| Pastor's Corner |
Dear Co-Laborer(s) and Kingdom Citizen
Greetings in the mighty name of Jesus the Christ, and to our Father, and by the will of our great leader the Holy Ghost. I hope that this letter finds you all enjoying the choice blessings of the Lord and the fullness of this life in Christ. As Pastor of the Yes Lord Deliverance Church of God in Christ, I wanted to encourage each of you with this letter in 2009. After forty days of fasting at the beginning of the year, I am encourage in the Lord, full of faith, and on fire to see souls saved and the saved renewed and prospering even in a greater way. The Lord truly blessed me as you Pastor and I appreciate all of the prayers and support that each of you have giving in my or the Church behalf. These are perilous times in the world but not for those that are Kingdom citizens. As believers on Christ, we are citizens of His kingdom and seated in heavenly place with Him. The Lord is making a way for each of us daily, just as He did for the Children of Israel and is still doing.
I encourage you to pray for our brethren, the Jews, that Lord will give them peace in Jerusalem and they will come to know the Lord in these last days.
In Gen. 12:1-3, the Lord promises to bless those that bless Israel. As a part of mission in our “Vision” we are doing that. As a Church we make a monthly contribution to the Christians United for Israel ministry, under Pastor John Hagee, to help with efforts in support of Israel.
This “Vision” that the Lord entrusted to us in 1996 has come to past and everyday it’s further unfolding. The Lord has blessed us with an infrastructure in place to support growth and development of membership and ministry. You are a part of that infrastructure. Your faithful attendance, your faithful participation in the ministries and the programs of your Church, and your tithe and offerings that you bring in or mail in. Make up the infrastructure that Lord needs to take this gospel to the world.
My heart is enlarged in the love of God and a greater hunger for the Lord and to see lives, as many people in the world, transformed by the preaching of the gospel. We must get the gospel out. The Lord is depending on us. He has saved us, healed us, and prospered us to serve Him and His interest. It is the Lords work and He is depending on us to get it done. In Isaiah 35: 3 - 6, it state “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart. Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense: he will come and save you. Then he eyes of the blind shall be opened, and ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the dessert”. What a promise to us that has yet to be fulfilled in its completeness but will come to pass.
I encourage us in faith be strengthen, be healed, and step up to the challenge that the Lord has placed upon us. I commit to praying for you and with you daily, fasting unto the Lord for you and with you for your well being in this life and a readiness for the “Rapture” that is to come. Lord is coming back again!
The excitement is building as we get closer to the launching of our new television ministry
“Say Yes Lord Today”. This opportunity to take the gospel message to the world is awesome. The choir is making ready. The structure is building for the Media Ministry. And you are needed to fill the pews and support this responsibility that the Lord has place upon us for such a time as this.
As, your Co-laborer, I need your help in this commitment. We are not going reinvent the wheel but will only use those things that the Word of God has mandated and supports.
First, the Lord needs your sincere devotion to Him. He is a jealous God and He desires deeply to fellowship and commune with you as a Father does his children. Through the Spirit we have access to the Father, by way of the cross of Jesus the Christ. Repent, if you need to, but get back in line and on point for the Lord. The time is now and today is the day of salvation. Let your heart be touch by the Lord and be freed from the woes that only bring hurt, suffering, and sickness even death. If you need council with me, feel free to call my secretary, Valery Lawton 850.638.1327 or call me direct at 850.819.4822. You are important, you matter, and you have something to offer and the Lord wants to use you in this ministry.
Secondly, through our tithe and offering the Lord has commanded a blessing and to the disobedient a cursing (Malachi 3). Deuteronomy 14:22, we are instructed by the Lord saying, “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase ...”. Also in Acts 4:35 The Apostles were given the Tithes of the people’s efforts to give to the needy and support the Christian movement. Being a Tither myself, I have experienced this promised fulfilled everyday and the responsibility that the Lord takes as a supporter for the Kingdom of God on earth. This also gives you the believer the right to ask the Lord to make His promise to you good. If you take care of His business He is obligated to take care of your business. Separating needs from wants of course. This is what tithes and offerings are, the monetary support needed on the earth to support the programs of God outlined in the “Vision” of a leader sent by God to do a work for God in the name of the Lord.
