Hi everyone,
First of all, an apology for not blogging for a long time . . . but it's time to blog once again! A quick note for those who are wondering: the Fall 2012 issue of CAST magazine is in production!!!!
I attended a conference this past weekend at Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church that was challenging, inspiring, thought-provoking and exhausting (not necessarily in that order). The theme of the conference revolved around Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the
Lord require of
you? To act justly
and to love mercy and to walk
humbly with your God." (NIV).
This was heavy heavy heavy (did I say heavy?) subject matter and the conference attendees were bombarded with images of children being trafficked, startling pictures of exploitation in many different forms as well as being involved in discussions about homelessness, prostitution, and the "bad news" of our day.
Last year, this conference was promoted as an event for young adults, and it left many of us not so young adults (ahem middle-aged) that attend the Adore congregation thinking that it may not be for us. This year, the church wanted to express that it was for anyone who wanted to attend. So, I purchased my ticket in great anticipation of what God had planned for all of us.
The first night, to be honest, was a little disappointing. I was extremely excited about Aaron Gillespie attending, and we were told after an hour of worship that he could not attend due to a family emergency. I felt terrible about this, as I am sure everyone else did.
It was an entire weekend of shattered expectations, but you cannot create a beautiful stained glass window without breaking some glass first.
The Adore band played on Friday night, with a new song that I believe James Liira wrote. I really liked it. I love it when the band shares new material, and I am sure many songs will come out of this weekend's experiences. There were some glitches at first (Luke's guitar wasn't receiving any amplification), but it was quickly fixed. Pastor Andy spoke about compassion, and my favourite part was his story about sharing his umbrella with a street person.
On Saturday morning, Joyce Rees spoke in the morning about the "emaciated church" attempting to give Christians and seekers a "reduction of the Gospel." She explained about the upsidedownness of the Gospel and how the marginalized act as "conduits of the good news." Joyce is a pastor from Abbotsford (I think she is originally from Ontario), and I love how cerebral she is and how she unpacks a message. I also love how she goes on "rabbit trails" as she calls them. She is an excellent and engaging speaker.
On Saturday afternoon, the video that Alexa Gilker and Jonathan Bryden created was debuted, but I was unable to attend that, as I went for lunch with some new friends. I heard the video was really well done. I spoke with Jonathan about it who said it is not available online, but I think it would be great if it could be shown again. I do not think the video was in the program of events (it may have been added on?).
The speaker for Saturday afternoon was Mark Wollenberg, the Canadian rep for IJM (International Justice Mission www.ijm.ca). This organization aids in legal aid and other assistance for those who are being trafficked and exploited all over the world. He showed a video that was disturbing, but hopeful for those being helped by this organization.
Saturday evening was spent in worship and Joyce Rees took the mike. She centered her talk around the woman at the well and what an amazing witness for Jesus this marginalized woman was. There were some powerful moments of the Holy Spirit at work throughout the weekend, and Saturday night was no exception. Touching me was something one of the spoken word speakers said: something about "eating stew with prostitutes." This was a message for me. That week I had made a turkey stew, and a friend of mine came over and I filled up a tupperware container for her of turkey stew to take home. She has recently become a prostitute because she is struggling with making ends meet. I could not get her out of my mind all weekend . . . I have been praying for her, but I feel very helpless. But, I can give her turkey stew. I was grappling all weekend with this question: what else can I do to help?
Sunday morning was a highlight with a bright and cheerful event, if you will: The Dream Women Breakfast. It was such an awesome morning to connect more with one of my friends, make new friends and hear Joyce Rees speak again about the Sabbath. I loved what she had to say, and this is a valuable message. She explained it as a time where we are "being, rather than doing."
In the 10:30 and 6:30 services, we heard Elijah Waters speak who travelled from Seattle to be with us. He was funny, and this was the perfect placement for his talks, as I think all of us were desperate for some comic relief due to the heady material being presented to us. He is a charismatic Pastor with an incredible singing voice (we found that out later), and it is not a surprise that thousands of people attend his church. Sunday night's message was about how we need to stop focussing on our sin stain (which we will never get rid of), but we need to centre our lives on Jesus.
The film, "Nefarious," was viewed Sunday afternoon. When Kleenex boxes are being passed around before the start, you become painfully aware that the subject matter is going to be intense. The film looks at child prostitution in Third World countries, the Red Light District in Amsterdam, and also prostitution in the United States. I was familiar with one person featured: a former call girl who lives in Las Vegas, Annie Lobert. I follow her on Twitter (her handle is @hookersforjesus), and she has founded Destiny House a safe house for women who have been in the sex trade. View more of her story on www.hookersforjesus.net -- I plan to do a story on her for CAST magazine.
Leeland, a band from Texas, performed on Sunday night, with a mind-blowing demonstration of God's ministry through music. They were incredible.
When I returned home, driving through the rainy streets of Victoria, I became to think. When I put my head down on my pillow, I prayed. So, God, I asked Him, "What was the message this weekend?"
I felt He was telling me one thing throughout the conference: "Create" was the word constantly coming up.
And, He said: "this is My heart. You wanted to know what it was and you have wanted to know Me better, and I have shown you this weekend."
I know there is more to come . . . I will keep you posted.
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