Cuban bishop helps Pine Castle church celebrate new millennium

               Photo Courtesy of Pine Castle United Methodist Church       

The Rev. Ricardo Pereira (center), bishop of the Methodist Church
in Cuba, preached to more than 500 students at Orlando’s Pine Castle Christian Academy, part of Pine Castle United Methodist Church, during a recent visit to Orlando. With the help of an interpreter, the Rev. Jackie Leveron, who is pastor of St. Andrews and Wesley Chapel United Methodist Churches in Ft. Lauderdale, the bishop shared messages of miracles and hope.     

ORLANDO — The Rev. Ricardo Pereira, bishop of the Methodist Church in Cuba, celebrated the life of and hope in Jesus Christ at Pine Castle United Methodist Church here Jan. 6-9 during a series of special revival services. His anointed preaching and praying sparked a celebration of praise, faith and God’s presence among the people.

The services were part of the church’s “Seeking God’s Face” theme for the year 2000.

Prior to the services, church members were involved in intensive prayer. They gathered Wednesdays at 6:30 a.m. and set up a 24-hour prayer chain beginning Fridays at 7 a.m. A week before the bishop arrived, members gathered each day in the sanctuary at 6:30 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. to pray for the services.

Beginning Thursday morning, the bishop spoke informally with Pine Castle ministers and staff. He shared stories of God’s miraculous healings and salvation of souls, despite the resistance of communism in Cuba. When he began to pray for the staff, the presence of God came upon them. Many could not stand; others began to weep or dance in the Spirit. Some were anointed for new ministries — a common occurrence in the bishop’s ministry in Cuba.

A special service was held that evening for the church’s leadership. The Rev. Jackie Leveron, who served as the bishop’s interpreter, helped lead a time of confession and anointing. Again, the presence of God touched and changed many lives. Overflowing joy abounded as people left the service two and a half hours later.

Friday morning the bishop preached at Pine Castle Christian Academy chapel. More than 500 third- through 12th-graders listened intently as the bishop told stories of life in Cuba. He shared how the young people there are leading the revival in the Methodist churches.

When he gave the altar call for those who wished to receive Christ as their Savior, a trickle came at first. Then, a flood of young people hungry for God enveloped the altar. Some sobbed tears of repentance from hard hearts softened by the work of the Holy Spirit. Three hours later chapel ended with 26 youth committing their lives to Christ and hundreds more committed to a deeper walk with Him. Seniors at the academy continue to fast during some lunches, while taking prayer walks around the campus.

These preliminary prayer services set the tone for the celebration services Friday, Saturday and Sunday, during which people of all ages surrendered to Jesus Christ.

In Children’s Church, 51 kids signed covenant cards to follow Christ. Hundreds of people prayed to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Miraculous healings happened. Deaf ears opened; an asthma sufferer was healed; and back and shoulder problems disappeared. One man, confined to a wheel chair and told by doctors he would never walk again, came out of his chair and walked down the aisle. The next Sunday he walked into the church using only a light walker.

Individuals and families filled the altars for confession and prayer. Prayer lines extended from the altar to the middle of the sanctuary. Hungry hearts seeking more of God’s blessing fell under the power of God as the bishop prayed for them. When leaving the altars some said their legs felt like rubber. People were still at the altars in the sanctuary after 10 p.m., not wanting to leave the awesome presence of God.

Christ Hispanic United Methodist Church and the Rev. Guido Benezet joined in the services. Following special music by singers from his church, he led the congregation in prayer. It was a marvelous celebration of love and unity.

The last night of the services, 30 people responded to a call for lay ministers, accepting the call to preach, not as pastors, but as disciples of Jesus. They are now being trained and instructed to go as Jesus commanded the 70 disciples in Luke 10:1 — to preach the Good News of the Kingdom, heal the sick and cast out demons.

Those who attended the services thank God, Bishop Pereira and the Rev. Leveron for the time of celebration and say God used them [the visitors] to do a supernatural work in the lives of attendees. The Pine Castle church has been blessed.

Churches interested in hearing more about the church’s experience should contact Sheila Niemela at 407-438-2703.

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