He and I are depending on your obedience, love, and faith in the Lord and me as you Leader. You can trust that your contributions will be use for the up building of His Kingdom, for the management of the House of the Lord, and to take the gospel to the world. Get that in your spirit. “Take the gospel to the world”, let that ring out in your mind. You have been chosen to support a ministry that will take the gospel to the world. No gimmicks just faithful obedience to the Lord who has promised to reward the good steward, the faithful servant, and the loyal children. “Let’s Do This!”
Thirdly, on Friday Nights at 7 pm we have tried to have prayer and tarry services. This has been a struggle because of a lack of participation and that is just the truth. But I am committed to this night because I know that without the Spirit no person can maintain this Christian walk in such a perverted society. Also, I desire each home to experience household salvation. Husband, wife, and children saved and living for Christ together in love, unity, and integrity. On this night, we will come and pray for these areas in the lives of Gods people and people that are not saved. Also on this night we will be teaching Biblical lessons on how to get your whole family saved. This night will also be special prayers for singles who desire a mate. “Marriage is honorable and the bed is undefiled ...” Hebrews 13:4. So many have allowed the devil to trick them in to thinking they do not need marriage but marriage is Gods answer to human sexuality and productivity. Do not let the failures of others characterize or control your life and rob yet another person of true happiness and fulfillment. As Pastor, I desire for each of you to have strong families. Many Churches in the world today are filled with singles, single parents, or widows. The Lord can turn this around if we pray and learn how to be that mate the Lord is calling for today. There must be a Godly man with a Godly woman raising Godly children. The family unit is the strength of the Church and the substance of every community. “I support marriage between a man and a woman”. Finally we will be praying down the enemy’s camp and his strong holds. There are people in out the Church that have a faith to be saved but are bound in an area of their lives. Prayer is the key and our faith will unlock the door. The Holy Spirit has taught us how to armor up as well as pray against the demons, powers, principalities, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places. Prayer is the portal that connects the Throne of God to the believer. Prayer is the portal that brings the unseen to the seen, the invisible to the visible. For with God nothing shall be impossible. Struggles with gender identification, voices from the past haunt you, negative thoughts cloud your mind, demonic seductions bring sexual thought that fill your daily thought life. Prayer brings His presence, in His presence we are transformed, the transformation is by the anointing that destroys the yoke. “Awake, rise up, take your place on the battlefield” This is warfare and I am in it to win it for the Lord. Who can stand before us in the name of Jesus?
Finally, hold your leaders accountable for and to the “Vision” and to God. There is a spirit from the enemy that tried to depict our Church as a training ground for ministry for people to come through going somewhere else. Although the Lord moves people as He will or as they take it upon themselves. Our Church stands as a pillar in the community. We have made a mark in the world simply by existing. The Lord will not prepare 500 seats for them to be constantly emptying out. Yet there is training for ministry for all who will connect with the Spirit of this Ministry but not by fame seekers but by will of the Spirit. We have a Trustee Board, Ordained Elders, Ministers, Missionaries, and Ministry Leaders who must support the “Vision “ themselves are how can they ask you to do what they are not doing themselves. We need the old and the young working together. It is written “I call the young because they are strong and I call the old because they know the way”. Strong working families build strong Churches.
I encourage you to keep them encouraged and support their ideas and be present and/or accounted for every Sunday School, Sunday Worship, Tuesday Night, Revival or various rehearsals and meetings. It’s only the right respectable thing to do. The words of our mouth, the conduct of our lives, and whose image we duplicate will represent the Lord and our Church for its advancement or its hindrance. Do not worry about doubter, complainers, mockers, accusers, and busybodies. Pray for their salvation and satisfaction with their life but also pray if they do not repent, “Lord don’t let their deeds or conversation hinder your will for my life”. Stay Salt! Stay Light!
