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By Grace Boneschansker
 REYNOLD and Kathy Mainse, co-hosts of 100 Huntley Street's 'Monday Missions' program, will host 'Heaven's Rehearsal' at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, September 15.
Kathy Mainse said she hopes this big event will prepare Christians for an even bigger event -- the Second Coming of Christ. "The vision of Heaven's Rehearsal is simply this: followers of Jesus from every nation, tribe, people, and language in one place, worshipping Jesus, the King of kings, and Ruler of the nations," as found in the book of Revelation 7:9, she said.
The inspiration for this undertaking came as Reynold Mainse reflected on the cultural diversity of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Kathy said Reynold "heard from the Lord inside his heart, 'Hold a gathering; call it Heaven's Rehearsal,' based on this verse."
Globally, this initiative is catching on like wildfire, said Kathy. "We're hearing from leaders around the world -- there've been so many affirmations -- [that this] could become something that will pollinate globally."
As for having "representation from every nation under one roof," Mainse said: "Something like this has never been done."
Even the date -- September 15 -- is significant. "This year, September 14 is the end of the Jewish year -- Rosh Hashanah -- leading up to Yom Kippur, or the Feast of Tabernacles," said Kathy. "It's when all nations, Jews and Gentiles, gather to worship Messiah."
She said she and her husband have been approached by Jewish people who said, "You planned this perfectly according to the Jewish calendar."
People who attend Heaven's Rehearsal will go in blind as to the events. "We're not going to have any announcements as to who will be there," said Mainse.
This will be disappointing for some. "We're hearing from people, 'I want to know who's going to be there,'" said Mainse. But "we can assure everybody that we're having artists from around the world come and join us, and instrumentalists; and dance troupes from around the world will be participating. It's not to be personality-driven. It's truly going to be a gathering for an audience of One."
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As well, Mainse said, "there will be different Scriptures read from the book of Revelation -- where it's all Throne-focused -- from different ethnic leaders, and read in different languages."
The kick-off for the program will reflect an Olympic-style beginning with a "parade of nations . . . coming to the front and laying down their flags and putting on white robes." Mainse said this symbolizes that "we're laying down our identity and we become one in Jesus."
Over 1,200 churches in the GTA are involved, as well as parachurch ministries such as MissionFest Toronto, Global Day of Prayer, Promise Keepers Canada and the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
Mainse said she hopes 'Heaven's Rehearsal' will "restor[e] the first commandment to 'love the Lord your God with all your heart.' It's returning to our first love -- and then fulfilling the second commandment, which is to love each other. It's all about intimacy and unity. And out of that we believe that the bride [the Church] will be prepared for global end-time harvest."
As with any great endeavour, the financial needs are also great. "We're still raising the money and knocking on doors," said Mainse. "Tickets are $20 apiece and $15 each for groups of 10 or more."
Planning for this event is a family affair. The Mainses' 19-year-old daughter Rachelle is organizing the Youth Track, which she calls UR828. "[The U] stands for united [and] the R stands for revolutionary," said Rachelle. "The R also stands for Romans 8:28 which reads, 'God is going to work all things together for good to those who are called according to his purpose.'"
For the past year, Rachelle has been speaking to various church youth groups to mobilize them to action. Rachelle is also in the process of developing a website which strategically links youth from around the world. On September 8, she said, she will be meeting with youth from around the GTA "to pray, and rise up, and be what God has called us to be."
Grace Boneschansker is a freelance writer in Toronto.
September 6/2007
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Matt. 22:7f, NASB throughout
''he carried me to the table''
PLEASE! it wasnt on the heavens rehearsal site, as you dont want any ''stars'' except the LORD. So, please, its a song for ministry -----
www.leelandonline.com
The Evangel Temple Deliverance Centre Mime Group would like to get the opportunity to do ministry at Heaven Rehearsal 2009. Could you please advise me of the necessary steps to do so.