BY: Hayward Paul
The program was full of welcoming speeches, congratulations for the arrival of “The Tent,” and expressions of the new beginning for evangelism in Guadeloupe. Music filled the air as the three Johnson daughters led the singing backed by an ensemble of musicians that provided a subtle Caribbean beat to the many hymns and worship songs sung. When we sang “These are the days of Elijah…”, I was so stirred listening to the French, the Creole, even English – singing in all these languages with such great enthusiasm!
The congregation was large, filling the chairs – nearly all the 600 seats were full, with others standing inside and around The Tent. Representing AFCI, I lauded Raymond Johnson, his family and his team for pulling all this together, for his leadership in the Church in Guadeloupe, for his heart for the lost, and commissioning him for a strong return to evangelism using “The Tent” as a tool for his work. We gathered around and prayed for this man – for his strength, leadership and greater ministry to come.
When Raymond spoke the people listened – he told of his journey from being born in Dominica and born-again in Guadeloupe! The double entendre was not missed. His heart is for his adopted country and neighboring Francophone countries, where he yearns to bring the true Gospel. He spoke strongly, passionately and thankfully about the help he had received from his Christian countrymen in financing “The Tent,” providing the chairs, obtaining a bus, finding and financing a mobile storage unit – indeed a ship-container to house “The Tent” and supporting equipment. Raymond explained that the next two nights would be crusade-like, full of music and evangelism, an outreach to this area, and welcomed all to come and see again what was to happen.
It was a moving night, and the new journey was now beginning for Raymond Johnson, his family, the evangelicals in Guadeloupe, and perhaps many others who did not yet know the Lord . . . yet.
The Voice of Ambassadors for Christ Guadeloupe (AFCG La Voix)
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