Worship 24/7 @ Pennsylvania Conference Camp Meeting

“This is the only meeting that I’ve come into and sat through during this whole camp meeting,” said one PA Conference GODencounters participant.  “I stayed outside the other meetings, but I feel accepted and welcome here.”  

I feel accepted here.  Intentionally creating a space for encountering God is a powerful, awe-inspiring experience – something you can sense when you enter a room.  More than just another event, GODencounters is about carving out space in our busy, fast-paced lives to sit, face-to-face with God, and each other.  As we do we realize an amazing reality: we are fully known and fully loved by the God of the Universe!  It is this reality that changes how we live.

 

The size of the gathering varied during the weekend, and on Sabbath morning the Blue Mountain Elementary gym was packed with over 140 worshippers encouraged to “BE” (the title of Pastor Matthew Gamble’s message) in God’s presence. 

Erich Mace and Frank Farkash led in worship, with songs old and new, welcoming participants to pour out their hearts as an offering before God.

The response was overwhelmingly positive to GODencounters.  “It is hard to put into words the feeling I had as our young adults filed into the meetings through the weekend,” says PA Conference Youth and Young Adult Director Kris Eckenroth.  “We had planned, advertised, and prayed for this weekend for so long.  It was our goal to provide a setting where young adults from all walks of life could come and encounter the living GOD.  The Lord brought a group of young adults who had a sincere desire to have an experience with Him.  I believe that the Holy Spirit is moving among the young adults of PA and that GE 2008 was just the beginning!”

Pennsylvania Conference GODencounters 2008 concluded with a time of commitment and communion.  Pastor Matthew Gamble, of vagabondservant international, invited worshippers into a time of reflection about what God wants to clear out of our temple – our bodies, minds and lives – for us to engage in 24/7 worship, making the correlation from the Biblical story of Jesus cleansing the temple in Jerusalem.  These areas of our lives were written down and placed in the fire, powerfully symbolizing the ‘clearing’ that Jesus had worked in our experience together.  Participants then received communion in stillness, as Erich played music quietly in the background.  It was a simple and powerful experience to share in community, and many people were crying as they received freedom from God.   

What a memorable weekend!  

Lord, you have been in this from the beginning.  All across the nation, and the world, gatherings like ours having taken place, making space for young adults to worship you in community and to encounter you as their GOD.  Now we ask, please continue to show up and work in our lives, by your Spirit, in a way that only you can.  We long to worship you with all that we are, with all that we have, with all of our time.  We long for worship to be our way of life.  Worship 24/7.  Amen.

 

**Special thanks to Steve Christiano of G.A.D.G.E.T. Media for the pictures.

Ge | two weekends, two states, two encounters :: PART 1

Two weeks ago my wife and I boarded a plan from Seattle and flew to our new home in Connecticut.  I knew that this transition would bring about some exciting challenges and opportunities, not the least of these was the two Ge events that were approaching.  

On June 20 I arrived at the PA Conference Campmeeting grounds, aka Blue Mountain Academy.  After getting somewhat acquainted with the team we had a prayer and the worship experience began.  Erich Mace started with an all acoustic set of worship music which set the tone nicely.  That evening I shared a message entitled Reality which emphasized the fact that Jesus knows everything about us and still loves us.  This love is what enables us to worship him 24-7.  On Sabbath morning, in a message entitled BE we identified the fact that all Jesus wants from us is to be still and know that HE IS GOD!  The apex of the weekend, however, was Saturday night.  As the Sabbath hours were drawing to a close, the young adults started filling in.  Erich lead us in a powerful season of prayerful worship and then I shared a message called Temple where we payed attention to the fact that Jesus went into the Temple and threw over the tables of those who were standing in the way of people worshiping God.  The parallel was then made that we are the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (I Cor 6:19) and a challenge was given to take time to consider what “tables” in your temple would Jesus turn over.  At this the invitation was given to write these issues down on the provided piece of paper.  A fire was burning during the entire meeting just outside a side door.  As people wrote down the various issues that were prohibiting their walk with God, they took the sheets of paper and placed them in the fire.  As they came back in, juice and bread were provided as a time to commune with God, accepting his body and blood.  It was a powerful time of repentance, contemplation, and forgiveness.  The evening ended with a celebration as we sang corporately songs of praise to God!

As I have reflected on the weekend, I truly believe that Jesus showed up in powerful ways.  What impressed me most about the Ge in PA was the simplicity of it all.  While the room was nicely decorated, the set up was simple.  Erich Mace is a phenomenal musician, but again the simplicity of song selection played acoustically created a atmosphere where every voice could be heard and people were free to sing with all their hearts.  Regarding the messages, I truly believe that God put it all together as we learned to be authentic with Jesus, be still with him, and give him freedom to rearrange the furniture in our lives that our preventing us from worshiping him 24-7.  

