The Alternative Press

NEWTON, NJ – Living Waters Fellowship was filled with song, smiles, laughter, and hugs on Sunday evening when well-known “Joy Apostle” Georgian Banov visited the church.

“What impressed me about Georgian was a lightness that he carried. There was no sense of religious pressure, but an abundance of joy and peace that flowed from his heart,” said Living Waters Fellowship Pastor, Tom Litteer.

Banov and his wife, Winnie, are part of what is known as the Revival Alliance, with other like-minded ministries: Bethel Church with Bill and Beni Johnson, Global Awakening with Randy and DeAnne Clar, Harvest Rock Church with Che and Sue Ahn, Iris Ministry with Rolland and Heidi Baker, and Spread the Fire Ministry with John and Carol Arnott.

The Banovs have traveled the world with their ministry, Global Celebration, sharing the gospel with deep praise and worship.

Banov hails from communist Bulgaria, escaping to the United States after establishing the first official rock band in Bulgaria. In 1974 he was saved in Southern California, and soon became the leader of the contemporary Christian band, “Silverwind”, and a Grammy nominated co-writer and co-producer of children’s songs. Since 1979, the Banovs have been ordained ministers, traveling from churches to stadiums throughout the world.

In Bulgaria they have helped oversee fellowship of 35 churches, and, coordinated the first shipment of 40,000 New Testaments translated into Bulgarian.

They have extensively worked with orphans, and Third World citizens.

While visiting Living Waters Fellowship, Banov discussed his experiences with  their work specifically at an orphanage in Nicaragua, where close to 50 children now stay, there is expansion on the building, and, hundreds of trees have formed an orchard to help further sustain them. Many of these children were sold into the sex trade by their own fathers and rescued. Banov said their mission additionally consists of mentoring and teaching the fathers in this country.

Throughout the event, which kicked off with a praise and worship portion with Banov playing along on certain numbers with his violin, Banov prayed for growth in the church, growth for individuals seeking new homes and new jobs, and made a personal connection and contact with many members of the packed audience.

He offered words of hope and inspiration.

“The evil one can’t touch you because he doesn’t want to touch the Christ in you,” Banov reiterated, making a “zap” sound to reinforce his statement.

“Heaven is not someday, it’s right here,” Banov reminded audience members.

The evening continued with words of praise, hugs, and laughter, closing with more praise and worship music, and entry into what Banov described as “the tunnel of love”. The simulated tunnel included Banov, Litteer and a number of the church elders forming two lines, and, members of the church walking through for embraces and words of affirmation.

 “He was truly filled with the grace, goodness, and love of God,” Litteer said. “What a pleasure it was for us to host a man so committed to the Kingdom of God and to ministering to orphans and to the poor in Africa, Central America, and Eastern Europe. I know he has left his imprint upon Living Waters Fellowship as it is our desire to reach the community of Newton with the message of the love and power of Jesus Christ.”

For more information about Global Celebration, click here to access the group’s website. 

Living Waters Fellowship is located at 93 Spring Street in Newton. Services are held every Sunday at 10am. For more information, call: (973) 383-0358 or click here to access the church website.