I encourage you to talk about your Church and the wonderful things the Lord is doing in our midst. Know the blessings that come from being connected to this ministry for the Lord has place His name here and He is with us, in us, and upon us. “Let each one win one” that is our theme for March. “Let each One win One” starting the first Sunday in March. We will be doing a membership campaign. It is outlined like this:
There are three categories: Seniors (55 and older), Adults (18 to 55), and Youth (17 and younger). Whoever invites the most visitors in the month of March shall receive a medal and cash award in all three categories. Have your guest to fill out a visitor’s card and put your name on the provided line so you can get credit, the Church Clerk will keep up with these totals and at the first Sunday service in April they will be awarded. Let’s show the enemy he cannot stop us from advancing and show the Lord how proud we are to be a part of this ministry. Any good thing is worth talking about and sharing.
Just as a reminder: Our Church building Fund drive is posted in the front entrance of the Church. Each members name is listed and a star is put by each name as you get a ad for the souvenir booklet or a twenty-five dollar donation. Each star represents twenty-five dollars. The souvenir book has a space for deceased member page, business ads, other Church / denominational greetings or ad, and personal shout outs. Each member is asked to bring in twenty five stars. If your name is not on the chart, we apologize for the oversight, please get with another member who is on the chart and help them reach the goal. This will climax on the 1ST Sunday in June at our Church Anniversary. These efforts will go to paying off the Church, equipment for the TV telecast, and stain glass windows. A letter for businesses contributions can be picked up at the Church from the clerk. Thanks for sharing in the “Vision”. Together we Win!
I am grateful to God for this opportunity to share with you. Pray that I keep the mind to please the Lord. Pray that I will continue to work in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, the Greatest Leader in the world. Pray for me as I pray for you daily, always remembering each kindness shown and love expressed to me from you as the servant of the Lord, the teacher, preacher, and prophet of God for such a time as this. Look at God! It has Begun!
Prayerfully Submitted
Pastor David Woods, Jr.
Servant, Teacher, Preacher, Prophet
CC. Jesus, Holy Ghost, and Trustee Board of the Yes Lord Deliverance C.O.G.I.C., Inc.
The Lord said, "if you would lead these children and if you would but say " Yes Lord' to me, no good thing would be withheld from you"- The late Missionary Gussie BoinesPastor David Woods,Jr., was born and raised in Panama City, Florida. He grew up from a youth to a young man at Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Superintendent R.L. McCloud. After Elder McCloud's death, he served under the current Pastor, W.C. Green. From a child the unseen hand of God was upon him, for he was very sick as a child with asthma, but God healed him of that disease. At a young age, while working in the Church ,he held many positions at Holy Temple, including Assistant Youth Pastor. As God prepared him for the Call "his heart hurt for the children he had to leave at Holy Temple, but nevertheless, Pastor David Woods ,Jr ,upon saying "Yes Lord" answered the call and has shown diligence in making his election sure, when he came to a quaint little town in the Panhandle of Florida called Chipley in 1996 to build a Church for the Kingdom of God.
In his earlier years, God said to Pastor Woods, "Ask what I shall give thee" as He had asked Solomon, and Pastor Woods response was "wisdom, to go in and out among your people." With that Wisdom from on high and an understanding heart, he came to Chipley with a Vision, his family and began conducting Tuesday Night Bible Study at Gilmore Park on Church Street in Chipley; thus becoming the Founder and Pastor of Yes Lord Deliverance Church of God in Christ. His first Bible Study teaching was "Modify Your Members-The Difference Between the Flesh and the Spirit", from Romans 8 and Colossians 3. Cooper's Funeral Home sits across the street from the park and they allowed him to use a podium and chairs for the bible studies. One must never despise their small and humble beginnings.
