Sometimes a blessing so big and unexpected comes your way. It’s at those times you know it could only be from God.

Such was the case for Restoration Fellowship, whose 15th Annual International Prophetic Encounter last weekend was filmed by American television station Word Network.

Hailed as being the largest African-American religious network in the world, its Christian programmes are broadcast in more than 200 countries — reaching millions of viewers in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the United States.

Pamela Wainwright, one of the church’s elders, said it was an “electrifying, awesome, enlightening and powerful” experience.

“These are just a few of the words used by conference attendees to describe Restoration Fellowship’s event last weekend,” she said.

“The 5-day event mainly took place at the Fairmont Southampton. Guest speakers included Word Network’s Bishop George G Bloomer, Rev Dr Judy Brown-Jones and Dr Kervin J Smith.

“Each of the services and workshops experienced the heights of prayer, praise and the prophetic.

“The rich presence of the Lord saw many miracles and deliverances take place. God truly blessed His people and the nation of Bermuda.”

While each night of the conference was recorded to air internationally, the Friday night event proved to be the highlight of the weekend.

The Fairmont Southampton’s Amphitheatre was packed to hear Bishop Bloomer’s message.

“Restoration Fellowship is truly grateful to all those who attended and to those involved in making this conference a resounding success,” Ms Wainwright explained.

The opportunity to work with Word Network was actually sparked earlier this year in April.

Restoration Fellowship’s pastor Rev Dr Roxanne Haynes was preaching one day in New York — Bishop Bloomer happened to be in the audience and was impressed by what he heard.

“Rev Haynes is a very good preacher, very strong in the word and operates the gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever she steps to the podium to speak,” Ms Wainwright explained.

“She’s very charismatic and after the service Bishop Bloomer approached to talk to her. He invited her to Detroit to be interviewed by him on two occasions; and all the viewers enjoyed her segments so that’s how the connection was made.

“Bishop Bloomer was also looking to move and be in different places so they made a decision to come to Bermuda to tape some of the services. As far as I know this was the first time for them coming to the Island.”

Ms Wainwright has been a member of the Pembroke-based church since 2002.

She said attending the conference was one of the highlights of the year for her. She always hears a timely word and leaves feeling uplifted in her spirit.

“As a result of these events I’ve grown in my faith and that just makes you light up, which as a result causes you to draw other people to you,” she said.

“You are able to encourage other people to walk and live by faith and that’s what this conference is all about.

Our late founder Bishop Christopher Haynes’s vision for the church was there would be a move of God and the spirit of God would be felt.

“When you read the bible whenever Jesus went to the church or temple something happened — either someone was healed or someone was delivered and as a result of that incident someone came to know Jesus. This is the vision for our church — that it wouldn’t just be church as usual, but it would be a demonstration of that power of God and the Spirit of God. And what that means is people would be healed and things will happen in people’s lives.

“Because in this day we are living in people have a lot of issues that are pressing them down and keeping them down.

“This is why the word of God, when it’s preached in an engaging way, it invigorates and changes lives.”

Scenes from the local conference will be aired on the Word Network within the next few weeks. The official date will be announced on Facebook: Restoration Fellowship UFCI, as well as the church’s website www.rfbermuda.com