The Rose Parade, also known as the Tournament of Roses Parade, is an annual parade held in Pasadena, California every New Year’s Day. Barbara Pritchard, Transformations team leader, shared the following about this annual outreach held on January 1, 2023.
We met at my home to pray before going out to the parade route where the people are saving their spots for the parade. I prayed that their minds be unlocked so the light of Jesus could come in, the conviction of sin would come, and they would believe in Him. A member of the team, Pastor Lynn, prayed over the outreach also.
I shared with our team of 7 that watching the Movie “Do You Believe” had inspired me to give out small crosses. In all the years of outreach, I had never given out crosses. The movie depicted how the Cross had changed 12 people’s lives. I felt it was Holy Spirit lead. I ordered 100 crosses and as it happened, they were made of olive wood from Nazareth. I anointed them and prayed over them. It made a good talking point. Pastor Lynn had scripted a tract “Why the Cross?” that was a perfect companion.
I gave a cross to a young woman named Jessica. I saw that Jessica, who was not sure about receiving Jesus, change her mind through the leading of my partner, Swanny Talbot.
Members of the team had a great time playing and singing songs to about 28 people. They gave out crosses, necklaces, bracelets, and also passed out candy canes to the children.
We prayed for a lot of people that day. Linda and Janai, a mother and daughter, Manuel and Maria, Carl and Shirley, Cora, Shirley’s daughter, Eric and Lenaya, Jr. and family, and many more for those sick in families.
Betty has an anointing for children. She passed out a lot of candy canes and talked to them about Jesus with the story of the Candy Maker as the parents looked on.
Betty also talked to Chrystal and her husband who said they were thinking about receiving Jesus into their hearts.
All in all we came away feeling that we, shining the light of Christ, had made impact.
These Aglow ladies carry a passion to shine the light of Jesus to the lost in their city. May we remember that we are carriers of His Light and Presence to the world around us.
Let our lights so shine before men, that they will see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. Mathew 5:16.