A Season of Tents
By Terrence Clark
A couple of years ago the Lord told me he was reviving the tent meeting. He was bringing back the tents. Since then I have been involved in several from large campaigns to smaller ones. One, erected by my home church, right next to its building, which sits on the campus of Rowan University, in Glassboro NJ. Two others in neighboring Philadelphia PA.
Philadelphia Tabernacle of David (PTOD) hosted an 8-day, around the clock, celebration in the spring of both this year 2017 and 2016 (see articles http://voicecnc.com/jubilee-2016-philadelphia-gathering.html , http://voicecnc.com/jubilee-2017.html) The week-long event, a time of praise & worship was orchestrated to set the atmosphere of God’s glory in Philadelphia and from there the rest of the world. Worship teams, from a host of churches throughout the Delaware Valley and beyond, ministered in two-hour intervals with uninterrupted and continuous worship. Angela Burns and Hanna Johns from Delaware and Philadelphia just finishing their 2- 4 pm set shared their experience. In the backdrop, worship from the ministry that just took the platform flowed. And that was Torrey Marcel Harper, who traveled from Radiance International House of Prayer—Times Square New York City. He was worshipping on the keyboard with an intercessor ministering in prayer and dance. Angela---who also ministered on the keyboard, said the Jubilee tent worship was a great opportunity to proclaim the name of Jesus out in public and in Philadelphia. Her team was also involved in 2016, so it wasn’t new to them. She said, although two hours was a little hard on the vocal chords (and they have ministered longer), It was a great honor. |
“When you have such a big chunk of time, said Angela, it was an opportunity to just settle into the presence of God and worship Him, allowing him to enjoy our worship. It’s a moment when you allow heaven to rain down. And, you’re releasing a part of heaven on earth. Even though it may seem to others, we’re just singing, we were declaring and releasing. There was an ebb and flow throughout, so you could feel when things got charged up. A lot of times, it was when we were doing more spontaneous flow.”
The tent meetings of the two centuries gone by were all atmosphere charging---just in the fact they were outside events. The goal was to bring God out of the walls of the churches to the people. These unconventional meetings were hosted by churches or joint collaboration of multiple churches (within a denomination or a community). There were also traveling ministries whose prime calling was to mobile ministry. An itinerant ministry from Albany, Georgia--Goodbread Ministries, Robert & Glennette Goodbread (grgoodbread@gmail.com) visited my home church several Sundays ago---the messages were on evangelism and multiple ways to get the gospel out. The gospel couple usually travels with a tent bringing the mission to wherever God leads, and where permits were obtained. Tent ministries of the past were strong in evangelism (the call to lost souls), but also as in all revivals, the opportunity for saints, to recommit to the Lord. Many of those tent meetings were sponsored by Pentecostal and Holiness denominations. These meetings were marked not only by salvation altar calls, but the demonstration of the Holy Spirit---divine healing, miracles, speaking in tongues, and other (Mark 16:15-20) miraculous exhibits of the Spirit. Some more conservative Christian denominations disconnected with these types of tent revival meetings. I cut my tent meeting teeth (most were more so open air meetings) in my earlier days of ministries being called on by the Beatty’s (not the Beetle’s). This family staffed, evangelistic, Pentecostal ministry used their creative and musical gift to reach the lost. Pastor Rick played lead guitar, his wife Prophetess Leola---keyboard, their son on the drums, and their daughter sang along. They’d call me to sing (and preach a bit during my set). “I just want to see soul’s saved,” Pastor Rick would often say. God would confirm. The meetings were answered with salvation and miracles. Some of the declines of tent meetings and other open air gatherings may have to do with the environment---mosquitos and adverse weather conditions. These challenges juxtaposed with the easy access of climate controlled venues may dampen the thought of tents as the way to evangelize. But the open airiness of the tent still has an exposure that a closed-in venue doesn’t. Advertising for a building based event may have to be extremely direct---using communication that reaching niche demographics like radio, flyers, or word of mouth. The tent meeting becomes its own advertisement. There is the reality of the tent itself---seemingly arising out of nowhere---making it curious. Then, there’s the building uninhibited sound that attracts and draw. And accessibility, if not just psychological, is easier---just walk up. |
Janice Pollock reports on Philly Tent Revival:“The presence and glory of the Lord filled the tent. Many children came to altar. They received Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Several received freedom to openly worship.
