At Speak The Word Ministries, A Joy-filled Celebration Of Jesus’ Resurrection

ST. CROIX — With lights dimmed, the band sang songs of praise and worship as the capacity crowd at Speak the Word Ministries raised their hands in adoration and thanksgiving to Jesus Christ, the one Christians believe to be the Son of God who was crucified to redeem the world. On the third day, according to the Bible, Jesus Christ rose from the dead. He had been dead two days earlier, taking with him the sins of the all mankind; and in turn redeeming anyone who’d dare to ask.

Sunday’s service was nothing ordinary. There was no preached word from the ministry’s Senior Pastors Dexter and Terry Skepple, but that did not diminish its relevance, as a spirit of gratitude to God enveloped the sanctuary, located at #7 Peter’s Rest, in a Wiesner Development Company space.

There were performances from the church’s children’s choir and Tionee Veira, a longtime Speak the Word praise and worship leader. She ignited the hearts of those in attendance yesterday with two powerful songs, titled “Letting Go” and “King Of My Heart“. Later, church elders were called upon to pray for members and visitors who made their way to the altar.

The service was capped with communion, which was not done in the ordinary fashion, but rather behind a veil, where church deacons prayed with participants. The service lasted for several hours, but the time seemed to have past without anyone noticing, a telling sign of how engaging the affair was.

“For us Christians, the resurrection of Jesus Christ represents victory, where we could not have received victory before,” said Mr. Skepple, founder of the 18-year-old ministry, and a pastor for equal length. “Sinners don’t have power over sin, but Christians have power over sin because we acknowledge what Jesus Christ did. When we acknowledge it, it infuses in us power that we did not have before. And that’s why you see people overcoming sickness, disease, lack — a lot of things that have been made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.”

Mr. Skepple highlighted the difference between a Christian and those who haven’t accepted Jesus into their lives as having different levels of access to the power of God. “When a sinner goes to God, he could only go asking for forgiveness of sins. A Christian must also ask for forgiveness, but a Christian has further access to everything that is in God; unlike an unbeliever,” he said.

The pastor said onlookers who want to make a step towards God, but are hesitant, should only take a look at a world overwhelmed with conflict. “Look at the wars, look at what is happening in the world today, and look at Israel — everything you read about Jesus Christ in the Bible is real. The cross, Nazareth, the tomb — everything. It’s all there. And look at how Israel has become a target of many who want its total destruction; this represents exactly what the Bible talks about.

“So this is no dream, it’s real. Jesus Christ is real, and I would encourage everyone to lay aside doubt and make the step towards salvation,” Mr. Skepple said.

Below, some videos of yesterday’s service.