I mentioned that I have a backlog of stories to share that I hear in our travels as we are blessed and reacquainted with these precious people and stories from around the world.  This first story is from Gary McDowell, who served as a missionary on the island of St. Lucia.  It's hard to believe that it was 24 years ago this church was planted and met in this building with the red roof.  I asked Gary to share this story:


The church in Vieux Fort, St. Lucia was started in 1983.  The families of Jim Burns and Gary McDowell moved to this West Indian island two months before the arrival of a campaign by Don Starks, of Caribbean Crusades for Christ.  The unique thing about this campaign was the arrival of the singing group, Acappella, headed by Keith Lancaster.  The small fishing village of Vieux Fort at that time had little entertainment and it was not yet overwhelmed by the marvels of modern entertainment.  The only television station available to the community was provided by a local business man who pirated television programs from Barbados television.  The people were not used to any modern day entertainment.

The campaign was typical in that it involved many devoted Christians who came to the islands and were involved in a campaign of door to door invitations for a personal Bible study with a nightly campaign preached by an evangelist.  The one exception was that this group included the singing group, Acappella.  Each night the meeting was preceded by a concert by Acappella.  The response was overwhelming.  The little building where the campaign was held was packed.  People came and stood outside listening to the tremendous talent of this group who were able to bring the marvelous message of Jesus Christ through their message in song.

As the campaign proceeded, the crowds grew to tremendous proportions.  The church building was located in an impoverished area of the town and hundreds of people came to hear this presentation of the gospel in song.

The local radio station located in the capital city of Castries was state-run and, as a news item, claimed that there was a riot in Vieux Fort.  There had never been an event like this in the history of this small fishing village.  This country was not used to seeing people get excited over the presentation of the gospel in song.

During this campaign, fifty three souls put on their Lord in baptism.  This campaign was one of the most successful campaigns in the history of Caribbean Crusades for Christ.  More than that, the church in Vieux Fort still prospers and recently has built a building that continues to provide the means to preach the message that Jesus is our only Lord and Savior.