It's Time!

By Wendy Virgo

Time for more gospel proclamation, more churches, more evidence of God’s power, more acts of faith.’ Alun Davies brought this prophetic word early in the conference. The sense of entering a new phase of breakthrough, in terms of greater numbers of people being saved and an increase of works of power, pervaded the conference. This is already happening in many of our churches around the world, and we rejoice in stories of people responding to the gospel and many instances of healing.

There were many other remarkable prophetic words: for example, Ginny Burgin (Sheffield, UK) prophesied that ‘proclamation’ and ‘authority’ must increasingly characterise what we do and preach; John Groves (Winchester, UK) humorously likened us to lizards which sidle in through cracks into palaces, and locusts whose united power is formidable but alone are insignificant and vulnerable.

Word and spirit

One prophetic word about our moving up through the gears struck several as an apt illustration of what they perceive to be taking place amongst us. We have always sought to be people of the Word and of the Spirit, but this dual emphasis was perhaps more profoundly expressed and experienced than ever before. It was epitomised by the two main guest speakers, Rob Rufus (Hong Kong) and Wayne Grudem (USA). These men are hugely anointed in their very different gifts and we eagerly received their ministry. As Scott Marques from Harare, Zimbabwe remarked, ‘I think the highlight for me has been to see the Word and the Spirit working together as powerfully as I have ever known at a conference, through Rob Rufus and Wayne Grudem especially.’

Those who attended Rob Rufus’s daily seminar found his teaching full of revelation and thoroughly honouring of the Scriptures, while also visibly accompanied by the manifest presence of God. There was no hype but, as Rob quietly invited the Holy Spirit to move among us, many were physically shaken, some healed and, I think, all awestruck! This also happened in his main session. There was a lovely postscript to this. As Rob was leaving the building, a man introduced himself as a technician who works at the Brighton Centre. ‘I was high up in one of the sound booths,’ he said, ‘and I became a Christian while you were speaking.’

The power of God’s word was also evident as Wayne Grudem gave a mighty sermon on the ‘Humanity and Deity of Christ’. Without the anointing of the Spirit this would have been an informative lecture, but with that anointing it was lifted into another sphere and our response had to be heartfelt adoration. All of Wayne’s ministry was empowered by the Spirit as well as being academically brilliant and intellectually satisfying. I was told that the students and twenties at Mobilise were also profoundly impressed by him and wildly applauded his teaching on Biblical manhood and womanhood.

Around the globe

As always, one of the highlights is meeting up with friends from around the globe, although also frustrating as there is never enough time for prolonged conversation! More countries than ever were represented, in fact 54. We were so blessed to have 41 people from Zimbabwe who brought their inimitable style of dancing to the worship. (I ached the next day, but it was worth it!)

Tom Eaton, who has been in Japan with Julie and the children for nearly two years now, fired us with his zeal and excited us with the strategy God has communicated to him for planting the church in Nagoya. ‘Zeal on legs’ is how I heard Tom referred to. It could equally apply to P-J Smyth from God First Church in Johannesburg as he preached the word on Thursday afternoon exhorting leaders to be strong and do just that – lead!

David Devenish’s main session was a powerful apologetic for mission, and David Stroud (London, UK) gave a wonderful word based on the Messianic names in Isaiah 9 and how these aspects of Christ can be drawn upon in church planting situations. Terry’s first talk from Moses’ life on ‘The explosive power of faith’ provoked a huge response, and others have told me that they wept through his second and last teaching from Numbers 11, which was full of fatherly wisdom and compassion.

Increase in supernatural

Interestingly, every day there were sessions about miracles, signs and wonders in the training track led by Lex Loizides (Cape Town, South Africa), as well as in the track led by Rob Rufus. This would seem to indicate a growing expectation and confidence among us. It is certainly true that we are experiencing increased instances of the supernatural in many churches.

Not only were there seminars relating to healings: they were actually taking place. A student nurse who had been suffering from ME and unable to work for a year responded to a call for prayer. ‘Since then I’ve felt really good, even dancing on Thursday evening!’ she writes. Debbie from Portugual was also healed in Rob Rufus’ seminar of a long-standing back injury. Samantha from Nottingham wrote to tell us of a healing in her right knee. She used to be a runner, but had been unable to for two and half years because of intense pain. David Devenish (Beford, UK) brought a prophetic word about people being able to run again, and after prayer she was able to run for 40 minutes without pain. These are just samples of many healings that occurred.

Letters coming in, however, express appreciation for the many other excellent seminars. One person described David Holden’s main session as ‘practical and provocative’. John Groves’ teaching on Heaven and Hell was thorough and clear. There was, as always, a very interesting mix on offer ranging from John Hosier’s exegetical enlightenment from Hebrews, through to learning from church history (Ray Lowe, Biggin Hill, UK), and two from Philip Greenslade (CWR) to do with being relevant to our time but not slavishly pursuing relevance at the expense of losing cutting edge.

Super stewards

Speaking of stewarding, we heard that Alison, from CCK, Brighton, who was stewarding, had many opportunities to chat with the Brighton Centre staff and explain what was going on. Many delegates found that the plasma TV monitors located around the corridors and in the baby room were a very helpful innovation, but it was not only conference-goers who were benefiting, Brighton Centre staff were often seen watching and listening with interest! We heard also that some choose to work specifically during the conference because, according to them, there is such a friendly atmosphere and people are happy and uncomplaining. One lady said she will come to Alpha!

Another steward, Annie, from CCK commented that for her a highlight was the prayer night. It was indeed a wonderful evening of unbounded joyful worship led by Evan Rogers, now famous for leading us in African-style songs. But it was also stirring to hear reports of churches getting underway across the UK, to hear of the extraordinary new church plant in Lesotho, to catch some of the excitement of what is happening in Ghana as John Kpikpi told us of new initiatives there, and the opening up of a vast field of service on the Pacific Rim. It was great to have Peter Brooks on stage relating how the new church in Sydney is shaping up.

Annie was positioned near the large containers to help direct the streams of people coming forward to give their offerings. ‘There was such joy on their faces,’ she said, ‘and it was moving to see husbands and wives happily putting in their contribution together.’ The next day a huge shout went up as Nigel Ring, in his usual restrained style, announced the total in excess of £950,000! We are amazed and grateful: we can carry on the great work God has appointed us to in the 35 countries we are at present engaged in, with the expectation of others opening up.

For years we have produced high quality videos to illustrate and inform about the work we are engaged in all over the world. But many would agree that the videos this year surpassed anything we have had before and we honour those who work tirelessly to produce such excellent work. But who was the anchorman who did such a brilliant job of impersonating Michael Palin?

Hot zone

No report from Brighton is complete without at least a mention of the weather! Over the years we have had it all: hot, cold, wind and rain. This year it was hot, hot, hot! I tend to think that God had mercy on our Indian and African friends who are unused to cool climates! However, we were rudely awakened on Wednesday morning by a massive thunder clap. For a short time we were treated to the drama of thunder and lightning and torrential rain: a prophetic emonstration, perhaps, of what we are longing for, a mighty breakout of God’s power raining down blessing in healing and salvation.

Perhaps this letter from Peter Cornford (Hillingdon, UK) sums it all up: ‘Brilliant worship and teaching! A wonderful time to gather with friends and to be inspired about the nations. A fantastic reminder of the family that we are part of and the forward-moving mission we are on together! Almost counting down to next year already!’

Dates for next year: 10-13 July 2007

Make a note of the dates in your diary!

Downloads from Together on a Mission 06 now available
Praise is Rising, live worship from the conference is now available, click here