unlike previous years, where the event would feature international and regional artists, this year, a decision was taken to highlight the local talent which exists here in Dominica.
This will include performances from Jcro, Solace, Sanctified, Judah Worship, zion praise, the ambassadors, the church’s very own hunger and thirst drama ministry, and various gospel dancers and singers from across the island.
“We just want to encourage you to turn out in large numbers to the praise festival. We are calling not just the Christian community, but also the entire nation,” she said.
“If you can’t come on Sunday, you can come on Monday, or Tuesday. Wednesday is a worship experience, so come on Wednesday to worship God, and don’t forget to make time on Friday to attend the concert,” the Coordinator urged.
While she notes that the event will be free, all are encouraged to walk with an offering. Eats and drinks will also be on sale every night. The nightly event will also be stressed live on the People’s Pentecostal Family Church
Facebook and youtube page.
Selling Jesus and God for that tax free money. Im about to start a church myself. In hopes that my congregation grows to mega church status like TD Jakes and Joel Osteen, the false prophets and swindlers. My question is if the churches are the moral yardstick for us all, why dint they speak up against the wrongdoings in society and with our leaders? scared? i thought God is with them.
“We have organized this event so that we can bring people together to celebrate the goodness of God,” News Article
Yes indeed! That is what it must be. As people of God, we should be celebrating His Goodness, which took place on the special days that He called His people of Ancients day–the Israelites–to do so. One of the most special celebration was the “Passover” which lasted 14 days.
But they were called to walk with God daily, not “make time” for Him, otherwise they would be still lost in the Wilderness.
As God’s people we are called to be His Workmanship for good works; the works which are His works in Love for those who are in need. Those works are to be performed everyday.
“God is Love” and “Time is Love”. This means that our time belongs to God, and He chooses our works, we cannot put it off whenever we feel like doing so.
So the celebration should be named “Celebrating the Goodness of God”; all His Grace of ability in us.
The presence of God in every thing we do is a blessing. However, I want to challenge the clergy, the pastors and the many church goers.
Dominica is awash in corruption and gravely afflicted by the reprehensible behaviour of those in high places. Thousands of resident Dominicans are being deprived of a fulfilling life, and they are physically, emotionally and financially hurt by the dastardly actions of crooks and invalids in power.
Despite these onerous actions by the present public administrators, which are blatantly conspicuous, the church remains inexplicably mum.
These same pastors and their congregants never show up at a protest, the Wednesday Morning Walk, NOTHING!
When ones of influence are silent as injustice and wrongdoings by powerful, public figures swirl around them, that’s can be equated to collusion. The pastors have a bully pulpit but stubbornly refuse to use it. Hypocrites!
I agree Ibo, this sounds more like circus for the masses. I don’t need all this dope to make me forget the misery we going through. My God does not need all this show and noise. Quiet reflection and real charity would me money and time better spent trust me.
It is just that simple, you and Telemakak and your crew make time for God and put your trust in him. You spend too much time on DNO when that time should be invested in God and ask for forgiveness with all this nonsense you keep disgorging on DNO. There are too many confessional boxes out there that you can go to and give your heart and soul back to God. and ask him to shower down some blessings on the Supreme Leader, The Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit.