He is a hero.
In a remarkable turn of events during a revival service in Gordon, Alabama, Pastor Brandon Stewart, hailing from New Hope Fellowship Full Gospel Ministries in Taylorsville, Georgia, found himself not just preaching about spiritual warfare but also engaging in a real-life battle to save a congregant’s life. The incident, captured on a Facebook Live broadcast, unfolded as Lois Adams, a member of Mount Zion Church, began choking on a mint, disrupting the service around the two-hour-and-nineteen-minute mark.
Stewart, amidst recounting an encounter with spiritual forces, swiftly shifted his focus to aid Adams as she struggled to breathe. Without hesitation, he performed the Heimlich maneuver, ensuring her safety. Later, reflecting on the incident in an interview with WTVY, Stewart admitted initially mistaking Adams’s distress for a common cold or allergy, a presumption quickly dispelled by the urgency of the situation.
With the assistance of Pastor Derrick, also a trained first responder, Stewart successfully cleared Adams’s airway, bringing relief to the congregation. Adams herself attributed the mishap to a piece of mint intended to alleviate dryness in her mouth, illustrating the unforeseen nature of the event.
Despite the interruption, the service resumed its course shortly after, with members attending to Adams’s well-being before Stewart seamlessly transitioned back into his sermon. His message, emphasizing the power of redemption and the ability to emerge from darkness, resonated deeply with the congregation, reaffirming their faith amidst the unexpected turn of events.
In hindsight, Stewart viewed the incident as a manifestation of divine intervention, humbly acknowledging the role he played in delivering both physical and spiritual aid. As the service concluded, his words echoed a sense of gratitude for being an instrument of God’s grace, further inspiring the congregation to persevere in their spiritual journey.
The episode served as a poignant reminder of the unpredictability of life and the significance of being prepared to respond to unexpected challenges, both in the physical and spiritual realms. For Stewart and the congregants of Mount Zion Church, it was not just a moment of crisis averted, but a testament to the unwavering presence of faith in the face of adversity.