We had the incredible privilege of spending the weekend with Pastor Supressa (aka Pastor Surprise) and his remarkable wife, Tryphina: these two walk in humility, grace, and crazy supernatural power!! Pastor Surprise has such an incredible testimony!! He was raised amidst a family tradition of witch doctors. Despite being groomed for the same path, his life took a dramatic turn at age 15 when the audible voice of God called out to him in the dead of night, addressing him by name, "Surprise!" Urged by the voice in the night, he and his closest friend, Gafar, fled their village into the depths of the jungle. After two weeks of supernatural survival, they found their way out of the dangerous jungle and emerged into a town where a compassionate man awaited them. Guided by a dream from God, this man had been instructed to welcome and care for the two boys upon their arrival. This is just scratching the surface of Pastor Surpise's story. Those familiar with our ministry or my book "Carve" know his and his wife's impact on my life. Their story is one of divine intervention and unwavering faith, inspiring all who hear it. I’ll be sure to include a link to Pastor Surprise’s book and my podcast with him at the end of this email.
This past weekend, my family had the honor of ministering at two of Pastor Surprise's churches on Pentecost Sunday. The first service began at 8 am in a beautiful chapel nestled within the serene grounds of La Villa Vita, a beautiful resort with Tuscan-inspired architecture. Picture sun-kissed terracotta walls adorned with creeping ivy, cobblestone pathways leading to lush gardens, and the gentle splashing of fountains filling the air. Inside the chapel, the rustic Tuscan theme continued, with sturdy wooden pews arranged neatly before a magnificent altar. Stained glass windows depicting crosses cast a soft, colorful light, creating an atmosphere of reverence and anticipation.
Sophia received a powerful revelation during the service—a word of knowledge about a perpetual waterfall cascading over the church. She explained that this waterfall symbolized the never-ending power of God, a boundless source where individuals could be continuously replenished and revitalized. She prophesied that a river would extend beyond the church's walls, saturating neighboring villages and towns with the life-giving waters of God's love and grace.
In a prophetic picture, Abigail also saw this waterfall pouring onto people's heads, into their minds and hearts of people, streaming down into their very beings and overflowing from their innermost depths and out of their bellies. This imagery represented a divine exchange: blessings pouring in and blessings pouring out, joy entering and joy overflowing outward.
After sharing this picture, Abigail led an activation exercise, guiding everyone to place their hands upon their heads. She invited the presence of the Holy Spirit, declaring that individuals be filled to overflowing from their heads, becoming vessels through which blessings and joy could flow into the world around them.
Andrea and Pastor Gail received the same prophetic word for the church—a powerful message about the peace of God surpassing all understanding and the longing of the Prince of Peace to encounter His Church. Andrea then released a declaration and blessing of God's peace into the atmosphere.
Then I preached, and while the specifics escaped me, I'm sure it was a fantastic message.
As the service concluded, the power of God was tangible. Our family and Pastor Gail began laying hands on people throughout the congregation. One young man, the keyboardist, was overcome by the power of God and fell to the ground. When he rose, he shared an incredible testimony—after suffering from chronic back pain for 6 ½ years, he was completely healed by Jesus.
After the service, we embarked on a thirty-five-minute journey to the White River Campus, a village outreach serving local families and children. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by Pastor Tryphina, who led the worship. The atmosphere was charged with the presence of God, and her voice echoed through the space, carving out a realm of breakthrough.
Suddenly, an older woman from the congregation made her way to the front and began to dance. Pastor Surprise leaned over to me and chuckled, "She's 105 years old!" It was filled with laughter and awe as this woman danced with strength and passion, drawing others to join her. Soon, a diverse group of congregants spanning generations formed a lively circle, swaying and rejoicing in the presence of the Lord.
Dancing is woven deeply into African culture's social fabric and cultural expression. Across the continent, dance is a form of celebration, communication, and worship. It transcends language barriers, allowing individuals to express their deepest emotions and connect with others profoundly. In African societies, all generations participate in dancing, fostering a sense of unity and community cohesion. Elders pass down traditional dances to younger generations, preserving cultural heritage and reinforcing bonds within families and communities.
Dancing holds special significance in the Bible and within our Judaic roots, as seen throughout the Scriptures. The Bible is overflowing with references to dance as a form of worship and expression of joy. In Psalms, for example, King David danced before the Lord with all his might, celebrating God's faithfulness and deliverance. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul encourages believers to "praise Him with timbrel and dance" (Psalm 150:4), emphasizing the role of dance in glorifying God.
As Pastor Surprise took the stage, he spoke about the significance of it being Pentecost Sunday. He shared how he had requested the presence of all five of his sons for this particular service, desiring to bless them on this day. At the end of my message, I, too, sensed that I should extend a blessing to his boys. The Lord had given me a prophetic word regarding the symbolism of five sons, representing grace and the manifold graces that would be bestowed upon them. Drawing from Ephesians 4 and the five-fold ministry concept, I articulated how distinct and diverse operations of grace would empower each of them.
As the service ended, I sensed the prompting of the Holy Spirit to deliver a word to the congregation regarding the significance of their purpose, drawing from Revelation 5 and the imagery of the sealed scroll of the Lamb. I expounded upon the symbolism of the scroll as the Lamb's book, encapsulating their lives, callings, and purposes. Urging them to embrace a prophetic and revelatory perspective, I emphasized the importance of fighting for clarity and insight lest they lose sight of their destiny in Christ. Encouraging them to yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit courageously, I imparted a declaration of empowerment and purpose, inviting them to step boldly into the fullness of God's plan for their lives.
Throughout both services, a prophetic thread began to tie everything together. God was highlighting the institution of family as a primary means of revealing Himself to His people. We recognize God as the Father, Jesus as the Son, and ourselves as children of God, even referred to as the bride of Christ. In the Kingdom, family is central!!
This concept is further underscored by the significance of the scroll of the Lamb, an ancient genealogy that predates even Abraham and Adam. Genealogies hold immense importance in the Word of God as they represent prophetic identity and inheritance. They serve as a highway of sorts, creating a grid of compounding momentum through which the sovereignty of God is revealed. Whether emphasizing the importance of our natural or spiritual family, we must understand that we have been woven into a Kainos family—a new creation family, the living body of Christ.
This sacred and profound truth is the revelation of the Gospel of the Kingdom and should inspire, yup, you guessed it, joyful dancing!!
Thank you all for your prayers. Please keep them coming, and I'll keep you updated on our African adventure.
With love and blessings,
Darren, Family, and the Eden Team
P.S. - Exciting news! Pastor Surprise and Tryphina will join us for the Declaration Conference in March 2025.
Pastor Surprise Book: https://amzn.to/4bt8yI5
Podcast with Pastor Surprise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLAIhhPz9qw&t=5s