Who would have known that the first Feast of Tabernacles for the Destiny
of Hope Ministries would have been so awesome? By faith in God and with
much passion Pastor Woodland and his wife Beverlie, in collaboration with the
the Church of God International, launched a Feast site in Baltimore to facilitate
those who desired to attend a nearby feast. Brethren from Maryland, Washington
DC, Virginia, Florida, New York and other neighboring States attended as well as
brethren from Ohio, Chicago and Jamaica.
It was a small gathering of about 33 in attendance and sometimes
25-28 during weekdays. The organization of this feast was professionally
structured as it had everything like a large feast site. There were brethren
who visited the website at www.Feastgoer.org and chose Baltimore,
Maryland as their site without knowing for sure what it would be like, seeing
it was the first time for the Woodlands. The brethren from Chicago who also
came by faith, fell in love with what they saw and heard, and immediately gave
of themselves and their resources to make it the success it was. The energy of
the praise and worship sessions brought such enthusiasm that got the participation
of everyone. What was outstanding was the rich presence of the Lord throughout
the week and the love that was almost tangibly felt among the brethren. Another
outstanding memory was on the Last Great Day when Pastor Woodland called on
two other pastors to join him in ministering to the needs of the brethren. This was
for their physical healing, comfort and strength for those who had the passing of
loved ones, and for those who were undergoing the threat of home foreclosures.
That was a solemn moment. Everyone was moved by the presence of God.
What a moment! As a result, victory testimonies were received after the feast on
improved health issues, financial breakthroughs, and the experience of God’s
strength and comfort by those who heard of the passing of loved ones.
The family dance, seniors’ luncheon and reggae social brought so much
joy it was hard to believe that this was not an ongoing feast site for a long
time. One of the highlights was the singing of the “group” that comprised
of just Pastor Woodland and Beverlie. They called themselves the “group”
because they had plans to incorporate others to sing with them but did not
quite complete the process, hence they kept the name “group” all through
their times of singing. That was a time of laughter for the brethren, as they
all “kept it real.” The great talents of special music from Rashida Curtis and
Deacon Al Nelson were truly superb. The Feast in Baltimore was a tremendous
success. The testimonies below will speak to that end. Pastor Woodland
announced that this would be an ongoing Feast Site for Baltimore, and that
the contract was already signed for 2010 for the same location. Below are
a few feast testimonies from the brethren:
The Baltimore Feast of Tabernacles was very interesting. This inaugural
year saw the eclectic fusion of top-notch scholarship, upbeat worship and
energetic preaching in an intimate setting. In my 40+ years of Feast keeping
this Baltimore native was excited to see the Destiny of Hope Ministries step
out in faith with hard work to make it happen. It was well planned and hosted
with typical Church of God standards, and highlighted with a personal touch,
warmth, and spiritual renewal that too often are secondary in large venues.
Congrats to the coordinators hosts.
Todd and Yanina Drawbaugh
Rockville, MD.
Who would have known that this was the first feast put on by Destiny of
Hope Ministries? You would think that they had been at this Festival thing
for years! A small group of laborers put together a Feast of Tabernacles that,
while modest, was filled with all of the things that make for a memorable and
Spirit-Filled Feats of Tabernacles. The Church of God International has done
well in partnering with Pastor Woodland and Sister Beverlie Woodland in
sponsoring this Feast site. The location at the Homewood Suites was perfect.
The Hotel is less 5 minutes from BWI/Thurgood Marshall Airport and within
minutes of downtown Baltimore. Having all events in the Hotel eliminate the need
to rent a car for those who are budget conscious. The highlights of the Feast
were the very timely and relevant sermons given. Meat was on the menu from
the first night and continued to the end. The theme “Reigning with the King of
Kings” was thoroughly explained through the thought-provoking sermons of
Pastor Woodland, Dr. Tom Roberts, Minister Gary Staszak, Elder George
Ramocan and Pastor Ray Curtis. Yet, with many medical problems and
personal tragedies dotting the feast, a spiritual high was the prayer for, and
anointing of all festival participants by Pastor Woodland, Deveaux, and Curtis.
There were few dry eyes in the house. Many of us were aware of the problems
and tragedies expressed by some of the brethren during the course of the feast.
