Exciting things are expected at Mt Zion AME next week as the pastor, Rev Jahkimmo Smith, has organised his first revival at the church since returning to Bermuda to take the pastorate in June, 2009.The theme for next week’s revival is Fresh Start 2012, and will feature guest preacher Dr Lance Watson, known for his programme, Positive Power, which features on the Word Network, and guest worship leader, Clifton Ross III.“It’s during this time of the year, more than any other time of the year, that we think about doing a new thing ... Through God’s grace and mercy, we have the opportunity to start again,” Rev. Smith explained.“A fresh start means recognising where we stand with God,” his wife, Lashonna, added.Starting right from the gospel, they explained, we see that God is a God of second and third chances, and that He wants to see his people improve.Dr Watson, who is the senior pastor of St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia, is well known for his encouraging and uplifting messages, and Rev Smith was sure that the well-known TV pastor would have a special word for the people of Bermuda during his time here.“Something that would help us... set the tone and frame what is to come this year,” Rev. Smith shared.The couple hope to see revival reach Bermuda’s Christians this year.“Revival ... presupposes life. You resurrect the dead, but you revive the living,” Rev Smith explained. He hopes to see Christians stirred up through the three nights of meetings.“Sometimes the body just needs to be revived.”“We’re just crazy enough to believe that though it’s the worst of times for a lot of people, it’s still the best of times for God to be God,” Rev Smith proclaimed.“God is at work. Some situations may look like God isn’t even it it, but God is still working... setting up this island and his church to be ready.”While in Bermuda, Dr Watson will also be sharing at a pastor’s lunch, which will allow local pastors, from a number of different denominations, to have a ‘ministry conversation’ concerning the successes and failures Dr. Watson has faced, personally, in ministry through the years.Rev Smith sees the opportunity to help encourage the next generation of ministers, especially learning lessons from someone like Dr Watson, “who’s doing ministry at the magnitude he’s doing”.Dr Watson’s church serves more than 12,000 people, yet is built around the concept of small groups.Mr Ross made his first visit to Bermuda as a part of the group of back up singers at the Gospel Fest last August. He is a former musical director for the Howard University Gospel Choir, and now serves as a musical director, alongside Byron Cage, Rick Dillard and Tye Tribbet, at Ebenezer AME Church in Maryland. He is best known as a contestant in season two of BET’s Sunday Best competition.While in Bermuda, Mr Ross will also be leading some special music seminars for the music ministry participants at Mt Zion AME, and will be sharing with music students at both CedarBridge Academy and Berkley Institute.