A Moving Sermon- Literally

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Sunday, 17 January 2010 05:55

By D Francis

It was a moving sermon indeed as passengers listened to Pastor Simeon Obioha of Great Expectations Ministries preach from the Word of God on one of the public buses which runs in the South.

It was interesting to see the looks on people’s faces as they boarded the bus with a sermon already in session.

One passenger who caught the bus in Golden Grove said, “When I entered I was wondering what was going on, but as I took my seat and observed, I realized this was a sermon and as everyone was attentive and listening to the preacher, I did likewise. I found it was very refreshing and encouraging in this way. It’s something new to me but I was quite impressed.

At the end of the bus trip, which terminated at the West Bus Station, Pastor Obioha told Caribarena of the re-launch of what is called Bus Evangelism
“This program started about five years ago in Antigua," he said. "We had a few breaks in between, and now this is what we are re-launching right now. I had my training in Nigeria, there being my homeland, but I reside here now and I see the need for this type of programme to be conducted here.”

Asked why Bus Evangelism, he replied, “I feel the urge to expand the message of God’s Kingdom, the Gospel of Christ, so that those who do not have the time to go to church or pray, because of their busy schedules, we bring the message to them so that we can win as many souls as possible. They would have no excuse that they did not hear the Word of God, urging them to come to repentance.”

He also described the response so far.

“I see how the passengers sit quietly and pay attention, just like when you are in church, and we also distribute tracks on the bus, which they gladly accept, so I see we are reaching them one by one," he said. "We also invite them to seek prayers with us, either on a public or private basis, and our contact numbers are also made available to them.

The bus drivers, they cooperate as well. You know they would normally have their music playing, but when I’m there it is turned down. The conviction of the fear of God is among them. However, a few of the younger folks like some school children would sometime drop some negative remarks about what we are doing. They were never violent, loud or aggressive, but we still continue to share the good news with them.”

Evangelists mainly take the buses that operate on longer routes like Old Road, English Harbour, Liberta, Willikies, Freetown, Freemans Village etc, but they plan to take the Word of God on every bus route.

Pastor Obioha takes two young boys with him as he ministers on the bus, and they would assist in reading the scriptures from which the pastor is taking his message. He said they are very inclined to spirituality and are also trained. The boys, who are still in school, said they are quite happy to share God’s work with their pastor. “We grew up in the church, we are born again Christians, and we were taught to know the scriptures which we are very happy to share with the public," said one.

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