This was cathartic and a moment that bonded us all as “founding members”
and friends of this feast site and of each other.
If you have no plans for next year’s Feast of Tabernacles, I would
heartily encourage you to join us next year in Baltimore if God wills.
Pastor Raymond Curtis
Chicago. Il.
We would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest
gratitude to you, your family and our "fellow Feastgoers" for an
awesome Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day 2009.
It was a stupendous week of worship, praise, and gratitude to our
Awesome God and our Savior, Jesus Christ. We (Stanley and Jean
Marie De Veaux) have, collectively, celebrated the Lord's Feast of
Tabernacles annually for more than 40 years. We have been blessed
to travel all over the world for the Feast over the years and, truly,
your site this year was one of the most enjoyable and spirit-filled Feasts
we have ever experienced anywhere! We were tremendously impressed
with all the hard work you and your family did to sponsor such a
well-organized Feast week with all the "amenities and treats" of a
larger Feast site. You gave magnificent glory to God in every aspect
of the Feast by providing daily Services and activities which beautifully
celebrated Jesus' second coming to establish God's Kingdom. During
the Feast, you worked so hard every day to set up the worship space,
to tape music, Sermons, Bible Studies and Feast activities, to cook
pounds of delicious foods for every event and you ent hundreds of dollars
of your own personal money to give everyone who attended "the BEST
FEAST EVER"!! Every Sermon given was powerful, instructive, and
uplifting including topics given by Elder George Ramocan, Dr. Tom Roberts,
Mr. Gary Staszak, Pastor Ray Curtis, and YOU, our beloved Pastor
Woodland. We also appreciated hearing from the community youth leader,
Brother Jeremy Vickery, during his tribute to Jesus Christ. The daily Hymns
and Special Music performed were so inspiring that we were "moved to tears"
more than once. We absolutely loved "the Group" - our wonderful Feast
Choir - who were none other than Pastor and Mrs. Woodland singing with
heartfelt joy, every day, to our Great God. The Feast activities were also very
entertaining and fabulous!! We had a wonderful time at the Festival Talent Show.
We were really amazed by the truly "professional" talent displayed during the
Show by the Feast participants. We also loved the Reggae Night (with music
and a cookout) in the courtyard of the Hotel (Homewood Suites). Other
Feastgoers told us how much they enjoyed the Family Dance (which we missed)
and group shopping at the outlet mall near BWI. We, as senior citizens, also
loved being honored and served by younger Feastgoers at the Senior Luncheon.
We returned home and we could not stop talking about how wonderful this year's
Feast was. You worked so hard to make everyone's Feast experience
MAGNIFICENT and MEMORABLE!! We feel that God definitely inspired us
to choose to attend your site, especially after our "first choice" site
(Pine Mountain, Ga.) was cancelled. We want to say THANK YOU again FOR
A STUPENDOUS FEAST OF TABERNACLES 2009!! We thoroughly
enjoyed the great fellowship with you and our other "brothers and sisters
a greater number of attendees next year. Both of you are filled with so much
LOVE, JOY and GOODWILL. May God richly bless you always! Again,
THANK YOU for everything!!!
Stanley and Jean Marie DeVeaux
New York
I just want to thank the Lord our God, for the wonderful time I had at
the 2009 Feast of Tabernacles in Baltimore, Maryland. I've been in the church
for many, many years, and I must say that this Feast of Tabernacles was
one of the very best I have had in a very long time. The spiritual food was
just awesome! I am so thankful we chose Maryland. I hope to be there next
year as well, God’s willing. The fellowship with the brethren was great and
the presence of God was so rich. It is one feast I will remember and hold
dear always. Thanks you all for the hard work that was put in this feast.
Malina M
Chicago, IL.
I am grateful for your warm reception and hospitality. Your love and
Christ-like personality make me feel like a member of your family. I've been
to quite a few feasts in my 20+ years in the church and this past one was by
far the best. Thank you for making me feel so at home. I was humbled by
the experience and more than glad I was of some small service to such a
great work as God's mission. May God shower you and your family with
many blessings and bestow upon you more of the love
and wisdom you already possess. Stay well and keep up the good work.
Al Nelson
Chicago, IL.
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