Salinas Section Youth Christmas Banquet 2005

We were so blessed by a Special Christmas event that had been in the making for over a year. Last night, the friends of Salinas Section Youth Ministries came together to break gourmet bread and feast under the fine dining roof of Monterey's Bay Park Hotel.

We celebrated a year of partaking in the vision of Young Seven One and Holy Revolution (thank you DYD Dan Garza for bringing a Revolution to our District) with a special slideshow. Our guests were then welcomed with the real meaning of Christmas as inspired by "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Pastor David Prado of Hollister's Faith, Hope and Love Center opened in prayer to kick off the nights festivities in anointed order.

We blessed the name of the Lord and sang spontaneous songs of praise and worship unto the "Reason for the Season." After basking in the bounty of the Lord's presence an elegant dinner was served by an outstanding crew from the Bay Park. The portions of Tri-tip, Cornish Game Hen and Halibut were large and the soft drinks flowed. It was almost the picture of the Lord's banqueting table.

Our guests speakers that special night were the Rev. Harry and Shirl Gamotan of New Beginnings Christian Fellowship and Ministry Coordinators for Spirit West Coast at Monterey and Del Mar San Diego. In a short span of time, they spoke volumes of twin powerful testimonies. Some gems gleaned from their stories were that God breathes purpose into every unborn child from the womb, that God is the God of second chances, nothing is impossible for God especially when it comes to unsaved loved ones, and that nothing is hidden from a God who is calling us to honesty in all we do. The banquet guests were deeply moved by Rev. Harry and Sister Shirl who are powerfully anointed speakers of the Word of God. Before they returned to enjoy their dessert, we blessed them with a special prayer covering and a small token of our gratitude.

Pastor Prado assumed the podium thereafter and gave a tearful and moving tribute as Sectional Christian Education Director to Brother Danny and Sister Martha Morales (thank you Pastor David for your kind words and immortal plaque!).

We closed out the night by waking up the guests of the Bay Park with our joyous and bilingual singing of Silent Night/Noche de Paz and Jose Feliciano's Feliz Navidad/I Wanna Wish You A Merry Christmas. Bro. Ruben Aguilar, Youth Leader of Lirio del Valle Gilroy called for a special prayer over Brother Danny and Sister Martha Morales as they depart the Salinas Section for the mission field. He then dismissed a memorable evening in prayer, fulfilling the dream of our year-end Christmas Banquet.

Many thanks to:

Sister Martha Morales for coordinating the entire event

Mr. James Michael, Ms. Belinda and the staff of the Bay Park Hotel for your fine food & service

Sister Marisela Maldonado of Communidad Cristiana of Salinas for your outstanding interpretation for the entire night!

Brother Izzy Ruiz of Hollister's Faith Hope and Love Center for equipment storage, transportation and setup, as well as for your great guitar and bowstaff skillz

Sisters Shirl and Mellissa of New Beginnings Christian Fellowship of Salinas for blessing us with Rich Mullins' "Awesome God"

Pastor David Prado for opening and your memorable tribute

Sister Vicki of Club Alpha Omega, Borante and Jazzy Amezaga for watching our babies for the night!

Brother Ruben Aguilar of Lirio del Valle Youth Ministries for your anointed part in the evening's closing

The youth crew of Hollister's Faith Hope and Love Center (Bros. Jesus, Noelio, and Jonathan) and Calvary Chapel Monterey Bay's Bro. Abram and Sister Jenni for all your help in breakdown and transportation of equipment - you all got my back!

Mr. John Kopp of Naval Research Laboratory Monterey Marine Division and Bro. Casey Wiley of Seaside Assembly of God for equipment loans

And for all who came and blessed us with your presence that night. Merry Christmas and Happy Holy Days!