Bishop Terence E. Coleman, pastor of Greater Pentecostal Church of God, St. Louis, MO., in front of a display reflecting his recent illustrated sermon's theme, "For Dreamers Only" (above) and "March Madness (top)."
Winning souls, sharing the Gospel
Claudine Gamblin knows very well that sometimes it is through faith of others that dreams can come true.
Gamblin’s 36-year-old son, William, has cerebral palsy. He uses a device that augments his speech to communicate. He’s also confined to a wheelchair, which had become so worn out that the motor stopped working. Finding the money for the new wheelchair was a daunting task.
One Sunday morning at Greater Pentecostal Church of God in St. Louis, Bishop Terence E. Coleman spoke about making dreams come true as part of the church’s February theme, “For Dreamers Only.” The pulpit area was colorfully decked out with buzz words like “I can,” “Work hard,” “Focus” and images of a college graduation robe and Dr. Martin L. King Jr.
During the "Dreamers Only" Sunday, Coleman knew of Gamblin’s situation and asked the congregation for donations to raise $250, just to help out a little. Members went far and beyond that, giving more than $1,100, enough to purchase a new wheelchair for William.
“I was struggling to figure out what I was going to do,” Gamblin said. “He (Coleman) showed love toward William, and that was special. He showed me something…the love of God. I really appreciate him.”
It is the visual touch and the flair for the dramatic that Coleman injects in many of his sermons as he endeavors to impact people’s lives with the Gospel message. His goal is to make his messages relevant, contemporary but based on the Bible.
“We’re about winning souls and sharing the Gospel,” he said. “You have to reach people where they’re at, according to their understanding to get their attention and, hopefully, plant the seed of the Word within them.”
Illustrated sermons – the intertwining of scripture with theatrical skits and props – are standard Sunday mornings. Coleman has presented a unique version of the popular television program “American Idol” and “March Madness,” a rendition of the annual NCAA basketball tournament.
During the March Madness Sunday, Coleman, church members and visitors were dressed in basketball jerseys of their favorite college basketball teams. The pulpit was decorated as a basketball court; Coleman tossed basketballs to excited members in audience. He mixed the basketball terminology in his sermons. He even role played showing how to block out and hustle in a game situation.
Example:
Basketball application:
You got to fight to get the ball and deal with the elbows, pushing, shoving and rough play.
Life/biblical application:
You get to fight to get into a position to receive from God because the enemy does not want you to be blessed. The woman in the Bible with a blood disorder had to press her way through the tough crowd to just touch the hem of Jesus’ garment so she could get healed. (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-47)
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Greater Pentecostal Church of God is located at 6080 West Florissant Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63136. For more information, call 314.389.9332 or http://www.gpcgministries.org/. Bishop Coleman can be heard every Friday at 10 a.m. (CST) on KATZ-AM radio or online at http://www.hallelujah1600.com/
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