When The Oil Broke: A Moment That Changed My Stage Ministry

An unforgettable experience in prayerful preparation and purpose.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of using my gift of spoke-word to honour and appreciate pastors for their sacrifices, leadership, and service to the church. Each opportunity has been meaningful, but one particular Pastors’ Appreciation Day remains deeply etched in my memory, not simply because of the ministration itself, but because of what I experienced in the process.

For this occasion, I wanted to do something special. I desired to create a presentation that went beyond the ordinary, something that would communicate genuine appreciation and offer words of encouragement and refreshment to those being honoured. I wanted the message to reflect the gratitude of an entire church for the sacrifices made in service to God and His people.

After much thought, I settled on a unique presentation that blended live singing with spoke-word. The gifted singers, opened beautifully before I stepped forward to deliver my part.

However, my first few lines did not flow as smoothly as I had hoped. I felt myself fumbling, but I managed to regain my footing and bring the singers back in for their next part.

As they sang, I stood behind them, mentally reviewing the lines I was about to deliver. I did not want to stumble again. I was conscious of the pressure and wanted to ensure that I communicated the message as intended.

Then came my turn to speak again.

I stepped forward, and something happened that I can only describe through the language of my experience: it felt as though a glass vessel filled with oil had been broken over my head.

The sensation was strong and unmistakable to me. From that moment, the words began to flow with a precision, confidence, and power I had not experienced in quite the same way before. The uncertainty I had felt earlier seemed to give way to an extraordinary ease of expression.

I knew the moment was significant. It was more than a presentation that had finally gone well. Something about that experience marked me deeply and changed the way I understood my ministry.

In that moment, I remembered the prayer I had offered before stepping onto the stage. I had not asked for applause, recognition, or an impressive performance. My heart was set on one thing: to honour those being appreciated with words that would strengthen and refresh them for their sacrifices and service to the church.

Looking back, I am reminded that preparation for ministry is not limited to rehearsing lines, perfecting delivery, or ensuring that every transition works. Those things matter, and I believe in giving the work my very test. But there is another kind of preparation that must never be neglected: the preparation of the heart through prayer.

Rehearsal prepares the presentation; prayer prepares the minister.

I had worked on what I would say, but I had also taken the assignment to God in prayer and in the middle of that ministration, I encountered a moment that remains deeply personal and significant to my spoken-word journey.

I do not share this experience to suggest that every ministration must produce an extraordinary sensation, nor do I measure the presence of God by how supernatural a moment feels. Rather, I share it because it taught me never to underestimate the power of approaching an assignment prayerfully, especially when the goal is to serve and honour others.

Spoken-word, for me, has never been merely about rhyme, rhythm, or the ability to command a room. It is about carrying a message with purpose and allowing God to use that message to touch lives.

And sometimes, in the middle of doing what you have been called to do, you encounter a moment that reminds you why you must never rely on your ability alone.

The stage may be where the words are heard, but the preparation often begins long before the microphone is switched on.

"...Jesus Reigns."