The platform for the choir was set up in a local park used for events. This was the first time it had hosted a gospel choir. The warm rays of the evening sun cast a golden glow on the trees and local vegetation. The melodic bells of the local church chimed to mark the hour as the group prepared. A few local people were there when we arrived, eagerly awaiting our performance, and there was a real air of anticipation.
Otočac is a small town with approximately 15,147 inhabitants, mainly Catholic, with the local Catholic Church nearby. It is 73 kilometers from Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.
As we set up, I spoke to Victoria, a lady who has been attending the Catholic Church since she was a little girl. She told me that she plays guitar in the church and was very excited about the choir being there. She said this has never been done before—a gospel choir coming to Otočac.
As Minister Jenny led the choir, there was a hush as people listened intently to the words of the songs. As the evening progressed, the audience clapped their hands and participated. A group of young people in the park ran in when they heard the sound of the music and formed a long chain, jubilantly dancing around the audience.
Rev. Taylor brought a powerful message from John chapter 4, about Jesus’s encounter with the Samaritan woman by the well of Sychar. The emphasis was on how Jesus came to break down all the barriers that divide us: cultural, social, racial, religious, and sexual. People focused keenly on what Rev. Taylor was saying as she shared the good news of salvation and her personal testimony of how she came to know Jesus as her Lord and personal Savior. Applause went up from the audience when she finished speaking.
As our time of praise came to an end, there was a real energy and feeling of joy and celebration among the attendees and a move of the Holy Spirit as the choir and Rev. Taylor ministered. Each time the choir attempted to leave the platform, the audience kept shouting, “Just one more song!”
After the service, people reported how much the ministry of Sincere Praise and Rev. Taylor had affected them and asked for prayer.
A young lady approached Rev. Taylor and told her that she would like to give her life to the Lord; Rev. Taylor had the privilege of leading her to Jesus. She expressed how happy she was and thanked us for coming to Croatia with the good news of Jesus Christ.
One such lady, Marica, came with her two daughters, Petra, aged 14, and Magda, aged 12, and reported that she had been feeling low and experiencing a very difficult period over the past few months. She said the event was just what she needed, and Reverend Taylor’s message spoke to her in a very special way. She explained that her sister, who lives in Italy, heard about the concert through local adverts and told her about it. Later, it was revealed that their younger sister, who is very young, developed multiple sclerosis after giving in to the pressure to take the COVID vaccine. She reported that her sister had only a short time to live. When they heard that the choir and WWMF would be praying for them, they expressed how very grateful they were.
As we got into the transport to begin the two-hour return journey home, a violent and terrifying thunderstorm broke out with flashes of lightning that lit up the sky, accompanied by deafening claps of thunder. We were informed that the storm had been due to break just as we were due to go onto the stage. However, because of prayer, we had clear weather while the choir was singing. As soon as we got into the van to leave, the storm broke. It continued throughout the journey home but stopped as soon as we reached our destination. It started again with ferocity as soon as we got inside.
We want to give grateful thanks to God and offer up the highest praise for all that He has done, and express our grateful thanks to everyone for your prayers.
Amazing how wonderful. We praise God for all that he is doing through sincere praise and the ministers of WWMF