The air was thick with anticipation, excitement! It had been that way for the past couple of weeks. We had been calling our Pastor “Bishop-Elect” Ben for months and now, since about two weeks out, we began counting down. “12 Days to Promotion of the Faithful” and at that time our Pastor, Ben Gibert would be confirmed as “Bishop”.
It was no wonder we were excited; we’d gotten a history lesson; an explanation of the Promotion of the Faithful ceremony and a chance to witness a prophecy being manifested; not to mention experiencing a pride in our holy man of God who was being promoted. Afterall, he’d made it clear that because we were all connected, we were all going into another dimension together. Had we not ‘followed’ he would have had no one to ‘lead’. So here’s the deal, the elders of our church submitted a letter to Pastor Ben’s spiritual father, Bishop I.V. Hilliard requesting the process begin to confirm him as a Bishop. The letter was read in church one Sunday as was Bishop Hilliard’s affirmative response. It was on from there.
For the record, our Pastor has been shepherding other pastors as well as our DWO family. Destiny Outreach Ministerial Alliance (DOMA) was established to provide that covering and the Ministerial Development Institute (MDI) was born to provide “minister in training” experiences for those interested. Men of Valor (MOV), Women of Virtue (WOV), Prayer Engine are excellent discipleship opportunities for our family at large and there are NUMEROUS ‘arms’ in the church for all to serve in. If you are a DWOite then you understand the 7 Distinctives that are our mission and you know that we pray for Souls, Members, Manifestations, Resources and Destiny Intersections. We have a food bank to serve those who need it, ministries for children at every age, several yearly outreaches, health and wellness seminars/programs – I mean Detroit World Outreach is a great place to belong!
Our Pastor has taught us that Praise is how we enter His house and Worship is how we engage the Holy Spirit to touch us each and every time we come together; unity is critical. If you were to poll the house I dare say you’d get a different list of favorite Pastor Ben messages. Ok, so my short list – just off the top of my head – includes Never Alone, Order of the Uncommon, God’s Kingdom First Priority, Body, Spirit, Soul; Never Going Back, to name a few, and a message that warned of having “vampire faith”. We don’t live in a bubble and in a city like Detroit it would be ridiculous to pretend that we don’t know we are of difference races, ethnicities, income levels and social status. But you know, we really don’t see each other by color unless it’s purple. You rarely hear someone describing another by saying “you know, the white girl…” or “he’s a black guy” unless a last resort.
How’s that for a quick synopsis of my church?! Now back to Friday night. A nice chunk of the main sanctuary was reserved seating for Pastor’s family, clergy etc., and there were no empty seats. The balcony was full with only seats for the Praise and Worship team available and they were in full effect that night stretched across the whole choir stand. Pastor Ben had already told us it would be a formal ceremony, but of course it would be done DWO style. The excitement in the room was on everyone’s face as the Prayer Engine was on duty at the altar. Out of towners who came back to witness the promotion were reuniting with family. Pastor Matt and Minister Johnnie were syncing up all the last minute details and you could see the anticipation on them as well. And when the first chord was struck – it began.
Although we had Praise and Worship in our seats (not at the altar), it was still as exciting as ever…we just rocked shoulder to shoulder! Minister Deborah Plummer called the ceremony to order and the congregation (including those in the overflow room) hushed. Minister LaShun Franklin became ‘mistress of ceremony’ introducing Bishop and Lady Hilliard, the Confirming Council, and the processional. Finally, she announced the entrance of our Pastors – our Bishop Elect and our beloved and lovely co-pastor. We were all standing, waiting; where is he? – what is he doing?
Then I remembered his suggestion that we take it all in, that we breathe through the moment and I knew he was standing there doing just that. I knew he was holding his wife’s hand, exhaling memories of the prophecy by his first spiritual father that this day would come. And he drank in the room, he felt the energy of the room and he thought of Jack Wallace who fathered him and created legacy. And he’ll probably always remember the first face he saw as he looked around. He probably thought of his Mom and Dad, wishing they could’ve been there. He probably thought about all that Bishop Wallace went through to establish this body and how Mama Gael supported her husband’s vision and her ‘sons’ succession. I wonder if he thought about a few short months ago he lay nearly debilitated in a hospital bed with doctors convinced that he would never again preach a message. I imagine he squooze Pastor Charisse’s hand gently “Baby here we go!” I’m pretty sure he probably said “Father I thank you for the power of your word…”
There were more than quite a few teary eyes in the room as they entered victoriously, with pride, excitement, expectation and humility. Now, that’s just what I saw, I suppose one day the tale will be told of exactly what they experienced in that moment. But we experienced a very special ceremony where a lot of very special words were spoken and when they were all done the Bishops appointments were presented. Then a very special hand-washing ceremony preceded the pouring of oil upon him. When that oil began to roll down him I think the whole room swayed or swooned. At least we did in the section where I sat; oh, we felt the oil rolling down his garments! Such very special moments occurred that will never be forgotten. I’ll never forget him kneeling in complete submission to the moment. I’ll never forget him standing, spiritually drunk, swaying in the power of the Spirit of God – Bishop Benjamin A. Gibert! I’ll never forget this new beginning…
It is customary, no, it is Biblical to raise a “Levitical offering” to establish the office of the Bishop. By the time the people who were giving five hundred dollars or more were done over one hundred fifty thousand dollars had been raised. Then the rest of the congregation gave. No one begged for one dollar! Bishop Hilliard only said “Hear God!”
When “The Bishop” (our Bishop) took the mic we were SO full. He was too as he honored those who so strongly impacted his life and poured into him. But he had jokes “give me a thirty minute clock!” (In DWOspeak that’s code word for 1 hour, 10 minutes.) His remarks were so heartfelt; so transparent, so Bishop Ben.
It was a great night. And we will never be the same!
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