As visitors began to come to the park to hear the Word from the man of God, they began to hear the Gospel of Peace preached and sung under the anointing of the Holy Ghost like never before, and the operations of the Holy Ghost were evident as young adults began seeking the Kingdom of God and all of His righteousness. Sis. Tracy Andrews, Bro. Carl Bullock, Sis. Tanya McDougald, and Sis. Shon Pope were some of the first to join Yes Lord. Shortly after the first bible study, these members began renovating and refurbishing an old Laundromat on Highway 90, which was to become the sanctuary of our Church for the next six years. The doors to the Church opened on the 3rd Sunday in June of 1996. The Official Church Dedication was held on September 27, 1997, with the late Bishop E.L. Shepherd, Jurisdictional Prelate of the Western Florida Jurisdiction, presiding. Bishop Shepherd laid hands upon Elder Woods and anointed him for the work that lied ahead.
in May of 1998 the Church purchased 8.5 acres of land for the new building of a new Sanctuary for the Lord. On February 20, 2000 blessing of the property took place. On February 27, 2000 the prophecy came to us when the Lord spoke through Elder Woods "Trust not in the horse, nor the rider, nor the prince or king, but consistently trust in the Lord and He will do a quick work". On November 19, 2000 the official Groundbreaking Ceremony took place. March 25, 2001 we entered into a 24-hour prayer vigil focusing on the Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10. On May 20, 2001 members marched from the old sanctuary to the new site and as Elder Woods anointed everyone's hands and members formed a wall around the church building, believing in faith that the Vision would come to pass according to His Word. On December 9-21, 2002 "A Time to Cross Over" was the theme for our new sanctuary dedication services, and on December 21, 2002, Bishop Harvey Bryan, Jurisdictional Prelate, officiated over the New Sanctuary Dedication.
Since that time, God has raised up a Man after His own heart who walks with God and a man who walks in the fear of the Lord. As God continues to raise up Pastor Woods, he has had to give up some of his positions, one being the Western Florida Gulf Coast District Minister of Music. He is not without trials and tribulations and he knows that "he and the devil will never be friends". He is consistent in his purpose, and that purpose is evangelizing the lost. He is the Western Florida Gulf Coast District Evangelist.
God has anointed him with the Wisdom of the Word to take any person, in any condition, and lead them on a path of restoration, reconciliation, and reformation through the Word of God. The driving force behind his persevering is without a doubt the power of God's purpose in his life and the Holy Ghost's purpose for choosing him. His motivation is not of man, but of his obedience and submission to God only.
In January, 2004 he became one Pastor with one Church, in two locations. Port St. Joe Church of God in Christ came under the stewardship of Pastor Woods. The Vision remains the same, "ministering to all souls from he cradle to the grave". In his tenure, there are many souls that have been healed, set free and delivered and God has added to the Church. In August, 2007 Pastor Woods produced and directed the CD recording of the North Florida Port St. Joe Community Youth Choir Project.
He enters into the most secret place of the Most High God often and has experienced that Holy Transformation that changes one from glory to glory. Pastor Woods is motivated and encouraged by seeing growth and development in the members of the congregations. Higher is where he is leading us, as he continues to get in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. On April 3, 2005, a day of Communion was held for a fresh anointing upon every life that took Communion for "Every believer in this Church are to be a part of the greatest Revival-chosen for Divine Purpose". Both of the churches that he pastors are continually growing spiritually and growing in numbers. God has elevated us to new depths of His Grace and Love for us thru His Word. There is never a famine for the Word of God in the churches that he oversees. Pastor Woods desire for the Ministers and the Missionaries that are under his leadership is for them to continually grow in the Word of God and he does what many pastor's won't do, he meets with them once a month, and oftentimes at his home, where he has prepared a meal for them, to have quiet talks on prayer, to enlighten them in the Word and in the spiritual manifestations of the Holy Ghost and the Glory of God in these last days.
Though only 40 years old, Pastor Woods has experienced God in such a way that veteran pastors can only dream about. In the early part of 2007 Pastor Woods began to be sought by other pastors for leadership and guidance.
The plans of God for him as a leader in God's Kingdom have been birthed in prayer. As the precious fruit of the souls of the earth continues to be harvested under Pastor Woods ministry, God will give unto him the nations for an inheritance.
Pastor Woods knows that the Gospel of the Kingdom must be preached. It must be preached and then the end shall come. As we continue to go before the King in worship, it is with confident prayer in knowing that He hears us and He will answer us. God has done so many wondrous healings and miracles in these eleven years and for that we are grateful and our Praise continues to await Him for the greater works. Pastor Woods is a good shepherd, who does not rest until all that are put in his charge are delivered and operating in their fullest potential.