The past Sunday was the Operation Raven toy and food distribution attracting over 1300 in attendance at The River at Tampa Bay. The people were invited to come by people at the church and Bible school. Throughout a period of weeks flyers were handed out especially focusing on the church’s local bus routes. So by this outreach and word of mouth many came to The River bringing their kids and loved ones for this event. When the buses came there were many kids running to the buses in excitement about the toy outreach. The parents brought their kids to kids church and the check in process was quick and simple. The kids then were fed the Word and were loved on by the workers.

Some kids had a hard time adjusting from being away from their parents but by the end they were involved in the fun and accepting Jesus into their hearts. In the sanctuary with the adults they were filled with the Word and saturated by the presence of God. Pastor Rodney preached the Gospel and many were drawn in by the Holy Ghost to answer the altar call for salvation. There they made Jesus Lord over their lives and allowed Him to come in and fill them with the life changing love of God. Jesus became real to them and they were filled with the joy of knowing they were going to spend eternity in heaven with Him. Next, they were taken to the altar call room and they were prayed for by workers to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. After receiving the fire of God in their lives and a total of over 300 salvations for the entire morning, they took their children to receive their toys and a box of food to bless the family. Everyone went home, happy and changed by the love of God. The bus workers said that they looked totally different and were definitely touched by the events of that day.