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We went as a college group from Bogenhofen Seminary to Kingston in Jamaica. Every one of us knew in which hotel we would stay during that time, in which churches we would be, how many members the different churches would have, how many people would attend the meetings (estimated), and how many people would be baptized at the end (estimated).
As we came to the orientation day in Kingston we got to know that for certain reasons we could not stay in the hotel. Our group was split and put into three different private homes. There were some problems with the food, with the money, etc. Likewise we would not go to the churches we should have. So everything changed.
I came to a church called Sandy Park Church. One day before the meetings would start I met with some elders of the church. I had the strong impression that there was no program and no organization at all. This evening I gave them hints for the evening meeting programs. I also gave them the material for the health talks and the family talks. But the next evening and all through the next two weeks I recognized that this church was well organized. They almost always picked me up at home very punctually. They asked people from other churches to sing at our church. We had always two special songs in our meetings. The church is very kind, caring and organized.
I want to share some experiences that became special to me.
(1) One evening a young man came to me after the presentation. His name was David and he was raised as a Christian. But some time ago he had become a Moslem. He said that he would do a study about the different churches and religions. He wanted to make a presentation about their beliefs and show their failures and the right way. The topic of the evening was “Where Do We Go When We Die”. He said that he enjoyed the meeting and the presentation. He gave me a sheet of paper with different questions he wanted answered. They had to do with the devil and his demons, their influence on our thoughts and actions, the view about the Quran, and monotheism. He wanted to come again the next evening. I tried to answer the questions only from the Bible. The next evening he was there and I gave him the answers. He asked me questions about the Holy Spirit and the unpardonable sin. I answered these questions. He appreciated it very much and enjoyed the meeting. He came every evening until the last Thursday. He wanted to come again but I suppose that something hindered his coming. He always spoke out his appreciation and enjoyment of the presentation. One evening (it had to do with the things the Roman Catholic Church did in the medieval ages) I had the strong impression to refer to the actions of the Church against the Moslems during the crusades. So I spoke about the harmonious living together of Jews, Christians, and Moslems in Jerusalem, Antioch, etc. at that time. The crusaders were told lies at home, and then they destroyed everything; no matter what religious beliefs the different people held. David appreciated the meeting very much. I asked the people who would like someone to pray for them because of hindrances in their lives to give all to Jesus. David asked for prayer. On Thursday evening I gave out decision cards, and David checked the two first boxes (I believe that God will restore all truth at the end of time; I want to accept every truth Jesus has for me). He wrote also his address on the decision card, and I hope that the people from the church get a good contact to him. He is searching for the truth and I hope he will find it.
(2) The last Friday I made an altar call. At first no one came. After some time there came an old man. He was there since the campaign started. I saw that walking was not that easy for him. But he felt the strong impression to come to the front. He was baptized on the last Sabbath. After a while there came a girl. She was baptized too at the last Sabbath. Then there came a great strong man. During the meetings he always sat in the back. Now he came to the front, and he was joyful that he had made this step. Then there came a young boy.
(3) During the first week we had always an attendance around 90 to 100 people. In the second week the attendance dropped to 60-70 people, although the attending visitors improved from 3 people to 10 people (estimated). At the end there were five people baptized. The presentations were held in the church building. But the elders of the church told me that the rest of the presentations (except Sabbath) would be held outside the church building under the open sky. I was not very pleased by that. It was my first evangelistic campaign, and they wanted me to do it outside, in the parking lot, beside the street, where people are passing by. To be honest I prayed that the Lord would send rain for the next meeting. Sadly, at that time, the Lord didn’t answer my prayers according to my will. It didn’t rain. But he answered my prayer according to his will! This evening I had an experience that changed my whole attitude. For the rest of the campaign I loved to preach outside rather than inside. People passed by and sat in the back in order to watch and listen. For some people it was easier to attend the meeting outside the church building. They would have never come into the building. Maybe we will find out only in Heaven how people were influenced by these meetings.
(4) On the last Sabbath afternoon I socialized with the people from the church. I was present at a talk of the church elders. They said that they appreciated the presentations of “Evangelist Kaiser” very much. Normally the Jamaican preachers speak very loud, powerful, and forceful. I speak rather softly. Because they were not used to such a teaching style they approached me to adapt my style. But after two or three days they started to appreciate and enjoy my style. At the end they said that their evangelists oftentimes push up the emotions of the people, but that there is not so much teaching in their talks. Oftentimes there are a lot of people in the meetings but they can’t get hold of the people. After the meetings the people separate and go home. At their meetings they have no opportunity to get connected to the people. The attending visitors learn a lot by the presentations and they have a good foundation. Also the church members would learn many things by these presentations they haven’t heard for years. Thanks to Global Evangelism for the good material they provide.
(5) During the baptismal service I had also a part for 10-15 minutes. I had an outline in my mind, but almost no flesh for this “skeleton”. I started to talk and thoughts came flowing to my mind. It was a very deep, practical, and spiritual talk. I am thankful to the Lord for his guidance, his help and the words he gave me to speak.
 What did I learn through this experience in Jamaica? First, I learned to speak about the gospel in another language. Second, I recognized more than ever before that I have a good ability to teach, but that I need to improve in preaching. I experienced joy in sharing the gospel and in seeing people who joyfully receive it. I saw the great and drastic difference between rich and poor. Now I appreciate more the privileges we have in our countries. I also learned to be flexible and patient in some areas. I saw the carelessness of people who have in contrast to the kindness and carefulness of people who have not. Thanks also to Global Evangelism, The Quiet Hour, Bogenhofen Seminary, and other supporters that made it possible for me to have this wonderful experience.
With kind regards,
Denis Kaiser |
