Friday night (Dec 7th) into Saturday morning (December 08th), there was a shift in the realm of The Spirit in Lagos Nigeria, as the saints of God from all Christian denominations and persuasions along with some non-Christians who love music, gathered in a high-level strategic meeting of Praise, Prayer and Worship tagged “The Experience”.
The crowd gathered wasn’t like any the past six editions had witnessed, as it took hours for some to get in owing to the long queues as it seemed everyone had determined that The Experience 2012 would not pass them.
But all of the pain and discomfort the people had getting in was soon to be forgotten.
At 7:40pm Nigeria time (GMT + 1), the meeting began with the message by the compare: “Ladies & Gentlemen, Welcome to The Experience 2012!” and the crowd all around the arena went ecstatic as shouts, screams and whistles came from across the grounds, gallery and overflow. The people of God expectant knew that something was about to happen.
After the opening prayers said by Pastor Victor Adeyemi of Global Harvest Church, Chosen Treasure took to the stage, led by Sammie Okposo, Rendering the song “Righteousness, Peace, Joy in The Holy Ghost and Days of Elijah”, the crowd cued in as high praise filled the atmosphere.
Wale Adenuga was the artiste to mount the stage as he sang a medley of his hits which had become everyday praise and worship songs in many congregations in Nigeria and African based congregations across the world. Beginning with “you’ve been faithful Lord (Today Oh)”, he rendered other songs including “In the Morning when I wake up and Talodabire” amongst others.
The event wasn’t just a concert; it was a prophetic meeting as prayers for Nigeria were led by many Pastors as the congregation intercedes for Nigeria, uprooting the Spirit of corruption and wickedness along with enthroning God concerning the greatness of our nation Nigeria.
Some ministers who led the intercessions include Pastor Anslem Madubuko (Revival Assembly), Pastor Sam Adeyemi, and Rev Felix Omobude amongst others.
The Body of Christ in Nigeria was well represented as many leaders of the churches were present including the President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.
There were several government officials present including The First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Emanuella Fashola, who represented her husband, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, who recently returned as Governor for a second term in Ondo State, Governor Mimiko and his wife were also present. Some ministers and their secretaries also graced the occasion.
Although the atmosphere and the mandate of the evening was serious business from a spiritual perspective, three comedians performed beginning with Apororo, one of Nigeria’s fast-rising comedians while MC Abbey and popular Wazobia FM OAP, Yaw performed together later in the early hours of Saturday morning.
When Chevelle Franklin mounted the stage, she soon won the hearts of many attendees, when she sang some African songs in reggae style including Midnight Crew’s “igwe”, she sang some more and the people of God were soon dancing in tune by the time some hymn melodies about the Blood of Jesus were cued.
Detrick Haddon’s time was spectacular as his energy in Praise and Worship moved the crowd into the presence of the most High God, and when he sang “what a Mighty God we Serve”, the presence of God was evident. But it was the rendition of “He’s Able” that moved the crowd the most.
“God is able to do
just what he said he would do….
don’t give up on God
cos he won’t give up on you
He’s able!”
The voices were lifted in unity as the crowd sang audibly.
The testimony was given later of a lady who walked into “The Experience” on crutches with her leg in a cast, but as the “He’s Able” was being rendered and she got lost in praise and worship, The Lord touched her and she threw her crutches aside and removed the cast, walking freely and praising The Lord as she was healed.
Fred Hammond’s 45 minutes on stage was an amazing time as he continued in the atmosphere of praise and worship, his song “Bread of Heaven” brought the people of God to the Throne Room of God.
One agenda on the heart of “The Experience 2012”, was the recent attacks on the Christians and Churches in Northern Nigeria. Therefore the children of God cried out in intercession for God to rise up and defend his church in Northern Nigeria.
Principal intercessors were ministers from the north who were present at the gathering, they took time to explain the heart of the matter. According to one minister, over 70 churches in Maiduguri had been closed. Pastor Amos Kunat of New Estate Baptist Church urged the gathering not to wait until the trouble got to them and their families involved before they take it serious. He told of how several members of his extended family had been killed in Kaduna, their dead bodies maimed and burnt and their house torched with fire as recent as a few weeks back.
Former Military President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), was also present. In addressing the gathering he said that it was unfortunate to hear of all the mishaps in the North after a lot had been done in the past during his government and after to unite Nigeria after the civil war. He also prayed for the nation asking God to help unite us.
When the Convener, Pastor Paul Adefarasin finally came up, he outlined the historical antecedent behind the Tafawa Balewa Square, venue of “The Experience”. He pointed out key buildings around the square and what they stood for in the 1960’s while he was growing up, as according to him, he grew up around the square here in Lagos.