 

Who knows the entirety of the impact made over the course of this weekend, but for this vagabond, it was a blessing that I will not quickly forget.  

 

mwg

 

call me captain awesome

“It was so awesome!” Those are the only words I could use to really describe Sabbath morning’s worship in the Green Room. For the first time ever, I was able to worship through song without having to stress or worry about what chord to play next. The collegiate group was probably the smallest in number at camp meeting that day, but I think we were the loudest.

I had never felt comfortable raising my hands in praise and song to God before. I’d grown up taught that any outward expression other than saying “Amen”, wasn’t really acceptable. But how can anyone who knows the love of God keep from shouting and praising Him?

For the first time, I raised my hands high to God in praise without shame of who might see or what might be said. Hands lifted and voices raised, praise was heard over the worship leaders singing into microphones. It was a heart and God exulting moment! God was in the room, He was in our hearts, He was in every word sung, every drum beat, every bass note, and guitar strum. God was there. What can I say? “It was awesome!”

missing link

Imagine a simple wooden chair in the middle of a large room. Let’s say Jesus is sitting in that chair, His eyes seeing down into the depths of your soul. Now, think about your walk with Christ and where you are in your relationship with Him. Don’t think about where you would like to be, but where you really are in your relationship with Him. Now imagine standing in the room the distance from the chair that reflects your relationship with Jesus. Where would you be? Are you sitting in the chair? Are you a few feet away? Are you out the door facing the other way?

I didn’t want to admit the reality of my relationship with Jesus because I wasn’t nearly as close as I would like to be. Honestly, I wasn’t even just a few feet away.  But as I looked up, I saw others just as far or near as I was, I began to feel less alone in my personal struggle. Not more than one person was touching the chair that day. It put into perspective that we all have difficulties in our walk with Christ, even youth leaders and those who seem like they have it all figured out.

This powerful moment helped to make clear what Damian Chandler spoke about earlier that morning. He focused on the parables of the lost sheep, the prodigal son, and the lost coin. The sheep and prodigal son were lost outside but the coin was lost in the house. How many of the young people in attendance that day were like the lost coin? How many of young people, just like me, were in church, active, or leaders, but still lost? How long before they gave up on being found within the walls of our church and started looking elsewhere?

This got me thinking. Luke 15 doesn’t just talk about the different types of lost people God pursues and searches diligently for. It gives us a picture of the kind of lost souls that we should be looking to reach, not just outside our church walls, but within them too. Of all the lost sheep and prodigals in this world, how many of them started out as a lost coin? How long did they sit, lost, in the pews before finally deciding not to attend church anymore? Did anyone notice? Did anyone try to contact them?

The woman in the parable searched desperately for the lost coin. In those days, when a man and woman were engaged, the groom would give his bride ten coins, which she wore around her waist on a chain. If she did not have all ten coins, her fiancé could only assume that she used the coin to buy the affections of another lover. This gave him the right to have her stoned. So, the woman searched desperately for the coin lost somewhere in her home. She lit a lamp and searched carefully, sweeping her dirt floor to see if it would be uncovered. This coin would not have been lost had its link been strong.

Many young people my age and the generations after, look for connection. A link through which they can stay connected. Until I developed a personal relationship with Jesus in college, it was my friendships that kept me coming back. In many ways its true today, I look forward to see my church family and worshiping together. Just as important as it is to minister to those outside the church, we need to remember to minister to each other.

We can only be as strong as our link is to Jesus Christ and each other.

GO WIDE

New Jersey GODencounters will be held June 21 & 28, 2008, at the Tranquil Valley Retreat Center, milemarker 23, State Hwy 517, Tranquility, NJ 07879, with Matt Gamble, Malou Cornago, Oscar Rodriguez, Damian Chandler, and worship led by Jr Bonilla and the Cherry Hill Gang. Festivities begin at 10:00 AM. For more information call 609-392-7131 ext 211.

The theme this year is ‘Go Wide!’ however before we ‘Go’ for Jesus we must encounter Him and that is our goal for our time together. This jubilee celebration will be a time of worship, fellowship, networking, inspiration but above all time with our Creator.

For the first time at our New Jersey camp meeting we’ll have a separate venue and location for young adult worship and fellowship. We’re transforming the ‘craft building’ into the ‘green room’, a kick back sanctuary lounge for us to connect with God and each other. One of the features of this lounge will be a ‘prayer room’ where you can dialog with God experientially.

At sundown, we will conclude the meeting with a fun game of beach volleyball. Bring your game. Hope to see you there. For more information email njyouth@aol.com or call 609-392-7131 ext. 211.
-Laffit Cortez, pastorlaffit@aol.com

Worship 24/7

Pennyslvania Conference GODencounters will be June 20 & 21, 2008, at the Blue Mountain Elementary Gym, 45 Woodland Terrace, Hamburg, PA 19526. Young adults are invited to enjoy refreshments, encounters cafe, and worship sessions featuring Matthew Gamble and artist, Erich Mace. Opening night is Friday at 7:00 PM.

