Page 33 - Joshua's Journal

whispered to Jawhar and asked him “Are you tired of us “Thank you GOD. That means so much to us. yet?” His response to the choir member was “No ma’am” with a smile and he continued to thank us after every Thanks to your whole team from the bottom song. of our hearts. Thank you Teon!! We greatly appreciate it. As we were leaving the hospital, we all made a decision to come back for Jawhar’s 19th birthday the following You guys are the best.” Monday. Although we had already made the decision Dennis and Tarrell Littleton (Mother and to return to the hospital, to our surprise, we received Step-Father) and Jawhar Stokes, Sr. (Father) a request from the family the next day to come back and minister to Jawhar for his birthday. We sang Stevie The Youth and Young Adult Choir also assisted finan- Wonder’s rendition of “Happy Birthday” and filled his cially to help Jawhar’s family offset the funeral expenses. hospital room with melodies, balloons, cards and most This is Kingdom Building at its best. We even had a of all LOVE. We closed out in prayer, but little did we member of the choir print the funeral programs for the know that would be the last time we would see Jawhar. family. Additionally, the YYAC was asked to minister at the home-going service and through the power of Here at Reid Temple, the vision is “Have Faith in God” the Holy Ghost, Jawhar Stokes’ life became the greatest and we aim to please as we serve through the 5 E’s eulogy. On that day 75 souls gave their lives to Christ. which are Evangelism, Empowerment, Education, Eco- nomics, and Expansion. The Youth and Young Adult This is not the YYAC’s first time going outside of the Choir has humbly served through Evangelism, sowing walls of the sanctuary to minister. In November of the seed of God’s Word in the hearts of all people. It 2013, members gathered at Laurel Regional Hospital was through the YYAC’s evangelism that Jawhar and to visit a fellow choir member, Jazmyne Bracey. The his family felt a connection and the presence of God. YYAC went back to the hospital again in January and saw the manifestation of God’s healing sovereignty in The experience that led to the YYAC meeting Jawhar Jazmyne. While ministering at the hospital on this and ministering to him in his hospital room was a particular Sunday, several onlookers from the nurses to life-changing experience...one that we will never forget! various people visiting loved ones came into the room The acts of love displayed a willingness to serve. Dedi- and began to testify about the power of God and of His cation to God is what ministry is all about. We thought healing power. Jazmyne had progressed tremendously we were just going to sing at a Washington Wizard’s from not being able to walk, talk, eat or hold her head basketball game, but God had something else in mind up. On Sunday, February 9, 2014, Jazmyne came to that was even bigger...Kingdom Building! Reid Temple’s 11:15 am service and the congregation rejoiced for her healing. After Jawhar’s transition, the family asked if the funeral could be held at Reid Temple. They were elated that We believe that God is not through with the YYAC Reid Temple welcomed them for their son’s home-going and that He still has a mighty work to do in the lives celebration and expressed the following sentiments: of this choir. This is only the beginning and our best is truly yet to come. It is more than a melody… www.reidtemple.org • 31