|
By Dwayne Buhler
ANTICIPATION is building as volunteers and
members of the Missions Fest 2009 planning team prepare for the 26th annual
conference, to be held January 30 – February 1 at Canada Place.
The theme, ‘If My People Pray,’ represents
a call for the church in the Metro Vancouver to draw together in unified
prayer for our city, our nation and the world.
The Christian community in the Lower Mainland faces
unique opportunities at this point in history.
The world will literally be on our doorstep in 2010 for
the Olympics, and the church will have many openings for service and
witness in the community.
There is a grassroots movement calling people to pray
for God’s direction and intervention in our city. These groups
include men and women, pastors and lay leaders, youth and seniors.
Missions Fest speakers will address the theme of
prayer. Tony Campolo’s initial plenary address is titled ‘Red
Letter Prayers,’ and focuses upon the red-letter words of Jesus.
Mark Buchanan will speak on ‘Rest and
Risk,’ two elements of prayer.
Joseph D’souza of the Dalit Freedom Network will
teach on ‘The Lord’s Prayer and Kingdom Mission.’
Marie Ens, a spunky 70-plus senior from Abbotsford who
has spent her life serving the Cambodian people, will share her testimony
and speak about “the widow’s might.”
Mike Yankoski, author of Under
the Overpass, will challenge youth and
young adults to put their faith and prayers into action. These speakers
join more than 120 seminar presenters who are considering the implications
of what happens as God’s people pray.
Samuel Longfellow, brother of legendary author Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow, wrote: “prayer moves the hand which moves the
world.” He discovered that there is a dynamic link between what is
called the deeper life, or Spirit-filled life, and missions.
One of the most oft-quoted passages of scripture, I
Chronicles 7:14, begins with: “If my people, who are called by my
name, will humble themselves and pray . . . “
Some read these words as a conditional clause
– as if God’s work hinges upon our human action. But they
are mistaken. The call to unified prayer is a statement of intention and
intimate relationship.
Prayer draws us into the presence of God and reveals
the heart of God, changing one’s desires into the very purposes of
God.
This includes a heart for all the peoples and nations
of the world.
Continue article >>
|
Great things happen when people pray. Five leaders
gathered in Antioch and heard the clear voice of the Spirit calling
Barnabas and Saul to preach the Gospel, and the New Testament missionary
movement began (Acts 13:1-3).
Two lone prisoners, beaten and bruised after an unjust
series of events, brought growth and encouragement to the church in
Philippi through their songs and prayers (Acts 16:25).
The Moravians, led by Count Zinzendorf and a small band
of Protestant refugees, began a 24 hour prayer chain that lasted a century.
The American Foreign Missionary Society was born when a
group of five students gathered for prayer under a haystack to get out of a
thunderstorm.
The world changes when God’s people get together
to pray. This is the thought and intention behind this year’s
conference.
Missions Fest is a weekend of events planned for every
member of the family – starting with a Leadership Luncheon,
where Tony Campolo will address ‘Staying Balanced in an Unbalanced
World.’
Adult plenary sessions are held over the weekend, and
120 seminars will be open to the public throughout the weekend. There
will be 240 mission agencies presenting their ministries in the exhibition
hall.
Youth and young adult rallies will be held on Friday
and Saturday. Young teens and children have age-related programs planned to
address their specific learning levels.
The conference is organized and funded by members of
156 sponsoring churches. General admission to the displays, adult plenary
sessions, and seminars is free.
Dwayne Buhler is director of Missions Fest Vancouver.
Info: missionsfestvancouver.ca.
January 2009
|
