Tuesday, October 23, 2007

The Feast - Initial Summary

We got back from the 24-Prayer 'Feast' last night at 21:00, tired but filled, blessed, challenged and encouraged. I've been thinking about the best way to share about our experience there and I believe the best way will be to share a series of stories as I have time to process them. For now, a summary will suffice.

Here's the program:

Friday 19th
19:00 – 21:00 Main Session 1 - John 15 – We Are A People Of Destiny

Saturday 20th
10:00 – 11:00 Small Group Session - Meet people from different nations
11:00 – 12:30 Main Session 2 - John 15 – We are a people of Mobility
13:00 – 14:00 Seminars
Leaders stream – What kind of leader are you?
Prayer Stream – Maintaining your spiritual life
Communities Stream – Boiler Room Basics
14:00 – 17:00 Siesta
17:00 – 18:00 Case Studies
- Hear what people doing round the world
18:00 – 19:00 Open Forums
19:00 – 23:00 The Feast! - Tapas, Flamenco guitarists, communion and commissioning

Sunday 21st
10:00 – 11:00 Small Group Session
- Meet people from different nations
11:00 – 12:30 Main Session 3
- John 15 – We are a people of Eternity
13:00 – 14:00 Seminars
14:00 – 17:00 Siesta
17:00 – 18:00 Case Studies
18:00 – 19:00 Open Forums
19:00 – 21:00 Main Session 4 - John 15 – We are a people of Community
21:00 – 22:00 24-7 Auction

OK. Here were my top 4 favorite things:

1. Emphasis on intimacy with Jesus

This was the main theme throughout the weekend - but it was not just spoken about, it was encouraged, modeled and applied.

2. Unity

It was stated at the outset that people of many different backgrounds were present (200+) who may disagree on doctrines concerning prayer, worship, alcohol-consumption, etc., but that we were coming together to worship and it truly was beautiful. All kinds of expressions of worship and community and no judgment.

3. The new 24/7 Prayer video series coming out

A guy by the name of Rob Job (sp?) has developed a series of short videos of EXTEMELY high quality that will begin to be available soon - they were a highlight of our times together and I look forward to sharing them with you.

4. How non-U.S. it was

It was weird going to a conference where we knew absolutely NO ONE but it was so cool to see people represented from Australia, New Zealand, China, Tanzania, South Africa, UK, Ireland, Finland, Lithuania, Macedonia, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, the U.S., Canada and Mexico. We're so used to being involved with U.S.-led missions and ministries that it was surprising and very refreshing to be led by Europeans who are passionate at seeing ALL people, including their own, come to Christ.

Look for more stories to come - and please be in prayer for our very first Prayer Room the last weekend of November!

2 comments:

Johann said...

So I heard you guys got to meet Pete Greig. You are so lucky! I heard of/read Red Moon Rising and The Vision/The Vow a couple years ago. They are sooo amazing.

Anonymous said...

the "non-american" part sounds like the time Brian, Josh, & I went to the youth retreat outside Bari...totally lead by Italians, and totally AWESOME!!