Greater Bethel celebrates family, friends

Aida Mallard, The Gainesville Sun
·2 min read

God is a miracle worker and will do more for you than you can ever imagine.

That was the message of faith delivered to parishioners at Greater Bethel AME Church by the Rev. David W. Green Jr., who was the guest speaker at the church Sunday for Family and Friends Day.

The Rev. Ron Rawls, pastor of Greater Bethel AME Church, speaks to parishioners on Sunday morning during the Family and Friends Day service at the church.
The Rev. Ron Rawls, pastor of Greater Bethel AME Church, speaks to parishioners on Sunday morning during the Family and Friends Day service at the church.
The Rev. David W. Green Jr., a ministerial staff member at Third Street AME Church in Richmond, Virginia, delivers the sermon Sunday during the Family and Friends Day service at Greater Bethel AME Church in southeast Gainesville.
The Rev. David W. Green Jr., a ministerial staff member at Third Street AME Church in Richmond, Virginia, delivers the sermon Sunday during the Family and Friends Day service at Greater Bethel AME Church in southeast Gainesville.
A member of the Greater Bethel AME Church Praise Dance Team performs during the Family and Friends Day service at the church on Sunday.
A member of the Greater Bethel AME Church Praise Dance Team performs during the Family and Friends Day service at the church on Sunday.

The service was held in person at the church at 701 SE 43rd St. and via Facebook Live. The theme of the service was "Back to the Future."

Praise and worship by the Greater Bethel AME Church Praise Team set the tone for a joyous service, and the invocation was taken from Hebrews 10:19-25.

The title of the sermon was “He’ll Do More Than You Ever Expected,” taken from Luke 5:17-26.

Green is a student at Virginia Union University and is on the ministerial staff at Third Street Bethel AME Church in Richmond, Virginia. Green, who lives in Richmond, was born and raised in Gainesville. As a child, he attended Greater Bethel while his father was pastor of the church when it was located on Northwest Sixth Street and Seventh Avenue.

Green preached that Jesus healed paralyzed men and forgives sins. He said those that Jesus healed didn't necessarily come to Jesus for a miracle, but came to him because they wanted to hear a message from God almighty.

Green said we’re living in a world where everyone wants to be a hero but not a hero maker. “

You should not desire the spotlight but shine in the shadows,” Green said. “Teamwork makes the dream work.”

Green said Jesus helps believers overcome obstacles and turns opposition into opportunity.

“God will blow your mind by doing more than you expected, exceedingly and abundantly,” Green said.

To do more than expected, believers should plan with a purpose, believe they have the  power to pursue their purpose and most importantly, partner with Jesus.

“As we prepare for the future, we must go beyond what we see and our needs," Green said. "Jesus will meet our needs and the needs of everyone else. Even though your future has been deferred by men, it does not mean your future has been denied by God.”

Green also shared with parishioners a cautionary tale about a man playing chess with the devil and losing.

Green said it was not checkmate because the King had one more move.

“God specializes in things that are impossible,” Green said. “I know he can do more than expected.  My Jesus went to Calvary to save a wretch like me.”

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Sunday was Family and Friends Day at Greater Bethel AME Church