What started as an idea quickly materialized into a phenomenal outreach for four churches in Upper Columbia Conference. The churches in Brewster, Omak, Oroville and Tonasket joined forces to present a seminar series from April 2–27, 2024.
“It was a big step of faith when our speaker, Brian McMahon, suggested that I consider doing a multi-church meeting,” said Dan Cole, Omak, Oroville and Tonasket pastor. McMahon is a speaker from Prophecy Unsealed.
“I was not confident that all the churches would buy in, but one at a time they joined in enthusiastically as the Holy Spirit moved them,” continued Cole. “UCC and North Pacific Union came through with evangelism funds in a great way!”
Omar Rodriguez, Brewster Church pastor, brought his congregation on board and work quickly began with more than 80 volunteers.
“We have had local church prophecy seminars before and had some success, but this is the first time we have done a county-wide meeting before,” said Cole.
The first night had an attendance of 206 at Okanogan County Fairgrounds' Agriplex. The event featured a children’s ministry and was also streamed online.
Through the event, more than 75 individuals recommitted their lives to Jesus. Twenty-six of those were decisions made for baptism, to join the church by profession of faith and/or be rebaptized. Of those 26 decisions, nine have been baptized, one has joined by profession of faith and three have been rebaptized so far.
“We had one baptized at Oroville Church — Kaiza El-Haj, who was prepared for baptism by her grandpa, Bill Hughes, and filled out a decision card for baptism during the meetings,” added Cole.
Two individuals are preparing to join by profession of faith, four individuals are planning to be rebaptized and three teenagers and one individual will be baptized in the next couple of months.
“My faith has grown as I’ve watched God work in the lives of men, women and children who have chosen to accept Christ and be baptized,” said Cole.
Several other individuals have attended some of the churches and are taking Bible studies in English and Spanish — all thanks to the series the churches hosted together.
“We continue to praise God from whom all blessings flow as the Holy Spirit clearly was poured out and so tremendously blessed our Okanogan Countywide joint outreach,” said Cole.
A video documentary was made on the seminar series and can be viewed at vimeo.com/941670927.