Michelle Willams of the defunct American popular R&B group Destiny’s Child sang the two verses of Nigeria’s national anthem while Timi Dakolo rendered his electrifying inspirational song Great Nation.
The Soweto Spiritual Singers from Southern Africa were an amazing lot. They began their performance with the Lord’s Prayer (Amen) and signed off with their hugely popular “Sign of a Victory”. They also performed some of their songs in between and dazzled the audience as they ministered by choreographing their songs and switching costumes rather swiftly as they performed their numbers.
Israel Houghton’s performance was top-notch as it was evident that he loved to be back at “The Experience”, singing “Our God is an Awesome God, Our God is Greater, Lord You are Good and your mercies endureth forever”, the crowd danced as he ministered in praise songs. He also led the gathering in worship as he switched from his guitar to the keyboard as he sang “To Worship You I live, You are Alpha & Omega, Here I am to Worship, Jesus be The centre” along with other songs. He told the people how much he loved to be back and also announced that his ministry had started a new group in Africa called “New Breed Africa”.
Legendary worship leader, Don Moen electrified the people as always, being a favorite of many Christians in Nigeria with his songs which have been popular around the nation for over 15 years.
Singing “I Just Want to Be Where You Are, Thank You Lord, Lord I Offer my Life to You, I will Sing, Great is Thy Faithfulness, God will make a way, How Great is Our God, Thank you for praying for me” amongst others, Don Moen and the people worshiped together.
When he sang “God is Good, All the time”, the people danced in various dance steps in praise to their God.
Bishop John Francis of Ruac Ministries, United Kingdom brought the word in a sermon titled ‘Neighbour, Can I Get a Witness?’ He began by saying that he was a student of Bible Numatology i.e. the significance of numbers in the scriptures and the number 12 stands for establishment. He further stated that being in the twelfth month in the 12th year (December 2012) whatever happens in the lives of people could set precedence for the rest of their lives as God was in the business of establishing things in the lives of people.
Speaking from 2 Corinthians 13:1-2 he focused on the statement: by the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word shall be established. He explained that it was a law from Deuteronomy 19:15 which Jesus also quoted. Putting it in context of The Experience Lagos, he said that praise was important as people can defeat the devil and alter his schemes through music (sound) to God. The devil being the prince of the air according to scriptures, when our praise goes forth it de-activates the schemes of evil.
He explained ‘witness’ as someone who correlates a testimony or agrees with you on a matter, thus your neighbour becomes your witness by praising God along with you as you believe God for a release of what each person expects.
Bishop Francis then asked the people to scream and praise God as they’ve never done before and there would be an immediate release of whatever they expect from God.
Immediately after Pastor Victor Adeyemi returned to make an altar call for those who did not have a witness in their spirit that they were children of God for according to him, The Bible clearly says in Romans 8:16, that the Spirit of God bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. A large number of people prayed the prayer of salvation and thus gave their lives to Jesus.
Thereafter Micah Stampley came up to minister, he sang his popular hit “Take my Life” to which the people joined him to sing. He also taught the congregation a song titled “There is power in the Name of Jesus” which altogether everyone sang proclaiming the power in the name of Jesus to break every chain of sickness, infirmity, or addiction holding anyone captive. The anointing of God was clearly evident at this point.
Sammie Okposo returned with “X-Generation band” beginning with a worship medley of his songs as the people worshipped. Then he switched to his Niger–Delta style urging people to wave their handkerchiefs. With wave offerings across the arena, the people danced and praised in thanksgiving of what God had done in 2012 and anticipation of 2013’s blessings.
By the time Sammie departed, the atmosphere of praise was charged already as people were ready to praise God with one of Nigeria’s leading Gospel saxophonists, Mike Aremu as people danced to the very end to his numerous tunes of popular praise songs along with his excellent percussionists playing the popular Yoruba indigenous alujo, a celebratory rhythm to which the people danced to The Lord. Signing off with “Keresimesi tun made o” (Christmas has come again) in the spirit of the season, it was indeed a remarkable way to end the 12 hour plus praise and worship meeting.
Everyone who witnessed The Experience 2012 would be looking forward to the 2013 edition.
Don Moen, Micah Stampley and Bishop Tudor Bismak would be in the worship tomorrow which holds at The Expo Centre, Eko Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos. The service would commence at 9am prompt.
What an Experience!!!
Courtesy: Zjolt
Edited: IKolleenx
Posted from NaijaGospel
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