Many healed at another fantastic Jesus Explosion

By Gregory Quan Kep, JE Committee member

It is with a grateful heart that we give thanks for another fantastic Jesus Explosion (JE) conference. The theme this year, the 17^th edition, was taken from 2 Corinthians 6:2, Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation. There was no doubt that a sense of urgency prevailed at the Trinity College, Trincity. The number of healings, right before our eyes, gave the theme a surprising twist.

This year’s feature speaker was Fr Patrick Gonyeau from Encounter Ministries USA. Encounter Ministries is based in Brighton, Michigan and exists to train Catholics to demonstrate the power and love of God within their sphere of influence through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Some of their main Ministries are a school of healing, conferences, radio programmes and a wide use of technology to preach the Gospel. Fr Patrick was accompanied by a Lay Minister, Jordan Beachau.

Upon their arrival at the airport the duo began ministering to all the Spirit led them to. They prayed with complete strangers and did not stop until they confirmed that they were healed. They did so at the conference as well. Most of their spare time was spent praying for healing.

They also encouraged those who were healed to give public testimony. People with back problems, arthritis, headaches and a host of other complaints testified that they were completely healed. Then they empowered those who were healed to pray for others.

Another noticeable feature was that they were intimately in love with the Lord. They openly thanked, praised and spoke to Jesus. It did not matter when or where. They may be preaching or speaking with someone and as the Spirit touched them they would burst into exhilaration or ecstasy to the Lord. They were so overjoyed that it bubbled over and all saw it.

We were intimately touched by their witness since Fr Patrick testified that he came from a poverty stricken single parent home and was addicted to drugs and alcohol.

We also give thanks for the many priests that ministered to us this weekend. Fr Godfrey Stoute was the main celebrant at the Mass on Saturday. He preached on the public witness of Jesus on the cross and exhorted us to come out of our comfort zones.

Fr Ian Taylor, JE Spiritual Director gave the talk on repentance, which stressed on the renewal of the mind and turning away from sin. Both priests were profound in their deliveries and drew on the scriptures frequently to edify the congregation.

The Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu was the main celebrant at the closing Mass. His Excellency gave two jokes about mothers-in-law but directed us to Mary as the perfect parent of our spouse Jesus.

The congregation had a large number of first time participants and young people. Fr Stoute pointed out that this would auger well for the future. There were also contingents from Tobago, Guyana and St John, and the US Virgin Islands..

Bishop Francis Alleyne of Georgetown wanted to see firsthand what the Jesus Explosion was all about; JE is carded to be held in Guyana in August. Young people from Guyana have been clamouring for the event to bring life to the youth there.

Fr Neil Scantlebury of the USVI, who ministered during the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament on Saturday, will also be attending the JE in Guyana.

It was without a doubt a weekend filled with the Holy Spirit. Hats off to the organising committee led by Fr Taylor and Coordinator Debbie Karmody. The music ministries, GRACE and San Raphael were awesome. We extend an invitation to the JE Revival on September 22.