– “Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power…” – 1 Chronicles 29:11
– By Min. Shevone Corbin
The Men’s Ministry Department of First Assembly of God, Wortmanville (FAOGW) hosted a celebration day in honour of men on 28 April 2024. The event coincided with an earlier event hosted by the National Assemblies of God (AOG) on 26 April, which honoured the forefathers of the AOG Guyana fellowship, which was birthed between 1952 and 1954. It was, therefore, beyond fortuitous for the local assembly to welcome a Caribbean and international forefather to the pulpit. A pastor and educator with Jamaican roots and oversight of ministries in the Caribbean and USA, adjunct lecturer at the Caribbean School of Theology in Kingston, and a powerhouse preacher – Bishop Dr. Peter Morgan was welcomed by Bishop Dr Massiah.
Dr Peter Morgan
“It is obvious that you are a people on the move” was the opening quote from Dr Peter Morgan when addressing the congregation and reflecting on his sojourns to Guyana with a front-row seat to the birth of the AOG Guyana fellowship. He was also expressing an expectation of maturity to consume the message to come on ‘The Power of the Kingdom of God.’ On this day set aside for honouring men, Dr. Peter Morgan contended that it was a great time to visit, given his long-held desire to meet the FAOGW congregation based on how closely he has worked with Bishop Massiah over the years. He then spoke directly to a young man in the congregation whose arm he held as he walked up the aisle, “There is a quiet giant inside of you waiting to be released. Be sure to meet your Bishop after the service.”
He then unleashed the Word of God, as found in 1 Chronicles 29:11:
“Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.”
The congregation was called to order, that we might discern:
- Power of the Kingdom beside you
- Power of the Kingdom within you
- Power of the Kingdom amongst you
The power of the Kingdom reflects the power and glory, the victory and majesty of God on earth. This power calls believers to operate with an understanding that we must exalt God in the Heavens and on the Earth. If we don’t believe it, we are likely to be tricked by that common king [satan] who understands and seeks to thwart our understanding of the power of the Kingdom of God.
We were challenged to understand what power really is, its source, and evidence of life; hence, when we seek it and don’t find it, we sometimes become depressed. Power is invisible but resides within us to be reproduced and expanded for the purpose of influencing. The congregation was reminded that God hath made everything with the capacity to reproduce and expand itself – applicable to the plant, animal, and human kingdom – reflecting the power of God.
Power must function in synergy with others. Trees planted in synergy become a forest that is more useful than a singular plant. This underscores that we are called to rule in the corporate compounded state or context so that we achieve His purpose. Even in the Church, God has brought us together to cultivate a body [of Christ].
We are, therefore, called to carefully manage power in the workplace, school, parliament, and other places where the exercise of authority is required. This implies that when we acquire the power referenced in Chronicles 29:11, we gain greatness, victory, and regal splendour. These attributes of Kingdom power will allow us to have dominion over the three God spheres – air, water, and land – which all have evidence of life and power and all the resources necessary for us to live and fulfil our godly purpose.
Dr. Peter Morgan challenged the congregation to understand the three spheres given to us so that we may yield power and influence. We must operate with God’s mandate to influence per Genesis 1:28, where God released [blessed] us for His purpose to be accomplished.
He then pivoted to the meaning of ‘Kingdom,’ which suggests a domain ruled by a King. This concept can pose conflict when different powers seek to dominate. The caution was raised that we might be waiting for Jesus’s coming to rule the earth, but “while we are waiting for Him [Jesus] to come, He is also waiting for us, so that He may come [Revelations 5:2-6]. Dr. Peter Morgan then reminded us of our mandate to influence nations, declaring that the congregation is the key to binding and loosing issues impacting our nations and communities, given the power that works within us. That power that can bind and loose things in Heaven and on Earth with authority given in Matthew 28:18-19 [ESV]:
“18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
The congregation was also admonished to “evangelise,” meaning we were called to influence culture without limit to a nation but to all nations! He confirmed with a Jamaican lilt that “he now come to remind us that we have been gifted to use power and influence under the authority and power of God.” This message to men (and the congregation) should be transformed into a battle cry in the Kingdom of God. “We have received power!”
Men’s Ministry Day is celebrated each April and was hosted in 2024 under the theme: Foundations for Godly Manhood [Titus 2:1-2, 6-8], which was introduced by Deacon Orson Smith. A steelpan rendition by Minister Noel Green and battle-ready worship led by Dr Paul Benjamin preceded the service.
