A web of connections
4/20/2012
| Bishop Hayes, left, rehearses for a live shared-worship webcast March 23 by Methodists in Bolivia and Oklahoma. The bishop preached from the Department of Communications studio, at the Conference headquarters in Oklahoma City, and hundreds of Methodists in Bolivia shared in song, dance, and word. The next morning, a second live webcast was transmitted from Stillwater-First and La Paz. Preacher was Kyle Anderson, associate pastor at First Church, with 75 worshippers in attendance there. The bi-continental services were highlights during a 40-hour Lenten fast led by the Bolivian Methodists. The Oklahoma Conference is covenanted in ministry with them. Liaison is David Stephenson of Tulsa, shown at center. The camera operator is Josh Hinckley of GNTV. During the first webcast, translating in Oklahoma for Bishop Hayes was Pastor Tino Espinoza of OKC-Hillcrest Fuente de Vida. And translating in Bolivia was a pastor with whom Hayes served in the Texas Conference. Worshippers in Stillwater commented, "It made me feel one with other members of the Church around the world," "Thanks to technology, it was a wonderful experience," and "Many tears of joy were shared by many observing." Photo by Holly McCray |  |