Here’s the tentative schedule:

Friday June 20

• 7:00pm Regisration/Worship
• 8:30pm encounters café

Sabbath June 21

• 10:00am encounters café
• 11:00am Worship
• 7:00pm Worship

Young adults are especially invited to GODencounters calling them to wholeheartedly pursue the living GOD, 24/7. If you have facebook, feel free to invite your friends.

For more information go to http://www.paconference.org/article.php?id=137 or call Kris Eckenroth, 610-374-8331, ext. 212

All for His Renown

The beauty of GODencounters is when one comes to GOD, Jesus offers His warm embrace. The stories of the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost sons, are not fables. GOD truly chases after you. At GODencounters, there is sweet fellowship among believers, the kind that is mentioned in Acts 2. As a result, GOD’s fame spreads, and the crowds swell.

In Georgia Cumberland, they started on Wednesday to a packed encounters cafe and by Sabbath morning the Collegedale Church’s main floor was filled, overflowing into the balcony.

In Florida, the abbreviated camp meeting did not dissuade GODfollowers from celebrating Jubilee, packing the Forest Lake Church to the brim requiring overflow seating in adjacent closed circuit Sabbath School rooms.

There is an energy that can be tangibly felt when followers of Jesus gather, seeking Him with their whole heart. There is something to be said when the walls of the church shake for the sake of His glory. It is worth noting when new generations decide to live for GOD’s renown. Worship has focus in His fame.

Although GODencounters targets young adults, all generations arrive when there is a call to worship GOD. There is no age limit, but know that the gatherings are clearly dominated by young adults. New generations spiritually thrive where GOD is the point and they are welcomed to join in the pursuit. There is an authenticity that oozes from them, a passion to be real and honest. They bring this to worship, it is evident in their conversations. GODencounters offers them a safe environment to follow GOD’s promptings and to respond to Him in worship.

The words of ancient texts, contemporary worship songs, treasured hymns, and heartfelt prayers blend into a sweet offering to GOD. Even with the great intentionality by which the worship experience is planned, there is spontaneity and wonder. The focal point is not on the homiletical skill of the preacher, the artistry of the musician, the punctuality of the service. GOD is front and center and all hearts are on Him.

When our hearts turn towards GOD, one is sure to feel conviction and contrition, but there is also joy, yes celebratory joy. It shows up in spiritual songs wholeheartedly engaged, and silences that reflect collective awe. It also shows up in smiles.

So far this summer, there has been nothing more rewarding than to enter GOD’s house, to hear His people bring Him praise, and to see the smiles of His children.

May has evaporated, but the inspiration of GODencounters remains with me. June brings more gatherings, in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I trust that the worship will be awesome and the fellowship will be sweet–All for His renown. And I have a sneaking suspicion that there will be more smiles, both here and above.

At the foot of the Cross

Granted, for most who gather at a GODencounters Conference there is tremendous inspiration during the worship sessions, encounters cafe fellowship, in the prayer rooms, and in the various activities that are most conspicuous to any event. However for me, some of the best inspirational treasures are found in the “behind the scenes” stories.

Heather, Randy, and Ellie Magray have inspired my encounters with GOD.

The Magrays run their own interior design company 360 interiors, but it seems to be only a store front for the Kingdom passion that GOD has placed upon their hearts for ministry. For nearly a decade they have lent their creativity, leadership, and enthusiasm to Deeper, which now has 400-500 young adults attending each week. Heather is instrumental to transforming the Schmidt Performing Arts Center into a sacred space for worship each week. Randy is regularly involved with the audio/visual aspects of the service. In addition they have offered their skills and personalities to the design and production of Hope Sabbath School, Hope On Fire, Deeper Podcasts, and an assortment of young adult friendly ministries of the Forest Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Their credits go much further, but let me cut to the chase of what most recently inspired me about them. After GODencounters concluded in Florida, the Magrays took down the stages and sets, then packed up fabrics, set, and design materials, as well as their 2-year-old daughter Ellie, to drive up to Tennessee to support the launch of GODencounters for Georgia Cumberland.

The stage, prayer room, and green room at the Florida GODencounters Conference were exceptional. We strive to have everything at GODencounters exude the theme, and the Magrays captured well Jubilee in the look and feel of the spaces they crafted.

Orchestrating the set up and take down is no small task. Even with a volunteer team of a couple dozen young adults, it takes significant time and effort. It is hard for me to imagine, finishing up in Florida on Tuesday, packing up and traveling on Wednesday, to arrive in Tennessee on Thursday to start all over again.

