I was thankful to attend Priscilla Shirer’s Going Beyond Live event this past weekend in Baltimore, Maryland, with 3,500 women. Attendees came from all over the country, including one from Australia and one from Paris. As the crowd entered the UMBC Arena, it was evident all were ready to return to some normalcy and hear a fresh Word from the Lord.
But the blessing went far beyond Baltimore since this was a global simulcast. Through the simulcast, nearly 50,000 more were reached through 374 participating churches and 382 small groups from 15 countries and all 50 states!
The morning began with Priscilla’s incredibly talented and anointed brother, Anthony Evans, leading us in worship. Anthony hears the Lord and ushers in His presence with joy and grace. He has the gift of connecting the audience with the Lord.
Priscilla is a gifted teacher and Bible student, and like many of those in attendance, I had done several of her Bible studies. Her live events/simulcasts have always had a major focus on prayer.
The prayer experience was powerful and provided a time for personal ministry. Attendees wrote their prayer requests on cards and brought them to the altar. (Those prayer cards were later passed out for the attendees to take and pray over when they leave.)
The second part of the prayer focus allowed us to pray for one another through common experiences. Priscilla asked those who had overcome something, such as a failed marriage, addiction, physical illness, depression, prodigal children, and so forth to stand up. Then, she invited those in the audience who were struggling with that same issue to raise their hands. The overcomers and others were encouraged to pray over those in need. It was a powerful experience, and I know many were healed on Saturday.
The other focus of Priscilla’s message was “How to Study the Word,” which she called the “5 Ps”:
- Position yourself to hear from God.
- Pour over the passage and paraphrase the major points.
- Pull out the Spiritual principles.
- Pose the questions.
- Plan obedience and pin down the date.
Priscilla then delivered a powerful message based on 2 Kings 6:16, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (NKJV). She emphasized that life is hard, and sometimes it seems as if everyone is against us. Our human nature causes us to quit or want to hide under a bush and not stand up. But God wants us to know He is with us always. People left the arena encouraged.
In the meantime, two ministries were recognized throughout the day. First, a table for Operation Christmas Child invited attendees to fill a box and make a difference in a child’s life. The second ministry was Hope Heals Camp, a weeklong camp experience and year-round community offering resources, rest, and relationships to families affected by disabilities. Priscilla selected Hope Heals as the ministry this year’s simulcast would financially support, and, since Saturday, the Going Beyond Live team collected over $165,000 for Hope Heals Camp.
You may be thinking, I wish we had hosted the simulcast, but that date didn’t work for us. The good news is that it’s not too late. Lifeway offers individuals and small group hosts the opportunity to watch the simulcast for 30 days after the live event (through October 24, 2022). A church can host it for 60 days (through November 24, 2022).
Because I was there for the live event, our church decided to host this simulcast next weekend. I’m glad we’re doing it after the event because our team can watch it beforehand and be fully prepared. We also have the freedom to adjust the schedule a little bit. For example, the lunch break for the live event was for one hour and twenty-five minutes, but we’ve decided to cut it to one hour. Making such an adjustment is as easy as clicking the “Watch Now” button on the host page.
I hope you will consider hosting this life-changing simulcast; it is easy and fun. And your group will be so blessed you did.
ABOUT CARRIE RESTER
Carrie Rester is a native of the MS Gulf Coast and loves all things related to the beach and water. What truly brings her the most joy is leading women to a deeper understanding of God. She loves to teach and lead Bible study but discipling one on one is where she find her passion. She lives in Gulfport, MS with John, her husband of 22 years.