A major breakthrough came to a tired minister and she was revived. Others were encouraged by the Word, seeing we can affect the Kingdom of God and people's lives, by what we say and do. It was evident, at the tent, we bring hope to the hopeless and those beat down by the enemy. The enemy’s territory was shaken as we worshiped the Lord and gave the declarations of deliverance. Many people outside the tent heard the worship and listened to the preaching. As a residue, from the tent-outreach, people are still finding their way to the Lighthouse (one of the supporting church---down the street from the park where the tent was raised). They acknowledged it was because of the tent meeting they were prompted to come. During the two day meeting, people came forward for healing. We are believing they received. A great unity in the Holy Spirit came as we co-labored for the Glory of God. One young man received confirmation that he is to preach the gospel. Others received cleansing fire to change their lives---depression was lifted. Many in the area realized that Jesus loves them unconditionally and invited Him into their hearts. [And although all who come to the cross is precious, it was heavenly joyful when] two Muslim women came to altar and brought their children to receive Jesus.” |
God must like tents. His first house on earth was one, the tabernacle of Moses, which its design---Yahweh spared no expense. The exposure was magnificent. All the nations around, although not in attendance, got a glimpse of his glory. The Patriarchs were marked by tent dwelling---at least until they reached the promise land and the stationary temple was built. In reality, the human body itself is a tent---a mobile revival center design to carry around the presence of the living God.
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle [tent] were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
----2 Corinthians 5:1
The Apostle John reports in Revelation 21:3----
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle [tent] of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Symbolizing that God himself is the tent and the glorious presence inside.
Build it and they will come
Kevin Costner in the 1989 film Field of Dreams is a hears a voice that says "If you build it, they will come." Upon that word, he builds a baseball diamond, in a corn field thus attracting deceased baseball legends who come and play.
Janice Pollock and her husband Steve have a ministry on the streets of Philadelphia. They live in rural South Jersey. It was early in 2017 that Janice heard the word “tents” from the Lord. So the thing to do was to find someone who had tents. The Holy Spirit directed them to an established caterer in South Jersey, who they never met before, but found out he had tents---large tents.
Nick Masso is a God loving Glassboro business man and has a heart for revival, but he didn’t know anything about the evangelist couple from the nearby town of Elmer. After prayer, and consultation with his pastor, he did the next wisdom of God thing---he Googled them. The search connected him with and a five-year-old article in the Voice of One Magazine. (http://www.voiceofoneonline.com/church%20in%20philly%20steve%20&%20janice.html). This prompted him to call this editor. The conversation then put Nick, Steve, and Janice on a community baseball field in South Philly.
“This is what I have been looking for,” said the businessman. As he surveyed the buildings and row homes set in front of the backdrop of Philly’s landmark skyline.
As the weeks went on God would bring the cast the together---band, help, ministers, and security. Surprisingly, most of the pastors and churches supporting onsite were from neighboring New Jersey. Friday night came the first night of the two-day soul campaign. “Now God has to fill it,” said Janice and Steve referring to the 200 seat tent.
The tent sat right off first-base of the fenced in field. Someone reminisce of the line from the movie---“build it and they will come”
They did come---not 200---but the tent was filled. The program was somewhat in reverse of the typical liturgy----music, praise, preaching, and altar call. Steve---took the mike, Janice at his side, with his rustic street evangelist style, no suit or tie.
“The Lord is directed me to pray,” he said and call a couple of people to the front, and then the kids. And the night was on---altar call first. A mass of kids huddled at the altar---to receive prayer. A mass of children receiving Christ as Savior and the baptism of the Holy Spirit (A Pentecostal experience according to the book of Acts that empowers born-again, followers of Jesus, to be bold witnesses. And speak in other tongues.) After the altar, praise and worship continued as Delaware band Chris Harris led the tent atmosphere with songs of praise. Steve followed with a short message. After more prayer and worship the meeting concluded. Guests were able to leave with bags of food and other necessities.
Saturday was more of the same. Children there again. The open air meeting starting at 4 pm instead of Friday’s 6. It was a time of worship. Chris, again, along with street psalmist Terrence Clark (this writer), were used by God to yield to a time of Holy Spirit dancing and praise. Laura, one of tent-team, said she hadn’t danced like that in years.
The worship was flowing alongside an occupied basketball court. The players shooting ball were definitely in hearing and experiencing range. After the meeting one of the young men came over---looking for food. After receiving a bottle of water and the remaining pack of cheese crackers, he prayed the sinner’s prayer, as Steve led him to the Lord. “It’s the residue,” someone said---reminding that revival isn’t just a meeting—it’s a change of atmosphere that continues after the tent is dismantled.
Jesus instructed Peter at his introduction to him. The professional fisherman and his crew had fished all night and caught nothing. But they yielded to the preacher who had just borrowed Peter’s business boat. ”Cast your nets on the other side, there will be a great catch.”