Without missing a beat, Randy and Heather got right to it helping Lisa Hope and her GODencounters leadership team set the stage and build a prayer room.

Heather’s parents came along and pitched right in with setting up, also offered “grandparent” TLC to Ellie. Randy and Heather are a wonder to watch, industrious and artistic, working wonderfully with each other and empowering others to join in creating beautiful spaces for close to nothing.

Errrrr. Scratch that “nothing” comment.

All of this comes at great cost.

Every day they donate to “ministry” is a day that would have been a profitable interior design day. They have contributed thousands of hours to GODencounters not to mention their weekly local church involvement. Donated all at the foot of the cross.

So I want to say thank you to Heather and Randy. Thank you for being passionate GODfollowers and giving so lavishly of your love for Christ. It has turned the routine places of religion into sacred spaces. . . into Holy Ground.

With such humility you give and create and transform. Thank you for the beauty you share with us, offering encounters with GOD in spaces that awaken our imagination.

At GODencounters this summer, I found solace, celebration, and surrender. I saw the beauty of GOD in servanthood and humility. At GODencounters I went to the foot of the cross and found the offerings you placed there for Christ. And I was blessed.

encountering GOD… the morning after

“Make me a servant, humble and meek….” The words from the familiar song caused me to stop short. The four young adults cleaning the long-neglected, roach-infested kitchen of this downtown Chattanooga home continued, “Lord, let me lift up those who are weak….”

GODencounters in Georgia-Cumberland Conference had concluded the previous evening for all but ten young adults who were part of this “morning after” service project. During the planning phase of Worship as a Way of Life, the team discussed how it’s great to come together to worship GOD at an event like this, but wanted to take it a step further and live out that life of worship through service on Sunday morning.

The journey of GODencounters making its way to Collegedale, Tennessee, was a long one for me. It began almost one year ago when I met Allan for the first time and, over salad and soup at Panera, asked, how can we make a difference in the lives of young adults in Georgia-Cumberland Conference? The idea of bringing GODencounters to Georgia-Cumberland camp meeting was met with skepticism from more than one of my colleagues, and yet GOD kept opening the doors. Joe Horness was available to come lead worship; Sam Leonor was lined up as our featured speaker; a team of pastors and young adults began email dialogue about our theme–Worship as a Way of Life–and what that really meant to each of us as well as to those who would come to this event.

So when everything finally all came together, there was excitement and exhaustion in the air! The worship was deep and engaging, the messages were food and water for my soul, the energy and enthusiasm brought joy to my heart as young adults encountered the living GOD. But by Saturday night when all was said and done and put away, the last thing I felt like doing was getting up Sunday morning and driving downtown Chattanooga. I had no idea that my most poignant encounter with GOD was yet to come.

I had to stop and pull my head out of the refrigerator I was cleaning. I had to just take a moment and listen to the four ladies singing and scrubbing and smashing roaches. “…and may the prayer of my heart always be, make me a servant….” The ground felt as holy as that of the prayer room. The Spirit blew in and whispered to my heart as I witnessed the hands and feet of Jesus in action. GOD. Encountered.

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

“Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17

Father, may my life be one of worship. May my worship bring joy to Your heart and relief to the oppressed. May I encounter You today in unexpected ways.

Returning to the Heart of Worship

“You are a Child of GOD.” Sam Leonor’s words kept ringing in my head long after the first worship session of Georgia Cumberland GODencounters Conference had concluded. You are a child of GOD. You are a child of GOD.

Sam reflected on the Biblical account of the Israelite slaves who had lost their identity while making bricks for Egypt. They had forgotten their identity, consumed by the work that Pharaoh determined to have bind them. They lost themselves in their work.

Wow. It struck me how insidiously my identity has been stolen by what I do. Especially as a ordained minister, a seminary professor, a family life educator–bona-fide, certified, professionalized clergy– it has been all too easy to lose track of who I am.

“I am what I do.” “I am known by what I achieve.” “I identify with what I produce.” “I am defined by my work.” Lies, all lies.

As a beautiful Friday sunset arrived in Collegedale, Sam shared with all of us about the power of Sabbath to remind us of who we really are. Sabbath stops the madness of the world; It hushes the wheels of progress. Sabbath silences the noise of our work, so GOD can whisper in our ear,

“You are a child of GOD.”

What music to my heart! To know GOD identifies me as His own. From creation forward, He has not stopped reminding me of Whose I am.

The Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church, filled with the voices of hundreds of young adults adoring GOD with worship. As a co-ed in the 80s, I had my share of “services” in this beautiful church, but on this night, I lost track of time, space, and self. At the top of my lungs, I joined in with other GODfollowers to offer my songs of praise to the One who knows me by name. . . the One who knows who I really am.

On this night, we were not slaves. We were worshippers, returning to the heart of GOD.