Peter, hesitant, cast in a net—one—not all of them as instructed. The miracle occurred regardless---and Peter net was starting to break because of the great fish multitude. He had to call others to help.
I heard God say tents were not just the stitched cloth structures strewn over poles and ropes. The human body according to scripture is a tent---a tabernacle not made with hands. The Apostle Paul was a tent maker. A secular occupation. In contrast, in ministry to people, he was a tent restorer. He preached what Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection had done so the tabernacle, temple, and tent of the human being, after regeneration, could be filled with God himself.
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle [tent] were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
----2 Corinthians 5:1
The Apostle John reports in Revelation 21:3----
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle [tent] of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Symbolizing that God himself is the tent and the glorious presence inside.
Build it and they will come
Kevin Costner in the 1989 film Field of Dreams is a hears a voice that says "If you build it, they will come." Upon that word, he builds a baseball diamond, in a corn field thus attracting deceased baseball legends who come and play.
Janice Pollock and her husband Steve have a ministry on the streets of Philadelphia. They live in rural South Jersey. It was early in 2017 that Janice heard the word “tents” from the Lord. So the thing to do was to find someone who had tents. The Holy Spirit directed them to an established caterer in South Jersey, who they never met before, but found out he had tents---large tents.
Nick Masso is a God loving Glassboro business man and has a heart for revival, but he didn’t know anything about the evangelist couple from the nearby town of Elmer. After prayer, and consultation with his pastor, he did the next wisdom of God thing---he Googled them. The search connected him with and a five-year-old article in the Voice of One Magazine. (http://www.voiceofoneonline.com/church%20in%20philly%20steve%20&%20janice.html). This prompted him to call this editor. The conversation then put Nick, Steve, and Janice on a community baseball field in South Philly.
“This is what I have been looking for,” said the businessman. As he surveyed the buildings and row homes set in front of the backdrop of Philly’s landmark skyline.
As the weeks went on God would bring the cast the together---band, help, ministers, and security. Surprisingly, most of the pastors and churches supporting onsite were from neighboring New Jersey. Friday night came the first night of the two-day soul campaign. “Now God has to fill it,” said Janice and Steve referring to the 200 seat tent.
The tent sat right off first-base of the fenced in field. Someone reminisce of the line from the movie---“build it and they will come”
They did come---not 200---but the tent was filled. The program was somewhat in reverse of the typical liturgy----music, praise, preaching, and altar call. Steve---took the mike, Janice at his side, with his rustic street evangelist style, no suit or tie.
“The Lord is directed me to pray,” he said and call a couple of people to the front, and then the kids. And the night was on---altar call first. A mass of kids huddled at the altar---to receive prayer. A mass of children receiving Christ as Savior and the baptism of the Holy Spirit (A Pentecostal experience according to the book of Acts that empowers born-again, followers of Jesus, to be bold witnesses. And speak in other tongues.) After the altar, praise and worship continued as Delaware band Chris Harris led the tent atmosphere with songs of praise. Steve followed with a short message. After more prayer and worship the meeting concluded. Guests were able to leave with bags of food and other necessities.
Saturday was more of the same. Children there again. The open air meeting starting at 4 pm instead of Friday’s 6. It was a time of worship. Chris, again, along with street psalmist Terrence Clark (this writer), were used by God to yield to a time of Holy Spirit dancing and praise. Laura, one of tent-team, said she hadn’t danced like that in years.
The worship was flowing alongside an occupied basketball court. The players shooting ball were definitely in hearing and experiencing range. After the meeting one of the young men came over---looking for food. After receiving a bottle of water and the remaining pack of cheese crackers, he prayed the sinner’s prayer, as Steve led him to the Lord. “It’s the residue,” someone said---reminding that revival isn’t just a meeting—it’s a change of atmosphere that continues after the tent is dismantled.
Jesus instructed Peter at his introduction to him. The professional fisherman and his crew had fished all night and caught nothing. But they yielded to the preacher who had just borrowed Peter’s business boat. ”Cast your nets on the other side, there will be a great catch.”
Peter, hesitant, cast in a net—one—not all of them as instructed. The miracle occurred regardless---and Peter net was starting to break because of the great fish multitude. He had to call others to help.
I heard God say tents were not just the stitched cloth structures strewn over poles and ropes. The human body according to scripture is a tent---a tabernacle not made with hands. The Apostle Paul was a tent maker. A secular occupation. In contrast, in ministry to people, he was a tent restorer. He preached what Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection had done so the tabernacle, temple, and tent of the human being, after regeneration, could be filled with God himself.